quote:

Originally posted by Tygon I'll give you a few tips of things i listen for in a demo. -45 minutes tells me that you're not comfortable mixing for an entire CDs length. It MAY tell me you're probably frustrated with making multiple mistakes and having to start your set over again. A longer set will prove your ability to program effectively and control the listener from start to finish. 45 minutes is short for a trance set... use up all media space available to prove your skills. -Ending your set can be part of the creativity and vary depending on the style. There is no right or wrong way to end it. It would depend on what your last track is, the overall feel of the set, and whether or not you're limited by space. My suggestion... Many promoters will listen to CDs in their cars. Bring the listener in a full cycle and end the set on a similar feel as the begining of the set without doing anything abrubtly. This way, it's possible they'll continue to listen to it again without realizing it. The more they listen to it, the more points you'll score. -Though trance tracks have some great intros, I advise you get straight to the point. I listen to too many sets that go on with an instrumental beginning which drags on. Basically, I want to hear what you're about as quickly as possible without any bullshit. Don't waste their time... they want to hear your mixing abilities, your track selection, and the crativity of the set. Playing a 14 minute anthem to begin the mix does not impress anyone. -Labeling your CD is important. Essentially, you want to prove that you take DJing seriously... and not that you're some bedroom DJ they're taking a risk on. The more professional you appear to be, the more likely they'll have you in to play. Have your name, contact information and web site. Include a tracklist with the CD. Don't be too flashy... just be direct and to the point with the information you provide. -Cutting your CD into tracks is a very nice bonus, but not necessary. It won't make or break a DJ getting agig in my opinion, but it does prove your attention to detail and the care you put into your work. I suggest it... especially if you're playing tracks I really like and want to hear them again whie I'm listening to your CD. This will gain you points. -If you're physically handing a demo to a promoter, look the part. The way you present it to a promoter face to face will be the way they assume you'll represent yourself at their club if you play. Think of it as a 2 minute interview... if they think you're a complete newbie or simply full of shit, don't expect a callback. -Veezee made a great point. Unpolished does sound natural. Don't edit your sets... most promoters can spot edits a mile away. -I can't stress this next one enough. SOUND QUALITY IT KEY!!! I hate to hear a DJ that can't handle the EQs. If you're distorting your mixes at home in a controlled environment, who knows what you'll do on a club system you're unfamiliar with! My advice is to record your set at a lower volume and then normalize it to 100% once it's complete. Also, avoid using your favourite, overused records that have lost their luster. Audio quality is a very big deal! Pick your best wisely! Anyways... those are a few tips I thought of on the spot. Hope this helps!

From http://www.tranceaddict.com/forums/...threadid=326222 (which should be stickied, imo. very useful)
go read

Generally people don't seem to care if you hand them a CD. All you can do is ask really, but the chances are most people will be happy to receive a CD the nice ones will shoot you an email with what they thought.

thanks guys......very useful!

i usually always start my demo with some sort of an ambient intro and make sure i mashup (if they're in the same key) or at least quickly mix into the next song (usually within 2-3 minutes of the beginning track). my first transitions are always the best transitions. if they don't like the first couple of mixes, i'm assuming they probably won't like the rest of them, so I bring my A game for the first few tracks to give them a good first impression. besides, when you're a busy club owner/promoter/whatever you don't want to sit there for 7 minutes (with the first 2 minutes being nothing but the intro kick and hihats) to wait for the next track to come in.

i also think that splitting up the tracks in a cue file is important. it's just convenient. and it tells them when the new track is playing (if your mixing is that spotless where they can't tell :P).

greeting face to face is a must. i wouldn't trust my music getting out to anyone unless it's handed out by yours truly. it's looks more professional also.

cd label- name, phone number, email, genre of music. i don't think tracklist is that important. genre will at least give them an idea of what it will sound like.

good luck

a few points

- intro tracks work if used properly, shows me this is more of a set than you just playing some records, but you want to look at mixing out of it as early as possible, though some cases you won't have to

- do bring your A game for the first 3 mixes, they should build and set the tone for your mix while you knock em down after, if the beginning sucks, i press eject and out the window it goes

- i've tossed a lot of mixes out of my car window because they weren't tracked, don't waste my time if you can't take the time to ensure you're presenting yourself in a professional manner and taking the time to learn how to present yourself better, i've never handed out a mix that wasn't tracked

- contact info, one of the most common mistakes, all important info DIRECTLY on the cd: name, phone, email, website, mix name (but really i don't care what it's called, is it good that matters) this is a demo, when you have fans then you can put out mixes

once you've secured a gig, get your demo out to everyone (here's where you start recruiting fans)
because if they aren't coming through the door to hear you play there's no use in booking you again if you can't pull a crowd

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I have a couple more questions:

What do you mean "cue file"? I have a audio program that lets me create tracks. Is this the same thing? My Cd does have tracks.

I don't really have "intro" songs per se. My set starts out with some more chill tracks ant then builds up as it goes. I know what your saying about long ambient tracks and I don't have that, just lower energy chill tunes. I would imagine this would be fine.

I don't have a website so I'll include name, number, email, set name, and tracklist.......CD sleeve with 1 piece of paper for tracklist...black and white...easy to read...cool font but nothing too crazy...i also have a clear CD label that i can run through my printer. I think it looks pretty professional

Thanks for the help!

don't bother with a tracklist

just a labelled cd in a paper sleeve works, the cases and extra stuff usually get lost or thrown out

read the cue file tutorial in the FAQ forum

as for intro tunes, basically starting with a bare kick and waiting for that to build and finally get going is boring, either spice it up by layering an acapella overtop or use a track that intros better

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thanks a lot for the info guys. Helped me alot!

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I just have to say, awesome thread. Definitely learned a few things...

Great info. Glad this was posted. Helped me out alot. I am at the point where I am very happy with my sets and want to get more promos out, and this was very helpfull information.

Mike

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a good promotional tool

once you've gotten a gig, hand out cds to people with your name and then the night details you're playing at: club, name of the night, address, date, time if you know your timeslot

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