My name is SoulBrix and this is my first post here.
I recently started taking DJing more seriously (I’ve been a music producer since 2010, but never had much interest in DJing, until I had a couple of invitations last year to perform - I loved it, and it really helps on the production of new material), and to further extend my knowledge and capabilities, I’ve been reading/watching tutorials, articles and listening to some mixes on Youtube. And that’s when I came up with the title question.
Back in 2011, I had a friend that used to DJ a lot, and he always told me that, if I ever DJ, I should never play a new track on each drop. I always kept that in mind, and reflected that idea on my mixes. But, in these youtube mixes, it seems that DJs are always playing new songs on every drop.
My question is: which technique is preferable? Personally, I find it jarring to be constantly playing new tracks, but that may be because of my lack of experience. But what do you, DJs with far more experience than me, think is the best way? What is best for pleasing the crowd?
personally i like to let tracks breathe a little, but i dont play them end to end.i do see some DJs that i think mix too quickly, but it is also nice once in a while to just use a small piece or just a loop of a song.
The only genre that I think you can get away with very quick mixing is electro house and the top 40 stuff.
Otherwise, intro-outro I think is my favorite as my favorite part of a song is usually the breakdown. If a song is particularly repetitive, then I will only use a small portion as ^.
[QUOTE]Back in 2011, I had a friend that used to DJ a lot, and he always told me that, if I ever DJ, I should never play a new track on each drop. I always kept that in mind, and reflected that idea on my mixes. But, in these youtube mixes, it seems that DJs are always playing new songs on every drop.
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It works on video, but is fecking annoying to the punters on the floor during a night out, many of whom want to tracks they like though their entirety (or at least a good portion of it). Unless its billed as a mashup / controllerist event and they are aware thats the concept of the gig.
Nothing worse than the DJ playing “your song” and it doesn’t even get to the good bit.
BOTH. its all about how the set moves… sometimes it may make sense to drop a new song quickly sometimes it doesn’t, personally i like my sets to be long and tight.
now for my podcast/radio stuff, I play the entire song seeing as I am showcasing new music i like. but on stage, I may want to play certain songs, but have a short time to do it.
Its good practice (at least i think) to make the transitions seemless…
My rule is as im mixing I will let more less know/underground/non mainstream stuff play longer because odds are people havnt heard them. The bigger tunes that people may know only get played for the intro, verse and chorus then its on to the next one.
When I first started DJing clubs fairly regularly way back when (about 6 years ago ) three minute mixes were fairly normal. My mixes are currently on the long end of things at 2 to 2 1/4, but I do try to have the track make sense and sound somewhat complete.
Like you I came into DJing from a production background. This gives you a huge leg up because you have the skills to take tracks apart and reassemble just the basics for your club work. I’ve done over 500 of these types of edits, and they form the backbone of my night.
Welcome to the world of add where button mashing in a new track is called art and hard cuts once used by open format djs now used by electronic djs who feel the need to plsy 30 seconds and mix nonstop makes you q good Dj… Or as I call it downside of sync YouTube mixes are bad for this really bad reminds me of southern rap music videos of the 90s when they tried bein mainstream but we’re cheery… Same idea these people aren’t making a mix they are making a music video…
I’m sure everyone had that one friend that back cued scratched songs in every mix and normally after only a minute or two … Same idea
Youtube is a “visual” medium. Keeping something happening is part of the overall experience. So, a new song or a transition every 45 seconds is better for holding the interest of the audience on youtube. This is not necessarily a good indication of how those same people would play in a club environment.
I am primarily a mobile DJ (I do occasionally sit in at clubs, but it’s a handful of times a year). I take requests. I play a WIDE range of genres - Top 40, Classic Rock, Disco, R&B, etc. Almost all the songs I play have live drummers. With that context…
I find that I NEED some time to observe the room and plan the set as I go. So, I tend to let songs playout. Since I play a LOT of music that is on the radio, song length is <4 minutes. I tend to let songs play 2:30 to 3:30 between transitions. I use that time to watch the crowd, take requests, and figure out what is next. Most of my focus is outside the booth.
I do have some “routines” where I can do a live mega-mix of 10 songs in 10 minutes. I commonly use this technique to end my set (clean up any outstanding requests, etc). BUT, during that time I am working my own setlist and not paying a lot of attention to the room. Most of my focus is inside the booth.
The difference in focus from outside to inside the booth is very obvious to me. I prefer to be focused outside the booth.
For deeper/housey kind of songs I can get away with playing most of the track, aka letting both breaks ride out. It’s more of a vibe atmosphere.
With electro type stuff, I usually blend out of the first drop. I’ve noticed these type of crowds get bored quick, so I always try to keep it moving and changing.
depends on the song and your crowd. I play everything from top 40 to drum n bass, so it really just depends on the situation. If your playing the hot songs of the moment you better lettin it ride out. People like hearing songs they enjoy./
When I’m doing a mobile gig for party/fundraiser or wedding I normally play top 40/country and old classics… The crowd isn’t too receptive of say a remix or bootleg of said track so that means it’s mostly 3minute tracks very seldomly have I found a reason to apply much skill into mixing… Auto play vdj 16second fades…
HOWEVER… I do normally say grab 10 or 20 top Pop/ country songs and attempt to do a mix but of say 20 gigs it only panned out that way once or twice
For house music i generally keep the transitions long and smooth so its harder to tell when the next song is coming in. But for genres such as bassline house and drum and bass i mix faster and a more choppy style.
For what it’s worth mix how you want to mix… Mix the way you think will engage the audience the most… Mix the way you’d want to hear the mix… If you are an established producer and was picked up to Dj then you call the shots in a sense
) three minute mixes were fairly normal. My mixes are currently on the long end of things at 2 to 2 1/4, but I do try to have the track make sense and sound somewhat complete.