EDM DJs: How did you acquire a style?

[mrkleen]

Most young DJs have ADD - or the DJ equivalent of ADD. They are constantly fidgeting with every moving knob, button and dial in the DJ booth, switching tracks every minutes (or less) and basically making their set all about THEM and not about the vibe. As you grow, you start to develop awareness of when to apply effects, loops etc - and when to LET A SONG PLAY.

I use Traktor and am constantly adding elements to the mix using 8 sample decks, effects, loops etc. But only things that enhance and add something positive to the vibe. If you are playing good music, you shouldn't need to switching things up every 30 seconds.

Build a vibe, create a vibe, cultivate a vibe - and learn to let it grow and mature. Like a fruit, if you pick it too soon (it will be sour and unsatisfying.)

[Finnish_Fox]

Most young DJs have ADD - or the DJ equivalent of ADD. They are constantly fidgeting with every moving knob, button and dial in the DJ booth, switching tracks every minutes (or less) and basically making their set all about THEM and not about the vibe. As you grow, you start to develop awareness of when to apply effects, loops etc - and when to LET A SONG PLAY.

I use Traktor and am constantly adding elements to the mix using 8 sample decks, effects, loops etc. But only things that enhance and add something positive to the vibe. If you are playing good music, you shouldn't need to switching things up every 30 seconds.

Build a vibe, create a vibe, cultivate a vibe - and learn to let it grow and mature. Like a fruit, if you pick it too soon (it will be sour and unsatisfying.)

Got a mix? I'd be interested in hearing what you do.

[DJNR]

Got a mix? I'd be interested in hearing what you do.

Seconded.

[Boomcie]

I spend time beatmatching, monitoring the mix for drifts, and searching for the next record. I don't use effects, and I only touch the eq when necessary, probably why my mixes suck.


I spend the rest of the time fist pumping and stage diving. Don't judge me

[Finnish_Fox]

I spend time beatmatching, monitoring the mix for drifts, and searching for the next record. I don't use effects, and I only touch the eq when necessary, probably why my mixes suck.

...and I would probably like it more than most of the mixes I hear.

[DjAaron]

I spend time beatmatching, monitoring the mix for drifts, and searching for the next record. I don't use effects, and I only touch the eq when necessary, probably why my mixes suck.


I spend the rest of the time fist pumping and stage diving. Don't judge me

I do this most of the time when just messing around when home besides the fist pump thing......well maybe the jesus pose just to look cool when people look through my window lol

[DJNR]

I spend time beatmatching, monitoring the mix for drifts, and searching for the next record. I don't use effects, and I only touch the eq when necessary, probably why my mixes suck.


I spend the rest of the time fist pumping and stage diving. Don't judge me

At least you're honest. I spend a lot of time dancing in place.

[Mahatma Coat]

This is a great thread,

I've only been DJing a couple of years,so my style is still developing.

Was wondering if anyone had thoughts on styles of DJing that also included the 'sound' one develops. Its is slightly separate to 'style' I guess, but still part of the same thing, so I don't think it warrants a separate thread.

You can know a certain DJ when you hear them from the style of their playing, but also they have a very distinct sound. My style is developing slowly but surely, but as for a sound, not sure I have one; I just play what ever I like/sounds good for the time, and mix tunes that compliment one another as much as possible.

Do people here purposely only choose certain records to try and get across that sense of a specific sound/style that so many of the big name DJs seem to have pinned down? Because its something I just can't and don't really want to do, limiting myself like that.

[mrkleen]

Got a mix? I'd be interested in hearing what you do.

http://www.mixcrate.com/mix/137652/Techno

Short bit from a recent live set.

Pretty much this entire clip - I am working 2 full tracks, a number of percussive bits, vocals samples, effects etc.

[ben mills]

They might actually be mixing. There is no law that says a mix must start at Point X. If you use loops effectively, you can throw a mix at any time - with the loop cued from the first beat. Let it loop and run concurrently with the live track - then at the right point, just release your loop and let the mix continue on. In the mean time, you can use the looped track and do funky cuts, pumps, etc., while you're waiting to actually "throw" the mix at the "proper" cue point.