Here's my take on this...

Diverse Record Box
The DJ needs to be able to have a variety of styles to cater to the needs of the crowd.

Track Selection/Build-Up
The right track at the right time, and the wrong track at the wrong time makes all the difference in a set. I also like something that builds up to a nice climactic, energetic ending.

Crowd Interaction
A DJ should be into what's playing, and should show it. I like a DJ who will dance in the booth and acknowledge the crowd, and who smiles a lot.

Mixing
Mixing must at least be mediocre. I can handle double-beats for a couple of seconds, as long as it is fixed right away. You also can't start mixing tunes over the melody... I've heard a DJ do this before (and still does it), and it's absolutely horrible.

For the most part that is true, but melody overlapping can be good as long as the songs are in key and harmonize. That is a far greater challenge, but the reward can be very fulfilling. For example, Breeder - Twilo Thunder mixes awesome with L.S.G. - Netherworld with big time melody overlap, but this is a risky process and one should listen hard in the headphones while beatmatching to make sure there isn't a clash.

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Old Norsk Sessions every 4th Monday from 4-6pm EST on Digitally Imported Radio (Progressive Station), and 7pm CET on Trance.fm every 1st Saturday

The Set has to be a real show... Fireworks when the track "explodes", dance with the crowd, start with BPM around 134, then go to 139 BPM... 139... Ideal dance BPM

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quote:

Originally posted by Nite-Mer For the most part that is true, but melody overlapping can be good as long as the songs are in key and harmonize. That is a far greater challenge, but the reward can be very fulfilling. For example, Breeder - Twilo Thunder mixes awesome with L.S.G. - Netherworld with big time melody overlap, but this is a risky process and one should listen hard in the headphones while beatmatching to make sure there isn't a clash.

Yeah, like a mashup. Those can be done, but that DJ wasn't trying to mash the songs together in a good way; he was just trying to mix out of them. It was a horrible set.

quote:

Originally posted by idoru Yeah, like a mashup. Those can be done, but that DJ wasn't trying to mash the songs together in a good way; he was just trying to mix out of them. It was a horrible set.

I hear you. I have definitely seen some of those. I figured that was what you meant, but wanted to elaborate a little. For the most part I agree 100% with your analysis. And there is a lot of shit one can get away with as a dj. The average listener might catch a wreck, but won't even hear the minor double beat. As long as you correct quickly, one can get away with murder.

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Old Norsk Sessions every 4th Monday from 4-6pm EST on Digitally Imported Radio (Progressive Station), and 7pm CET on Trance.fm every 1st Saturday

quote:

Originally posted by basd The only thing I don't understand from your post is the BPM factor, in what way does that influence the qualities of a DJ? Some people like it fast, some like it slower, that's got nothing to do with DJ quality I think.

Like it was said allready, the pace of the night is very important. now while some may like it slow and some may like it fast certain songs just don't sound good at certain BPM's and tunez like PvD - Animacion sound a lot better with the BPM cranked up a few notches.

This might just fall under effects I suppose but I think it's important that not only do you not wear the crowd out or bore them to death but also that you have a feel for how songs should really be heard.

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quote:

Originally posted by trance_n_dance Like it was said allready, the pace of the night is very important. now while some may like it slow and some may like it fast certain songs just don't sound good at certain BPM's and tunez like PvD - Animacion sound a lot better with the BPM cranked up a few notches. This might just fall under effects I suppose but I think it's important that not only do you not wear the crowd out or bore them to death but also that you have a feel for how songs should really be heard.

Problem with that is interpretation. Everyone likes different tempos. Key is to read the crowd. Some sets you want to vary your tempo up or down or both to create a rollercoaster effect. As long as you do it slowly and fluidly, people won't even notice. In an hour, it is easy to bump up 5 or 10+ BPM. I really like opening more progressive and building the tempo and the energy as the set goes, but it is also really effective to drop down a bit from the beginning and then build back up and keep building beyond the level of the intro track and closing out at a peak.

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Old Norsk Sessions every 4th Monday from 4-6pm EST on Digitally Imported Radio (Progressive Station), and 7pm CET on Trance.fm every 1st Saturday

The unparalleled ability to rebound from a trainwreck and turn it into a good thing that drives the crowd wild.


P.S. this is not unheard of. Someone like James Zabiela *intentionally* uses clashing sounds and atmospheres, not to mention a bit of good ol' beatslop and maybe some scratching to prime for a rising climax -- letting the bass drop when the smoke clears.

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