quote:

Originally posted by nrjizer I don't see what's insulting about that at all. The purpose of the DJ is to entertain people, is it not? The love of sharing music you enjoy with others? I see nothing wrong with his goal, unless he's just after money and poon. As for your question - buy turntables, buy records, start mixing. Mix demo CDs and flood the world with them. Go to club nights and pass them out (particularly to promoters and club owners, or anyone with influence). The best piece of advice I can give you is to have your own unique style and set yourself apart. There's a million DJs out there who sound the same.

No I am not after money or poon.Like I said I don't need/want to be world famous or anything.

I just enjoy the music so much that I want to share the feeling with other people.I am trying to get my friends into it but there aren't many tranceaddicts in Austin.I feel so good listening to trance,I just enjoy watching people just let go when they do the same.

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quote:

Originally posted by nrjizer I don't see what's insulting about that at all. The purpose of the DJ is to entertain people, is it not? The love of sharing music you enjoy with others? I see nothing wrong with his goal, unless he's just after money and poon. As for your question - buy turntables, buy records, start mixing. Mix demo CDs and flood the world with them. Go to club nights and pass them out (particularly to promoters and club owners, or anyone with influence). The best piece of advice I can give you is to have your own unique style and set yourself apart. There's a million DJs out there who sound the same.

I guess I need to learn what it means by "sounding the same".Thanks for the tips.

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Ok I can see why having a "guide" sounds stupid and you all laugh.But I am not talking about a rulebook where you must follow everything in it to achieve success.

I am talking more along the lines of what Nrjizer told me.About mixing and practicing lots,going to clubs and promoting your stuff,especially to owners(so they'll give me a chance one day to DJ?)

That sorta thing.Thanks to those who didn't feel they were too superior to help me out a little.

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I don't think you really realize the devotion, time, blood, sweat and money that we DJ's spend to practice... and a good % of us don't do it to get into a club (not that we would complain if that happened), but alot of us do it, for the basic fact that we LOVE it. Some of us have DJ'd for YEARS, and have had no club gigs, ALOT of us have spent THOUSANDS of dollars on equipment, records, etc. and not played in clubs...

So your question is somewhat of a kick in the nutz, because you come across like you think this is the easiest thing to do, and that you think you can pick it up in a couple days or something...

Read past threads, and do ALOT of research... Then you will get a feeling of OUR devotion to DJing.

Well to be more specific about setting yourself apart:

Technics turntables outsell guitars these days. There are a million bedroom DJs out there who are all itching for a spot in a club. A promoter/club owner is taking a big risk booking a newbie with no real experience - you've got to have something going for you that gives you an edge, that makes them want to book you.

One of those things is to have your own unique sound. Don't copy other DJs styles. I know it's easy to go look at the latest ASOT or Tiesto tracklist then browse on over to a record store - but don't do that. Spend lots of time digging through online record shops and find those little gems no one else has, and use that to your advantage. Make the club owner/promoter listen to your tape and think to himself "man, this is genius, where the hell does he get these tunes??"

Pay attention to your mixing, and make it one of your goals to refine it until its silky smooth. You want your demo CDs to be as flawless as possible - for every time you say "well... that'll do," there will be another bedroom DJ who's going to put in that extra mile and record it until it's right, and he's the one who's going to get the booking when your demo is lined up against his. Not to mention, on the night of the gig you're going to look much more professional when you're mixing clean (and you'll be a lot more confident and relaxed in your mixing skills too, which helps a LOT).

Thats really how you get your foot in the door. Buy turntables (I strongly reccomend Technics if you really plan to get serious), a decent mixer, and a lot of records (prepare to run yourself into debt with your record bills). Practice your beatmatching. Practice your track selection (how to build and craft a unique, flowing set out of individual tunes, instead of just putting random shit on back to back). Once you get good, and have a good stock of records, make demo CDs, flood the world with them. Burn 20 and take them with you when you go partying and hand them out.

Now when it actually comes down to your first gig, keep this in mind: your track selection is what makes your set. If you can't create a good, flowing set, and read the mood of the crowd, you'll get nowhere. Keep that in mind.

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NEW MIX [Feb/March 2008]

ignore all the negativity
Work hard and really want it, and stick with it (cos its really REALLY hard) and you will get there eventually.

By no means is it easy and its more who you know than how good you are once it gets to a certain point.

Good luck

quote:

Originally posted by J:\Digital So your question is somewhat of a kick in the nutz, because you come across like you think this is the easiest thing to do, and that you think you can pick it up in a couple days or something...

No, it's not a kick in the nuts at all. He asked a simple question - just because he hasn't any better clue doesn't mean he's insulting you. Deflate your ego a little bit and help a poor guy out.

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NEW MIX [Feb/March 2008]

quote:

Originally posted by nrjizer No, it's not a kick in the nuts at all. He asked a simple question - just because he hasn't any better clue doesn't mean he's insulting you. Deflate your ego a little bit and help a poor guy out.

I ain't on an ego trip mate.. but alot of the first posts were from people who seemed offended... therefore its a kick in the nutz for them..

and I think my post will help the guy out(in an eye-opening sort of way).. He prolly doesn't have much idea how much some of this stuff costs, IE: records (like you mentioned)... Reading past DJ Booth threads will help him determine whether he wants to truly persue this.. and IF he does pick up some tables, congratulations and best of luck, Cuz its a hard long road. We all know that...

Buy this book, it's really good.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/dance/re...r_howtodj.shtml

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Meh

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Originally posted by T3nchI [...] and you all laugh. Thanks to those who didn't feel they were too superior to help me out a little.

I was actually laughing at some of the overly dramatic responses people posted. But the forums are full of elitists, you just have to ignore them sometimes.

A lot of the others have posted advice more useful than I probably could. I remember reading that recess.co.uk site a lot when I was a n00b at this a few years ago. Very helpful stuff. But as some of the others said...don't forget to develop a creative, unique edge once you get the basics down.

well i just started dj'ing and i love it...now i am no expert or anything but i think next to all this good advice u also need to be involved in the scene in ur area and have good connections..ever go to a party and think man this dj sucks well guess what he is connected...tget involved in the scene and hook up with the right people...throw some parties were u dj..offer to play for free...get into the scene and be out n about as much as u can