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View Full Version : I think it's time for me to bring my DJing to the next level, no idea where to start.



Connor
02-18-2012, 05:43 PM
I got into the whole DJ thing in November 2010, starting with a Hercules RMX and VirtualDJ. Now, I use CDJ 1000s and am at the point where I can beatmatch a song in fifteen seconds. I'm a happy hardcore/UK hardcore DJ, used to do drum and bass although I'm getting back into liquid stuff. When I mix happy hardcore, I usually do typical intro/outro mixing, but I have an absolute blast with it. With drum and bass I've noticed you can do more intricate double drop stuff and other techniques simply because the music isn't as "full," you can do three deck mixing and the like a lot more easily because two drum and bass songs can often complement themselves quite nicely.

Here's what I'm getting at. I can do intro/outro mixing all day, but that's not what DJing is all about. I really can't figure out what other stuff I should be trying. With happy/UK hardcore it seems like this is about all I can do. Any suggestions?

Raindance Rob
02-18-2012, 08:13 PM
i also mix happy hardcore although mostly stuff from the 90s amongst other things. i do alot of beat juggling in my sets, maybe you could try giving it ago :D i only use vinyl myself tho

Connor
02-18-2012, 09:19 PM
i also mix happy hardcore although mostly stuff from the 90s amongst other things. i do alot of beat juggling in my sets, maybe you could try giving it ago :D i only use vinyl myself tho

A lot of my stuff is more recentish, 2005-2011 (no oldschool stuff like you haha) although it's none of the dubcore/electrocore shit you'd find like on Clubland Xtreme Hardcore 8, think more along the lines of Hardcore Addiction 4/5 and Naggy, Avid and Audien's B2B mix Hardcore Wireless Bluetooth Peripherals.

Beat juggling could be pretty neat but I have no idea how I'd do it with UK hardcore and the like, do you have any beat juggling recorded or have a link to somebody beat juggling some hardcore?

Raindance Rob
02-19-2012, 11:19 AM
yeah i know the kind of stuff you mean, not my cup of tea as too new for me but each to their own init just different ends of the spectrum hey ;) not strictly beat juggling but you get the idea:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvIsJDX6YMI


theres a few more upto date tunes in this one:
http://soundcloud.com/raindance-rob-1/dj-raindance-rob-b2b-dj-k2

DJ Hi Def
02-19-2012, 02:58 PM
Look into producing, learn ableton. That helped my refresh my skill set

Raindance Rob
02-19-2012, 07:32 PM
not that im trying discourage the OP from producing (far from it), but you dont have to produce to be a DJ & shouldnt have to imo

DJNR
02-19-2012, 10:06 PM
not that im trying discourage the OP from producing (far from it), but you dont have to produce to be a DJ & shouldnt have to imo

100% agree with this.

I keep finding people that want to "take their DJing to the next level" by producing, which doesn't make any sense. Producing tracks doesn't make you a better DJ, it makes you a better producer. Try learning some new DJ techniques. Implement scratching routines, learn cue point juggling, play with effects. There's all sorts of things you can do, but ultimately you should set yourself apart by developing your own style, something that sets YOU apart from everyone else.

Manu
02-20-2012, 03:04 AM
I can beatmatch a song in fifteen seconds

aim for 10 seconds. Then when you achieved that aim for 5 seconds. Then aim for less, then you can try having a go at pitch riding.

Production requires a lot of time, a lot of patience, dedication combined with knowledge, and a certain amount of money in order to get the gear / software. Satisfactory outcomes not included.

Austin GoGreen
02-20-2012, 07:58 AM
I can tell you right now that producing CAN make you a better DJ. Talent is within, either you have it or you don't. You can learn it but it takes drive. Give it a try. Ableton or FL is the way to go.

You can produce/edit tracks specifically for yourself, for your style. It will help you separate your sets from every other DJ and you really get to express yourself. It's YOUR shit. Nobody else has your edits/remixes/original tracks.

Try messing with acapelas. I'm just starting to do live blends while playing out. Most of the live blends I do are with acaps and tracks that I edited in FL Studio. I use it to create long outros, edit out verses, all sorts of things.. get creative with it.

I picked up my 1200's in late 2010. I learned how to DJ with cdj's and Virtual DJ. I was a hobbyist producer (hip hop) BEFORE I learned to DJ.

The Blackest
02-20-2012, 09:13 AM
I can tell you right now that producing CAN make you a better DJ. Talent is within, either you have it or you don't. You can learn it but it takes drive. Give it a try. Ableton or FL is the way to go.


This. Start producing.

DJ Hi Def
02-20-2012, 09:19 AM
This. Start producing.

Even if you don't want to make your own songs, producing can open up so many other worlds when it comes to Djing. Re Drum edit, quantization to make your mixes tighter... You think scratch Dj' by there scratch sentences?? NO they make them there self. Think about it man and don't limit your self.

Jason Cerna
02-20-2012, 10:10 AM
on producing


"I feel like if you're a DJ you should know how to produce tracks because, we re-arrange tracks and remix tracks just from having records around. So, if you can do it at a party or make mix-tapes, you should be able to do[you know] a hot track."
- DJ Premier [Scratch, 2001]

this ^^^^

Raindance Rob
02-20-2012, 10:22 AM
100% agree with this.

I keep finding people that want to "take their DJing to the next level" by producing, which doesn't make any sense. Producing tracks doesn't make you a better DJ, it makes you a better producer. Try learning some new DJ techniques. Implement scratching routines, learn cue point juggling, play with effects. There's all sorts of things you can do, but ultimately you should set yourself apart by developing your own style, something that sets YOU apart from everyone else.

exactly if the OP wants to take up producing then fair play to him. but the two should be separate imo it shouldnt be a case of you have to do both, if he wants to then kool but only start producing if he wants to not because he feels that he has to in order to feather his DJing

The Blackest
02-20-2012, 10:36 AM
exactly if the OP wants to take up producing then fair play to him. but the two should be separate imo it shouldnt be a case of you have to do both, if he wants to then kool but only start producing if he wants to not because he feels that he has to in order to feather his DJing

Yeah uh these days a lot of people produce so that they can land better gigs than the crappy hole in the wall bar down the street.

Raindance Rob
02-20-2012, 12:38 PM
true but it shouldnt be that way, you shouldnt be forced into producing to get more/better bookings

Manu
02-20-2012, 01:10 PM
Have a shot at it anyway. It's long hours, but it's good fun whatever comes out of it.

The Blackest
02-20-2012, 01:11 PM
true but it shouldnt be that way, you shouldnt be forced into producing to get more/better bookings

I mean I understand that it shouldn't be that way, but it is. Maybe if this was the 90s you could get away w/ just being an awesome dj playing other peoples tunes. Hell in the late 90s/early 00s I was playing out all over the place. Once I took a break to go to college, years later I tried hitting up the different promoters I knew in different states and they all asked me the same question, "What labels are you puttin stuff out on?" Yeah I was still getting sorted w/ tunes and cutting a dub here and there, but so were their residents. So yeah, if you want to be more than just a local dj, start producing. And I don't mean make mediocre stuff.



BTW, no offense to the heads that do that and are still in the same spot. Just keep doing what you're doing and you'll get somewhere eventually.

DJNR
02-20-2012, 01:53 PM
I mean I understand that it shouldn't be that way, but it is. Maybe if this was the 90s you could get away w/ just being an awesome dj playing other peoples tunes. Hell in the late 90s/early 00s I was playing out all over the place. Once I took a break to go to college, years later I tried hitting up the different promoters I knew in different states and they all asked me the same question, "What labels are you puttin stuff out on?" Yeah I was still getting sorted w/ tunes and cutting a dub here and there, but so were their residents. So yeah, if you want to be more than just a local dj, start producing. And I don't mean make mediocre stuff.

To be honest, I think the reason it's this was is because so many people are unable/reluctant to try something new in terms of DJing, so they produce. There isn't much that distinguishes one DJ from another (for the most part, unless you are really good) and it leaves promoters looking for something else, like producers, even if in reality the two aren't really relevant.

Edit: I mentioned in my previous post that in order to further yourself you have to find your individuality or selling point. If producing is the way that you believe will get you more gigs, then go produce. :)

Connor
02-21-2012, 12:45 PM
I want to focus on DJing for now, not producing. I really can't think of what kind of stuff to try with UK hardcore because I really can't see what kind of stuff I can try, I'm really just looking for suggestions on different types of techniques to try out. My mixer doesn't have effects so I'm out of luck right there.