J-Zed

The one thing I lucked out on before I ever started DJing was being able to perform in front of a crowd. As a teen I’d play hockey in front of hundreds of people many times, once even over 1000 I think. In addition to being a goalie, I already knew how it felt to have everybody watching my every move. That was pressure.

HOWEVER

My first gig ever was a private B-day opening for my favourite DJ, Carlo Lio. I only found out a few days ahead of time, and had no info towards the gig. I was instructed to play as if I was at CZ… Okay… How long? Don’t know… Okay, I’ll see what I can do. Honestly, after the first few mixes before people got there I knew I’d be fine. The way I coped with it the most was by ignoring most of the world except for my laptop until I got into the groove. Only then did I feel comfortable to watch the crowd. Barely drank (should have) and smoking was by far the worst idea ever (hello paranoia) but it all went well in the end.

Honestly, without trying to sound full of myself (because I’m not) i just tell myself that DJing is something to be done in public and there’s no point being nervous about it, it’ll only hold me back. That’s what went through my head over and over and over until the compliments started to come in here and there.

Know the right people and you can do anything. The more you know, the better chance somebody can help you. All I’m trying to do now is network with people, it’s harder and a much longer process than I thought.

Rob Francis, post: 28470, member: 74 wrote: Dr Dre Beats are just a fashion thing. I defy anyone to listen to both Beats and my Allen & Heath’s and say the Beats sound better.

Besides, mixing isn’t all about bass. In fact treble & mid-range is more accurate due to the sharper transients.

This! This is what a lot of people don’t understand, just because a lot of mixing is done on the kick drum doesn’t mean a kick ONLY involves bass. That slight high end snap of the kick is what I often use to beat match.

It’s because every dj wants to be the first to drop that new track, but it really doesn’t matter. Most party goers can’t even tell anyways, so just a nice blend of old & new usually works.

It’s just something that takes time. The more used to it you get, the more natural it will feel and you’ll stop having to look… It’s just repetition.

They’re called acapellas.

http://www.acapellas4u.co.uk/
Probably the best site I’ve found to find them so far.

Not entirely sure why, but I use Vanilla Ice – Ice Ice Baby a lot. I heard some guy use it in a techno mix years ago and ever since then, saw it as a fun tune to mess with. Also like to use a lot of Jay-Z, it’s sort of my gimmick.

I highly disagree, a lot of DJs use controllers now…

Umek, Carlo Lio and Nicole Moudaber all use 2 X1s, a laptop (2 laptops in Umek’s case) and maybe some other stuff on the side. I’m starting to think the X1 is the most common controller out there, they’re small, portable and easy as all hell to use.