If you're not familiar with CD player mixing, I'd suggest instead of playing back to back (1 or 2 tracks each then switch), perhaps you can have him play for 30 minutes and then you play for 30 minutes... that way you can get into a groove for a bit. I will guarentee that if you've never used cds before you'll trainwreck... the more you can minimize this chance, the better...

As for the other stuff on your list... that's all part of growing as a DJ. You have no idea how many times I've carried my gear to house parties or bars just to play a gig. It's redicuous, but it's how you gain experience in front of a crowd (even if it's just 10-15 people sometimes).

Have fun and good luck! Don't worry about it too much... think about it only as practice and if you screw up at a banquet hall, most people probably won't even notice or care...

quote:

Originally posted by Tygon If you're not familiar with CD player mixing, I'd suggest instead of playing back to back (1 or 2 tracks each then switch), perhaps you can have him play for 30 minutes and then you play for 30 minutes... that way you can get into a groove for a bit. I will guarentee that if you've never used cds before you'll trainwreck... the more you can minimize this chance, the better... As for the other stuff on your list... that's all part of growing as a DJ. You have no idea how many times I've carried my gear to house parties or bars just to play a gig. It's redicuous, but it's how you gain experience in front of a crowd (even if it's just 10-15 people sometimes). Have fun and good luck! Don't worry about it too much... think about it only as practice and if you screw up at a banquet hall, most people probably won't even notice or care...

Thanks for the advice. But you also scared the shit outta me (when I'm beginning to CHILL)

What do you mean I'll trainwreck? I won't be playing CDs, I'm ONLY mixing vinyl with the cds, so the maximum is where I mix out of his cds.

Were you referring to me trainwrecking if I use the CD player? Once again, only he will be playing cds and I'll only be playing vinyl. I'll mix out of his cds but not mix the actual cds.

What wer you referring to about trainwrecking? Damn, you just made me stumble.

EDIT: BTW, do you have any residencies/gigs?

Last edited by Ministerio on Feb-16-2006 at 22:14

quote:

Originally posted by Ministerio Thanks for the advice. But you also scared the shit outta me (when I'm beginning to CHILL) What do you mean I'll trainwreck? I won't be playing CDs, I'm ONLY mixing vinyl with the cds, so the maximum is where I mix out of his cds.

I agree with you, he's wrong. You shouldn't trainwreck. The first time I ever used a CD player a friend of mine was playing a small party (maybe 15 people). I wanted to spin, so I did...without any turntables, just with his CD players. And I was fine...honestly I expected to trainwreck a few, but I didn't. And this was a few years ago when I wasn't really ALL that confident on my turntables either (from what it sounds like, about the same as you are now).

So if that's the case, you definitely won't be affected by mixing out of tracks playing on the CD player. I wouldn't worry at all.

I'd still take his advice in that you should have at least a half hour or so between switching, but not for that reason...more because it sounds like you guys are going to be playing totally different genres, so you need some time in between. Otherwise, the musical progression over the night will be...weird.

___________________
-Jon
www.DJjoncaserta.com - - mixes and whatnot (melodic progressive house and trance)

Agreed. It will 'flow' better if you each play more than say 2 or 3 tracks continuously.
Let us know how you go!

quote:

Originally posted by Ministerio Cue? Buttons? Lights? Wheel? Wtf?

I don't know why reading this strikes me as really funny, but it does

What may help you is to know that it will have a pitch slider that works exactly the same way yours does (although watch out, because it might be set to a very large range, a.k.a. moving it a little bit changes the pitch a lot....just try moving it slightly and get a feel for its pitch, or a better idea would be to ask him ahead of time what range he typically uses...if he changes it a lot, maybe you should ask how to change it...it's usually simple - i could probably even tell you if you know the exact player). Just use that if you want to change the pitch on his tracks...since you might have to. Other than that, there's really no need to use any of the CD player functions.

___________________
-Jon
www.DJjoncaserta.com - - mixes and whatnot (melodic progressive house and trance)

Last edited by IntegraR0064 on Feb-16-2006 at 22:33

quote:

Originally posted by IntegraR0064 I agree with you, he's wrong. You shouldn't trainwreck. The first time I ever used a CD player a friend of mine was playing a small party (maybe 15 people). I wanted to spin, so I did...without any turntables, just with his CD players. And I was fine...honestly I expected to trainwreck a few, but I didn't. And this was a few years ago when I wasn't really ALL that confident on my turntables either (from what it sounds like, about the same as you are now). So if that's the case, you definitely won't be affected by mixing out of tracks playing on the CD player. I wouldn't worry at all. I'd still take his advice in that you should have at least a half hour or so between switching, but not for that reason...more because it sounds like you guys are going to be playing totally different genres, so you need some time in between. Otherwise, the musical progression over the night will be...weird.

Yea no kidding!

When I went the the place, BEFORE OPENING, this guy was already playing 135-137 bpm house! (I know at least that much - i think - that you shouldn't be playing these as your first tracks)

So I don't know if I should talk to him about it, or it will offend him, and make me seem like a know-it-all.

Also I'm pretty confident on my TTs at home, and now I'm making mixes where I'm getting pretty satisfied with the mixing/beatmatching/equing...but not the track selection.

quote:

Originally posted by Ministerio Yea no kidding! When I went the the place, BEFORE OPENING, this guy was already playing 135-137 bpm house! (I know at least that much - i think - that you shouldn't be playing these as your first tracks) So I don't know if I should talk to him about it, or it will offend him, and make me seem like a know-it-all.

You should talk to him about what he'll be playing. If he's only gonna be playing fast, energetic house....maybe you should talk to him about staging the night so that maybe you have the first hour or whatever to yourself...then you go back to back for an hour or whatever, then he plays for the peak time hour (since it sounds like that's his strong point and your weakness), then go back to playing back to back. Or something along those lines...use each other's strengths to make the night better, not worse. I'm not sure how long the two of you are going to be playing, but tailor the exact times to that.

Just talk to him about it, and don't be too forceful.

___________________
-Jon
www.DJjoncaserta.com - - mixes and whatnot (melodic progressive house and trance)

quote:

Originally posted by IntegraR0064 Just talk to him about it, and don't be too forceful.

Nah, once you get on, don't let him back on...haha. hijack the night!!

quote:

Originally posted by skot_e Nah, once you get on, don't let him back on...haha. hijack the night!!

quote:

Originally posted by skot_e Nah, once you get on, don't let him back on...haha. hijack the night!!

Actually, yeah, just do that.

___________________
-Jon
www.DJjoncaserta.com - - mixes and whatnot (melodic progressive house and trance)

+1

unless he's bigger than you

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...I'll be back for breakfast