DJing basics-A few questions

[jaydot]

Got a few questions to ask DJs about mixing and equiptment.

1.) Am I right in thinking there's no "right way" to mix, as long as you sync the beats/bars and drops (if that makes sense)... you can pretty much add your owns style?

2.) I am a total beginner with a budget of about £300 prospectively. What do I need decks/mixer wise? Do I need a mixer with decks? Do I need a mixer at all?

3.) Thirdly, there's a sync button option on VDJ, do decks have that to auto-match the beats?

Thanks,

[stereotactic]

EZ Jay

1) No, there is no right way to mix per se. Beat match of course, but once they are matched chop em up and blend as you see fit. As long as it sounds musical, your only limit is your own creativity, though I would stick with the basics first i.e. get the tunes in time, cue tune being mixed in at an appropriate interval, blend, mix out. I like to chop between busy basslines too, always get a buzz from that.

2) Depanding on whether you are planning to use vinyl or MP3, you will need a midi controller/decks/CDJ's, headphones and a mixer. £300 aint a lot though mate, but there are some decent beginner package deals out there.

3) No, no, no. Sync is a new thing, a digital technology thing. If you mix with vinyl, you use your EARS. Personally I have found that sync functions do not like dubstep, as dependant on track they detect half time beats i.e one tune will be 140bpm, one will be 70. Proper DJ-ing isn't a case of pressing a button mate otherwise we would all have been superstars back in the day!

[wub]

1.) Am I right in thinking there's no "right way" to mix, as long as you sync the beats/bars and drops (if that makes sense)... you can pretty much add your owns style?

Like production, you learn the basics then adapt your own take on things

2.) I am a total beginner with a budget of about £300 prospectively. What do I need decks/mixer wise? Do I need a mixer with decks? Do I need a mixer at all?

You'll need two decks and a mixer (if you're mixing vinyl or CDs), and a laptop w/ optional mixer & controller if not.

3.) Thirdly, there's a sync button option on VDJ, do decks have that to auto-match the beats?

No they do not. You will need to match the beats by ear yourself. Some CD decks (and vinyl decks) will tell you the BPM of the tune, but that doesn't necessarily mean that by setting both decks to 140bpm you will have perfectly matched tunes.

Thanks,

Get yourself a copy of this and it will answer 99% of all questions you could ever have about DJing - http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-DJ-Properly ... 0593058119

(also I'm creditted as a contributor)

[Wrigzilla]

Get yourself a copy of this and it will answer 99% of all questions you could ever have about DJing - http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-DJ-Properly ... 0593058119

(also I'm creditted as a contributor)

Really? Respect, that book is sick. I remember the first time I read that, I woke up proper hungover in bristol at my mates place after seeing phace in bristol last year, I ended up reading that book while waiting for my mate to wake up.

[jaydot]

Thanks guys, yeah I didn't think my budget was that great. And I'm thinking MP3 as vinyl is a lot harder to come by and less practical (although both have they're pros and cons obviously).. so if I was just mixing with CDs I'd need what? The CDJs and the headphones... or an additonal mixer/MIDI controller too? (I don't have a clue) or I might start laptop DJing first which is a cheaper option as I already have a "laptop"... would just need the VDJ software which I've got and a MIDI controller amirite?

[legend4ry]

For CDJs, you need 2 cdjs and a mixer .. plus headphones and speakers/interface to plug the master and record (if you want to record sets..) into.

They do shitty CDJ bundles but to be really honest - 300 isn't going to get you a pair of cdjs even worth having...

I personally would just link your midi controller's knobs to traktor and learn the general aesthetic's of mixing while you save up around a grand or two for some good quality CDJs and a decent mixer.


It has to be said - DJing is probably more expensive than producing when starting out the budget stuff is really really really bad but if you're going the CDJ route - it isn't as expensive as vinyl (its not the one blowing 50-60 pound on under 8 vinyl (at a real push!)

[wub]

Get yourself a copy of this and it will answer 99% of all questions you could ever have about DJing - http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-DJ-Properly ... 0593058119

(also I'm creditted as a contributor)

Really? Respect, that book is sick. I remember the first time I read that, I woke up proper hungover in bristol at my mates place after seeing phace in bristol last year, I ended up reading that book while waiting for my mate to wake up.

Under 'Bedroom Consultants' in the back. Helped with the chapters on DJing w/ CDs, and MP3 DJing.

[jaydot]

@legend: I think if they're gonna cost me a G then I'll stick to software and a controller for now. My next question would be then how much would a half-decent controller be? And I take it my shitty laptop would need an upgrade. :/ Anything else along with that needed, like maybe an interface?

[jaydot]

*Because essentially all I am doing is messing around in my room for now, practicing.

[lyons238]

Check out these controllers
Vestax Vci-100
Hercules rmx
Vestax typhoon

I use the vci-100. It's amazing for beginners and advanced users. It's completely customizable and djtechtools.com has advanced firmware, mapping, and kits to customize the vci-100. By the way this is for the mk1 not the mk2. You will also need an audio card with the vci. A lot of people use the NI audio 2 dj for 99 bucks. I personally use the saffire 6 for production and djing.

Hope that helps

[Basic A]

Got a few questions to ask DJs about mixing and equiptment.

1.) Am I right in thinking there's no "right way" to mix, as long as you sync the beats/bars and drops (if that makes sense)... you can pretty much add your owns style?

No, you dont even HAVE to do that. I mean, in alot of genres like dubstep it helps, but remember that DJing goes back well before the quantize grid was ever invented, and this shit spawns from the likes of Afrika Bambaataa juggling jazz 45's in some basement somewhere. It wasnt until the whole house/techno/drum machine revolution that all that hit, and if you recognize that, youll know when to do what transition wise.

But yes, chances are, EDM rave music... beatmatching is key.

2.) I am a total beginner with a budget of about £300 prospectively. What do I need decks/mixer wise? Do I need a mixer with decks? Do I need a mixer at all?

Yes, you need a mixer and something with 2 play buttons... For that price, Id look into the cheapest CDJ's you can find that arent latent as fuck, and then put whats left into a half decent mixer that can take some abuse... When I started mixing I was really rough on my kit, and looking back, a nicer mixer would have held up better and I wouldnt have had a massive downtime saving up to replace it. You can learn to beatmatch on anytihng what plays music at different pitches, dont let anyone here try to tell you you need some ridiculous expensive players... Just enough to practice on, a nice mixer will go further on your budget.

3.) Thirdly, there's a sync button option on VDJ, do decks have that to auto-match the beats?

Thanks,

No and dont use it because they dont. The thing about beatsync buttons is, you want to be ambiguous as a DJ... you want to be able to accept any booking thrown your way and jump right on the provided setup and smash it... The only way youll ever be cross-applicable like that is to just be able to use your ears in the end. If you get a booking offer at a rave with 2 unsyncable cdj's and 2 1210s, your gonna be the poor sap who has to turn it down because of lack of skill. Those match buttons are luxury's, but to be a marketable professional, youll need to have speant all the time honing your ears that it will take. Its not that hard, just dont get spoiled with those sync's early on, and then lazy out afterwords.

Also, i know controllers look nice, but, alot of clubs dont appreciate you hauling in tons of kit when they have a set of decks and cdj's that have been hooked up since the dawn of time.

Learn to be cross-applicable and ambiguous, be able to jump right on whatevers given and smash it. Its your job as the DJ.

[Fbac]

Lots of good advice on here.
my 2cents. I own a Hercules mk1 , and i wouldnt recommend it for djing, dunno bout the newer ones, BUT i do use it as my soundcard and its nice.

Things have changed these days with Dj software, when i started out i bought belt-drives, that would always go out of time so my fingers were almost always on the records keeping them in time. Now that ive finnaly switched over to Ni Tracktor (without the timecoded vinyl as i sold my decks *crys more*) ive finnally understood that its about EFX , LOOPING and Remixing on the fly . So i wanted to get the Ni Kontrol 1 so that i could play with the effects.. All i would need is my pc, a audio in and out (ni dj1) a mixer . I could have got it all for about 300 quid. but not the software to run it. BUT if your starting out you could get away with Software, In and Out audio box, Mixer

Sadly Vinyl is dying out you have no idea how sad i was to read raidens status "Pressing vinyl isnt comertiablly viable anymore for me" , avoid the sync button itl make you lazy EARS are the best way like basic A said.

This was 533 pounds, so nearly double over your budget, IVE NEVER USED IT, but it looks nice and a mate of mine djs out with it so must be okay. looks swish...

[Recessive Trait]

Also, i know controllers look nice, but, alot of clubs dont appreciate you hauling in tons of kit when they have a set of decks and cdj's that have been hooked up since the dawn of time.

i respectfully disagree. almost everybody (at least around here) is using computers to dj these days. of course, now that i think of it, most are using traktor/serrato/torq etc with the decks. yeah, actually djing with controllers is pretty laughable. case in point:

but to each their own.

[mks]

yeah, actually djing with controllers is pretty laughable. case in point:


but to each their own.

That's laughable? There's a lot you can do with this without being tethered down by a traditional interface (turntables). From what I've been observing, this is going to be the way of the future. (And this is coming from someone with 17 years of DJ experience, and a HUGE vinyl head.)

[legend4ry]

Yeah I am a proper vinyl junkie but embrace the future - its just like how people didn't start using computers straight away to make beats but look now!

[mks]

Learn to be cross-applicable and ambiguous, be able to jump right on whatevers given and smash it. Its your job as the DJ.

Basic A, some good advice, although I probably would have used the word versatile. If you are going to jump into this DJ game, ultimately you would want to be proficient at using turntables, cdj's and software. Perhaps it's not so much this way anymore, but to be honest, I couldn't imagine not learning how to mix by ear and not feeling records under my fingers... although, these days I'm just as comfortable with CDJ's and software. Essentially, it is all about knowing how to lay it down for an audience, whatever the tools are.

[Basic A]

Learn to be cross-applicable and ambiguous, be able to jump right on whatevers given and smash it. Its your job as the DJ.

Basic A, some good advice, although I probably would have used the word versatile. If you are going to jump into this DJ game, ultimately you would want to be proficient at using turntables, cdj's and software. Perhaps it's not so much this way anymore, but to be honest, I couldn't imagine not learning how to mix by ear and not feeling records under my fingers... although, these days I'm just as comfortable with CDJ's and software. Essentially, it is all about knowing how to lay it down for an audience, whatever the tools are.

This, I learned on unsyncable CDJs, but yeah, I can say with confidence that you give me two players and a mixer Ill make things happen...

@Recessive trait... maybe where you are, around here, its all stock rigs and the occasional oddball who has to crawl around under the tables setting up their interface for serato... If nothing else, you skip the hookup time and your dancefloor will still be full from the last DJ who was on, he can just give you mix-ins and you can be on, never miss a beat.

Versatile, cross-applicable, ambiguous... however you want to say it, you learn on 2 players and your ears and no matter the rig, youll be proficient.

[Danimal]

If you can spin on two CDJs, you can spin anything. Begin without auto syncing. You want to learn the basics immediately so you can progress quickly.

Don't lose the beat, don't trip the cords, and don't make bad transitions. You'll be fine otherwise.

[Danimal]

Laptop DJs catch a bad rap from veteran DJs. Get yourself some hands on gear. Plus that's one more think you don't have to worry about some drunk chick spilling beer on.

[Karoshi]

Get yourself a copy of this and it will answer 99% of all questions you could ever have about DJing - http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-DJ-Properly ... 0593058119

(also I'm creditted as a contributor)

Nice! bought myself a copy of that last year i think? good read! though i still havnt tried djing haha