D-Jam

In that case, make a phenomenal 20 min set of the stuff you love and perform is well.

Emma Partnow, post: 2656 wrote: but I do remember ‘Relying On This Button’; to such a Degree that if the Software Didn’t Sync the Tracks Perfectly I would just try a Different Track;

Well, that would be a big reason to push to learn manual beatmatching.

The ideal world is you don’t look for a different track, you just turn off the sync and do it manually.

What I dislike are when DJs believe that you shouldn’t use sync. Come on…if it’s so bad, then why are practically ALL the software titles not only putting it in, but constantly investing hardcore to perfect it?

Serato I guess is the only one not touching it…except on ITCH. I personally think Traktor is going to keep rising to a degree that Serato will have to think less “keepin it real” and modernize.

I see it as if you’re coming on to perform in an artistic sense, play the trance. Imagine telling Bob Dylan to forget his songs and play Def Leppard.

HOWEVER…if you’re there more to entertain the crowd, like playing in between acts, and nothing that has to do with “artistic performance” then you should play Top 40.

In all honesty, I tell anyone not to take on gigs where they know the crowd won’t be what they want. So you want to play trance, but know that crowd will probably hate it and want something you hate…you should not have taken the gig then. it’s why I don’t gig much at all. My choices are either to play music I hate in a club, or play music I love alone. If you happen to like what the crowd likes, then go with it.

I have also heard DJs in your scenario say “yeah, but no one here likes _______” (insert genre there). They’re basically saying no one in their area likes the music the DJ likes, but he wants to play and play the stuff he wants. The worst thing you can do is try to force music the crowd doesn’t like onto a crowd. You’ll hurt your reputation and no one will take you seriously as a DJ to hire.

Remember Part 13 of that How to Succeed at DJing series. Build something. Go on your college radio or something and do a trance show. Start podcasting, blogging, throw events, whatever. Build it to the point where you can get a crowd out.

In this case, I say take a chance…but if it blows up in your face, then you know what your scene likes.

I’m quoting from this:

http://www.digitaldjtips.com/2011/05/how-to-succeed-at-djing-demo-mixtape-press-kit/

Cater your mix to the person it’s for

Having said that, when you’re out wheeling and dealing to get gigs, you can’t just make one mix and hand it to every promoter. You need to first study the promoter, their events, what DJs they have play, and what those DJs play. Study their crowd and what tastes in music they have. Just because three different promoters are all doing Top 40 nights doesn’t mean one basic Top 40 mix will do.

Maybe one promoter likes to hear a lot more slower tempo music (rap, R&B) while another only wants up-tempo dance music (like house). One promoter might just hire locals and another one just books bigger headliners and only looks to other DJs as openers. Giving a demo that contains music they might not like will only hurt your chances, and thus you’re better off custom-making a specific demo mix for each of those promoters.

Imagine in the underground scene when you deal with a bigger plethora of specialised tastes. One mix alone won’t cater to everyone. It’s the same with all potential gig.

You should also cater your demo to the timeslot you want. Probably the biggest complaints I’ve heard out of promoters are how many demos they get of DJs playing all the big headlining anthems. In their eyes if they wanted that, they would book a bigger name DJ who guarantees numbers through the door.

What they want are opening DJs, and they’ll take seriously the DJ who gives them a demo of an early-night set. This is why you can’t just blatantly hand out mixes to promoters without studying what they’re doing first, as outlined in earlier articles in this series.

With that said, the goal shouldn’t be a “one size fits all” demo, but a demo specifically made for the event/venue you’re pushing for.

In the case of a mobile DJ who’s trying to pick up weddings, then make a demo of how you would play a wedding, but I’d more think in terms of making a promotional piece. Video, photos, etc. I don’t know of a bride is going to want to hear a sample of your mixing as much as she would want to see what she’s getting for her money. Photos of your setup, examples of your professionalism and experience, etc.

My first gig outside of that birthday party I did for my older brother was ok.

It was some big college party with a plethora of DJs, and first we were waiting on the gear to show up, but these guys were late. After that it was more a waiting game for everyone on the lineup to get a turn. Wasn’t well organized.

I rarely go to iTunes…unless I find out they have some rare goodie I need.

Most of the time now I’ll look at sites full of illegal MP3 downloads. I’ll listen to the tunes they post, and then go LEGALLY BUY the tunes I like. Love them or hate them, those blogs still are nice picks of things one should check out.

I also sometimes look at charts, even the Beatport Top 20s in different genres. I think it’s silly when one decides to say “no” to something simply because it’s “popular”.

Another thing I love is to find live sets of DJs I love, but only go for ones that have tracklists. I’ll listen to the set, pick out what I want, and then go shopping.

Red Faction is pretty cool.

My brother told me yesterday that some FPS game that was part of “Orange Box” is now available for free through Steam.