Maxwell Rogers
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Maxwell Rogers
ParticipantModern Family, Tosh.0, Family Guy, and the Cleveland Show…. Oh yeah Law & Order: SVU
ParticipantCongrats bro. Rock the place and remember… No sneaking into people houses out there to punch kids in the face hahahahaha.
Dj Max Gabriel
ParticipantIs anyone else a little “less than impressed” by the music selection offered??? I even checked some tunes that I know from the radio and they don’t even sound like originals… more like cheap covers. What gives?
ParticipantDirty,
This isn’t exactly a hiphop head forum so don’t expect too many responses here haha. Real hip-hop is really obscure in the fact that unless you grew up around it or already know it chances are you won’t really experience it. Beyond the obvious big commercial guys Biggie, Pac, Nas, Jay-z etc. the 90’s was the golden age of hip-hop and a lot of talented people came out in that time. It sounds like you are into concious hip-hop… here’s some names you should check out.The Roots, Blackstar, Mos Def, Talib Kwali, Dj Premier, Pete Rock, J Dilla, The Fugees, A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul
Black Sheep, EPMD, KRS-1, RZA, GZA, Redman, Methodman (Wu Tang), OutKast, Slick Rick the RulerThese are just a few names of Hiphop… but remember that Hiphop is a culture and that encompasses many things not necessarily just one genre of music… reggae, reggaeton, funk, house etc. The 90s brought some of the best RnB whcih still falls under hiphop…
SWV, Total, Blackstreet, Dru Hill, Boyz 2 Men, Robin S, Raaphael Saadiq… many many many more.
Some good mixes I like listening to is Hot 97 Blackfist Fridays. The mixes came out about a year ago, by four DJs (Premier, Pete Rock, Questlove, and Q-Tip). Great mixes and shows you just how far reaching the Hiphop is… Hope this helps. Its always cool to meet someone who want to know more about the culture beyond the confines of Rack City and Lil Wayne.
Max Gabriel
ParticipantWelcome to the forum DJ Kemmical. I’m stationed in Aviano and my story is a lot like yours. I was deployed and I started Djaying off my laptop for the latin nights in Balad. When I got back here an older DJ and local owner started to mentor me in the ways of the force. What’s it like Djaying out there anyway?… you know with all the problems that are going on out there right now
DJ Max Gabriel
ParticipantDJ Connibis,
IMHO you should go for the speakers first. Play a few gigs pay off your speakers then invest in the NS6. Having a Mixtrack Pro vs an NS6 won’t prevent you from getting gigs and the experience you need as a DJ, on the other hand the lack of a PA system will. Build your name in the local scene and get the experience. After some time and luck your money situation will change…
DJ Max Gabriel
ParticipantPampero Aniversario rum double… straight. No cola, no ice… its the world’s best rum.
ParticipantTerry_42, post: 29153, member: 1843 wrote: You are talking like the tools make a DJ. They are not. You are an artist that uses scientific tools to achieve his art.
If you use a 30 year old tape recorder and a faderfox, SSL, VDJ or Traktor or CDJs or rekordbox or whatever does not matter, as long as you can create moments of magic for your audience.
The most important thing when selecting your tools as an artist is: The tool has to compliment your workflow and not stand in your way of performing. So whatever floats your boat is right, there is no wrong decision here.I think this is the first time I would ever have to disagree with you or softcore but I have to point out that you are both correct that the equipment doesn’t make the Dj the performance does, but when you are established Dj, well-known in your scene (local, global, whatever) you can get away with a lot more. Theres a big difference between myself showing up to an event with a mixtrack pro and Frankie Knuckles walking into Space with a mixtrack pro. When you are up and coming establishing yourself you have to both the skills and the ability to present yourself professionally. Your equipment IS part of showing your professionalism. IMHO you have to know how to use all the equipment out there. When you are new to the scene you can’t afford to lose a gig just becuase you’re tied down to your one controller. Flexibility gets you more gigs.
ParticipantP Chiddy,
I’m actually in the same spot you are. I also started out on a Mixtrack Pro with Serato Intro, then I moved on to the NS7Fx with Itch. Now I’m on the DVS road with SSL I don’t know where you live but Serato seems to be the DJ standard (clubs, bars, etc) in America. SSL is free by the way… its the equipment that costs. Most places here in Italy (and the rest of Europe) are usually Tractor. Obviously I prefer the simplicity of Serato but many people prefer Tractor because from what I understand is the flexibility of the software and effects offered.
Now to your question… from what I see you are transitioning into being a professional Dj with a residency so I say get the gear that presents you as a professional. See what the standard is in your area and master that. Playing on a DVS set up (CDJs or Turntables w/ Laptop) is different then playing on a controller. Not better just different. It is also looked at differently by many club owners. Unless you are a longtime established Dj like Phil many new Djs ARE judged as unprofessional or “fake” for showing up with a controller. I don’t like it but it IS a fact.
My advice: Keep the controller for personal use or as an emergency back up and master the club standard.
ParticipantThanks for the advice Phil. I was actually looking at the STR8-150s this weekend. I think since I’m dropping so much money on this I might as well make sure I won’t be buying anything else any time soon. I plan on going with MK2s or the MK5s with the Dicers of course. I’m still on the fence about the mixer though, but I’m thinking I will just go with the 57SL.
On another note:
Phil, I will be in Barcelona in the next xouple weeks and I’m not sure where you are located but I would like to come check you out. If not, where’s some nice lounges to hear some good music. I’m not looking too large just a good atmosphere.
September 17, 2012 at 11:36 am in reply to: Apart from your DJ gear, what's one item you wouldn't be without at your gigs? #1012248ParticipantAfter this past summer in Italy… A fan… one just for me. I will never go another summer without one apart of my kit. It is absolutely terrible sweating it out in the back corner of the club and having to DJ… never again….
ParticipantThanks guys for the advice. I was aware of the Rane 57. I guess the only thing that turned me off about it is the fact that I can’t take my mixer everywhere which would eventually lead to me needing a second SL1 to take to gigs that I couldnt bring my mixer to. Should I even worry about or is is defintely worth it just go with the 57. Terry, I understand what you’re saying about the Technics. I would love to get a pair but they are really expensive and they don’t offer some of the bells and whistles that Stantons offer i.e. Key Lock option and more DD torque for scratching. In your opinion, is it still worth it for the Technics even though they don’t have those features. Besides the name, what am I really gaining from by MK5s vs a cheaper brand that offers more in terms of specs. The fact is, I will be spending a lot of money. Sure my gigs will pay for it but I only want to go down this road once as far as big purchases go. I don’t want to be looking for new equipment within the next 2-3 years.
Thanks guys.
Max
ParticipantFor Hip Hop and R&B I love to lay the hook over a song to the looped beat of my next track. Given the pitch and vocals match up it sounds cool and provides a nice way to transition. I definitely prefer this than just to backspin or slam the next track in.
ParticipantTerry_42, post: 21594, member: 1843 wrote: Hah you are near my region (Austria) so I can comment:
The people in Slovenia and Croatia are very very open minded and generally have a great deal of fun at parties even when the DJ does not deliver 🙂
That has good and bad sides. The good is, that you can easily throw in tunes that nobody expects or are not the expected genre and they will decide if the tune is good or not and not judge you first hand. So you have a real chance there.
However the downside is, that the competition is very hard, as there are many that call themselves DJs, have no idea what they are doing and play a gig for 50 or 100 bucks. I would no let that get in the way though, especially Zagreb is big enough for all of us hehe Just make some mixes and send it to club owners, or even better show up and try to talk to them. To them “style” is very important, so try to look like you have your own clothing style and use big words…As for DJ pool, I saw that zipdj has lots and lots of music. I have no idea if it really floats your boat though. But you can get a test license, where you cannot download, but explore the whole catalogue.
Terry,
Thanks for the advice. I’ve had some great times in Austria as well in Klagenfeurt and Vienna too. You’re definitely right about the stiff competition around here. I’m asking because I don’t totally understand the culture over here yet, but is it okay to just show up and talk to the owners over here. I’m an American so “footwork” has never been a problem for me. I just don’t want to step on any toes and get slapped with that “dumb american” stereotype over here. Also, I’ve heard some of the place can get kind of slick when it comes to paying up. Have you experienced any of that?
Max GarbielParticipantWhen it comes to traditional reggae Phil is totally correct KEEP IT SIMPLE. I just finished listening to your mixes and I like your track selection. You have a knowledge of the music so you’re already halfway there. SO here’s some things I noticed.
– on your transitions the vocals are clashing – reggae is chill music so don’t rush your transitions. It’s not like House where you have to keep the energy level up. Space out your transitions a bit and let the music ride out.
– keep similar riddims the same and then transition into another – I would pick 5-6 songs (whatever) artists on similar riddims (diwali for ex.) then move transition and do the same for another riddim, but I definitely wouldn’t recommend switching up the riddim every song. This will maintain that chill atmosphere that you want to maintain.Like I said before, you clearly have a knowledge of reggae, so you’re doing good in that respect.
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