Branden
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June 8, 2014 at 9:50 pm in reply to: I really want to get into musical production, where to start? #2036418
Branden
ParticipantHello Terry,
I won’t release any sort of production or edits until I master the software (and by master the software, I mean master the ability to create quality music). But it’s my understanding that without the proper MIDI controller or external hardware device, I will need to use my typing keyboard as a piano – which is ridiculous!
What MIDI controller device should I invest into?
ParticipantI’d say at LEAST $50.00 an hour if you’re not using your own equipment. But try to score as high as possible.
March 13, 2014 at 10:10 pm in reply to: Mixing from house tracks (128 BPM) to trap (70 – 75 BPM)? #2010642ParticipantI usually keep five cue points on each track.
One on the intro.
One 16 or 32 counts (depending on the track) before the beginning of the first verse.
One on a break-down.
One 16 or 32 counts (depending, again, on the track) before the end of where I want to typically end a track
One extra one on point of interest.This is where I place my cues, what’d you all think?
ParticipantSounds like you did a great job, very nice! Wish my first gig was as good as that yours.
Question #1: If I’m doing a solo job, I do four hours or five hours, depending on the event. Anything longer than that time and I’ll have a partner join in with me. For events like family/all ages parties, I can go longer than if, say, I’m doing a 21st birthday party.
Question #2: This is difficult. I have the same problem to a slight extent. I often find these great tracks that are highly underground and wouldn’t be as appropriate for most events. The trick here is to somehow style it with the event. Play one of your “underground tracks” in the middle of two Top-40 bangers and measure the crowd’s response. I agree heavily with DJ Riski’s advice; it’s the crowd’s music, not yours.
But, as a college student at Arizona State University, I will tell you that what you would play at a high school dance will be far different than at a house party. House party, they typically want dirty music, usually with lots of cussing and mainly hip-hop. If ever I DJ a fraternity party or some other 18+ house party, I play very little EDM.
Here’s a rule of thumb, at house parties, people want to booty-pop/grind/sing along to the music. Expand your hip-hop/twerk playlist.
Question #3: I need to re-work this, but I charge about $150.00 – $200.00 for four/five hours. This pay may seem low, but I still consider myself a beginner and this is about as high as I can charge right now.
Question #4: 300 people I would consider to be a pretty big house party. In my opinion, mic action is a great way to keep high energy and interest in your crowd. Make sure you have all the necessary bangers (i.e., “Get Low” by Lil Jon, “Gas Pedal” by Sage the Gemini, etc.) and remixes to keep it interesting. As for the rest of your question, look at DJ Riski’s advice.
ParticipantWell, I can’t say I agree with that DJ or group of DJs style of mixing/performing, but it seemed successful.
March 13, 2014 at 5:31 am in reply to: How to get involved with more Top-40, electronic dance gigs? #2010482ParticipantThank you guys a lot! I appreciate it!
I understand that handing out CD’s is a common practice among self-promoters, but from personal experience, I find it annoying when somebody tries to hand me a CD with their demo on it. Is there an alternative?
March 13, 2014 at 5:25 am in reply to: Would anybody else be interested in a "How to Emcee" course? #2010481ParticipantThis would certainly be interesting, and it would be a great idea on Digital DJ Tips’ part!
But in my opinion, it can also be learned easily at home. I know there are a handful of people who don’t enjoy listening to their own voice, but the following advice is great practice.
I recommend picturing an audience in your room, and just talk to yourself – your imaginary audience. This will give you more confidence and ‘comfort’ using the microphone.
It also helps a lot to, before a gig, write down things you would like to say to your event. This helps me a lot personally.
In mobile DJ’ing, your MC abilities are very important for success. In fact, most of my mobile DJ gigs are mostly mic-action and less mixing action.
Hope this helped!
March 9, 2014 at 8:57 pm in reply to: How to get involved with more Top-40, electronic dance gigs? #2009328ParticipantOkay, sorry guys. For some reason my link option isn’t working. Here is my Top-40/EDM mix:
ParticipantJust include plenty of swear-words and simple hooks in your track. People will be sure to enjoy it. Oh, and don’t forget to demean women in your track, too. That seems to be the new thing.
ParticipantDJ Holiday would be pretty cool. I’m not a fan of the whole “DJ name” thing, though.
February 18, 2014 at 5:59 pm in reply to: I cannot stand Serato DJ, but I need to record a mix? #2004935ParticipantThank you for your reply.
I have Audacity but it is not compatible with my current hardware/laptop software combination.
ParticipantHello Eliah,
To me, Beatport is ridiculous. It’s over-priced, and you can get most of the tracks offered there on DJ record pools or iTunes for cheap.
And even though there may be some Beatport-exclusive tracks, they won’t stay exclusive for long, either that, or they will sound exactly the same as any other of their Top-100 tracks.
I recommend using a DJ pool. Pay a monthly fee and get the latest tracks and unlimited downloads as well as remixes and mashups. Digital DJ Tips goes further into detail in their article:
http://www.digitaldjtips.com/2010/12/should-you-join-a-digital-record-pool/
ParticipantI, for one, think that the ideas of CDJ’s are a bit impractical. They are great as in they provide for a “standard” set that clubs/venues can use for the many DJ’s that come in and out of the booths.
However, the DDJ-SR is fantastic in that it basically two CDJ’s (without the CD insert, of course, but that’s what laptops are for) and a mixer, with effects buttons, sampler buttons and much more.
I would say the DDJ-SR. In fact, I noticed one DJ the other day at a small night-club in my city using the DDJ-SX (not the DDJ-SR) and was killing it. You will also spend less money if you purchased the DDJ-SR.
That’s my two cents!
January 24, 2014 at 6:33 pm in reply to: Expanding myself as a young, mobile DJ at the university? #1026778ParticipantThank you all for your posts, you’re all super helpful.
So I designed new business cards, and I have slanged out tons of them since my new arrival at the big university.
My friends also all agreed to slang out cards for me, so hopefully that will come soon.
ParticipantIt is very easy to find EDM/pop remix tracks. I use this DJ record pool:
http://www.digitalmusicpool.com/
They have countless Top-40 remixes, originals and so much EDM it makes you want to cry. Only $15.00 a month, too. Look into it!
Other than that, look at the BeatPort top 100 for classic EDM tracks. Even though I recommend purchasing from iTunes because it’s slightly cheaper.
Also, research for transition tracks so it makes it a bit easier to transition from hip-hop to 128 BPM and vice-versa.
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