D-Jam

5Raw, post: 42494, member: 9991 wrote: Does it work with Windows 8?

I’m not sure. I’ve not had the chance to really mess with Windows 8. Usually with most new versions of Windows I’ll end up on them after the first Service Pack…usually a year or two after release. It’s nothing against MS, but more that I move on when the current version of Windows I’m using suddenly hinders what I want to be able to do.

It also greatly depends on your software. If programs I use won’t work well on Windows 8, then I won’t use the OS just yet.

In terms of bloatware, I don’t know if MS loads up a clean install with anything, but I will tell you that when you buy a laptop from someone like Dell, Toshiba, HP, or even my beloved Lenovo, the disc they include is usually Windows with added stuff in it that was allowed. Many times you can just remove the bloat, but for DJing I’d tell someone to invest the little money it costs for an OEM install of Windows.

I rarely have a problem in Windows…about as often as I’ve had a problem in a Mac. Goes to show one of the big secrets to Apple’s success rate on Macs is that they use high quality hardware and keep the OS clean. It’s why I tell PC people (I’m a Windows person) that you can’t do well with a cheap $500 laptop. Make it an investment and something you’ll use for years, not months.

If you want to throw parties…start here:

http://www.digitaldjtips.com/2011/09/how-to-promote-events-throw-your-own-parties-part-1/

My general way is like this:

Track A is playing. Track B has the volume and bass turned all the way down.

Usually around the last 2 minutes of Track A I’ll start up Track B. Over the course of of 32-64 beats I’ll gradually bring in the volume of Track B with the bass still turned all the way down.

Over the course of the blend, I’m gradually bringing up the bass on Track B while lowering the Bass on Track A.

Many times I’ll just let Track A hit its end and it seemingly goes out nicely while Track B kicks it up into it’s “meat”. Other times I’ll cut off Track A at some point if the “meat” of Track B kicks in sooner. If Track A seemingly won’t “calm down” musically, then I’ll slowly fade its volume down and play with the EQs on Track A to kill it off, letting Track B musically take over everything.

My main goal is to have things liquid…seamless. I want the two tunes to meld and work together, complimenting one another, so you don’t have a sudden change that throws everyone off. I usually get this most of the time.

With some forms of music, the intro/outro is shorter, like when I used to play Electro House. I still do my usual kind of transition, but not drag it out too long.

Programming is key in all this. It’s not so much about how you’re playing as it is what you’re playing now and what you’re playing next. I’m often thinking about how these two tracks will meld as well as how the set is moving in terms of energy, and if I feel I’m headed in a right direction.

I never mix vocals on one another…not unless it’s looping samples that somehow work together.

Singing/rapping? No. I never even understood when I hear guys play rap music how they just jump around in mid-verse.

Microphone feedback

I generally keep my bedroom dark. In my book it’s a place for sleep in the darkness, or sex by candlelight.

Eating right isn’t just about DJing, but life in general. I’d tell you to really “watch it” when you get off at 4AM and the urge for greasy junkfood hits. Find a way around it.

Sleep hopefully happens. You get home and into bed at maybe 5AM, sleep 6-7 hours, then get up and do stuff so you hopefully come down to a normal schedule. If DJing is your only work, then change up your schedule to sleep mornings and stay up late. If not, then it’s always a challenge getting ready to go back to the 9-5.

I’d also be careful when it comes to alcohol. Well drinks and cheap booze will make you sick. If you need a drink, go for top shelf and sip it slowly. Savor it. Pure, high-quality stuff won’t mess up your body. If your venue serves coffee and other stuff, have that. I’ll usually drink water, club soda, or cranberry juice…which surprises many bartenders.

Other than that, give your body a break to cleanse. If you spent the evening in a hot, sweaty, loud place (worse if it’s full of second hand smoke) then go get fresh air, peace, and quiet. I’ll listen to symphony music or smooth jazz on the way home, and stay away from it all the next day to let my ears mend.

Just takes time and practice.

I’d tell you to start by setting the tunes at the same BPM and then practice on keeping them together when they drift.

All my mixers since 1992 have been “pre amp”.

My first mixer:

Usually for a home setup the “amp” was a home stereo system. After that I remember buying a cheap small amp from Radio Shack and using some small monitors. Now I just use my computer since most of my DJing is making mixes to put online.