So.... I've been closet mixing seriously for about 5 to 6 years, been into the DJ music scene since the mid 90's, and sell my mixes locally (which have done quite well). Every time I set up and people either hear or buy my stuff, they keep wanting me to do gigs. I've never DJ'd to the public before. However, I am getting some money to update my gear (getting a Numark 4Track, K1 Kontrol, Midi Fighter 3D, Mac Book Pro, using Traktor 2.5 and Ableton Suite 8). I feel great about what I do and have a deep love for music. However, I mostly do things at home, pre set my stuff, and if I make any mistake, can easily re record and edit.
What I am slightly worried about is if I'm going to invest all this money into my stuff, then I might as well do something with it. What I want to know is how can I take my talent and transition into something that not only will pay me back for what I've spent, but more importantly, allow me to succeed in doing what I love. I'm 41, and I'm kind of self doubting whether I should pursue this or if it's just some mid life crisis thing. It's not as if I expect to be some big name DJ, nor do residency at a big club. I just want to start moving a crowd. Many, many people like my flow and the songs I put together, but I understand there's a lot more to it. I respect the profession enough not to just assume I can jump and be a hit. I'm working constantly to perfect my stuff, pushing my limits, and researching and listening to other DJs (famous and non) to pick up on how to be the best I can be.
So I need help and advice from you all:
Is it too late for me to start DJing to the public at my age?
How best do you play a set without really knowing what you're going to be playing? How do you know what to line up and when to mix it up? Unless you're very familiar with all the songs you're playing and know the lead outs and lead ins, wouldn't it be a crap shoot to figure out when best to start the other song? Or do you use enough effects and loops to make the transitions fit what you're doing?
Any good tutorials on how to blend different genres and /or BPMs? I'm good at beat matching manually, but without changing up the pitch or throwing off the flow of a mix, how do you go from a certain BPM song to another without interrupting the consistently you've set?
I am not a pro, so I couldn't afford to buy CDJ2000's and the DJM 900. I LOVE what it does, but my pocket book can't afford it. Is a 4 Track with the other items I use good enough to play quality and legitimate sets or will I be laughed out for not having high end Pioneer stuff?
Please take the time to go to my site and check out a couple of my mixes (I love Progressive, Dubstep, Techno, etc) and let me know what you think. Keep in mind I currently use an N4 with no additional effects stuff other than what is on it, but you'll get an idea of what I'm trying to do.
www.mixcloud.com/chris-yakubovsky
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