How often do you performing DJs use the filters/EQ/FX/samples during sets?
Hey all,
Whatever your opinion of this guy, Cole Plante, I have to say at least in this performance, he used a lot of EQ/FX/utilization of samples really tight in a few minutes but do performing DJs usually do this for hours? I could conceivably try to do this for 30 minutes but for an hour, much less 2 or more, to do this much activity outside of just spinning seems impossible to me now.
The music starts after the 6:10 mark and lasts for a few minutes. I’m also assuming for this type of performance, all his songs are definitely beatgridded, time sync is enabled, so he wouldn’t have to worry about beat matching and could focus on the triggering of samples and FX.
For me when it comes to fx less is definitely more, hearing that same filter cut and bit crushing he’s got going on gets old fast especially over a few hours. When i use fx i want to make sure it adds something and fits with the style of music I’m playing, used sparingly and at the right time can create so really special moments
Word. But good effort nonetheless.
I love using filters to mix but not like those harsh Pioneer filters. I also eq like crazy and sometimes prefer to eq out a track than messing around with the fader.
I use my Xone filters in buildups. 99% of listeners will probably think it’s a part of the song. Automatic turnoff for me is hearing the same effect every song. Most Djs use them like dogshit and don’t even know it. I would honestly suggest limiting your use of shit fx like bitcrush, pioneer shit-filters, etc. There is simply no need to constantly feel the need to use fx. Like I said, there are Djs that use them correctly, but there are tons more who “think” they’re using them correctly
I’m not a performing DJ, but I listen to enough mixes and have been to enough clubs to know what I think sounds good. IMO, some music is better suited to effects whereas others, not so much. In the video, he appeared to be using a lot of effects (bitcrusher, phaser/flange, filter) just for the sake of using effects - it really did nothing to the song/transition other than to make it sound different and IMO worse.
I like use of effects in a buildup or perhaps in coming into a breakdown. I’ve become much more of a fan of using subtle effects at times rather than mid or full on wet, just to add a touch of delay, echo, verb to bring out the hats and snare, etc.
Hey thanks for the feedback guys! Much appreciated.
Again, I’m a newb so just trying to learn and absorb from you experienced cats.
What genres would you say are more appropriate for fx and which aren’t? And at what point in the song? On the 4th/8th bar before the next phrase? Transitions? When you’re bringing up the energy? Key change?
You guys have to realize the audience he was playing for.
when we DJ/perform, are goal is for people to not even notice the effect as an effect, but more an actual part of the song. For lack of a better explination…
Dude in the video is trying to show a bunch of high schoolers what a DJ/ perforner really does. It wouldnt make much sense if he was so subtle (what we consider good use) that they couldnt hear what he was doing. Or if it wasnt blatantly obvious.
How many times have we all watched DJs fiddling knobs but really didnt hear much going on?
Im sure for his demonstration he wanted an extreme opposite.
To answer the OP’s question…for the vast majority of DJs I’ve seen…either almost never or way too much.
But that’s just, like, my opinion, man.
It was really annoying the last time I went to miami (also tomorroworld). Every DJ used basically the same tricks over and over again…and each set was “fine”, but after hearing the same damn trick used the same way, sometimes on the same songs, for several sets in a row…I kind of just wanted to go back to the days of 2 TTs and a battle mixer (or rotary) just so they couldn’t do it at the push of a button.
seriously tho for me , EQ all the time.. crossfader strictly on cuts(drop most but not ALL low freq out of scratches) volume fades, and i use alot of dryer delay ,dryer reverb and echo freezes. i on occasion use some gater. also i do alot of looping.
