quote:

Originally posted by DaveSaenz So you guys don't know BT, D:Fuse, or Markus Schulz over there?

BT was totally unknown in USA, He was trying really hard to get into the music bussiness and sent demos to many many ppl, One day gay named Sasha (yes the sasha we all know) heard his stuff and called BT, at that time BT didn't have much money to go to UK so Sasha bought BT a plane ticket to the UK . They started working together and ppl started asking about the new genius named BT that how BT became famous , he did not become famous in the USA, he become in the UK first that way some of his songs are signed under Perfecto label (Oakenfold).
Anyway I do agree with the other guy , become popular in europe and then try to become popular in USA .
You learn how to use the software and Hardware NOT how to make Music !
The music is inside you !

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keep one thing in mind.
Trance isn't as big in the US so it's obviously harder to get big there with that genre, its not impossible, but its harder to get recognized.
Now when you talk about another underground genre, house, which is also huge in Europe, a large portion of the top jocks hail from all over the US - especially New York, west coast and other big cities like chicago and Detroit.
All depends on demand.
In other words, try to find out where what you do will be able to get exposed to a large audience so someone important will know who you are.
Just my guess.

quote:

Originally posted by DaveSaenz So you guys don't know BT, D:Fuse, or Markus Schulz over there?

BT's career didnt take off till he came to the UK. Never heard of the other 2.

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certainly you've heard of christopher lawrence and gabriel and dresden?
No doubt only 2 from a huge country.
And... are there not courses which teach you the fundamentals of music and sound and teach you how to engineer music as well?
My musical knowledge only comes back from when I used to play piano, now I'm unhappy I gave it up but I still have a basic knowledge, but I'm sure I'll need some sort of refresher.
A course would be easier, but otherwise looks like I'm on my own...
Are there such courses Rob?

quote:

Originally posted by Haunted is it possible to make it big in america ? i know you cant just DJ. you also have to produce.. so i guess the second part of my question is how does one learn how to produce? go to college for it? i was thinking of going to a music college but am curious as to what majors to look for.

to be honest with you .... most of the big so called superstar djs that are from the usa ( and yes the ones that people know on commercial level as well as those that extensively tour ) have never been made famous for their productions sometimes as far as never having produced at all.

Producing and playing live are two totally different things and one does not especially bring you the other ( yes and no )

To see concrete results, some recognition from people, as well as real money, Djing is the only real way because in all honesty the average person could never name half the tracks they heard in mixed cds, live sets at clubs and things of the likes ( I'm talking about the average non "addicted" electronic music lover ( basically someone who likes the music but doesn't know a crap about it )

Concerning making it aka paying you bills by producing, it's a long ways down the road with many screw ups, and you won't see any recognition or money for years .... I'm not trying to sound greedy but that's just facts. Some of our very own TAs that have some form of recognition sometimes even label contracts for a couple tracks haven't even made real made cause they got jacked in their deals.

If you want to get somewhere DJ! And put producing on the side, don't make it your priority when trying to making it big.

Im not even gonna read what everone wrote.

My only response to this is... work for it. Start small.. music program and midi player. Get the feel for what your gonna do. Im assuming that you have 0 knowledge about producing, and do not know what is involved. So my small suggestion is.. get Reason v2.0.. and look at the program/layout, and ask yourself "Can I handle this?"

One other thing, DJ first, than produce. Seems like people who produce and than start DJing arent all that... good.

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/SARCASM.

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Originally posted by Coup Vlad wins. Flawless victory.

i told you guys i already DJ :P its just i dont think its possible to make it big just by djing.. i mean look at PVD and Tiesto, their Dj talents got recognized because they produce right? and yes i think i will do well because ive been around music my whole life. played guitar since i was 10. took up djing when i was 16. now ill be 18 in 6 months and im constantly listening to music, i love it. and i dont just.. listen to it. i really listen to it. i have music inside of me or else i wouldnt be pursuing this

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this is it.

1. Start out playing Hard Trance 2. Start at Raves/Events 3. Take any DJ gig you are offered or that comes up 3. When you get to the clubs start defining your style 4. When you get big, thats when you start producing, and play your stuff first...see how people react to your tunes. 5. If nothing works then pack your bags and go to EUROPE

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THE TRUTH

omfg I just replied to this thread with a good post and it got deleted because I don't have cookies. Fuck.
I haven't been involved in the commercial aspect of the global electronica scene too long to actually give an opinionated statement that's credible, but from what trends I've observed in these past 5 or so years I've been listening to electronica and the 2 years I've been spinning, here's what I've come to realize. I might be wrong or right, but these are just my views.
To make a long story(post) short, production is going to get you the lift you need, yes your right. For those of you that don't beleive me, look at GTR. He is a prime example of these new school DJs like the likes of Mike Shiver, O Bir, etc...His promo mix was solid at best, but he's all over the internet airwaves now DJing...I've seen many tracklists on these forums that outshine GTR's promo by a mile, but GTR's productions are going to give him the edge that he needs.(GTR if your reading this, I got nothing but love, no hate )

Location seems to be a major factor. If your in a house-saturated scene like I live in in San Diego, then your gonna have to work that much harder for every non trance DJ that's spinning out instead of you. Conversely, this presents to you an oppurtunity to bring in something fresh and new...somewhat. You can only get so innovative with trance, as shown by these trance tracks that are being released these days...I haven't heard anything spectacular for a while now.
This can also lead to an argument that your actual skills behind the decks matter. Sure they do. But again, trance only offers so much versatility when making full use of 2 1200s and a mixer...Bad Boy Bill is a good example of this. If you ever get to see him live, I highly recommend you do it. His first 20 minutes of his set will entertain you more than an entire show by any trance DJ(figuratively and relatively speaking of course)
Good luck.Persistence is what'll get you where you wanna be. That an a lil bit of luck I'm sure I'll see your name somewhere.

bah... go get yourself some propeller reason 2.0 or reason 2.5... go explore and make your own tracks

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quote:

Originally posted by dJohn To make a long story(post) short, production is going to get you the lift you need, yes your right. For those of you that don't beleive me, look at GTR. He is a prime example of these new school DJs like the likes of Mike Shiver, O Bir, etc...

Might have misunderstood you here, but it sounds as if you're slating OBir as being a big DJ because of his production talents. He hasn't released anything yet, he's just an immensely talented DJ.

If you're talented, you will be noticed, no matter what. But those with connections always get the opportunites first. If you want to make it big, meet people who can make it happen. That's the way to do it nowadays.

And to produce, you don't need any education for it. A lot of the up and coming producers are still in high school (college I guess in Europe). Musical theory will help, but any fool can download Reason and if you spend hours a day at it, you'll eventually pick it up. Not that anyone can do it, but perseverance pays off in the end.

Honestly, you have to be insanely talented in music or you won't be able to make a living off it. Go to college and get an education, don't rely on being a famous DJ/producer.