Help - Creating a mixtape thingy!

[procks]

Having just completely a promo cd for a purpose similar to your own there are a few tips I can give you.

Understand your audience. What was the music like when you were there several months ago and what did you like and dislike about it? You need to have concrete answers to this question as if the owner/manager were asking you face to face. Your mix should illustrate your answer.

Plan absolutely everything in advance of when you record. Practice each transition, scratch, loop and cue until its perfect. Do not simply decide you want to play Ghosts N' Stuff, Porter Robinson and then a Daft Punk juggle.

Five minutes is a good time frame to begin with. You can make several five minute tracks if you need to, but that should be plenty of time to express your musical style. Promoters/Managers/Owners do not have time to listen to an entire ten minute track if the first three minutes aren't interesting for them. Your introductions are paramount, give a clear intention of what your mix is all about within ninety seconds.

Best of luck!

[haze324]

Five minutes?

I would aim for about an hour long set and marked the way Jason described. You want to display good song selection, the ability to maintain energy and a crowd, transition thru styles, etc. You need to do that ON TOP of having a good transitions. You need more than 5 min for that.

But yes, practice, have your cue's marked, transition points, loops, etc all down before hand.

[ponyboy]

Five minutes?

I would aim for about an hour long set and marked the way Jason described. You want to display good song selection, the ability to maintain energy and a crowd, transition thru styles, etc. You need to do that ON TOP of having a good transitions. You need more than 5 min for that.

But yes, practice, have your cue's marked, transition points, loops, etc all down before hand.

I think the dude meant 5 mins of each song before you transition, not a 5 min mixtaep.

[procks]

You have to understand your audience.

Clearly, if you're competing to open for a big name DJ in your area on a friday or saturday night, you need a mix that shows you can maintain the energy, fit in with the flow of the other performers etc.

The dude is saying he wants to break into the scene at a questionable 18+ venue. I doubt the person in charge of music at this place has the time or desire to listen to an hour plus mix from a guy he barely knows. You can accomplish a lot more with 5-15 minutes that make a statement about your style.

[GPS]

I think the dude meant 5 mins of each song before you transition, not a 5 min mixtaep.

Isn't 5 minutes a song like super long?

I ussually do 2-3 min at the most more or less even on mixtapes. Hell half my tracks are less than 5 minutes.

In terms of the CD Mixtape, I second what has bee recommended so far: know your audience, practice several times beforehand, and (most importantly in my opinion) show YOUR style.

[Coldfuzion]

Thank you very much for the responses!

I'm thinking i'll give the manager 2 separate CDs with the mixes. The first one will be an hour long, the second one will be with just 3 - 4 songs or something (that's like 15 or so minutes long) like that. So i'll let him know if he has time he can listen to the first CD, if he wants to just skim it try out the second CD.

I remember someone posting their mix on the forums a few weeks ago, it had a lot of remixes - if anyone remembers the thread and it's name, or could link it, I would really appreciate it!

Thank you very much for all of your input!

[photojojo]

Thank you very much for the responses!

I'm thinking i'll give the manager 2 separate CDs with the mixes. The first one will be an hour long, the second one will be with just 3 - 4 songs or something (that's like 15 or so minutes long) like that. So i'll let him know if he has time he can listen to the first CD, if he wants to just skim it try out the second CD.

You should be able to fit both on one CD and tell him there's two different tracks on it. Maybe put a nice plain label on it with the names of the two mixes on it as well.

I remember someone posting their mix on the forums a few weeks ago, it had a lot of remixes

That's just about every mix in the mixes section.

[Jason Cerna]

as far as pay, it depends on your area. and how much the door and bar are making on the nights you are trying to play on.

be realistic with pay requirements. if it's a small venue that's just trying to start something up. try some kind of flat rate + a percentage of alcohol sales after the bar meets their sales for that night. if it's a large place you know is making money, don't be afraid to ask for more money, even if you aren't well established. the worst they can say is no and then you work from there.
you could also work an angle off the door sales. that is, if they charge a cover on certain nights.

in your case, since you aren't established in your local circuit, you should get some friends to support you on the nights you play, where ever you end up. then start building up your potential "fan" base once you see that people are liking what you're doing.