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Tips for recording demo mixes?

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  • December 27, 2012 at 7:51 pm #34150
    aaron altar
    Participant

    They really just want to know that you are competent and you play the style of music they’re going for. So with that in mind

    a) play what you play. Generally you’ll want to build energy in a set so start softer, build to a peak, and then die it down a little. All you need to do is show you can change energy levels.

    b) play what you play. If you play top 40, then play top 40. If you don’t then don’t.

    c) play what you play. Your sound is your sound. As long as you’re not playing the exact same music as everyone else then you’re already defining your sound. If you’re a beatport top 10 dj then show why you’re are different than everyone else.

    In summary, PLAY WHAT YOU PLAY.

    Here’s an article that may help you. http://www.digitaldjtips.com/2010/09/how-to-make-a-mixtape/

    December 28, 2012 at 3:29 am #34162
    NietzSKY
    Participant

    Much appreciated RJ. When I was talking about order of set, I’ve come to understand there is some sort of “unspoken” dj etiquette where I shouldn’t play banger after banger if I’m opening, so usually I’ll stick to a slower bpm softer synth/perhaps even a little orchestral sound to start off an even. If I’m going on next, I then play where I feel most comfortable (electro house / hard style / top40 happy hardcore remixes). A few friends have told me that one of their pet peeves is when their opening DJ “plays the floor out” (which I’m still working on fully understanding) and that when opening it isn’t courteous to the next DJ to do this. In your opinion, should I not worry about it and play what I play, or is there an unspoken law that I should adhere to when preparing opening sets?

    December 28, 2012 at 4:37 am #34166
    aaron altar
    Participant

    When playing a gig you are 100% correct. You want to warm up the crowd and get them wanting more, assuming you’re the opener. Different spots of the night have a different purpose and if you play your role the night as a whole will be successful. A successful night should be the goal for every DJ but some get obsessed with being the center of attention or being the best DJ of the night. Here’s an article that addresses that issue. It’s about opening for a big name DJ but it applies to all events really.

    http://www.digitaldjtips.com/2011/08/how-to-warm-up-for-big-name-djs/

    However, you were asking about a demo. When doing a demo you want to show your versatility. That’s why you want to start off slower build your energy to a peak and then bring it back down. By doing that in an hour or so, you show that you are capable of handling any slot during the evening.

    December 28, 2012 at 8:22 am #34173
    Terry_42
    Keymaster

    Just record all mixing you do. When you have a good one use it as a promo/demo.

    December 28, 2012 at 11:28 am #34189
    NietzSKY
    Participant

    thanks for all of the great advice.

    December 28, 2012 at 1:34 pm #34194
    Daryl Northrop
    Participant

    My $0.02 worth is that it also depends on the venue. If you are DJ’ing at a “DJ concert” at a large venue – echostage in the DC area comes to mind, and you are opening for a big-name DJ, then definitely follow a tighter set of rules and don’t “peak” the floor before the headliner.

    However, if you one of the DJ’s at a more traditional bar/nightclub, then you have more leeway. Most patrons are not there to dance the entire night, they want to socialize with their friends, get drunk, etc. So a “waves” concept might be more appropriate for each DJ. Start out their set with some slower stuff, peak towards the middle/end, then lay down some transition tracks for the next person. Lather, rinse, repeat.

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