D-Jam
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D-Jam
ParticipantDJ Stone Crazy, post: 37973, member: 79 wrote: Last but not least, I told myself that if I ever own a club, I am not going to have VIP. What that does is cause class elitism among the patrons in your club. People came to have a good time. They didn’t come there to be reminded of their social status in life.
It can work. You just have to make it all about the music, have big headliners, and make your money at the door.
Most of the reason why everyone jumped into booths/bottles is because of the ROI. I mean, if Vegas clubs are willing to pull big headliners to please the bottle/booth folks…then they must be making a lot off it. I heard even some clubs make more off the few booths than he total of the floor who go up to buy drinks at the bar.
ParticipantNot that I know of. You might look into auto-gain on your DJ software, or take all the files and normalize them yourself, or run them through a software like Platinum Notes.
ParticipantPlay with it…bring some live performance element to your sets.
ParticipantChristopher A Johnson, post: 37881, member: 157 wrote: I may have a similar problem. I have the same settings checked but since the last upgrade of Traktor my Gain knob has not been acting the same. The Master gain is set at 1 or 2 o clock. When I load a track the gain button indicator turns BLUE and the dial will auto set itself sometimes at Max. When I click the indicator button it turns Orange and then the Gain is reduced (-1db for example).
In previous version of Traktor this didnt happen. By default the light was Orange and the auto gain would fluctuate btw. -2 to +3 give or take. I never had a Master Output redline problem. Now I have it all the time.
I keep auto gain off. Torq would do this and I didn’t like it. Same with Traktor. I’d rather manually set gain when I need it.
I also think it’s perfectly fine to have things at -5, +5, 0, or whatever. “0” isn’t the goal or standard. The standard is “sounds good to my ears”.
If any of you are using DJ headphones though, I’d tell you to check how things sound in your speakers. DJ headphones add more bass, so you might think there’s too much when there isn’t. It’s why I like my older studio monitor headphones over the DJ headphones.
ParticipantDJ Urband, post: 37631, member: 1528 wrote: It’s best to save your money and get the full version of VDJ if you are not comfortable with serato intro.
I’d agree here. Usually the LE versions won’t allow midi control.
Coddsund, if you like VDJ, then don’t you have a copy already from your previous setup?
Participantniu02kevin, post: 37680, member: 8306 wrote: 1) All of my music I dj with is in AIFF format. I know Traktor will record in wav. This will maintain premium sound quality, right?
Yes. Of course you should perhaps test it a little. Just record a minute of audio as if you were mixing…so you get your settings within Traktor down. You should also have some kind of audio editing software like Audacity or Sound Forge so you can normalize, compress, whatever you like to do to maximize audio without distortion.
niu02kevin, post: 37680, member: 8306 wrote: 2) Since I use lossless audio, the files will be quite large. How much time will I be able to put on a cd?
80 minutes is the limit, but you’re better off staying safe at 74-76 minutes. Bear in mind also that sometimes it’s better to just do 60 minutes…not because of some limit on a CD, but for how much the human ear and mind can tolerate. Long mixes tend to sound draggy and thus attention gets lost. If this is a demo, you want to start and end things with the listener on a high note…so they love it and remember it.
niu02kevin, post: 37680, member: 8306 wrote: 3) Any restrictions on uploading certain audio formats/file sizes to Soundcloud?
They take most formats…but you’ll run into issues with mixes. They’ve been cracking down on DJs uploading mixes and even mashups/remixes. Use a service aimed at DJs like MixCloud or MixCrate. Unfortunately there they do have file size limits…so you’ll have to turn your file into a lower quality MP3.
Still, all the mixes I put online are 192 kbps. I know audiophiles would hate this, but I have to also think of convenience. Mixes, especially in wav or flac form, will take loads of time to download and loads of space in someone’s MP3 player. I still get great sound at 192.
niu02kevin, post: 37680, member: 8306 wrote: 4) I know to keep the VUs out of the red to prevent clipping. Even if my recording is a little quiet, I can go back and make adjustments in something like Audacity, right?
I usually let my VU bounce in the middle for normal play and let it grow when I’m blending tracks. I’ll go into Sound Forge (or Audacity in your case) and then normalize each channel, then use the wave hammer on each channel. I don’t go overboard, just a small amount to maximize volume without distortion. Don’t worry about “hiss”, it’s not like we’re recording to tapes.
niu02kevin, post: 37680, member: 8306 wrote: 5) Any other advice as far as settings/preferences are concerned (latency/sample rate)?
I usually do 44,100 for sample rate.
niu02kevin, post: 37680, member: 8306 wrote: 6) I will want to split the file size at 2048MB, right?
That works. Bear in mind the more you split the more you spend in Audacity piecing them together. However, think of your laptop and setup. You don’t want to crash and have your work lost.
ParticipantFrankly, if a promoter hires you saying he/she wants your style…then it’s egg on their face.
However, as a DJ, you should be prepared and keep a folder of more “mainstream” sounds that align with your sense of taste. That way you can please them. Now if you’re pumping dance music you like that is more mainstream known, but the crowd is all “Screw that! Play some gangsta rap and reggae!” then you know the promoter was clueless and you should not work with them again.
Promoters need to make sure when they book DJs they promote to a crowd that will want those DJs. Seen too many times where they’ll promote to anyone and then end up with a crowd that won’t be into the vibe/atmosphere he is shooting for…so they pressure the DJ to change in the hopes of keeping the crowd. Ruins their brand in the process.
I know when guys ask me to come DJ, I get into it, and often times they realize what I’m saying when I say “I’m not the guy for you”. I’m not being a snob, but just making it clear if the room is full of trixies begging for nonstop “Call Me Maybe” then I’m not the DJ they should have in the booth. It’s just nudging them to be smart with booking DJs.
ParticipantDon’t rely on Facebook friends. Build a page and get FANS.
These videos and audio mixes are content you post so people listen, enjoy, and share it. This leads to potentially more likes and then people coming out to see you play…which is the end goal.
Be patient too. I’ll post stuff, not see a heavy initial response, then check in a month and find hundreds of people did check it out.
Other than that, you have to build a scene, especially if you’re doing the “underground” thing. This is maybe when you need to find like-minded DJs and friends, pool some money together, and throw an event. That or do an online show/podcast and stick to it.
Everything takes time. Look at that video I posted in comments on the Paul Van Dyk interview. He was playing locally in Germany in 1993, and started in 1991. He didn’t really ‘blow up’ in the US until almost 10 years later. Even then, he was producing, promoting, and pushing.
ParticipantI think evolution, even going “fancy”, is not a bad thing. If it brings a venue success, then more power to them.
My point is if clubs are on the decline, and the million-dollar setup and Studio 54 ideology isn’t bringing in business, then it’s time to change…and let those who won’t evolve again go out of business.
In Chicago, I’ll see places more or less make tiny interior changes and a name change, then “reopen”. Basically they rely on the “new club vibe” to pack the place, then “shut down” the moment they see they’re not packing as well as they used to.
In my book, if the glam bottle service fancy thing isn’t making you money, then why keep doing it?
I also notice many new clubs now are investing in big LED shows. I actually think they’re trying to build the festival vibe in the club.
Participantrjwhite41, post: 37572, member: 2565 wrote: No name djs shouldn’t whine about clubs having no name djs. Support each other guys. Besides, the bigger names aren’t necassarily better.
No-name DJs only complain when it seems the no-name DJ is forced to play a select playlist while other names get to play whatever they like.
Club patrons (non-DJs) complain only why they have to pay $20-$25 to enter the club when there isn’t any big name entertainment in the booth. In the past, people justified a higher cover because the club was paying a bigger price for a headliner. When you have a no-name DJ in the booth you know is only getting $50-$200 for a night, then you ask why 1000+ people have to pay $20 each to enter and then $10 a drink.
We can then talk of business, and how the investors have to recoup their investment, or how it keeps the “bad poor elements” out, or free market capitalism…but the market has spoken. Clubs are overpriced and under-delivering…so people move on. They go to dive bars, people’s homes, etc…and then spend the bigger money on the big festival or some clubbing holiday in another city (Miami, Ibiza, Vegas, etc.)
What does this say? Business people shouldn’t complain…but adapt. That’s how you do business. That means the multi-million dollar furniture layout and such might have to be scrapped for a hole in the wall with better music and lower prices.
ParticipantI can’t comment on the UK, but here in Chicago, this is what I see that adds to the decline:
1) Too many spaces that are all the same. Right now, if you want to hear mainstream music, get bottle service, and be around the typical melange of fake people and office folk out on the weekend, you have way too much choice. If you want a relaxed dress code, better music, and lower costs…then you’ll have an issue.
Every new space is cookie cutter. They hire some interior designer to make it all fancy, fill the staff with the club chicks that used to be all over town on the weekends, charge too much money for entry and drinks, and especially destroy the dance floor with booths. Not to mention the lack of diversity in music.
I’ll even add now how many non-club spots are adopting club thinking. My friend works at a Tilted Kilt, but on weekends they put on a DJ, light show, and try to get dancing happening. Um…it’s a breastaurant full of male customers. Hello? Dive bars and college bars are now putting in booths and offering bottle service. Everyone has gogo dancers. Where’s the diversity?
2) The Economy. People are unemployed, strapped for cash, etc. $20-$25 entry for unknown local DJs and $10 a drink is ridiculous.
3) Gender discrimination and racism. If you’re a slender pretty Caucasian girl, then the world is open to you. Doors open, covers are bypassed, and people hand you free drinks. It’s become so bad now that hot girls in packs now expect the free royalty treatment. That or they’re now all working for clubs.
On top of that, if you’re fat or thicker, then expect to wait outside. If you’re a man and not showing you have loads of money to spend, expect to wait outside. If you’re a minority…then expect some crap like a longer wait or other politics.
4) Festivals offer more. We’ve talked about it here on the forum. Many have chosen that $50-$100 ticket for a massive lineup of big names over the crap the clubs offer.
5) Plenty of booths, no dance floor.
6) The music is getting old. The Guetta/Harris sound is getting tired, but DJs are still stuck pumping crap because suits believe it makes money.
In all honesty, the only way clubs can fix all this is to simply abandon the Miami/Las Vegas bottle service glam thing. It’s tired and done. In the past we used to pay $10-$20 to get into a spot and dance for hours to good DJs playing good music. The clubs were not fashionable, but dark and dank…with a killer sound and light system. The new generation is sick of Jersey Shore wannabes all over and clubs acting like you’re worthless if you aren’t a trust fund baby or an aspiring model.
Let them die. It’s how new innovations are born. Let the era of bottle service glam corporate nightclubs die. Bring back the rave culture that ruled the scene.
ParticipantParticipantThis topic was 2 years ago.
Any chance NI added reverse play and I’m just not finding it?
ParticipantNietzSKY, post: 36974, member: 4553 wrote: Does the man love djing, or simply love being the center of attention and uses djing as an outlet?
I’d cosign on this one.
I remember watching the first episode of Jersey Shore. Season 1. Pauly described himself as “your girlfriend’s favorite DJ”, which usually screams to me he’s about club chicks howling to the hits he’ll spoon feed and he’ll simply play towards club girls who are more attention nuts.
I don’t know how well he was doing as a DJ before Jersey Shore, but I do notice he had a tricked out crotch rocket and a nice car. Part of me wondered if he came from wealth.
ParticipantI’m finding it amusing it was January and already the local big summer fest promoters are making announcements, selling advance tix, etc.
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