All djs should be making mash-ups.

**dlove** · 09-16-2012, 04:03 AM

Originally Posted by AdrianR

Dlove: It sounds good for what it is, well produced etc, just it's not my particularly favourite style. Don't get me wrong, there are GREAT mash ups out there, I just think its like everything in EDM now, disposable and the shit out weighs the gold. But thats how it has always been and will be. I just think too many people think it's an easy thing to do and use it as a way out of doing any actual, (I don't want to say 'real' production work because I understand mash ups are difficult.) but, I guess original production work. Even a lot of productions aren't very original anymore and a lot are just mash ups of loops and samples more so than actual compositions. But we seem to have stumbled on a culture where people find something that works and desperately try to emmulate it. Be it mash ups, club nights, specific directions genres take and so forth.

Years ago, commercial Dance musicians were identifiable by their sound. Every producer had a unique sound. Literally. ATB had a specific sounding synth. Darude had another. Scooter had Chipmunk voices and so on and so on. I just find that lacking now. Kinda like, Skrillex has his sound. Deadmau5 has his... And because they are the bee's knees' now, everyone wants to be them instead of being themselves. It just seems to reflect more in Mash Ups because you're taking songs ALL READY created and a lot of them don't need work done to them. They are fine as they are. But sometimes 2 songs just go great together in every way. They may be worlds apart but they just work. That's not something that can be found by creating a mash up jsut for the sake of uploading it to Sound Cloud to have a thousand comments. It has to be found by listening to what allready exists and exploring a VAST, myriad of genres and formats inside and outside Electronic Dance Music. I would call a lot of what passes as mash ups now days as just, a 2 song mix. Thats all.

I don't know much about commercial music; I'd say Shepdog is at the pop end of what I'm into, and I respect and dig him because he gets the party rocking using obscure reggae beats alongside the latest hits. It's a winning combination and subtly educates without being geeky. My personal style can be a bit serious, so I look up to, and try & learn from cats that make it fun.

**dlove** · 09-16-2012, 04:11 AM

here's another guy I like

http://soundcloud.com/djtzinas/mista-galactica

**AdrianR** · 09-16-2012, 04:14 AM

well Im not into Skrillex and Deadmau5 and shit. I understand the value in what they've done, but, I'm a house head. To me, Commercial House was, Armand Van Helden - You Don't Know Me, and I guess, Underground House was Armand Van Helden - Psycho Bounty Killaz. ... So, it was always this world where you can be both. And I totally get the fun side and I love and respect that about ANY musician. Thats why even tho LMFAO is so, commercial, I love them! And "Gangnam Styles" and shit like that.

Yeah, its not my serious shit, but it's just, FUN! You can listen to it with out analysing it. Fuck the production values and take it for what it is. Music you can have a boogie and a giggle to. Thats how I feel ALL music should be. I'm not one for the crowd raising their hands to a massive trance build up, because thats a little serious for me. When I had that experience, to break the ice, I played a sample of a guy taking a shit over the break down. It worked, like, everyone had a laugh, but still that energy was in the room.

**dlove** · 09-16-2012, 04:21 AM

^^well, me and you are coming from entirely different places

**Sigma** · 09-16-2012, 04:40 AM

Originally Posted by AdrianR

Sigma, see, that to me is QUALITY

Thanks man (and dlove)!

Another one from the same mix: -

http://www.sigmamixes.com/misc/coolio.mp3

**AdrianR** · 09-16-2012, 04:43 AM

Originally Posted by Sigma

Thanks man (and dlove)!

Another one from the same mix: -

http://www.sigmamixes.com/misc/coolio.mp3

Dude I envy you. I checked out your Sound cloud. Not to give you the royal rim job, but I wish I could scratch like that.

**Sigma** · 09-16-2012, 04:58 AM

Originally Posted by AdrianR

Dude I envy you. I checked out your Sound cloud. Not to give you the royal rim job, but I wish I could scratch like that.

lol, thanks mate.

**DJ Retro Blaze** · 09-16-2012, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by ben mills

For me, it's just about "mixing" and being "in the mix" as much as possible.

I play deep and groovy house, so my aim is to be mixing 4 out of any 6 minutes of a mix, at least. I want to spend at least 2/3 of my time in the mix. More is better, and often times, it is more. I'm not talking power mixing, in and out quickly, I'm talking subtle layering over a few minutes, and at the same time using the faders and EQs effectively to add spice, variety, and excitement to the mix throughout the process.

+1

Although I am mainly a Deep House DJ, I still practice scratching, beat juggling and effect remixing quite often to broaden my skills. However, when I record mixes, I prefer to do straight A to B mixing, with long seamless manual blends, and showcase the tracks as intended by the producer.