Hey how’s it going everybody? I’m curious to know what are some of your biggest frustrations/troubles with DJing? This can really be anything: track organization, trouble with transitions, getting consistent gigs, basically anything DJ related I want to hear about it.
To kick things off I’ll start with 2 of my biggest frustrations
Track organization: track organization has become such a pain that it paralyzes me to even think about organizing my library. I also don’t get as much new music as I probably should because I know it’s just adding to the pile. I find track organization is especially difficult if you’re a multi genre DJ (I do a lot of mobile/wedding gigs alongside club/lounge gigs). I may go a couple months without a mobile gig and think to myself man I just want to get rid of some of this stuff then bam i’ll need it for an upcoming mobile gig.
Moving beyond 2 decks: I’ve had the F1’s since they launched, and like most of you, I was blown away at the possibilities, however it was soon obvious that the F1’s require a very different thought process. It’s not as simple as FX or transitions. It requires a lot more conscious effort about what you’re using in there, and it’s also a lot more difficult to plan how to smoothly get out of the remix decks without losing the vibe. Currently i’m still trying to figure out the best system/workflow for using the remix decks that will give me consistent results.
Speaking of large libraries and streaming services, I believe Phil over at digitaldjtips now relies on streaming for day to day listening and keeps a super small library for DJing (500-1000 songs). I’ve considered this route but this seems difficult if you’re a mobile DJ.
I need a new mixer and I cant decide.
Considering I like to practice scratch DJing at home with vinyl, but I do paying gigs mostly as a mix DJ using Traktor.
Should I break the bank and save for a Xone DB4 or DB2. Seems pricey for all digital mixers, yet they are feature packed and look like a lot of fun and a long term investment that could prove to be worth the peace of mind.
Maybe a Xone 92, and put an innofader in it?
Or just get a battle mixer and some small controller for a few Traktor functions.
Im waiting to see what comes out around NAMM time.
I would love to see a simple 2 channel analogue standalone mixer, good for scratching, EQ’s, built in filter for both channels, and 2 aux sends. Possibly Midi out and a few knobs to map to software.
The closest bet seems like the Rane Sixty Two, or Sixty one.
However, I really love the way A&H EQ’s and filters sound, I dont have a way to try any Rane mixers to see if it sounds good to me, at least good enough to justify the price.
Hey Juan, if you’re looking at a scratch mixer I wouldn’t recommend the Xone mixers (unless you planned on putting an innofader in). If you’re looking for a 2 channel Traktor mixer that’s good for scratching you should definitely check out the Pioneer DJM T1 or the Kontrol Z2, same idea as the Rane mixers but wayyy cheaper.
-overly grumpy soundguys (even if you treat them as gods and respect every rule they have you mostly will be bawled at)
-sticky/missing knobs/faders on clubmixers
For me it’s getting gigs. I’ve spent hundreds of hours working on my skills, I’m not the most social guy in the world so I’ve always had trouble with that.
Organizing my tracks is one thing I’m actually pretty good with, though it probably comes with being fairly OCD with organization in general.
I think it’s possible to get gigs without being a producer. Local college bars and clubs all can’t afford to book superstar producer DJ’s, so there’s always room for people starting out. I think a big challenge is getting consistent gigs.
I’m just not outgoing, I have no problems around people I just won’t initiate convo with someone I don’t know. So I don’t exactly have a massive network of people who can get me gigs.
Also, I do work on production. It’s a long road though.
