Would you play a pre-recorded set at a live event...

[mostapha]

You have to learn to find a fine balance and take whatever style is handed to you and throw your own twist on it.

Or to take the gigs you'll actually enjoy. It really depends on whether you're just in it for a paycheck or because you actually like music.

Wake up people, it's what your public says about the party and the songs that you played, not the way you "mixed" that will get everyone pumped about you.

This is the single dumbest thing I've ever heard.

Yeah, me too. I can't believe anyone would actually want to push that opinion. But, then again, I care about and actually like what I do.

[chicomodo]

Wow. The people who throw events and the people who attend them in your city must be pretty dense.

Here people notice.

Yeah, kinda. I scrolled through some photos on the facebook that belongs to one dj that plays yearly on the "biggest underground club" and there are tons of photos of his ableton arrengement view and some curves along the way. He puts up some effects, and bam. Success.

[Daniboy]

A DJ is not a DJ anymore, and people have to understand this, or else they will get more and more frustrated.

In the past a DJ would spin discs, now there is no disc, or even jog wheel. Ok, there is DVS, but you get what I am saying! You are just controling a software.

Now "DJing", which is the wrong name for what we do, but we can't change it because its so inside people's mind already, is much MUCH more about the performance, about how you look and interact with the crowd. DJs interact much more with the crowd now than ten years ago, and will interact more and more. If you don't interact you are WRONG, period!

You have to look busy, you have to look cool, you have to look professional, that is the game, and you can't change it.

DJing is not just about mixing anymore.

I'm not saying you have to use a pre-recorded set, because people will notice and you will have zero respect from people who care (and know) about mixing.
I'm not saying you have to focus 99% of your time on technique and mixing style, because you will have low respect from the ones who want someone easy entertainment.

You have to balance things and be the best you can on every side of the stuff you do!

[teknik1200]

Well, imagine you make it huge

And they request you play this exact setlist

They pay you thousands

Now what do you do?

I say "no thanks" I play what I want and that's that.

[teknik1200]

A DJ is not a DJ anymore, and people have to understand this, or else they will get more and more frustrated.

In the past a DJ would spin discs, now there is no disc, or even jog wheel. Ok, there is DVS, but you get what I am saying! You are just controling a software.

Now "DJing", which is the wrong name for what we do, but we can't change it because its so inside people's mind already, is much MUCH more about the performance, about how you look and interact with the crowd. DJs interact much more with the crowd now than ten years ago, and will interact more and more. If you don't interact you are WRONG, period!

You have to look busy, you have to look cool, you have to look professional, that is the game, and you can't change it.

DJing is not just about mixing anymore.

I'm not saying you have to use a pre-recorded set, because people will notice and you will have zero respect from people who care (and know) about mixing.
I'm not saying you have to focus 99% of your time on technique and mixing style, because you will have low respect from the ones who want someone easy entertainment.

You have to balance things and be the best you can on every side of the stuff you do!

I just saw QBert a couple weeks ago and I'm pretty sure he disagrees with everything you just typed.

[Jester]

It really depends on whether you're just in it for a paycheck or because you actually like music.

Exactly. But if i was paying them to perform and saw them doing this, i would punch them in the face and have them removed, no matter how "Big" they were.

[Daniboy]

I just saw QBert a couple weeks ago and I'm pretty sure he disagrees with everything you just typed.

You can be as extreme as you want, but being extreme is always being wrong. Everyone tends to understand this sooner or later.

[mostapha]

A DJ is not a DJ anymore....Now "DJing"...is much MUCH more about the performance, about how you look and interact with the crowd....I'm not saying you have to use a pre-recorded set...You have to balance things and be the best you can on every side of the stuff you do!

And how, exactly, does playing a prerecorded set accomplish any of what you claim to want to do?

You say DJing is not the same anymore....what you're suggesting is to replace DJs with iPods. Not a person running an iPod...just the iPod.

You can dance around like an idiot and chat up your groupies all you want. I'd rather be able to actually play to the room.

Exactly. But if i was paying them to perform and saw them doing this, i would punch them in the face and have them removed, no matter how "Big" they were.

What do you mean?

Someone playing a recorded set for any reason other than a total equipment failure? I'd be right there with you.

Or, are you talking about refusing to accept a music policy you disagree with? 'cuz there's a really easy way to deal with that....don't take gigs you don't want to play in the first place.

You can be as extreme as you want, but being extreme is always being wrong.

The irony pains me. It actually causes physical pain.

[Jester]

I'm talking about guys that put a pre-recorded set in one cdj and then pretend to mix (usually with some kind of flambuoyant filter tweak)

[mostapha]

Okay, yeah....I'd help you.