Any one into DJing?

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Well I am wanting to take up DJing nothing more than a hobby/pass time and was wondering if any one here was into it? maybe post ya set up, mixes ect or just how you got into I want to no as much about DJing asap :D
thanks.
 
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What type of music are you interested in spinning?
 
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Well I am wanting to take up DJing nothing more than a hobby/pass time and was wondering if any one here was into it? maybe post ya set up, mixes ect or just how you got into I want to no as much about DJing asap :D
thanks.

Well first off my setup is a lil expensive but its definitely the one I would recommend for spinning on, 2 technics(black if possible), Allen & Heath Xone 92, some kind of looper, a guitar delay pedal(or any efx, roland sp404 is nice too), and I have an alienware laptop with serato but im switching to a macbook, windows it too much of a headache. Like I said its expensive but the more buttons and knobs you have the more fun it is....and I got into it about 9 years ago, hard to escape it when you live around Detroit. Message me if you got any ?s though, and heres a short mix I recorded while playing around on my stuff today, nothing special just a quick mix to peak at. Later

http://www.divshare.com/download/4342357-5d6

Get some Sennheisser HD25's too, awesome headphones.
 
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James-
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Thanks guys I forgot Ide posted it till I relished !
Brandon Ime going to start on speed garage as Ive bin told thats the easiest and the most popular round were I live also like it but ide probably mix song I like by more unknown artists with bassline behind it.
ans yerr Joey sarks al send you a pm when I find the cash to by my set :D
 
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That's cool man that you wanna get into DJ'ing. I've been doing it for a few years. They have like DJ starter packs that come with everything you need to mix right out of the box. I would however recommend that when you do purchase some tables, make sure that they are DIRECT DRIVE and not belt driven. The belt driven tables run off of a motor and a belt that runs to the platter which in time wears out and messes up the calibration. I personally use two technics 1210's and I love it. That thing is built like a beast.

I would also recommend getting Serato so that you can keep all your tracks in one place on your computer. No more hauling vinyl around.

My setup....

Tables-2x Technics 1210(about $900)
Mixer-Rane TTM-56($750)
Serato-($500)

Hope this helps.
 
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Been at it for bout 7 years...

I'l not make this a long post but I'd just like to say that if it was me starting out again, I wouldn't even consider vinyl turntables! Just so many disadvantages with the vinyl for a modern working DJ. Even just learning in your bedroom you would be cheaper with software.

CD decks/Computer DJ software is the way forward. Even the likes of the cortex players that let you control music from a hard drive using a normal CD deck type interface.
 
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Been at it for bout 7 years...

I'l not make this a long post but I'd just like to say that if it was me starting out again, I wouldn't even consider vinyl turntables! Just so many disadvantages with the vinyl for a modern working DJ. Even just learning in your bedroom you would be cheaper with software.

CD decks/Computer DJ software is the way forward. Even the likes of the cortex players that let you control music from a hard drive using a normal CD deck type interface.

Although I understand the point, with even Hawtin switching to full on computer setup, I think vinyl will still be around for a while. I still see very few people use cd decks unless its a cheesy club or cheesy dj, thats usually the only time I come across someone using them. The computer only setup has been making way but theres still alot of nay sayers out there slowing that process. Decks would be safe for a while in my opinion.
 
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hey
I'm a sound engineer. Have been DJing for 8 years.
I agree with what was said before: if I had to start now, I'd go for Ableton Live. It's really good, hassle free, no need to carry heavy cases around and you can be really creative too. Plus you can use a midi controller so you can actually move faders, pots, etc..
Having said this, I still love my 1210's ;D
 
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hey
I'm a sound engineer. Have been DJing for 8 years.
I agree with what was said before: if I had to start now, I'd go for Ableton Live. It's really good, hassle free, no need to carry heavy cases around and you can be really creative too. Plus you can use a midi controller so you can actually move faders, pots, etc..
Having said this, I still love my 1210's ;D

Definitely love Ableton Live :) Don't really agree with people playing other peoples full tracks with it (loops i don't mind) But if you wanna produce as opposed to playing other peoples music, ive seen no other program that can match its flexibility in a live setting. Course some of the best live stuff i've heard comes from Punisher using about 10 korg machines...nothing sexier than a bunch of hardware laying out:Cool:
 
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Although I understand the point, with even Hawtin switching to full on computer setup, I think vinyl will still be around for a while. I still see very few people use cd decks unless its a cheesy club or cheesy dj, thats usually the only time I come across someone using them. The computer only setup has been making way but theres still alot of nay sayers out there slowing that process. Decks would be safe for a while in my opinion.

LOL! :eek: Dude...are you serious? I'm not sure where you are from, but any high-end club in a major city with a major music scene will absolutely have an all-digital setup. In fact, the people I know who do still spin vinyl are starting to grumble that the vinyl tables are being slowly phased out at venues. You said yourself Richie Hawtin has gone all-digital (as have almost all pro DJs - it's hard to think of even one "big name" DJ who still spins vinyl), so I'm not sure what you mean about "cheesy clubs" or "cheesy djs." :Confused:

And to James - I'm guessing you probably have a CD collection, and not a vinyl collection? That's as good a reason as any to get CD decks over vinyl - unless you want to spend thousands of dollars rebuilding your collection.
 
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LOL! :eek: Dude...are you serious? I'm not sure where you are from, but any high-end club in a major city with a major music scene will absolutely have an all-digital setup. In fact, the people I know who do still spin vinyl are starting to grumble that the vinyl tables are being slowly phased out at venues. You said yourself Richie Hawtin has gone all-digital (as have almost all pro DJs - it's hard to think of even one "big name" DJ who still spins vinyl), so I'm not sure what you mean about "cheesy clubs" or "cheesy djs." :Confused:

And to James - I'm guessing you probably have a CD collection, and not a vinyl collection? That's as good a reason as any to get CD decks over vinyl - unless you want to spend thousands of dollars rebuilding your collection.

I'm from the Detroit area, turntables are still very prevelant here. Usually I see people playing records, using serato with control records, or doin their live pas with ableton. Barely ever catch anyone running the cd decks if there are any setup to begin with. I mean i'm definitely one to back technology and new things, but seems to me like people still love their turntables. I even look at tons of pics online from parties all over europe and canada, from what I see in the booth it never even occured to me that platters were gettin phased out.
And maybe cheesy was a bad choice of word. I just mean places like club bleu here, or djs like dan, bad boy bill, or benni benassi for example. I've definitely seen lots of trance, progressive house, hip hop, and house djs use cd decks, but I cant think of many minimal/techno djs that use em.
 
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I'm from the Detroit area, turntables are still very prevelant here...

Perhaps its your location? Who knows.

But yeah I have also found what Brandon has found, all big clubs are running digital..mostly in the form of Pioneer CDJ's but it can differ.
 
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Well that might explain it…I guess Detroit prides itself on being “old skool” or traditional. And there’s something to be said for that. I don’t know much about minimal/techno, but I know that techno pretty much IS the Detroit music scene, so it would make sense that among techno DJs, vinyl decks are still the norm. In many other genres, CDs replaced vinyl years ago. I’ve been to many parties overseas – Japan, Turkey, Amsterdam, and everyone is spinning CDs. It’s just much more practical, especially if you are traveling internationally. You can still scratch with CD decks (if that’s your thing), and you can increase or decrease the tempo without changing the pitch, so there’s not much reason to stick with vinyl, unless you already have a collection or are stuck in your ways, so to speak. Not to mention that you can have your entire library of 1,000+ tracks on your laptop and spin with turntables through Serato or Final Scratch, etc., and still have the feel of spinning vinyl. No need to carry around a bag with 50 records.

Actually the debate that is going on now between using a laptop & Serato versus using CD’s and digital turntables is the same debate that took place years ago between vinyl and CDs when CD turntables first came out – the traditionalists said spinning with CDs was not “real” DJing. Now there are CD DJs saying using a laptop and a mixing program is not “real” DJing. I myself have been resistant to start using a laptop and Serato (only because it’s just so easy to bring a CD wallet and headphones to a show instead of an expensive laptop), but I will probably make the switch in the next few years. It’s clearly the way of the future.

Hey Joey, is that mix you posted a techno mix? I’d like to check it out. There’s some good minimal coming out these days :)
 
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Well that might explain it…I guess Detroit prides itself on being “old skool” or traditional. And there’s something to be said for that. I don’t know much about minimal/techno, but I know that techno pretty much IS the Detroit music scene, so it would make sense that among techno DJs, vinyl decks are still the norm. In many other genres, CDs replaced vinyl years ago. I’ve been to many parties overseas – Japan, Turkey, Amsterdam, and everyone is spinning CDs. It’s just much more practical, especially if you are traveling internationally. You can still scratch with CD decks (if that’s your thing), and you can increase or decrease the tempo without changing the pitch, so there’s not much reason to stick with vinyl, unless you already have a collection or are stuck in your ways, so to speak. Not to mention that you can have your entire library of 1,000+ tracks on your laptop and spin with turntables through Serato or Final Scratch, etc., and still have the feel of spinning vinyl. No need to carry around a bag with 50 records.

Actually the debate that is going on now between using a laptop & Serato versus using CD’s and digital turntables is the same debate that took place years ago between vinyl and CDs when CD turntables first came out – the traditionalists said spinning with CDs was not “real” DJing. Now there are CD DJs saying using a laptop and a mixing program is not “real” DJing. I myself have been resistant to start using a laptop and Serato (only because it’s just so easy to bring a CD wallet and headphones to a show instead of an expensive laptop), but I will probably make the switch in the next few years. It’s clearly the way of the future.

Hey Joey, is that mix you posted a techno mix? I’d like to check it out. There’s some good minimal coming out these days :)

Yeah I myself use serato and the trusty turntables, my friend gives cds a chance here and there but he takes serato and control vinyl over that anyday, and my other friend will not give up on vinyl at all. Everyones different, but i still love the feel and control of vinyl even if all the music is coming from my lappy But just using cds sucks(excusay moi) in my opinion, horrible look, feel, and stigma...but yes i agree the more trendy or mainstream genre djs definitely cling to that setup, hence why my one friend gives them a chance(electro house boy):Smirk:

Yeah, and brandon its a lil minimal/techno/techhouse all lumped together. Hard to put anything into genres these days in my opinion, everything can be taken so many different ways. Heres another mix I made recently...

http://www.divshare.com/download/4414796-40c

This ones a lil more housey in my opinion, never spun half of these tracks till today actually. Its a lil weaker then my usual mixing cuz ive only been able to mix in headphones this month...which I dont know maybe im different from most but i hate mixing without a monitor. Definitely harder to me and I cant get into it at all. Should be doin a planned out mix soon, much more dark and heady stuff, much more my style, ill send you that one too if your interested at all. K i'm done ranting :)
 
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I am interested, post it up when it’s ready. I am into the dark heady stuff myself. :Evil: PM me the track list when you do post it?

As far as the more trendy or mainstream djs spinning CDs, you are correct, but the style I spin (Psychedelic Trance) is even more underground than minimal/techno/techhouse, and nearly all psy djs spin CDs. That’s mostly because the style originated at outdoor parties, mainly in Goa, India, and the sun would warp the vinyl. Plus dust and wind does not mix well with vinyl. In fact, I started spinning CDs because most psy record labels don’t even release vinyl anymore, strictly CDs. So I don’t have much of a choice :)

As far as the horrible look, feel, and stigma of CDs – I guess it’s all a matter of preference, isn’t it ;)
 
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In Australia CD's are very prevalent... I DJ in Melbourne and at most popular clubs you'll find at least 2 or 3 Pioneer CDJ-1000's
 
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I am interested, post it up when it’s ready. I am into the dark heady stuff myself. :Evil: PM me the track list when you do post it?

As far as the more trendy or mainstream djs spinning CDs, you are correct, but the style I spin (Psychedelic Trance) is even more underground than minimal/techno/techhouse, and nearly all psy djs spin CDs. That’s mostly because the style originated at outdoor parties, mainly in Goa, India, and the sun would warp the vinyl. Plus dust and wind does not mix well with vinyl. In fact, I started spinning CDs because most psy record labels don’t even release vinyl anymore, strictly CDs. So I don’t have much of a choice :)

As far as the horrible look, feel, and stigma of CDs – I guess it’s all a matter of preference, isn’t it ;)

Alright ill post the mix asap.

And I definitely see the arguement for cds if you have such sun and wind problems in your music scene...definitely dont have those problems in the D.
Don't know much about trance anymore so i'll accept your point of psy trance being more underground than minimal...but when I say trendy or mainstream I dont just mean popular/unpopular music. The way genres like trance sound and are constructed are much more radio/real world acceptable, so you'd figure the genre would use a medium to mix that relates to that. Techno/minimal has always been more old school/analog/stylish and tries to set itself apart, so records definitely tie in whether it be vinyl or control records. I also know alot of big techno djs that still buy records and record them to their serato cuz they still just want that better sound quality when spinning mp3s.(this point is very debatable) Its all debatable though, no matter what I won't knock any technology that furthers the scene, after all techno is the scene that pushes envelopes the most...and im really tired I hope that all made sense, if it didnt ill reword it tomorrow. :Sleeping:

And now that I looked back real quick, I think you said something like this a few posts earlier...so I guess we agree, its all about your genre or place of business. A big piece of black vinyl is still sexier than cds though...period.
 
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i have been doing it since 93 and i currently mix live on commercial radio.

here's my set up.
IMG_3376.jpg
 

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