I'm new to djing even tho i've been a trance fan for quite a while. Whne i got my setup, i din't get an effects unit because i run the sound through my laptop, and i have prog that has basic effects, and I wanted to concentrate on increasing my mixing ability, before i venture into messing abt with effects. My question is how important is an effects unit to a decent dj today? Can it make or break his mix? Some people say that some djs mask their poor mixing skills with great effects. Is this true? how do you stay behind the line of having a signature effect vs. overuse. Does the average listener really care abt the effects a dj uses while mixing?

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i dont really think that using alot of effects in trance is very good it sounds abit rubbish but when used in techno they sound awesome abuse the hell out of the music

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http://www.prizelive.com/r/sleepydragon

FX unit isn't really THAT necessary. More important is to learn to mix first and then maybe adding something little here and there while you know what you're doing and not just trying to be 1337 because you can add some nice FX to your mixes. Good mixers have enough FXs for most of us IMO and you can easily spoil the feel of the mix by adding too much this and too much that in your sets.

I doubt the average listener cares how much you really use additional FXs but more likely how good you are actually mixing and keeping the flow. And yes, some DJs do hide their poor DJ skills under all the FXs. I don't recommend you to do so too.

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The walking discography.

quote:

Leslie Nielsen: Doing nothing is very hard to do... you never know when you're finished.

I'd say you were better off not getting an effects unit for mixing with trance, maybe if you were using something with some live instrumentation or some breaks it will probably sound better

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As mentioned, it depends what you're playing. For techno it is a great creative tool and can transform tunes into something you've never heard before, while as in trance just using the flanger too much will piss people off.

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"Wenn du dich zum Untergrund zählst, reicht es nicht, es nur zu sagen. Du musst auch viel graben, um es zu werden."

If more dj's concentrated on mixing than FX then i'd be happy

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FX are cool when used properly and rarely. Zabiela is good with FX

the worst thing about FX is going overboard - instead of a set you get a zoo of sounds. it's like DJ Jean playing with the knobs or playing that fart remix of resurrection

FX are fantastic but don't flange. The flange has been used and abused.

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NEW MIX [Feb/March 2008]

Good points. I agree that effects enhance techno sets along with knob twisting. Techno wouldn't be the same without the effects and tweaks.

For trance you can throw a flanger in, maybe once in a set. Otherwise it's flanger abuse and you look like a rookie. Auto pan can be cool on the right track especially on cd's you listen to in the car. The filter, which I don't have on my 500, can be cool if not overused.

I like the echo effect for prog and sometimes the delay.

You should learn to mix first though, and effects and tweaks shouldn't be used as a cover, but an enhancer. When you get better at beatmatching you'll have a lot more time to use your effects, or drop your new kick in over the break as a teaser or building effect, etc...

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Most trance deejays don't do much with the effects. You see more of that with Zabiela and co.. Personally whatever works for a deejay, then go for it.

djs who does not use the flange properly should be shot

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