D-Jam

I’d only buy F1’s if the Remix Decks are vital to how I play.

Right now I still mainly straight mix like I did long ago on vinyl and CD…so I don’t go out buying loads of gear if I’ll barely touch it in a night.

It’s the same with the S4. Are you going to use 4 decks all the time? Or perhaps you can go with 2 and be good with your setup? In that case then, consider the S2.

It’s so easy to fall into the trap of buying everything top quality…but regretful when you’re ebaying it later because you’re not using it enough to justify the money spent. It’s why in my photography I’m still on my old 400D and have been getting DIY with lighting. DJing I’m the same…why buy a new laptop if all I’m doing is making mixes on my big home workstation?

Buy based on need…not want. Treat gear like you would vinyl if you were in a store. You have 30 vinyls you like, but can only afford 10, so drop 20 of them that you think you won’t play too much and buy the 10 you’ll play to death.

I never had a “blag” moment.

I mainly just networked, knew promoters, stayed in their marketing communications, and especially showed up at times when it was convenient to let me in free.

Let’s say the club is open from 10-5 AM, I’ll show up at 11. Not many people yet, they let me in…as opposed to 1AM when there is a line outside and they’re mainly pulling high-rollers and hot women out of the line to let in.

Look at how Deadmau5 engages his fans. He posts something, people respond like crazy, and thus he has that engagement.

I’ll tell you, a DJ with a total of 200 fans, but they actively post, share, respond, etc…is going to do way better than a DJ with 1000 fans, but only 30-60 people who really get involved on the page.

The end goal is to make them “your peeps” so they all come out every time they see your name on a flyer, or they’re telling bigger promoters to book you when they’re looking for fresh blood.

If you’re getting bookings, then you’re doing fine. That is what the end goal is.

How much are you utilizing gigs though? Perhaps give out CDs, or toss out cards with a web address to free stuff? Maybe invest in some cheap “swag” to toss out to the crowd?

Gigs will get you fans. Keep playing and make sure those who come know where to find you.

Surprisingly this one

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http://www.digitaldjtips.com/2012/02/dj-drops-guide/

B.B. Koning, post: 29088, member: 1638 wrote: I keep up with your posts, so I know you’ve been in the game for quite some time. It is very re-assuring to know that you’re of that mindset. Thanks for the encouragement/affirmation.

I will tell you…in most cases, DJs and hardcore enthusiasts will notice mistakes. It doesn’t excuse you from trying to achieve as close to perfection as you can, but also bear in mind most fans won’t notice mistakes.

I use sync nowadays, and I don’t deliberately insert mistakes, but I don’t try to make things “100% perfection” because it’s like performing a song on an instrument. Every time you play that song…it’ll sound a little different than the other times you played it.

I always think of the non-DJ/non-enthusiasts when I make mixes…because the DJs and die-hards are mainly going to listen to big names over you. It’s the average joes and janes who will listen and love those mixes made by locals.

softcore, post: 29098, member: 243 wrote: I agree with D-Jam! Few days ago a producer-DJ told me that he records his sets (the ones he uploads to places like Soundcloud etc. etc.) by layering the tracks in Ableton Live and doing automation edits to make the mix. Surely they will sound perfect in timing, but I was disgusted at the idea that no actual performance-DJing is involved in this process.

One or two erros in the mix, reminds the listener that what he listens to is an actual mix and not some result after hour of editing with a freaking automation draw pencil in your software.

I’ve tried honestly to use DAW stuff to make mixes…even played with MixMeister. I just can’t do it. I can’t just lay out tunes and call it a day. I need to play it like I’m at a club. Granted I can redo a bad blend with some audio slicing in a program like Sound Forge, but I never felt like I could make something “amazing” unless I’m playing it like I would in a club…sync or no sync.

Even when I am playing said set and recording, my mind imagines myself in that perfect club or event…so I keep the vibe attuned to that imaginary place. I’m sure Phil and some others would tell me I need to get back into doing gigs…but that’s a different debate.

Great stuff. I wish I had digital files of some of my flyers. I need to scan them all and toss them online somewhere.