So you're a bedroom DJ... - Digital DJ Tips

This topic has 17 replies, 1 voice, and was last updated 14 years, 9 months ago by Benny Mackney.

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June 26, 2011 at 10:24 pm #850

Emma Partnow
Member

Hello DJS :);
Thank You for your question;
Although I have watched Videos of Richie Hawtin and though ‘Wow’ when looking at the Equipment he has;
With a Laptop – and the Correct Software for You (and possibly a Mixer); there is No Reason why you cannot Achieve your Full Potential (Technique wise) with the Equipment you have;
However; if I may point you towards a number of Digital DJ Tips Articles (Apologies if you have already read them); I Hope that you will find some Valuable Information there Specific to your Needs and Question you have asked;
How To Succeed At DJing, Part 1 What Type Of DJ Do You Want To Be Digital DJ Tips;
(12 Articles – just pick what is relevant for you at this time);
http://www.digitaldjtips.com/2011/03/how-to-succeed-at-djing-part-1-what-type-of-dj-do-you-want-to-be/
10 Commandments For Better Digital DJing, #1 Digital DJ Tips; (10 Articles – Every One Extremely Valuable :));
http://www.digitaldjtips.com/2011/06/10-commandments-for-better-digital-djing-1/

June 26, 2011 at 10:24 pm #851
D-Jam
Participant
Start with this:
- What DJing With Just A Laptop Taught Me
Then read all 13 parts starting with:
- How To Succeed At DJing, Part 1: What Type Of DJ Do You Want To Be?
June 27, 2011 at 4:21 am #893

DJ Toto
Member

Don’t be afraid to inspire yourself with other people’s work. If you hear something you like, try it out yourself. Sampling is the foundation of house music, don’t be afraid to use it!

June 27, 2011 at 6:29 am #900

Phil Morse
Keymaster

Play live. Anywhere, to anyone. It’s the only way to really learn DJing.

June 27, 2011 at 7:25 am #911

Rob Francis
Member

Ask around all your friends to see if anyone is having a party. House parties are a great way to meet other people who you may get to play for in the future. Like Phil says you need to play as much as possible.

June 27, 2011 at 9:27 am #923

Liambo
Member

Bedroom DJ until you can safely work your way through a hour ‘set’ without worrying which tune to select next and being able to safely beatmatch quickly and mix.. Then play to anybody possible (i started my first 6 months doing free gigs). And as time goes on you learn from mistakes and watching other DJ’s play.

June 28, 2011 at 12:29 am #1172

Arthol Gibson
Participant

It’s awesome that this forum is parented by such a great array of help articles and tips 🙂 not to mention the sincere nature of the members

June 28, 2011 at 1:46 am #1187

Paul Cook
Member

mixing three records and a sample deck!

June 28, 2011 at 10:44 am #1269

Benny Mackney
Member

Paul Cook, post: 1176 wrote: mixing three records and a sample deck!

I can mix between tracks with two decks, but what do I use a third or fourth for unless I’m mixing stems (which at this stage, I am not)?

June 28, 2011 at 10:51 am #1273

Phil Morse
Keymaster

Having stuff ready “in case”, dropping vocals…

June 28, 2011 at 11:46 am #1279

U31
Member

Im sure my mixing style leans heavily on the sets i heard at Pleasuredrome, Wigan Pier and Cream as a yoot..
Dont be afraid to emulate, but also cast your own spin on it!

June 28, 2011 at 12:09 pm #1282

Benny Mackney
Member

Phil Morse, post: 1262 wrote: Having stuff ready “in case”, dropping vocals…

I don’t have vocals handy (‘cept the vocal stems from Chase & Status’ Time, from the remix comp). Sounds like fun though. Where would I get them from?

June 28, 2011 at 12:38 pm #1291

U31
Member

‘pellas…

Defected accapellas do a really good selection… Google ‘Em

June 28, 2011 at 12:44 pm #1293

Emma Partnow
Member

Benny Mackney, post: 1258 wrote: I can mix between tracks with two decks, but what do I use a third or fourth for unless I’m mixing stems (which at this stage, I am not)?

Hello Benny :);
When I first started DJ’ing I used the CD Player in my PC as my 3rd Deck; and 2 Cassette Decks as my 4th and 5th Deck; so for you to add another Deck to the 2 you already have; you just need to look for another Source of Audio; if you don’t have a laptop; this 3rd Source of Audio can even come from a Games Console; or even a Portable CD Player (as long as it connects to your Mixer);

And on your 2nd Question regarding Vocals; I use a site called Acapellas4u
acapellas4u.co.uk
They allow you to download (Free) a number of Acapellas per month; and have a Search Engine; and a Collosol amount of Acapellas to Choose from – it is all Legal; so nothing Dodgy going on; just a Database of Acapellas we can use in our Production or DJ Sets 🙂

I hope that Helps you a little :);

June 28, 2011 at 2:14 pm #1314

Paul Cook
Member

Stuff ready? nope, because of the style i play i can drop in the first track, then the second, then the third then the first then the third then the second, eject one, mix inbetween two and three while beatmatching one, and so forth.
Sample decks are for acapells snippets and air horn samples.
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