What are you doing?
Hey guys. So I’ve been watching lots of people do mixes and such. And I always see them changing the EQ’s and other things. But I don’t get why or what they’re doing? Like when I “mix”, I only do a few things, and I stop. How do you guys keep constantly doing stuff. I’m just having a really hard time knowing what to do. I guess you can say I’m just confused…
No 2 people mix alike so it could be a number of things . I would say focus on the basics and you’ll be doing all kinds of stuff in no time at all . And buy that book I recommended to you I promise it will clear a whole lot of things up for you .
Ok, thanks man. Can you tell me what the book you recommended me was again. 
That is interesting. I myself never read anything on the subject, just watched enough people and tried to do what they do, but i am gonna grab a book and give it a shot, it might help.
I was in the bookstore about an hour ago, and actually rememberred the book you mentioned. Picked it up and i am going the read it, overall it looks very good, with short chapters and lots of pictures. It shows you the ropes and basics, but doesn’t focus enough on the new technology and trends (lots of vinyl instructions). Lots of value in it though, and if you are like me and are dj-ing without a lot of theoretical knowledge you can pull some gems out of there. I’ll post again once ive read the whole thing.
It might sound stupid, but there’s also a “DJ-ing for Dummies” book floating around.
It actually is a nice read too. (Only focusing on the older media types though. 
)
But EQ works almost exactly the same on the older media as it does on the new. So the explanations will work. And the basic theory is very important to know before you can start making things a mess like we do.
Reading is one of the most important things you can do. I try to always have a book open, and sometimes re-read stuff.
Even though it’s from the 80’s…it’s called the bible for a reason.
http://www.amazon.com/Sound-Reinforcement
You can never learn enough, about music, sound design, etc. The second you think you know it all…just visit tech tools and bump heads with some of these geeks.
Yeah, I got a copy of that book for Christmas a couple years ago. It’s a pretty good read, and it has some good explanations of theory and stuff that can be really helpful even if you’ve been mixing for a while. If I remember correctly, there’s also a tear-out “cheat sheet” with a harmonic mixing guide on it (although I would just download it to my computer…) which can be pretty useful.
In the end though, I think the best ways to really get a grip on DJing are:
I’d also like to reiterate the point that you really aren’t obligated to do controllerism, live remixing, or whatever else other people are doing just because you use the same software or equipment as them. If you just want to sit back and do basic stuff, or if that’s all you’re really comfortable doing, then do it, and do it well.
Getting into the technical stuff sometimes takes away from the music. Once you have reached that point where it won’t distract you from your love for the music and your purpose for doing it all, you can immerse yourself into the technical aspects.
This book reminded me of why i got into this in the first place and why i spend every dollar of disposable income on it. You don’t have to be a slave to your gear always buying the latest most expensive stuff, live remixing w/ ableton, putting together incredibly complex (and mostly useless) rigs.
Remember that all of this is supposed to be help you share music with the world, i would do it all for free (and i have), because nothing is greater than that satisfaction.
So WORD.
If you love it then you will learn anything that comes with it
I don’t really do anything…I secretly have an iPod hooked up with someone’s mix I downloaded, then I turn knobs randomly. It just seems like the right thing to do.
See here’s a clip of me (watch the whole thing):
Oh crap…that’s not ME…that’s legendary New Order bassist Peter Hook who is booked as a top end DJ now!
Wow.
thanks for the responses guys! I think I’m going to pick up the book, but like you guys said, it doesn’t have much on the digital djing, which worries me a bit. Coeinsidently my dad got me a DVD called “DJ’s Complete guide”. I don’t think it has much on digital djing, but I think watching it will help me better.
Thanks.
Well considering he broke up new order, he’d better have something to do!
[quote=“, post:15, topic:1864”]
Well considering he broke up new order, he’d better have something to do!
[/quote]lol…what a tool shed, eh?
Ahh to have the good 'ole days of Joy Division back…times were simpler back then!
Peter’s broken bass amp and all.
(Peter’s amp that would only play full blast, the drummer’s distaste for keeping time and peter’s willingness to, and Bernard’s poor grasp of guitar groomed the sound of goth music forever!)
[quote=“, post:17, topic:1864”]
Peter’s broken bass amp and all.
(Peter’s amp that would only play full blast, the drummer’s distaste for keeping time and peter’s willingness to, and Bernard’s poor grasp of guitar groomed the sound of goth music forever!)
[/quote]I can’t even hang with your in depth knowledge of JD! Nice…
Isn’t it like 5:30am over in your end of the world? lol
Haha! It’s a requirement for a DJ in my scene. If you don’t have the knowledge they don’t even begin to pretend to take you seriously. hehe
and yes it is.
It’s all completely relevant mixing is mixing and every DJ should know the history of it and understand the science of it .