Alright, there are way too many of these, I know, which is why I’m going to just cut to the chase. Been spinning for around 6 months using 2 Numark NDX400s and a craptastic Behringer VMX100 mixer, which is getting replaced soon with something a little nicer. No DDM4000, but at least I’ll have Mid knobs now.
I’ve done a few house parties and while I have received multiple compliments on how I did, I know I’m not anywhere close to being hot sh!t yet. Do you think I would be ready to spin at a club as a guest DJ on a weeknight? I feel like I could get through it, but after reading brian_johnstone’s rant about the d00sh who came in with a demo of VDJ, it made me wonder, as I don’t wanna be that guy who comes in with his little CD players thinking he’s all that. I’m saving like mad trying to get a VCI-100SE and a copy of Traktor, but there’s still a way to go.
So should I wait till I get my mitts on my controller and then hit up a club, or do you think I could go about approaching a venue with my NDXs?
Well why would you be bringing your gear to a club? Just mix on their pioneer CDJs and mixer if you know how to mix on CDJs and bring a CD book and some headphones. Go to guitar center and practice on their pioneer decks to get familiar.
Also switching to an all in one controller and Traktor if you want to start playing out in clubs is a poor move if you want to get taken seriously and immediately puts you on a ‘lesser’ or beginner level in the eyes of some other DJs and promoters (unless you’re lucky enough to be at a place with more open minded people or someone else already uses traktor)- I’m not looking to start this debate again about whether or nor it is justified but it’s just how it is right now.
Not trying to be a douche bag or anything, but if there already are a shit ton of threads about this, why not lurk around to find the answers they posted, seeing as the same ones will most likely be answered here. Just sayin..
But in my opinion, the only person that will know that you are ready is yourself. If you do not feel confident that you can do it, then don’t. Build up confidence by doing more house parties and keep on going from there until you feel that you are confident enough to try.
A wise man once said.
The greatest barrier to success is the fear of failure.
if you already have the possibility to spin at a club, find out what cd players they use and get used to them somehow (getting there when it’s still closed, find a friend who has some and whatnot..)
please dont take my rant as a dig at people starting out, i havent been doing this all too long myself, it was my shock at his total lack of preparation, respect and professionalism that made me annoyed. mate if you feel that you are ready then go for it, it will only go one of two ways… well, or badly. but the important thing is to be who you are and not give off false impressions of yourself and do your best. And like Xone said you wont need your own gear just try to spend some time getting used to whatever they use
Thanks guys, I think the main thing is that I just really don’t know what type of competition I’m up against. I hear DJs around here doing all these awesome remixes on the fly, and I’m sitting here with just two tables trying to figure out how they do it all and make it sound so flawless. Now most of them are using a laptop, so of course I’m pretty sure I’m hearing what they’re able to do in Traktor/SSL/etc, but it’s still way beyond anything I’d be able to do with two CDJs and a mixer. I’m pretty much just transitioning from one song to the other, and there’s little to no variation in how I play the song vs how the song actually goes. I feel like I just don’t have enough tricks in order to sell myself yet. I feel like I play bumpin’ songs and my transitions are pretty solid, but that’s about as far as it goes. Is this just a practice thing/learning the tools of the trade and maximizing them to their potential or is there another variable I’m missing? I just don’t know…
This is not a really a bad thing, it’s all in your track selection and programming… Shit hot turntablism/controllerist tricks + shitty music = Shitty music with funny noises…just work at it
Dude you’ve only been playing for 6 months, relax, it takes time and practice. I’ve only been DJing for 2 years and I just now feel ready to go out there and attain some gigs.
THIS 100 % programming and making the crowd enjoy themselves is way more important than any trick, my housemate is also a dj and said this to me when i started out, i paid no attention and struggled, i wanted to be able to do everything straight away, master one peice then move on, is the best advice i was given.
Time to truly let my n00bishness shine what exactly do you mean by programming? Do you mean like hot cues and the like? Because I don’t have a SD card slot, so my cues get wiped every time I turn off my CDJs.
Like knowing your songs, what are you going to play for the event, What to start, what to finish, what to play at peak time etc etc. Basically a song selection and sort of a playlist.
Oh, that! Yeah, I’ve got a pretty good grasp of that. Don’t drop the bangers right away, pace yourself, gradually increase in tempo when playing a variety, etc. etc. This has been helpful guys, I feel like I have something to work towards now
I’m working on it now! DJMM, you said I should go for the S2 rather than the VCI. Why is this? It seems that the VCI has more ability to control the sample decks (something I’m eager to try out) than the S2. What am I missing about the S2?
Remember that the average person at the club doesn’t have a clue or care what you are doing behind those decks, as long as you are playing good tunes. Only the other DJ’s will notice the fancy moves you are pulling off/trying to pull off.
If you can mix solidly getting an opening slot might be just what you need, everything else comes with experience.
As for the S2 I don’t think you are missing anything, it’s just an S4 with a bunch of the great features stripped away. Only upside for you could be that it comes with TP2.
It looks like a better option for the price you are going to pay. IF you are gonna get a vci-100 brand new, for the same price you get the software, controller plus built-in soundcard.
On programming - what I mean by programming isn’t setting up cue points or anything like that, it’s more how you pace your sets…some people (and some very famous very successful DJs) completely pre plan their live sets, I don’t do it myself (not that I play out an awful lot, but it does happen occasionally ) really work on knowing your track collection inside out, and understand how to smoothly blend and transition and you will be much better off than the guy who just fucks with effects and cues a whole lot… It’s hard to explain why, just please trust that. Also don’t get so caught up in the technology and what to get, just save and save until you have enough to get something in your price range, I have a (an? I’m an american and I have little to no grasp of the English language ) S4, but I could see a(n?) S2 being fine for my needs as I really only use 2 channels, personal preference though, if you want 4 channels get a 4 channel controller… and keep on working at it, nobody is mark farina the day they start (well except for mark farina…) it takes lots of practice..
Honestly while it sounds like you may be ready to take the next step personally…
I think you need to start going out to shows more. Honestly. Get the fuck out there, become a face people recognize SUPPORTING everything the promoters are throwing out there. Start listening to other DJ’s and HEAR what they are doing, and make sure you can do equal if not better than they can.
I see so many people on here (forums in general) talking about the next step, and they only do house parties and never go out to the local shows. Seriously. Get the hell out there, support the local scene, scout the venues and shit you’d want to play, and get a feel for how things are in your area before you start approaching people.
what exactly do you mean by programming? Do you mean like hot cues and the like? Because I don’t have a SD card slot, so my cues get wiped every time I turn off my CDJs.