bar djing | Digital DJ Tips

December 30th, 2012 Training

Controller Clinic #18: Can I DJ Weddings & Bars With The Novation Twitch?

by Phil Morse

The Novation Twitch is a cool, modern controller with lots of performance features… but is it appropriate for a bar or wedding DJ?

Digital DJ Tips reader Scott writes: “I am looking at purchasing my first controller and although I am familiar with Ableton I am new to DJing. I have friends who are turntablists but at heart I think I am a controllerist. I would like to get out there and DJ to a crowd ASAP – maybe even bars and weddings, as I love music although it would be useful to make some extra cash.

“Originally I had thought the Denon DJ MC2000, but decided the extra input backup and levels on the Denon DJ MC3000 would be a better choice. My dilemma is that I like the idea of the Novation Twitch and its features but I am concerned that this may not be as applicable to the type of crowds I hope to entertain.

39 Comments »

September 15th, 2012 Training

Your Questions: What’s The Difference Between Lounge & Club DJing?

by Phil Morse

The beach bar where I play every summer season, here in the south of Spain.

Digital DJ Tips reader Ben writes: “Hello Phil. I’ve noticed you frequently mention that you have a gig DJing at a beach bar, which I guess is akin to a lounge-type venue. I am getting on in years and moving past the club/rave scene, focusing more on my new family and career, so this sounds appealing to me.

“However, I can’t seem to find much info on this type of gig. What can you tell me and your other readers about it in more detail? How long are your sets? What type of music do you play? What kind of crowd does this sort of gig draw? How does one go about finding a lounge event? I live in northern Ohio just off lake Erie so in the summer it is very beach oriented.”

30 Comments »

June 10th, 2011 DJ Culture

Opinion: Why A Digital DJ Should Never Play From Behind The Bar

by DJ Stone Crazy

A band would never play from behind a bar, so why should a DJ?

I’m not going to front. I’m a newbie to the DJ game, a newbie in his early forties. But I want to tell you what I already know: that if you get a gig in a bar, you should do everything you can to avoid being made to play from behind the bar itself. Here’s why:

A year ago, my first gigs involved me plugging my laptop into the bar’s stereo system, a system located behind the bar counter. At first, I just worked for booze. As time passed, I began receiving a percentage of bar sales. Plus I kept tips and still received free booze.

11 Comments »

March 27th, 2011 Equipment

Over To You: Should I Sell My Controller & Buy A Digital Vinyl System?

by Phil Morse

Should James sell his controller and buy a DVS system in order to break into his local bar scene?

Reader James Perez in Dublin, California writes: “I have a question about my equipment. I’ve been spinning for about five years now, and I recently bought the Numark NS7. It’s great, but I’m now at the age of trying to break into the bar scene, and most DJs are telling me I won’t be able to use it and should try to get familiar with vinyl players.

“I’m now wondering if I should sell my NS7 and just invest in some Stantons or Technics, just to get familar with the equipment that’s at the bars.”

41 Comments »

March 16th, 2011 DJ Culture

Laptop DJing In Bars: This Much I Know…

by Luis Paulo

Successful DJing in bars is not about you or your software, it's squarely about the music, says Luís Paulo. Pic: Tim Cowlishaw

A recent convert to laptop DJing offers his view on what makes a good bar DJ

I’ve been a music lover all my life, but I’m a relatively new digital DJ. It all started for me because some friends who have a local covers band asked me to play some tunes after a gig they had. Because I didn’t want to just use Media Player or Winamp to play one song after another, I went searching and found Virtual DJ.

40 Comments »

October 12th, 2010 DJ Culture

7 Easy Ways To Sound Better Than Other DJs

by Phil Morse

There's loud, and there's unbalanced and distorted... which side do you come down on?

I just got home from checking out a venue where I will be DJing this winter here in southern Spain. It’s a bar down on the beach, and Javier, the Majorcan owner, has spent some sweet money on the place over the summer to make it more of an indoors/outdoors venue than just a terrace bar.

It’s now all sleek, lit panelling and decking, with heaters on the terrace, a “stand up” counter with an outside mojito bar, and a big, spacious interior complete with new DJ box. (Only big enough for a laptop and a controller – like your style, Javi!)

27 Comments »