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This sort of thread (rating my first mix) normally belongs in the DJ Promotion forum, but this thread has got some good info on how to put together your first demo mix, so please either grab some tips or leave some pointers.

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Hey everyone, this is my first demo and I have the opportunity to spin at a club and see how I do for the first time. Please let me know if this is good enough to give to a club promoter or if it needs to be redone. I'm a total n00b


[[ LINK REMOVED ]]


1. DALITE - SUNDAY (Original Mix)
2. Kaiser Souzai - Gaia (Kaiser Souzai Remix)
3. Cara Dillon vs 2Devine - Black is the Colour (Coco & Green Mix)
4. The Freaks - The Creeps (Vandalism Mix)
5. BK - Systematic (Yuri & Leonid (2Special) House Remix)
6. Electrixx - Rock N Roll (Original Mix)

Its only 30 minutes long.

I posted something similar to this but got no response, I really need feedback so I thought I would try in this forum.

ill let you know how it is when you post it in the DJ Promotion forum. also its helpful to rate and criticise others' mixes in order to get feedback for yourself...

The file you are trying to access is temporarily unavailable.

i got that

quote:

Originally posted by SPAWNmaster ill let you know how it is when you post it in the DJ Promotion forum. also its helpful to rate and criticise others' mixes in order to get feedback for yourself...

Its there. Title is "First Demo". Im pretty new to the forum so thanks for letting me know the etiquette.

Cheers

6 Tracks/30 minutes is not a good demo. It needs to be AT LEAST twice that long. Period.

If you aren't capable of making an hour long CD at home, then there's no way you're ready to spin at a club.

quote:

Originally posted by nrjizer 6 Tracks/30 minutes is not a good demo. It needs to be AT LEAST twice that long. Period. If you aren't capable of making an hour long CD at home, then there's no way you're ready to spin at a club.

Well the people I talked to suggested 30-45 because the promoters don't want to hear a 1+ hour set. They just want to hear mixing ability and general track selection. I can spin for 2 hours pretty easily if I need to

Have you submitted demo's and gotten gigs? Im really not trying to be condesending, I just don't how to say it

as a former promoter

i want at least an hour with 10-12 tracks or however many you feel you want to put in there without making it too crowded or loose for that matter

it shows you can string together an hour of tunes coherently and fluently

and for the love of god track it

non-tracked cds get tossed without a second thought

quote:

Originally posted by nrjizer 6 Tracks/30 minutes is not a good demo. It needs to be AT LEAST twice that long. Period. If you aren't capable of making an hour long CD at home, then there's no way you're ready to spin at a club.

I little harsh perhaps and I'm not sure I would agree

Ironically the best place to learn to DJ is in the club, you learn much more when spinning in a club then you do at home assuming that the basics are reasonable.

Cheers
Nem

quote:

Originally posted by Tony Morello as a former promoter i want at least an hour with 10-12 tracks or however many you feel you want to put in there without making it too crowded or loose for that matter it shows you can string together an hour of tunes coherently and fluently and for the love of god track it non-tracked cds get tossed without a second thought

I tracked the CD i burned where the mixing starts.


Thanks for the input, I'll put something a little longer together today.

quote:

Originally posted by nrjizer 6 Tracks/30 minutes is not a good demo. It needs to be AT LEAST twice that long. Period.

Exactly. Wait til your established in your town before you start handing out 30 min promos.

I'm still not convinced that I agree with the longer demo concept.

Basically, the key to getting work is getting to know people (We all agree on that). After that, what you give them is secondary as half the time people wont listen to it anyway. Getting to know peoople I would say is about 70% of the job, demo is the remaining at best. I never new anyone that got a job just from an awesome demo if the guy with the position didn't like or know the face.

I still think 40 minutes is sufficient for a demo.

Back in the old school days of demo tapes the limit was 45 anyway and this worked for everyone. What was on the other side was totally irrelivant to most promoters.

It is fair to say though that you should still record yourself doing longer sets up to 2 hours as this is one of the problems a lot of guys coming out of the bedroom have, i.e. they peak too quikcly and can't deliver after that.

Cheers
Nem

quote:

Originally posted by Nemesis44 Basically, the key to getting work is getting to know people (We all agree on that). After that, what you give them is secondary as half the time people wont listen to it anyway. Getting to know peoople I would say is about 70% of the job, demo is the remaining at best. I never new anyone that got a job just from an awesome demo if the guy with the position didn't like or know the face.

+1

the demo is only a small part of what it takes to get you gigs

you have to be out and meet everybody, become friends with them

if anything, give your demo to them

it's the people who come through the door and buy drinks

without a crowd, as a dj, you're not much

quote:

Originally posted by Nemesis44 It is fair to say though that you should still record yourself doing longer sets up to 2 hours as this is one of the problems a lot of guys coming out of the bedroom have, i.e. they peak too quikcly and can't deliver after that. Cheers Nem

like a club dj "virgin" or something lol

quote:

Originally posted by Nemesis44 Basically, the key to getting work is getting to know people (We all agree on that). After that, what you give them is secondary as half the time people wont listen to it anyway. Getting to know peoople I would say is about 70% of the job, demo is the remaining at best. I never new anyone that got a job just from an awesome demo if the guy with the position didn't like or know the face.

Yep, but giving someone a demo is a good place to start the communication.

I've had a couple of gigs purely from demos, but not many... although without demos I don't think I would have got any at all because the others were a combination of getting to know people AND impressing people with a good demo - although I always find it's the contacts you least expect that end up getting you gigs!

I should close this, but I'm not going to close it and let it continue as a thread to help people with their first mixes.

lol i would like to know who makes the rules for demo's, i would also like to know how many promotors, or whatevor'z devote one full hour of their time to listen to these domor's. I guess you have to be armin van sasha to record anything below one hour, or else people will just shov that less than one hour demo up your crotch and laugh at you like a blithering idiot

actually, most "demos" ive heard about of established "locals" are usually about 1/2 hour... seems fine to me in some ways... not in others.

The promoter in me says:
An hour set is just enough to put on a cd. Any less and one starts to question your ability to mix more than handfull of songs. Mostly though, it's about the journey. What booking promoter is really trying to do is hear your sound. Often enough, the promoter may not know you personally and aside from the occassional conversation online or on the phone, they don't know how you perform. This is where a solid demo is essential.
Think of it as "your resume" for a job. If you send a resume that only shows you've only worked at one job for a few months and nothing else, you are likely not to get that job. A demo mix is no different. A thirty minute mix isn't enough time to let a promoter understand how you transition through a mix. It's more of a "teaser".

The dj in me says:
Stay true to your sound and don't put anything on the mix that you can't back up. Sure club promoters want you to be versatile, which is why longer mixes are definitely the way to go. But don't give a promoter a mix with just house music if the only tracks you have are on that mix. I don't know how many times I've got a demo from a dj who mixed psytrance only to find out that they don't have enough music to support a full set. One time I booked a guy and he dropped progressive house at the show. I was not happy. Even if you play multiple styles (as you should if your club ready), be specific with the club promoter on what your going to play.

On the outside:
Remember this mix is like your resume. So put a little effort in it. It's one thing to pass a short mix burned on a CD-R with your name scribbled on it to your friends. But keep in mind promoters get alot of cd's from alot of dj's. If you're passing out a standard mix (at least 60 minutes) to party people, keep a "nice copy" for the promoter. Spend a few extra cents and get a jewel case. Print out a decent label with some cool cover art. This is what makes a cd stand out.

Label your cd:
It seems that this is the most difficult thing for dj's to remember. Often enough, I get a plain cd with some name on it. Nothing else nothing more. I could do the extra leg work and search the internet or my contacts for whatever name the Sharpie pen hiroglyphics say. But why bother when I have five other cd's sitting on my desk that have that info?
The message here is to put your name on the cd clearly. Include a contact number/email/website where I can get hold of you. Again, think of the demo as your resume. Would you give a resume to a potential employer without your phone number on it? Of course you wouldn't.

Regarding .mp3 demos/submissions:
Digital media has allowed us to put alot more information in less space and move it quickly. They're also a great way to get your music to people without having to do the "face-time". This is a great tool esepecially when searching for bookings outside your own area. When you make an .mp3 mix for download, ensure that you go to the properties and "tag" your mix. Many digital players don't read the file name (ie: DJ N00b - My First Demo). Rather they read the id3v tag that .mp3's contain. Here, you can put vital information. It's easy to do (Right-Click/Properties/Summary/Advanced) and you can add your email address in the comments section. This allows me to be able to contact you and stays with the file itself. Meaning, if I get a recommendation from somebody (as I often do) and download the mix. I also have the info I need to make contact.

Now I've rambled on enough... If you need any more help feel free to ask...

Great advice- lots to think about in the above post

quote:

Originally posted by Tony Morello you have to be out and meet everybody, become friends with them

as much as I agree with most of your points in the thread...I can't agree that it's good to be friends with all the promoters, djs, club owners etc...

it's all business...and if you get too much attached to some of the people you just can't go higher...I'm not saying it's nice...but many times you'll just have to use someone and being friends with them will make it lots harder...

it might be one of the reasons why I'm still where I am...but actually I still think it's better keeping these people as some kinda of "people you just know and maybe hang out with" but not real friends...
Once you're starting to be successful you'll notice jealousy from the other DJs and such...not nice either.

You make some good points BOOsTER, but the fact of the matter is you have to be out meeting people and supporting the scene. Can't just sit at home and do fuckall.

that's not what I was arguing, Greg.
my point is that getting too attached to the people you meet through the business isn't the best way...I have some experience myself...and I have quite successful friday nights every week at a club here.

I put together a 51 minute promo/demo and gave it to the promoter of the club im trying to get a gig at.

Thanks for all the advice.

quote:

Originally posted by Allied Nations You make some good points BOOsTER, but the fact of the matter is you have to be out meeting people and supporting the scene. Can't just sit at home and do fuckall.

that's what i was meaning

i'm not buddy buddy with all the djs and promoters, but they see me out and supporting the scene

this is a business of who you know not what you know

the more people you know and who know who you are the better

you don't need to call them up and invite them out on movie night, just make sure they know your name and you know theirs

i ran calgary's #1 electronic night for 2 years, i also have experience too

For the record, I agree that doing "face-time" is a necessary evil that occurs. And many promoters lure you into going to thier events in hope that you'll bring a few people and thus bringing thier numbers up. Meanwhile, you hope that you'll get booked.

Personally, I think this is bullshit. That's all about boosting each other's egoes. I've been "in the scene" for 15 years. I've been dj'ing for 11. I produce and have remixed for some pretty big names. These days, I do alot more "behind the scenes" work that actual face time. Moreover I have a family, a business, and other personal affects to manage. Which means, I often don't have the time to support every event or club I'd like to. Sure, you should definitely be hitting up the spots you want to play. This way you can get an idea of what the room is like and such. But I don't feel that your attendance to ANY event should be a factor in getting booked or not. YOUR MUSIC should be what matters.

Realistically, I know it doesn't work that way all the time... But bear in mind that if keep a myopic view like this that you are truly limiting yourself.

An example:
There is no way that I could ever attend a party in another country just to attend it. I don't have the time or money to support that. But I've sent demos and promoted my music to other cities/countries and have been blessed to be able to play there. In fact, I play out more in other cities (in the US) and other countries (three times last year)than here in my home scene. I get booked locally about once a month, not including my own gigs. While some months, I double that in outside gigs.

How can this be done?
Having a solid demo mix and impressive dj resume helps. But overall, it's your music that reflects who you are. You should make sure that when someone listens to your music, they have an understanding of what you're about. When they listen to your mix and read the tracklist, they should see the progression that you try to bring. When promoters see the artwork on the cd, they can get a visual portrait of what to expect in the mix. By having your contact info printed legibly on the cd, it gives an image that you're a "professional" (which weighs in heavy on many promoters).
By this point, you already have many points in your favor and getting booked or not is now only truly reflective of the personal tastes in the promoter. The promoter at this point has already made up thier mind if you can give them what the club/event needs. Any "face-time" you put in is likely not to make much of a difference.

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