Alex Moschopoulos
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Alex Moschopoulos
ParticipantLook at it this way, how many female singers/popstars can “make it” by not taking off most of their clothes?
How many new-generation “superstar DJs” (male and female) are NOT “good looking”?
It’s the unfortunate downside of the music industry. Ever since the dawn of music video, popstars have been judged more on how they look and what they can sell over any actual “talent” they might have. Look how “manufactured” they are now.
In the club/DJ world, women have been and are still treated as a commodity. For the patron, she is more or less treated like a hooker. A hot piece of flesh brought in under the royal treatment to tempt men to spend money on them…all in the hopes of getting laid. Why do you think clubs will give priority access to good-looking women?
When it comes to female DJs, too many clubs only think of image over substance. They dream of some hot looking girl in the booth over the typical men who show up to play. It sucks for women who want to be taken seriously, as they are pressured to be good looking and sexual in order to get ahead.
You can take solace though in that you don’t see any of these “stripper DJs” going beyond the trendy/trashy club. It’s not like we’re seeing them headline UMF or something. The few females who do get in deserve it (in my book). They didn’t sell themselves short and showed they can play and produce…not just “look pretty”.
Looking at things more “macro”, I’ve noticed that ever since 2007 or 2008, political correctness has been under fire. I see deep-seeded racism, sexism, ageism, and other prejudices brought into the spotlight. It’s become almost “fashionable” in some circles (if you’re a white male) to be racist and misogynistic. Kind of a sad state of affairs if you ask me.
ParticipantI have not. Been using TouchOSC when it comes to that.
I’m on a Nexus 10.
ParticipantIf you find use for them, great.
I’m more with Vintage. I just use my ears. I’m used to doing it that way.
The waveforms for me are mainly to see when breakdowns happen, or how far along in the tune I am…or even when cue points pop up.
ParticipantI think a lot of the replies are on point.
I personally think you should look at how you want to DJ, and then think in terms of which setup gives you the closest match. Try out demos, play with them, and don’t worry if you make mistakes.
Right now, I usually lean on the top titles…because I’ve been a victim of buying setups and then watching them be discontinued. I bought Final Scratch, and then watched NI and Stanton split. I bought Deckadance to replace Traktor DJ Studio in Final Scratch, but watched it wither away. I bought Torq, and again watched AVID discontinue it after 2.0.
Now I have Traktor…mainly because I feel they would be the last company to kill their product line. If I didn’t go there, I’d go Serato or VDJ. MixVibes is worth looking into, but I fear they might fall down the same path.
In regards to controller options, you will get way more options with Serato and VDJ. However, I would not rule out Traktor as being “NI only”. I’ve used a M-Audio Xponent (and an X-Session Pro) up until a month ago with Traktor, and now I’m using the Behringer CMD components with Traktor. Some manufacturers will offer mappings off their website, and if not there are loads of mappings on websites like TraktorBible and DJTechTools.
So try stuff, and if you want to change, don’t worry. Ebay makes it easy to sell off old gear and get new. Go play and find your niche.
ParticipantRight now, I’d tell you to look over the MP3 stores. Surprisingly much of the old school is resurfacing on other labels by the artists themselves due to copyrights expiring.
If you can only fins a tune on vinyl, then most of us just hook up a turntable and record the vinyl I to the computer. If you have no turntable, then see if someone in your town might do it for you.
August 7, 2014 at 12:25 am in reply to: Anyone bought the course, The Complete 21st Century Wedding DJ #2048064ParticipantReach out to Phil…he’ll be happy to answer specifics. 🙂
August 6, 2014 at 11:46 pm in reply to: Anyone bought the course, The Complete 21st Century Wedding DJ #2048061ParticipantPhil has to keep the lights on, and have the means to create more content.
$50 or $100…the classes are an amazing tool for those needing to learn the aspects of this business. Well worth the money.
Can you imagine if someone asked you to play for 1/2 or 1/4 of what you ask for in payment?
ParticipantI’d go with a fully prepped set when this is some performance or something where you know you’ll do well no matter what…like a superstar playing a headlining set for a big crowd.
For the rest of us, we have a 50/50 chance of a good crowd in front of us…thus why you should keep your set flexible in case you need to change.
When I first started using digital DJing setups, the factor of having a variety of music saved my life many times…as I’d be booked to play deep house or trance, but end up with a crowd only wanting pop, rap, and R&B.
ParticipantHere are playlists for the last three old school mixes I’ve done. I’ve bolded stuff I’d tell you to prioritize on…hope this helps.
- KLF – What Time Is Love?
- Quadrophonia – Quadrophonia
- Radioactive – The Eliminator
- RTZ Belgium – Dance Your Ass Off
- Cubic-22 – Night In Motion
- Rabbit City – Digital Domain
- DJ Seduction – Hardcore Heaven
- SL2 – DJ’s Take Control
- The Prodigy – Everybody In The Place
- Guru Josh – Infinity
- Wishdokta introducing Mental Collapse – Wholesome Pills
- Electroset – How Does It Feel?
- Outlander – Vamp
- Bizarre Inc – Playing With Knives
- Human Resource – Dominator
- Intellect – Pick ‘Em Up
- Happy ’92 – Ta Ta Ta
- X-Force – Dead Pool
- Phenomania – Who Is Elvis?
- Vicious Delicious – Hocus Pocus
- Trashman – Cosmotrash
- Alpha Team – Speed
- Smart E’s – Sesame’s Treet
- Awesome 3 – Don’t Go
- Altern-8 – Activ-8
- RAF – We Gonna Get
- Ka-22 – Metamorphism
- T-99 – Anastasia
- N-Trance – Set You Free
- Fargetta – The Music is Movin’
- Holy Noise – Get Down Everybody
- Cappella – Take Me Away
- N-Joi – Mindflux
- Joey Beltram – Energy Flash
- Mainx – 88 to Piano
- Ultimate Seduction – Ultimate Seduction
- LA Style – James Brown Is Dead (Razormaid Mix)
- The Sperminator – Uptempo
- Technoland – Yo Te Quiero
- Hole In One – X-Paradise
- Speedy J – Pullover
- The Maxx – Nic Nac
- RTZ Belgium – In The Name of Love
- 2 Unlimited – Magic Friend
- 2 Unlimited – Twilight Zone
- 2 Unlimited – Get Ready For This
- SL2 – On a Ragga Tip
- SL2 VS The Beatles – Jude On A Ragga Tip
- Force Mass Motion – VNE
- Bizarre Inc – Such a Feeling
- Second Phase – Mentasm
- DHS – House of God
- Ultimate Seduction – House Nation
- Tomahawk – Power Move
- Mig-29 – Mig-29 (Love Mix)
- Apotheosis – O Fortuna (Razormaid Mix)
- Noys – Ave Maria
- Rhythm Control – My House (Accapella)
- 3B and the Brotha D – Rock The House (Hyped Up Hip-House Mix)
- The Lincoln Boys – Check It Out (Sample Mix)
- Petra & Co – Just Let Go (Extended)
- MC Magic Max – I Don’t Want Your Love (Another Version)
- Brothers In Rhythm – Such A Good Feeling (Inspiration Delight Mix)
- Journey Into Sound Featuring M.C. X – Pump It Up (Yeah Baby!) (In Your Face Mix)
- Fast Eddie – Most Wanted (Julian ‘Jumpin’ Perez Mix)
- The Bass Boyz – Lost In The Bass (’89 Mix)
- Bad Boy Bill – I Can’t Wait For Love
- DSK – Work My Body Over (Sweat)
- 49ers – Touch Me (Sexual Version)
- Cappella – House Energy Revenge (Extended Remix)
- Black Box – Strike It Up
- ATC – It Ain’t Over (Extended Mix)
- White Knight – Gonna Jack (Club)
- Terry Baldwin (Housemaster) featuring Bud Latour – Do You Wanna Dance?
- House People – Godfather Of House (Club Mix II)
- Colm III – Take Me High (Mansion Mix)
- S’Express – Mantra For A State Of Mind
- Starlight – Numero Uno (Club Mix)
- S.S.R. – To Be House
- Mr. Lee – Get Busy (Club Mix)
- Reese – You’re Mine
- 2 In A Room – Wiggle It (The Club Mix)
- Daisy Dee – Crazy (Dizzy Mix)
- Deee-Lite – Good Beat (Extended Mix)
- Royal House – Party People (Club Rub Dub Rub)
- Brainstorm – Rock The House
- Inner City – Big Fun
- M|A|R|R|S – Pump Up The Volume
Participant“Old School” comes in many shapes and forms.
Do you have any specifics? Like “how old”? Genres? Anything so I can give you suggestions?
Your list is all over the place.
ParticipantI’d either go see what they already do in that room, or just ask what they have heard that they feel will “fit” in there.
ParticipantGuys like Derrick Carter just play to a crowd within a sound. It’s not about genres or subgenres…just what sounds good and fits in.
If you see Derrick May play, you’ll see a similar approach. Many think he’ll be some dark hardcore Detroit Techno guy, but he really plays a variety of sounds.
Both are definitely DJs many can draw inspiration from. I’ll never forget going to a nightclub with a sprained ankle…just to see Derrick Carter. Spent the whole night bouncing to the beat…wonderful experience.
ParticipantOH YES! Forgot about heating.
I bought a cooling tray long ago and I never gig without it. Had my laptop freezing on me many times until I realized it was very hot.
Hot sweaty clubs and bars are not ideal for electronics.
ParticipantGood…so my advice is fully relevant (I use Windows 7 as well).
It really sounds like you have stuff running in the background that’s clogging it all up. I usually make sure to have a purchased version of Windows that I can install…so my install is clean and free of junk many manufacturers put into their discs that they include.
I also will sometimes turn off the wifi. Once had my computer lagging, only to find out it was trying to download updates behind my back, as well as syncing my Dropbox. That stuff can be done when you’re not DJing.
Beyond that…running Traktor (or in your case Serato) as an Administrator and keeping a clean system will do you fine. In reality, you’re running your laptop the way a Mac works. No bloatware, no unnecessary junk.
Let me know how it all works out.
ParticipantAre you on Windows 8? or 7?
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