Mike A
Subra
Started Topics :
185
Posts :
3954
Posted : Aug 22, 2010 15:41
Quote:
On 2010-08-22 14:41, V3NOM wrote:
I use 2 x CDJ 100 & 1 X DJM 400, it has worked perfectly for me for the last about 7 years of dj'ing and I don't plan to upgrade any time in the future because I actually enjoy having to work behind the decks and not use use a machine to do all the work for me.
The only time i don;t use these is when I do drum n' bass sets, then I use 4 vinyl decks n' a 4 channel mixer but these are owned by the club I play at, I have no vinyl decks at home and have always mixed DnB in club on the fly only.
At the end of the day, I think anyone who can't plug in to any old brand of dj hardware and mix on the fly should give up and go and get a job stacking shelves at their local supermarket instead.
This topic sucks worse then the crack whore down my street.
I totally disagree with you.
So in your opinion a dj is just a technicality making sure the tracks are on beat?
Once a machine takes care of everything, you have so much possibilities beyond.
60% of the time goes on actually finding the cd you want and then beatmixing it, leaving you zero time to be creative.
You can look at it from another perspective, someone who has 7 years of experience with digital djing, claims that someone who only makes a mix on cdjs should be stacking shelves at their local supermarket. This means you.
willsanquil
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
93
Posts :
2822
Posted : Aug 22, 2010 22:24
Quote:
On 2010-08-22 14:41, V3NOM wrote:
I use 2 x CDJ 100 & 1 X DJM 400, it has worked perfectly for me for the last about 7 years of dj'ing and I don't plan to upgrade any time in the future because I actually enjoy having to work behind the decks and not use use a machine to do all the work for me.
The only time i don;t use these is when I do drum n' bass sets, then I use 4 vinyl decks n' a 4 channel mixer but these are owned by the club I play at, I have no vinyl decks at home and have always mixed DnB in club on the fly only.
At the end of the day, I think anyone who can't plug in to any old brand of dj hardware and mix on the fly should give up and go and get a job stacking shelves at their local supermarket instead.
This topic sucks worse then the crack whore down my street.
Elitist nonsense coupled with arrogance.
Beatmatching manually is just a technical skill, and not a particularly amazing one at that. get over yourself.
Different approaches for different folks - Some of us don't care to learn manual beatmatching simply because machines do it better than human beings. I am 100% sure that in the past 8 months, I could have learned how to beat match manually, but since ableton does it so perfectly I am free to explore and develop other skills that I am sure are much more interesting to hear than simply making sure that the tracks don't train wreck.
It's like saying, all doors with knobs to open them are doors for fucking CHEATERS - REAL fuckin men have a rock slab that you have to move yourself each time you would like to go through it.
I have no problem with DJs who are used to x method continuing to use x method, but saying anyone who doesn't use that method isn't a real DJ is just complete and utter bunk.
If you want to make an apple pie from scratch...you must first invent the universe
www.soundcloud.com/tasp www.soundcloud.com/kinematic-records
Mike A
Subra
Started Topics :
185
Posts :
3954
Posted : Aug 23, 2010 00:17
btw - after some experience with Traktor, the auto sync is mostly crap and you still need to beatmatch yourself, even though it's done differently (by adjusting beatgrid).
V3NOM
Inactive User
Started Topics :
131
Posts :
2234
Posted : Aug 23, 2010 04:05
someone hit a roor nerve... apologies, having spent the weekend in emergency room with a ruptured ear drum n' weird liquid comin' out of said ear n' nose after scuba diving, i was so dosed up on antibiotics n' painkillers i posted my post badly.
I wish to clarify that whilst i do note that dj software does allow more sonic manipulation than str8 up dj'ing, i guess i am old fashioned in thinking that because dj stands for disc jockey it is meaning some1 who plays discs, not manipulates or produces music.
i have used traktor many times at friends studios as well as experimenting a bit with ableton, but from my experience at actual club gigs the last year i just see many lazy dj who stand there drinking their free booze n' just not doing anything much at all with the laptop and this makes me sad like fake live acts as well.
I'm sorry such negative experience came out in such a bad post yesterday, n' maybe one day I"ll see some dj's whor eally do use ableton n' traktor properly to do some amazing sonic wizardry.
Maybe i just need some advice on how to set upa good traktor rig myself, because I like to have some kind of hardware... maybe someone can pm me details or something to educate me.
again, apologies to all I hate you, you hate me, we are all so hap hap happy!
willsanquil
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
93
Posts :
2822
Posted : Aug 23, 2010 07:07
no real offense taken, and you are definitely not alone in your opinions!
DJ - someone who jockeys discs...
'its like a finger that points to the moon...don't look at the finger! Or you'll miss all the heavenly glory!'
To me, a DJ is someone who creates a musical journey for people. Simple as that. For every lazy laptop act I've seen, there has been an equally lazy CDJ act.
Every time there is a new wave of software or hardware made for DJing, there are a portion of the people using the older hardware that will say oh no, you kids and your technology that is CHEATING
I'm sure there are still some Vinyl purists that say that CDJ DJs aren't real DJs because....of some stupid fuckin reason.
All.That.Matters.Is.The.Music
Of course, for me at least if I know that the performer/DJ is putting more energy into the music in the form of live elements or crazy mixing I get more into it than if they were just pressing play. So...to each their own.
I know that I get a little fuzzy feeling when I see someone setting up a laptop with a bunch of nice MIDI controllers....some crazy shit might happen!
V3NOM
Inactive User
Started Topics :
131
Posts :
2234
Posted : Aug 23, 2010 10:18
ok so I found a shop selling Traktor Kontrol S4 which looks cool for a pretty good price if i sell off me old cdj's n' djm 400.
I'm keen to give this digital dj gig a go, would this be a wise place to start?
I hate you, you hate me, we are all so hap hap happy!
Mike A
Subra
Started Topics :
185
Posts :
3954
Posted : Aug 23, 2010 11:32
Quote:
At the end of the day, I think anyone who can't plug in to any old brand of dj hardware and mix on the fly should give up and go and get a job stacking shelves at their local supermarket instead.
Quote:
Maybe i just need some advice on how to set upa good traktor rig myself, because I like to have some kind of hardware... maybe someone can pm me details or something to educate me.
S4 could be nice, they released it just after I bought an X1
Anyway I'm using the X1 together with my Novation Remote. Kicks ass so far. I'm still on the learning curve though (and mixing goa rather than techno makes it even harder).
Acid Dreamz
Inactive User
Started Topics :
38
Posts :
680
Posted : Aug 23, 2010 17:14
check out this own...the easy Ableton like software with non system resource consuming as the biggest advantage....mixing any genre on this is just flawless:
“A true Artist is he who holds in high Admiration, the works of Another.”
Acid Dreamz
Inactive User
Started Topics :
38
Posts :
680
Posted : Aug 23, 2010 17:14
check out this own...the easy Ableton like software with non system resource consuming as the biggest advantage....mixing any genre on this is just flawless:
PS: It can be used both for DJ as well as LIVE sets!!
Acid Dreamz (INDIA)-VA-Psy Tehelka to be out in Jan/2011 on Sonic Symmetry Records
Sonic Tantra Records(India)/Samana Records(Dubai)
“A true Artist is he who holds in high Admiration, the works of Another.”
sage2012
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
27
Posts :
413
Posted : Aug 25, 2010 23:28
after many many years of technics 1200mk2's, many years of pioneer cdj100s', and some fooling around with ableton live with hardware controllers & a korg er-1, i'm pretty damn satisfied with my current gigging set-up of NI traktor pro with a vestax typhoon. the traktor pro/typhoon combo affords the functionality of a cdj/mixer rig and the portability of a laptop, all with a built-in audio interface that makes travelling a piece of cake.. especially when you factor in the ability to organize your musical library into folders. what i really like the most about this combo though is how close it feels to vinyl when trying to cue music up, and even how it scratches (although not that big of surprise, considering it's a vestax). plus, the dedicated effects sends also come in handy.. also, the typhoon was only about $300 USD.
at some point i would like to upgrade to the vestax vci-300 mk2, which has a much higher platter resolution and is better suited for turntablist /scratching tricks, and is specifically designed for use with serato itch (although controller maps are available for use with traktor pro). although it is considerably more expensive than the typhoon, it's totally solid and performs just like any other vestax battle mixer; it's kind of ridiculous what some people can do with it:
of course, none of these examples have anything to do with mixing darkpsy necessarily.. just mixing in general. it doesn't matter what kind of music you play, beat-matching is beat-matching and is an aquired skill just like any other.. software might get you so far in that department, but ultimately you need to be able to listen for it without having to rely on an algorhythm!
Axis Mundi
Axis Mundi
Started Topics :
75
Posts :
1848
Posted : Aug 27, 2010 04:29
Quote:
On 2010-08-23 04:05, V3NOM wrote:
someone hit a roor nerve... apologies, having spent the weekend in emergency room with a ruptured ear drum n' weird liquid comin' out of said ear n' nose after scuba diving, i was so dosed up on antibiotics n' painkillers i posted my post badly.
I wish to clarify that whilst i do note that dj software does allow more sonic manipulation than str8 up dj'ing, i guess i am old fashioned in thinking that because dj stands for disc jockey it is meaning some1 who plays discs, not manipulates or produces music.
i have used traktor many times at friends studios as well as experimenting a bit with ableton, but from my experience at actual club gigs the last year i just see many lazy dj who stand there drinking their free booze n' just not doing anything much at all with the laptop and this makes me sad like fake live acts as well.
I'm sorry such negative experience came out in such a bad post yesterday, n' maybe one day I"ll see some dj's whor eally do use ableton n' traktor properly to do some amazing sonic wizardry.
Maybe i just need some advice on how to set upa good traktor rig myself, because I like to have some kind of hardware... maybe someone can pm me details or something to educate me.
again, apologies to all
Technically, the hard drive of a computer is also primarily a spinning disc.
Radio DJs haven't been playing records (or even CDs) for decades now, yet there is no argument about that.
In the 21st century, the term "DJ" has gone the way of the dodo in the same way that the term "live act" has gone the way of the dodo as well (note: for the most part) due to advances in computer and software technology, for example, Ableton Live, coupled with the tendency of Nature to pursue the path of least effort/resistance.
That being said, there certainly is great potential for a laptop-based act to pull a crazy live set where there simply is no time to even take a drag off a cigarette during their set. 90% of the time, though, you don't see this onstage because:
1.) As Zero Blade said, the person behind the computer doesn't know jack about using [Ableton]
2.) Laziness to learn.
3.) It's not easy to transport lots of hardware for your custom designed live set across/between continents. It's expensive, risky, and prone to gear failure.
4.) It's really not easy to do a proper laptop set. On top of actually producing tracks, setting up a proper live set takes hours of preparation beforehand. (I'm not talking about lining up entire tracks in Arrangement Mode, either... I'm talking about a primarily MIDI-driven improv set, with custom mapped controllers, all your own presets, custom written plugins, etc.)
Most people don't actively produce in the studio using Ableton Live, thus aren't as familiar with it as a few are. The ones who DO know Ableton Live, though, are able to rinse out some serious mixes that are flat out impossible to do on more obsolete technology.
All that being said, if you aren't pushing the limits with what you've got with you on each and every live set... you're no live act.
I can't speak for Traktor as I've never used it.
Mike A
Subra
Started Topics :
185
Posts :
3954
Posted : Aug 27, 2010 10:08
Well then, blame the people instead of blaming technology.
willsanquil
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
93
Posts :
2822
Posted : Aug 29, 2010 09:11
Quote:
On 2010-08-27 04:29, Axis Mundi wrote:
Technically, the hard drive of a computer is also primarily a spinning disc.
Radio DJs haven't been playing records (or even CDs) for decades now, yet there is no argument about that.
In the 21st century, the term "DJ" has gone the way of the dodo in the same way that the term "live act" has gone the way of the dodo as well (note: for the most part) due to advances in computer and software technology, for example, Ableton Live, coupled with the tendency of Nature to pursue the path of least effort/resistance.
That being said, there certainly is great potential for a laptop-based act to pull a crazy live set where there simply is no time to even take a drag off a cigarette during their set. 90% of the time, though, you don't see this onstage because:
1.) As Zero Blade said, the person behind the computer doesn't know jack about using [Ableton]
2.) Laziness to learn.
3.) It's not easy to transport lots of hardware for your custom designed live set across/between continents. It's expensive, risky, and prone to gear failure.
4.) It's really not easy to do a proper laptop set. On top of actually producing tracks, setting up a proper live set takes hours of preparation beforehand. (I'm not talking about lining up entire tracks in Arrangement Mode, either... I'm talking about a primarily MIDI-driven improv set, with custom mapped controllers, all your own presets, custom written plugins, etc.)
Most people don't actively produce in the studio using Ableton Live, thus aren't as familiar with it as a few are. The ones who DO know Ableton Live, though, are able to rinse out some serious mixes that are flat out impossible to do on more obsolete technology.
All that being said, if you aren't pushing the limits with what you've got with you on each and every live set... you're no live act.
dmtoad
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
11
Posts :
56
Posted : Sep 28, 2010 13:32
Quote:
On 2010-07-29 02:33, mudpeople wrote:
I use Ableton, though its not really easy per se to just throw tracks into and start playing. It automatically beatmatches, BUT, you have to warp your tracks and make sure they're warped properly (a difference of .01BPM will be noticable towards the end of a track and throws off the mix) first. Its easy as hell once you learn it though. I'd advise getting a midi controller with sliders, Korg has a nice basic one thats around 99 USD that is just a rack of 8 sliders. I set 2 sliders to be channel volumes, and the other 6 I divide up into 3-band EQs for each channel. My midi controller also has nice pads to toggle kills and effects with and a rack of 8 knobs above the sliders, which RULES and gives a lot more stuff to play around with, but if youre looking for basic and cheap its out there. You can even use the keyboard for Live, but its awkward, having actual sliders for the volume and eq is so much better.
I guess i should mention I digitally mix pretty much any style with Live, the main differences between styles would be what effects sound good with em (glitchy stutters and proggy smoothness dont really work together imo for example), thats all a matter of taste tho.
Also I do mix by hand with cds if I care to, but to me, digital mixing is more participatory than CD mixing. With CDs Im always concentrating on syncing the mix WHILE blending and all that, but with digital mixing I can focus on blending entirely, which means i get to enjoy the music more, and it feels less like work and more like play. IMO theres nothing wrong with digital mixing, its just different. Remember all the oldschool vinyl heads who refused to play CDs? Same deal.
Oh and one more thing; 24bit 96kbps. That is all.
Could someone explain how to do a proper warp with Ableton Live 8 ?
as for a live, do you mean live with your own material? there are multiple approaches, you can just mix stems, you can cut your track into loops and re-arrange on the fly, you can do mastered playback and noodle over the top with synth/fx....all depends on how busy you want to be and what your capabilities are
as for myself, considering i do not have any ability to play a keyboard, let alone live....I am most likely going to be going for mastered track with live FX (i love feedback loops and creative routing with abletons sends....its fucking awesome to get completely 100% new sounds out of a track hehe) over the top. that is until i can convince people who actually play instruments to come along and jam
but yeah, if you haven't already read up on the tom cosm method of a 'live' set check that out, and if you google around there are plenty of djs and producers sharing their ableton templates.
If you want to make an apple pie from scratch...you must first invent the universe
www.soundcloud.com/tasp www.soundcloud.com/kinematic-records
IMO theres nothing wrong with digital mixing, its just different. Remember all the oldschool vinyl heads who refused to play CDs? Same deal.