DJBJ 0 Posted June 11, 2007 Report Share Posted June 11, 2007 Hi there! I came accross this website on google and frankly, it is fantastic. I just have a few questions if you would be so kind as to give them a few minutes of your time. Firstly, I have been dj-ing at home with my two numark axis 9's and my Stanton M304 Mixer for around 3 months. I am now getting to the stage where I love all sorts of music and can beat match and use effects, obviously with the odd slip up. I am also pretty similar on the mixmeister software on my laptop? 1/ Would it be wrong of me to start doing small pub events or small home events by basically playing a song and when it had finished, start the next one? 2/ Do you need to beat match if pub DJ-ing? 3/ Is this the best way to start? I await your responses! Thank You, Ben Link to post Share on other sites
DJ Marky Marc 0 Posted June 11, 2007 Report Share Posted June 11, 2007 You don't have to be able to beat match to be a dj, however it does help if you wish to be a club/pud dj who plays dance music... go see some other DJs working, watch and learn then cherry pick the stuff that works and adapt it to match your style and skills, then practice lots till you have your own style and feel you can do your own events.. <a href="http://www.djassociates.org"><img src="http://www.djassociates.org/anims/compres_banner.gif" alt="Join the DJ Associates Disc Jockey Association" border="0" width="468" height="60"></a> Link to post Share on other sites
EdBray 0 Posted June 11, 2007 Report Share Posted June 11, 2007 Hi Ben & :welcome: to DJ's United. Not all DJs beatmix, many get along just fine with a gentle x-fade or some good mike work to work the tracks together, it is horses for courses and it depends what you want to end up doing, although the more skills you have will broaden your future options. If you can do something it doesn't mean you have to, but if you have the skills to offer, it is another string to your bow. Good luck, and I am sure you will get some good answers on here. Eddie <a href="http://www.vibrant-sounds.co.uk" title="Vibrant Sounds Mobile Disco & Karaoke DJ Ed Bray Eddie Bray eddiebray plymouth devon weddings birthdays parties mobilediscoplymouth" "mobile disco plymouth">www.vibrant-sounds.co.uk</a> <span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>PAFC Pride of DEVON</span> C'mon U Greens Link to post Share on other sites
DJBJ 0 Posted June 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2007 So please tell me if you agree with my plan: For now, Do pubs, small parties but no clubs, just generally doing none mix sets and learning to read a crowd and most importantly getting my confidence up. At the same time, practising mixing all of the time and start trying to get into the club scene and village parties (15-16 year olds) when I improve. ??? Also, when you say not mixing, would you say (on CD Decks) to start a track as soon as the other stops, or fade it in? I really do appreciate all of this help. Thank you. Link to post Share on other sites
High Fidelity 0 Posted June 12, 2007 Report Share Posted June 12, 2007 So please tell me if you agree with my plan: For now, Do pubs, small parties but no clubs, just generally doing none mix sets and learning to read a crowd and most importantly getting my confidence up. Hi Ben, and welcome. My advice would be to concentrate on small parties first, and if a bit of pub work comes your way then great. Certainly learning to read the crowd is an important first step. Wish I could do it At the same time, practising mixing all of the time and start trying to get into the club scene and village parties (15-16 year olds) when I improve. ??? I'm a bit confused by this as the club scene and village parties are worlds apart. I would say use the village parties to build your confidence up before trying to crack the club scene. Also, when you say not mixing, would you say (on CD Decks) to start a track as soon as the other stops, or fade it in? I really do appreciate all of this help. Thank you. This really depends on the tracks, how one ends and the other starts. I hardly ever use a fade start on a track, but I also tend to use a 2-3 second fade out on the preceding track. However, if a track has a solid stop end, and the track following it is roughly the same BPM, then I'll let the first track play right to the end and drop the second one in as the first one stops. Quitting Smoking & Drinking doesn't make you live longer It just feels like it. Link to post Share on other sites
DJBJ 0 Posted June 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2007 Right...! I will have a go at that then! Thank you. Any other opinions on where I should be heading? Link to post Share on other sites
dj007 0 Posted June 12, 2007 Report Share Posted June 12, 2007 Hi Ben and welcome along to DJU ive been DJing for 26 years now and still cant beat mix :hurt: (ill get my coat). when i used to use vinyl with my technics 1210s i could mix one track into the next but now i use cds i do struggle a bit. we all had to start at the begining once and it is quite daunting standing on a stage in front of a croud and it doesnt matter what you play no one dances (still happens to the best of us). As Marc mentioned, go watch other djs at work. are their any other members on here that live near you? offer your services as a roadie, giving them a hand setting up and sorting the music out for them as this is a great learning curve. no 2 partys are the same and the music selection changes every time. build your collection up and dont forget you will have to buy music you may hate but is a must for partys. practice on your mic skills as you will have to introduce dedications or make announcements about the buffet or bar closing. build your equipment up bit by bit as you dont need the best or most expensive equipment when you first start out. good luck and i hope it all works out for you. Jim IF IT MOVES, FUNK IT. --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Link to post Share on other sites
DJBJ 0 Posted June 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2007 good luck and i hope it all works out for you. Jim Jim, that advice was fantastic, thank you very much! I am trying to build my collection up, I am buying a load of Disco tunes from ebay and itunes... Haha,,, 'Like a virgin'.... 'Let's twist again'! Very funny! - I am going to purchase a flight case and organise all of my music into sections and get started. I would love to start being a roadie for a DJ, it is just I can't find one in Leeds! Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Smith 0 Posted June 12, 2007 Report Share Posted June 12, 2007 Welcome along Ben - I see that you are already asking questions and receiving expert advice - :Thumbup: Link to post Share on other sites
dj007 0 Posted June 12, 2007 Report Share Posted June 12, 2007 Jim, that advice was fantastic, thank you very much! I am trying to build my collection up, I am buying a load of Disco tunes from ebay and itunes... Haha,,, 'Like a virgin'.... 'Let's twist again'! Very funny! - I am going to purchase a flight case and organise all of my music into sections and get started. I would love to start being a roadie for a DJ, it is just I can't find one in Leeds! your welcome mate, thats what we are here for. i wish i could help but im in a little town called london so it would be a bit of a treck. ill start a new thread of must have records for new djs and you will get a good idea what people are asking for on a regular basis on the dancefloor. Jim IF IT MOVES, FUNK IT. --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Link to post Share on other sites
jeffwall 0 Posted June 12, 2007 Report Share Posted June 12, 2007 get the head phones on....get the mic...and practice mate....adopt a style that your happy with some dj's beatmix and brill on the mic Some dj's are brill on a mic, but cant beatmix Some dj's read a crowd great and play great m,usic, but cant use a mic Some dj's are gifted, they can do it all, mic, beatmix, read the crowd...bla bla some dj's cant do any of the above, but get by haha If you get somewhere in-between the above you've done well! practice and have self confidence Dont take gigs on you cant do, like a club gig with no club music...for now stick with what you know works best for you, until you gain more knowledge and confidence Soon you'll be able to do a wedding with 300 guests Or similar Good luck and welcome to the forum jeff Link to post Share on other sites
DJBJ 0 Posted June 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2007 your welcome mate, thats what we are here for. i wish i could help but im in a little town called london so it would be a bit of a treck. ill start a new thread of must have records for new djs and you will get a good idea what people are asking for on a regular basis on the dancefloor. Jim Fantastic! If you ever get any gigs nearer to me, I would be delighted to come and watch you! Thank you Jeff! I look forward to gigging at a wedding! I need you lot to help build my confidence! You have adopted me into your DJing family now and you can't get rid of me! tongue out icon Link to post Share on other sites
C.S 0 Posted June 13, 2007 Report Share Posted June 13, 2007 Welcome here sir ! I will try anything,once! The Cornish will arise again ! Manager of the Andy Harris Fan Club. Keep pasties Cornish Link to post Share on other sites
jeffwall 0 Posted June 13, 2007 Report Share Posted June 13, 2007 where you live Ben? I'm sure if you wanna visit and help out at some gigs....DJ's on here would gladly have you along to gain experience? Link to post Share on other sites
DJBJ 0 Posted June 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2007 where you live Ben? I'm sure if you wanna visit and help out at some gigs....DJ's on here would gladly have you along to gain experience? I live in Leeds. I honestly cant find anyone! Link to post Share on other sites
Andy Westcott 0 Posted June 13, 2007 Report Share Posted June 13, 2007 Welcome to the forums, Ben. Not much to add to the advice already given, other than when starting a new track, start it as the old one fades out, but not so early that you get the two playing together. If you get occasions where you are playing a clubby set, by all means beat mix some of the tracks - I do this sometimes, but don't expect any applause for doing it correctly. Oh - we mustn't forget this one: If you are starting to earn money DJing, you must register as self employed within 3 months - it's the law. Better to register now, in readiness. Don't forget to get a National Insurance Exemption Certificate, if you expect your DJ earnings to be less than about (I forget) £4,000 or so, otherwise you will have to pay the £2.20 or whatever it is weekly. You will find HM Customs very helpful on the phone - give them a ring. smile icon Link to post Share on other sites
DJBJ 0 Posted June 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2007 Andy, I have had a go at your tip with the fading out and beatmatching the dancy stuff and it works a treat! Thank You! :joe: Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now