http://www.higher-frequency.com/e_i...ligan/index.htm

HRFQ : Reading through your technical rider for gigs you request that the DJ booth be on the dancefloor instead of raised above. How important is it for you to connect with the audience during a set?

Jeff Milligan : I think it's of paramount importance to give the audience and next generation of aspiring musician and DJs the tools to enable them to take this artform some steps forward. I truly believe that half the reason that many DJ booths are elevated in the air is because many of the big superstars aren't actually very talented and don't want their audience to know the difference. The audience should be able to see the DJ perform so they better understand mixing and how the music is composed and created. It's fascinating to watch something done well that you don't know anything about, so I think it's a better value for everyone when the DJ is on the same level as the audience

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NEW MIX [Feb/March 2008]

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Originally posted by nrjizer http://www.higher-frequency.com/e_i...ligan/index.htm HRFQ : Reading through your technical rider for gigs you request that the DJ booth be on the dancefloor instead of raised above. How important is it for you to connect with the audience during a set? Jeff Milligan : I think it's of paramount importance to give the audience and next generation of aspiring musician and DJs the tools to enable them to take this artform some steps forward. I truly believe that half the reason that many DJ booths are elevated in the air is because many of the big superstars aren't actually very talented and don't want their audience to know the difference. The audience should be able to see the DJ perform so they better understand mixing and how the music is composed and created. It's fascinating to watch something done well that you don't know anything about, so I think it's a better value for everyone when the DJ is on the same level as the audience

I couldn't agree more with that statement. When DJ booth is set up on the same level as the audience, the party becomes more fun just because of that little detail.

i'm 99% in agreeance.

the only 1% i hate is those people that stand around in a way that you can barely move to get to the other deck, or reach for your records, etc.

some people over here even get touchy with the gear!

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Originally posted by Inertia i'm 99% in agreeance. the only 1% i hate is those people that stand around in a way that you can barely move to get to the other deck, or reach for your records, etc. some people over here even get touchy with the gear!

I totally see what you're saying. I did a party at my house once and this drunk broad kept messing with the gains

Of course it'd be a hell of a lot more entertaining to watch Milligan spin. If you haven't seen him rock four decks, I highly suggest looking him up on Youtube. Fucking brilliant.

Having people watch you is one thing. Having people stand in your way and spill drinks all over your gizmo is something else.

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yeah or having a bunch of flashes from the camera in your eyes.

wat are trainspotters? just people looking out for trainwrecks/

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HRFQ : You are renowned for your 3 and 4 deck mixing, surely now you must be tempted to switch to laptop so you can move up to even more decks at once…

Jeff Milligan : Of course! I have been using a laptop and Serato SL since it was beta. The problem is that the scratch amp only accomodates 2 turntables so i have to rely on playing half vinyl/half digital. Once Serato SL can handle 4 decks, I will be happy to say goodbye to vinyl. Goodbye paper, goodbye gasoline, goodbye oil, goodbye airline overweight charges. I always shock people when i discuss my hatred for vinyl, i mean, i love vinyl's tangibility, but the medium is simply unnecessary now.

very good read, I also read the james holden interview, I fell in love with this site I think.

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I don't actually agree with him. He is indeed a very talented DJ, no disputing that but I don't agree with the comments of the DJ booth.

Having the DJ booth on the dance floor creates a few issues for me. Not because I have any doubts in my own ability but in terms of the clubber. If a DJ is swarmed by trainspotters, and this happens to a lot of DJs with good technicall skills, basically a lot of people will not be able to see the DJ spin.
If you have a name DJ in the club, people are going to want to see them. Also, when the booth is raised you can interact with people much easier, not just the front rows of the dance floor.
There are pro's and cons with both for sure.

Coming from a DJ like this I find that comment snobbish and missinformed about what the clubbers expect from a performance. The other question is, who made him an authority on what talent is and what people want on the dance floor? Seems to only want to cater for an elite group of trainspotters if you ask me (And I know you didn't ask but I'm telling you anways he he).

If a DJ entertains then he/she is doing their job. I have played in some clubs where the DJ booth can't even be seen, now that I find really weird.

Cheers
Nem

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Originally posted by Nemesis44 I don't actually agree with him. He is indeed a very talented DJ, no disputing that but I don't agree with the comments of the DJ booth. Having the DJ booth on the dance floor creates a few issues for me. Not because I have any doubts in my own ability but in terms of the clubber. If a DJ is swarmed by trainspotters, and this happens to a lot of DJs with good technicall skills, basically a lot of people will not be able to see the DJ spin. If you have a name DJ in the club, people are going to want to see them. Also, when the booth is raised you can interact with people much easier, not just the front rows of the dance floor. There are pro's and cons with both for sure. Coming from a DJ like this I find that comment snobbish and missinformed about what the clubbers expect from a performance. The other question is, who made him an authority on what talent is and what people want on the dance floor? Seems to only want to cater for an elite group of trainspotters if you ask me (And I know you didn't ask but I'm telling you anways he he). If a DJ entertains then he/she is doing their job. I have played in some clubs where the DJ booth can't even be seen, now that I find really weird. Cheers Nem

Exactly, I'm surprised nobody else said this before Nemesis did. When I go clubbing, I want to see the DJ as do most people. If he's on the ground, only a handful of people could see him. I like many, don't relish the thought of standing at the very front unable to move or dance.

How can the DJ get the crowd going if no one can see him? Imagine goin to see Eddie Haliwell only to find that he's buried behind the front row. That would be proper shit.

I went to see Fatboy slim at glastonbury this year and whilst it was a good party set (as always) he was at ground level. Last time I saw him, he was raised up high, going mental, pulling faces and writing messages on the records for the crowd to see. There was none of that this time and as a result it wasn't as good.

To cut a long story short, to say that its better to be at ground level is utter bullshit.

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