Well, I'm gonna be using their equipment, and I'll probably be spinning for 30 min. max.

Guys, do you recommend that when I do my transition, I take the headphones completely off for a few secs, to hear what the crowd is hearing at this club? This is the way I mix at home, too. When both tracks are 'up and running' at 100%, I take them off and gradually fade out the first track, catching any possible drifts on the fly and making a guess as to what it should be (slower or faster). 99% of the time it needs to be slower, so I just touch the vinyl. (Usually this isn't audible because the track is still in the beat-intro phase.) Occasionally I'll put one earcup on for one second just to make sure they're still matched, but then I'll take it off again.

Is this all right?

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quote:

Originally posted by Eugene Well, I'm gonna be using their equipment, and I'll probably be spinning for 30 min. max. Guys, do you recommend that when I do my transition, I take the headphones completely off for a few secs, to hear what the crowd is hearing at this club? This is the way I mix at home, too. When both tracks are 'up and running' at 100%, I take them off and gradually fade out the first track, catching any possible drifts on the fly and making a guess as to what it should be (slower or faster). 99% of the time it needs to be slower, so I just touch the vinyl. (Usually this isn't audible because the track is still in the beat-intro phase.) Occasionally I'll put one earcup on for one second just to make sure they're still matched, but then I'll take it off again. Is this all right?

If this feels to be allright for you, and it works for you, then why change?

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quote:

Originally posted by Eugene Really? I'm familiar with matching using the pitch control, in fact I've tried it several times, but it seems that most DJ's (and most DJ's use Technics, of course!) use their hands as well... from what I've seen, at least.

very true.. but you'd be supprised how much they are using the pitch to... the pitch on techs is very accurate and can make corrections more accurate than by hand, especially very small corrections, like phasing the drumkicks to match.

my rule is simple - small corrections on the pitch, more major corrections by the hands...

i have the same decks as you
and when you play on techs, you have to have a heavier hand
if you can mix great on the numarks, then you'll be fine on the techs
just make sure to get some time on them before you play live so you can get used to how much heavier you have to be
always bring your headphones with you
and usually you would want to bring your needles and sometimes even slipmats aren't on there (i've seen djs have to quickly run home for their mats cause the club didn't have them)

what you want to do is take a few tracks that you want to start off with and practice them over and over again
then when it comes time to play, you have your first transitions that will (hopefully) come out alright and you'll be able to fall into a groove and play
those first mixes are crucial to how the rest of your set is going to be... if you trainwreck you confidence might go out the window and you could wind up choking for the rest of your set
but if you nail them perfectly, you have that level of confidence going for you

have a brew before going on, it'll help relax you (although some swear by going sober)
i think it helps to loosen you up so you're not worrying about everything

lastly... have fun

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That is great to hear Eugene

best of luck

Rule of thumb we always discuss here..

Plan your first 3 songs... then just go with the flow... feel don't think... and no matter what just keep going... ih he sees that you fuck up and cry and yell and all.. then thats not a good sign.. but if he sees that you fuck up and correct yourself and can control yourself... that defines character...

So yeah.. you will sstuff up... but everyone does the first time...

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thanks for your support guys
hopefully I'll be able to get some practice with Tech's the night before.

And, of course, I'll let you know how it all goes
So far I have planned my whole set and already chose 6-7 tracks. (Although the order of a few tracks may turn out different.)

I think I'll have to keep reminding myself to look up, at least for a few moments! I've noticed that when I'm really concentrating the only direction I look is down.

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hey dude
congras

yes first time you will mess up, sorry to say taht dude

but you do get very nevous..
but thats ok

warm up abit and you be alright...
time will fly and you wouldn't even know you been spinning for an hour it properly feels like 10mins

good luck dude

quote:

Originally posted by djchamps hey dude congras yes first time you will mess up, sorry to say taht dude

That isn't true. I didn't "mess up" my first time. I'm sure that things could have gone a little smoother, but hey, when can they not? Even the big pros mess up sometimes in their live sets, but they don't trainwreck, if that is what you are implying by messing up. I was damn sure that I could mix well enough with my tracks that I wouldn't trainwreck--even with being nervous and all. But don't instill fear in the guy just because it's his first time. If there is any reason that he should be scared it's because he's never used the eq that he'll be spinning on before.

quote:

Originally posted by Eugene I think I'll have to keep reminding myself to look up, at least for a few moments! I've noticed that when I'm really concentrating the only direction I look is down.

haha.. same here man.. the first time i played out i didnt even glance at the crowd through the first three or four records... then as i realized the beatmatching was tight on the next record, i realize 'damn, i almost forgot people are even listening'... looked up and found a few people in close proximity, watching me mix... glad i didnt notice that for a while... lol.. one of them shook my hand as i made eye contact and tried to yell something at me that i did not hear, and it was readily obvious the crowd was digging the beats. talk about a good feeling! for me, seeing the crowd dancing took my tension right away... they were enjoying, so why shouldnt i be enjoying laying down the beats, right?

just stay focused and positive, no matter what happens, and im sure you'll do just fine!

congrats man, good luck