Why no real DJ's here?

[GoldSeraph]

Wondering why this board doesn't seem to attract more than 4 or 5 actual Djs. I guess Harmony central is just a very guitar and bass centric website . Hrm... all people who actually mix records together or scratch, raise your hands? I mix progressive house and tech house, and am interested in getting into producing when I have the money.

Goldy...

[DjSpamTin]

I mix d&b and idm and generally randomly mess about a little, but mostly scratch

[6ftabovsealevel]

I spin deep and progressive trance. I've recently become more interesed in production but have yet to decide whether or not I'd like to persue it.

Kind of unfortunate there aren't a few more ideas being tossed around here. It seems that way for just about every dj board I've been to. The only people who ever post anything are beginners looking for help or people asking about equipment. Not that those questions are bad, but it would be nice if people talked about what they did once they figured it out...

[Hades25]

I know what you guys are saying ... I like to add deep house all the way to cheeze trance in my sets...from York , to PVD, to Brother Brown.....:) I just recorded one last night and I am wanted to post it for people to getr ahold of.....any ideas.....?

[6ftabovsealevel]

Check out skoolhouse.com. If you have a way of converting it into an audio file you can send it to them and they post it. That's the only site I know of that does it.

[ae5]

Originally posted by DjSpamTin
I mix d&b and idm and generally randomly mess about a little, but mostly scratch

can you send me a mix tape or cd?

ae5
p.o. box 725
hudson, nh
03051

[Hades25]

did you take those photos posted on your website.....they kick ass....like your studio

[DjSpamTin]

Originally posted by ae5

can you send me a mix tape or cd?


I haven't got enough vynil to do a mixtape...i've got a 10 breaks/scratch records, but my proper music is limited to 10xd&b, 2xAphex, 2xBoC and 1xAutechre + random Jazz...that's probably enough I guess but to be honest my mixing skills suck and if I want to use 2nd turntable I've got to clear my desk cos there's not enough space. So most of the time I just have the one tt and scratch, it's what I got em for in the first place anyways.
I'll post a file or something when I get round to putting something together....

Cheers!

[ae5]

Originally posted by Hades25
did you take those photos posted on your website.....they kick ass....like your studio

thanks, yea i did take those. i'm a newbie at photography though, still trying to hack away at it.

[Dib432]

I spin house, as well as IDM and downtempo.

[djsynrgy]

started on trance, still dick with it on occasion, but not really..

dabble in progressive house, still have a place in my heart for hard disco house (the cheeseball in me I guess.), and just about any other reasonable fascimile of a 4/4 beat.

this past fall I put all my real focus into breakbeats and drum n bass. Mostly Drum n Bass. Fast, dancefloor DnB, and a couple experimental tunes here and there.

Still can't afford to produce. YAY! :D

[djphonics]

I got two 1200s and a Vestax. I reckon that makes me a DJ :). I know how to use em' too.

[6ftabovsealevel]

Originally posted by djphonics
I know how to use em' too.

No, that makes you a dj. Somebody with more money than musical inclination might get themselves 1200's and an 05, but they'll still sound like crap.

[guitarizt]

Can you real dj's help me out? Can you make a list of names or something? I'm really curious about what I need to get started making cool songs.

[ae5]

names of what

[guitarizt]

Originally posted by ae5
names of what

Oops I do that sometimes. Names of the real dj's on harmony central. Maybe I should just start a new thread.

[Dib432]

I would say that this thread allready functions pretty well as a list of the real DJ's on harmony central

[SubSunami]

D&B all the way Synrgy :cool:

[klubjunk]

I'm real
I'm real
I'm real

woohooooo


here's a dj question to sort out the pretenders..

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU FORGOT YOUR HEADPHONES?!

there is only 1 answer.
if you don't get the answer, you loooooosseee!

[chris_chrys]

"WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU FORGOT YOUR HEADPHONES?!"

Well, one would put the moniter in the headhone socket and use that to mix, making sure that the sound doesn't leak on to the dancefloor, if that's not possible then send someone to your house to get the headphones, if that's not possible, find the nearest music shop (or shop with headphones), break in and steal a pair (making sure you leave the money for them).

As for real DJ's, what is a real DJ, someone making five thousand a night or someone slapping his dick on a record to make a sound. I'm a Dj, I play progressive house, getting more into techno but play breaks and have some hip hop. I'm really into Turntablism and did my first beat juggle with progressive breaks yesterday. Bring on the DMC's....

I'm also trying to get into production but each time I use the programmes (sound forge and Acid loops on my pc) I end up trying to make something funny or cheesy and pathetic, haven't got past the effects stage. I'm going to do a music production course in october hopefully because it's really the only way to go if you love your music.

"All governments are liars and murderers" - Bill Hicks

[6ftabovsealevel]

Aren't the pretenders the people that would forget their headphones? I guess you could use the monitors, but then depending on what mixer you're using, you might end up trying to match your beats listening to the monitors against the house speakers. I imagine that would take a little practice... Also, keeping that sound out of the house would be pretty impossible. Kind of a silly question if you ask me though... No real dj goes to anything even remotely resembling a gig without their headphones...

[chris_chrys]

You could also turn the music really low and hold a needle/pin loosely between the thumb and forefinger pressing it down lightly on the record and putting your ear right next to it and listening. don't worry though, you culd turn the music right up again once the mix is firmly in place and you can here it through the moniter. There'd be a bit of a problem though if you were to use CD's.

[chris_chrys]

Or use the lights to beat match.......... I'm bored

[pix]

Originally posted by guitarizt
Can you real dj's help me out? Can you make a list of names or something? I'm really curious about what I need to get started making cool songs.

a computer and a pair of speakers/headphones. At least for my definition of *making* music.

and this is for the ones that "can´t afford to produce" as well.

[pix]

oh, I´m no real dj btw

[klubjunk]

The answer to the question:

WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOU FORGET YOUR HEADPHONES??

to sort out who is a real dj and not...
the ONLY answer my friends is..

YOU DON'T FORGET YOUR HEADPHONES!


but of course if they are stolen.. well that's another story..
and the ANSWER TO THAT IS..

Borrow some or don't play.
unless its a small club with bad sound, then you can probably mix on the fly without too many people noticing. But if its a big club or good sound.. you'll look like a shit dj and you won't be hired by too many people in the future.
Its best to pretend you have food sickness rather than play a bad set.

[DjDay]

Just because you got to 1200's and a ve3stex doesn't make you a dj. WHats inside of your crate makes you a Dj. And if I came to your house and tore you up on your own 1200's does that still make you a dj

[DjDay]

This has happened to me on three occasions. And all the parties that I did I still Rocked them. I forgot my headphones what i would do is listen to the song already out on dance floor and I would drop the record and fade back to the song currently playing meanwhile adjusting the pitch then I would drop it again slow or speed the motor down by using my fingers and adjusting the pitch. The only way you can be sweet at blending without headphones is by knowing your records cold. I know my crate like I know how to wipe my ass after I take a shit. I coud pick out a record in the dark and tell you what it is and how many beats it has

[CooGi dice]

im a real dj well at least last time i checked.....

i have not done a party in like a year or bought any NEW records in about the same amount of time but i do buy old and used records on a weekly baisis (im a vinal junkie). any way i havent been djing partys since i got into producing and makin beats but i still cut my records up.......

[light_without_heat]

I am a dj. I got a job to get some more records and new gear but right now I can cut some mad vinyl-skratch wise anywayz. I need to work on beat matching though. I have a question for someone...at your house, how much bump do you guys have? I have two 15's and then two 12's that never work...:D

[6ftabovsealevel]

Hell, maybe I'm not a dj... I've never done a party, don't have a huge system in my house, and nobody ever hears anything I do... Not that I care if I can call myslelf a real dj anyway. As long as I can spin records that's good enough for me...

[Tek]

i'm new here so just wanted to say sup to all the fellow dj's, producers, music freaks n gear heads. :) i'm new here but not new to producing. i play multiple instruments n have been producing for about 5 years. been dj'ing almost a year. i usually spin Tek, Tek house, house, latin house, latin tek house, HARD tek, (all different kinds of tek in other word) breaks, all kinds of trance, all kinds of hard house n a lot of stuff that i find n just mix in for the hell of it (long as it fits in my eyes). i also spin a lil differently than most. i don't do the typical outro to intro thang..i constantly mess with the beats, slam shit back n forth, do lots of fx work, layer tracks at times (using high's say from one, lows n mids from another, etc...frequency splicing on the fly, with fx work, slammin beats back n forth, mebbe layer an acapella over here n there, etc..to make somethng brand new on the fly). i'm not the best n i have a long way to go but hey, don't we all.

the way i look at it is fuck the ego's n just spin. if you love it n want it enough, just shut the fuck up n do it damnit! :eek: ;) it's all bout the music n for the love of it. :) i have respect for all types of dj's, producers, genre's etc.. i don't JUST listen to electronic music either, i find my sources all over n will ride beats that are not quantized (when need be), etc.. just a lil background on me.

since i've been in the producing game as long as i have n am a gear whore, feel free to ask away bout anything. i'd be glad to help you guys out. i remember when i was starting out n i wished there was someone to help guide me so i make it a point to always help others..in my eyes, that's just the way it should be..like i said, fuck the ego's..it's ALL bout the music. :)

[perpetrata]

werd brotha tek, i've found that the djs with the biggest attitudes are those that are least successful or they are really popular in one small town (they're home town or college town) and their heads get too big for the door.

as for producing, don't waste your $$$ on those technical media colleges. spend it on some gear and start reading and talking with other people who produce but definitely get a nice set of monitors and one of those handy audio engineering books.

peace

[toady]

Tek from oregon????????? is that you..............?
, VT Squire

[Synne23]

so here i am, :)
This is my 1st post.
I spin progressive and nu-school breaks. Sometimes play with a little prog house but I usually leave that to my partners.

[Tek]

Originally posted by perpetrata
werd brotha tek, i've found that the djs with the biggest attitudes are those that are least successful or they are really popular in one small town (they're home town or college town) and their heads get too big for the door.

as for producing, don't waste your $$$ on those technical media colleges. spend it on some gear and start reading and talking with other people who produce but definitely get a nice set of monitors and one of those handy audio engineering books.

peace


def agreein with you bro. talk is cheap, it's all about just doin it.;) n school for music..BLA...you know how many people i know that graduated from a "music" school n now work at sam ash or guitar center..def a waste in my eyes as well. def better to figure out what u need to learn, study everything u can get your hands on (the net is a BEAUTIFUL thing for this) and Learn, Learn, Learn! it's all about the hands on training..just make music!

[Tek]

toady-nope. sorry bro. i'm from NY :)

Synne23-welcome! :)

[perpetrata]

anyone have some mixes online??

[Tek]

not yet but very soon. anybody else? i'm always down ta check out fellow music peeps shit as well. :)

[perpetrata]

here's my latest, Breaks:
http://www.peaceloveproductions.com/mixes/Dj_Puzzle_Essential_Breaks.rm

let me know if the link doesn't work.

peace

[djsynrgy]

Originally posted by Synne23
so here i am, :)
This is my 1st post.
I spin progressive and nu-school breaks. Sometimes play with a little prog house but I usually leave that to my partners.

I'm just curious. Exactly WHAT is the difference between progressive and progressive house? surely it's not the beat....

For the record, I've dabbled in the genre myself, but I see it as one genre. No difference 'tween "prog" and "prog house" to me.

[pksdabombdj]

I have been a real DJ since 1975. I have done Radio and Clubs too. Hell I was beat mixing back when SNF was on the charts. I have been in Punk bands playing bass and guitar too. These days it is how I am supporting myself. Sadly though, it is mostly Wedding receptions and Birthday parties. During the Summer I get a few Beach Parties too. The clubs where I live are all pretty lame and only play real commercial shit. No remixes or anything with EFX, just like radio....boring.
Since I have got my new Pioneer system, with the EFX box, I have been having a bit of fun during the drum breaks when the party actually gets going. I am also enjoying Soulwax and Freelance Hellraiser releases.....now THAT IS DJing! I think what sets me apart from the crowd is the amount of music I bring with me to a gig. I carry over 2500 CDs, to every gig. No way I can play them all, but I can slam Sinatra into Zappa into Van Morrison and really get folks' attention.
I think you are a DJ the moment you get out in front of people and play music. If you are listening to them, they will listen to you. And when you get a crowd going, there is no feeling like it anywhere. The energy just builds and builds, the floor gets crowded and it is happening, right there. BOOM you are a DJ.:cool:

[chris_chrys]

Ae, Give me some tips on getting into production proper. I'm doing a bog standard course in sequencing - only really dealt with cubase so far so i need advice on where to start. i have sound forge and acid loops and will be getting a few more programmes soon. I want to make my own sounds and beats and take samples etc and mix it all up to make techno and break beat house etc. Where did you start?

[Dib432]

What does it mean if beats are quantized?

[perpetrata]

That means all the sounds that make up the beat are digitally time corrected or shifted so that they hit in time to the specified resolution.

[ae5]

Originally posted by chris_chrys
Ae, Give me some tips on getting into production proper. I'm doing a bog standard course in sequencing - only really dealt with cubase so far so i need advice on where to start. i have sound forge and acid loops and will be getting a few more programmes soon. I want to make my own sounds and beats and take samples etc and mix it all up to make techno and break beat house etc. Where did you start?

well it all depends on your budget
hardware is expensive, software is not so expensive (free if you get warez). also what operating system are you running? mac or windows?

since you're learning cubase i'd stick with that for the time being, a cheap way to get into producing would be to procure cubase from your school and install it at home and start obtaining some vst's, like kontact (good soft sampler) and absynth (soft synth), reason is not bad.

if you're into splurging on hardware there are 2 important aspects:
1: a sampler - get the best one you can possibly afford as the studio will pretty much be centered around the sampler, i fucking love emu ultra samplers, their filters cannot be fucked with, the sampler is where you will sample breakbeats and chop them up however you want and morph them and where you will access all your sounds, every sound will be comming from the sampler
2: an analog or virtual analog synth - this is where you will MAKE your synthy tones, the deep sub bases, the warm pads, the wormy lead tones, the crunchy distorted appregios, they come from the analog or v/a synth. with one of these and a sampler and a sequencer program there is nothing you can't do, sample any real world sounds and morph them however you want and create new synth sounds with the analog/v/a, now the choice is between a real analog synth like a modcan (fucking AWESOME sounding modular synth, also very expensive) or a doepfer or a moog (i do not recommend buying a moog though, they're old as fuck and overpriced and need constant maintanence and don't sound as good as many modern analogs like the modcan) or you can get a virtual analog like a waldorf or a nord or a virus, the advantage to the v/a's is that they're (generally) cheaper, polyphonic (i.e. they can make more than one sound at once), they have built in effects, they automaticly come with everything right out of the box, they sound pretty good, some of them sound very analog, and they have way more features than a true analog, the benefit to a true analog is the sound is fucking godly, NOTHING can fuck with the sound of a true analog like a modcan, no virtual analog can begin to touch it, and it's modular which means you can rewire sounds as you like to create new sounds never heard before, and add more modules on, to create new sounds and have more features, the downside is it is monophonic as in only makes one sound at a time, and you have to wire the modules all together which takes a degree of know how, you have to know or at very least learn how to make sounds, like what modules you must wire together and in what order, and then you can begin playing around creating new shit that will blow your mind, but if you have a good sampler you don't need all the features of a virutal analog because you'll have them all (and more) in the sampler, the most practical application for this set up is:

create sounds with the analog, sample them into the sampler and save them, then create more sounds and sample them, then all the sounds are comming from the sampler, all organized the way you want them, and then you're sequencing them in cubase or logic or digital performer or whatever, it is a truely effective setup.

but of course there are also software equivilants for all this hardware, except no true analog of course as a computer/software is digital, but you can get softsynths that are set up like modular synths, infact it might be wise to fuck around with these for a while before dropping 2 grand on a modcan so you can learn what does what, so when you get the modcan you can skip the learning phase and get straight to creating godly synth sounds.

another drawback with hardware is you're need more hardware, like if you get a good sampler and synth you'll need an outboard hardware mixer to run the sampler outputs to while you're sequencing your tracks since it's not completely in the computer relm (where you could just do all that on the computer mixer)

however in general hardware sounds alot better than software and enables you to come up with more original sounds (there's far less people using an emu ultra sampler than that are using say, reason, or vst's) but a good/effective studio combines both hardware and software, hardware for the bulk of it and software for the new sounds and possibilities not yet on hardware.