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what is actually happening on stage?
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DiMiTry
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Posted : Feb 23, 2006 21:46
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On 2006-02-23 19:57, David(KIVA) wrote:
You will know when a dj is playing off the head because the tracks will not always match key and the vibe will go up and down and in and out.
When a dj has a set planned like artist do it tends to work out better for the time and the vibe.
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I disagree. I know enough DJs who never prep their sets and their music is usually right on the mark, on beat, in key, and in the moment.
For me, a DJ is not so much an actor as a magician who plays with the ebb and flow of the energy within the space. You can do it with a pre-made set, but it will never have the raw power and immediacy of a set made on the spot.
Especially because the vibe is not always the same as you imagine it to be even if you know your exact time slot in advance.
  ..it's just another party.. |
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bluespectralmonkey
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Feb 23, 2006 21:55
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David(KIVA)
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Feb 23, 2006 22:09
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[quote]
On 2006-02-23 21:46, DiMiTry wrote:
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I disagree. I know enough DJs who never prep their sets and their music is usually right on the mark, on beat, in key, and in the moment.
For me, a DJ is not so much an actor as a magician who plays with the ebb and flow of the energy within the space. You can do it with a pre-made set, but it will never have the raw power and immediacy of a set made on the spot.
Especially because the vibe is not always the same as you imagine it to be even if you know your exact time slot in advance.
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I tried not to make it sound like the written scripture when I said what I said by using words like "not always" and "tends to work out better".
Right on the mark is also a matter of opinion, your on the mark is anothers not on the mark. A good dj will know the sound of any vibe in his or her own town. And there arent too many "vibes" when you think about it. However, there can be different vibes for different places or cities states, countries etc. So to each his own, whatever tricks the magician wants to pull out of his hat are his own. I guess it depends on what approach the person wants to take with his or her music.
So in conclusion what we are saying is djs can plan or not plan thier sets and both approaches have an equal effect. Both can have Raw power and Immediacy.
http://soundcloud.com/djkiva |
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furthur
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Feb 23, 2006 22:31
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On 2006-02-23 22:09, David(KIVA) wrote:
A good dj will know the sound of any vibe in his or her own town. And there arent too many "vibes" when you think about it. However, there can be different vibes for different places or cities states, countries etc. |
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i will have to disagree with that
my vibe changes from party to party, and even throughout the party
sometimes i want to hear music that on other occasions i wouldnt give the time of day
and i am pretty sure i am not the only one like that
Load Universe into Cannon. Aim at Brain. Fire.
www.ganesha.ca |
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David(KIVA)
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Feb 23, 2006 22:41
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wow thats two in a row!
I really suck at saying what I want to say I guess.
vibes are fickle and Im sure when you sense one you know what to do right? a good dj you can sense where the vibe is. thats all Im saying.
when I said vibe in reference to how a nonplanned set can sound I meant frequencies and overall sound can shift and move around.
http://soundcloud.com/djkiva |
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DiMiTry
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Feb 23, 2006 23:59
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You're right, every region in the country has a very different vibe and musical expectations. Even in Colorado where I've played hundreds of parties, every event is very different and unpredictable, depending on the location, time of year, crowd and its erm.. mood, the DJs who played before you, and a million other factors. To me playing a fully prepped set is somewhat forcing yourself on the enviroment, as opposed to a more gentle give and take. Both can work, but I personally prefer the latter method.
cheers
..it's just another party.. |
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ocelot
ocelot
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Posted : Feb 24, 2006 19:44
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On 2006-02-21 21:48, va¤n wrote:
So who are the acts that have actually played a real live set ?
I've heard many but afters Surrender's disection I think only a handful did the real thing.
Those I'm sure about ...
Gift Culture
Shapestatic
Initialization String
C.O.N. Sequencer
Looking for more...
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well it depends upon how LIVE you mean.
the only people probably playing every single note are bands not main dancefloor acts- bands like Star Sounds Orchestra, HiLite Tribe, Medicine Drum etc... and they are making FULL use of delays, arpeggiators, etc... to make all the little notes.
Your average live PA with gear- back in the old days- meant the entire thing was already sequenced- or peices of it were- and you just noodled with parameters like filters etc...
today its normal to do playback and make special mixes and tracks for playback and really its brand new music you are hearing and who cares if its live.
for ableton live you have a few possibilities-
have folders of loops from all your tracks etc... and just mix and match- or playback whole tracks inside there.
just using ableton live doesn't guarantee a 'live' performance and i really don't like the idea that the scene would depend upon one peice of software or company like this...
also- its normal to have a backup cd playing, but not ON during a live set. this is in case the computer crashes... so just look and see what the levels are before judging if they are playing back off this cd or not.
also i use the crossfader when dj mixing constantly. its not easy if there are 3 or more decks running but then i don't use the crossfader.
and in my dj sets i still play 100% ocelot or side project music. i have been making trance since 1993 and i have a lot of new music as well so its no problem and i figure you can book someone else if you want to hear their music...
as far as preplanning my dj sets i really just don't ever do this. i feel it is much better to let the spirit flow through me and teach me what to play when... i'm just ignorant until the moment kind of ... |
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FaceHead
FaceHead
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Posted : Feb 25, 2006 01:30
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yes that is what I didnt like about dj's for a long time they play other peoples music and get celebrated as if they were gods not so much in this scene but you can tell when a dj is ego driven. I also agree about the ableton Ive been told to use this over and over by people I dont want to!
as much of a tool as it is... it is just as much of a cage.
should be no boundries for a live set other than your mind and physical ability. It is called a live pa. live performance artist right? so the key is performance I want to see and hear you make the music live (as in come to life). i dont want to just watch you turn knobs rock the audience interact with them otherwise what are you doing on stage?
cmon people we are creative thinkers there needs to be more creativity put into the live set what can you make sounds with other than a synth how can you make it interact with the crowd dont just play effects and expect it to be amazing step up and use the amazing brain that created the music to figure out how to get it to the audience in a unique vehicle.
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Janux
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Feb 25, 2006 19:31
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slightly off track but still about beat matching...
when i first started playing I was so eager that I started playing out before I had perfected the art of beat-matching... not a good idea. (no matter how much psyhistory you have)
I do it clean for some time years now and the difference you see on the dancefloor is tremendous.
a smooth ambient fade mix is 100 times better than a slightly faulty beat matched mix. the flow and story of the sound is of number one importance...
in terms of 'live-sets' I am always eager to hear about and one day do myself hopefully... sets where 2-3 cdj inputs (one of them with ambient sound) are used, plus added electronic drum-pads etc.... + a synth with just tones etc... and the appropriate software to merge it all... how feasible is this...? (Dj set style mixing between two inputs... adding sounds from a third... adding kicks from hardware into a software perhaps (to match it)... Do you think is possible?
www.facebook.com/DjJanux |
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FaceHead
FaceHead
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Posted : Feb 25, 2006 23:37
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yes it is indeed possible.
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BrettFromTibet
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Posted : Feb 28, 2006 03:13
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***When you see this on stage***
The DJ is holding one palm up in a cupped mudra and above it is making a concentrated picking motion with the thumb and forefinger of his other hand.
What is happening?
The DJ/shaman is preparing more herbal resin by breaking it into small pieces, in order to coninute channeling his profoundly deep interpretation of the trance experience for the audience. It is an act of selfless love and devotion that he momentarily break his concentration from the task at hand, for the greater good.
What is not happening?
While the DJ might be nodding his head to the beat, and looking at the crowd or console he probably is NOT thinking of sound levels and the next track selection. It is generally better if an attractive girl (wearing tight metallic prism pants) is dancing behind him, and is on-call taking care of such technical matters. However, some DJs and producers seemingly have more arms than Nataraja and are very adept multi-taskers. They can juggle many fine-motor tasks at once effectively and look cool while doing it.
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***When you see this on stage***
A person with a proud, tall posture walks onto the stage has a brief “word” with a very famous performer, shouting into his ear over the monitors.
What is happening?
The person who paid a lot of money for the DJ to fly over from his last gig in Uzbekistan wants everyone on the dance floor to know that they are acquainted with each other, and on good terms. As in: think of “us” as best buddies. He might be asking the performer if he wants a drink, or possibly even re-negotioating a more realistic payment in light of low attendance while the DJ is all jacked up on an adrenaline. If all is going well, the “conversation” might happen more than once, especially at choice moments of crowd elation and applause - for the sake of being seen in the power spot.
What is not happening?
Clear Communication. The DJ can’t hear the promoter but is most likely to respond by either making agreeable gestures of friendship and satisfaction, or pantomiming requests for food, cigarettes, beverages, ladies, a working mixer, or more money.
You should watch his hands carefully. |
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rich
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Posted : Feb 28, 2006 03:43
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Hilarious (and sadly too true)
~ maharichie ~ |
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obu
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Mar 1, 2006 04:19
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Your kidding, you mean the music doesn't play itself??!? There's more to djing than just hitting the "play" button and pushing the fader up?...nahhh 
I kid, maybe 
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offthenutboom
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Posted : Mar 1, 2006 22:15
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On 2006-02-23 07:19, paradigm wrote:
then for the next step comes beat matching and phrasing in harmonic key....
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Stop!!!!! Deconstruction is such a bitch. It is so powerful, but it conditions ppl to be systematic about an largely instinctual experience. You can play it by ear right  Because I am not going to play all my mixes in one key signature. "Tonite Francisco playing his set in D flat!!!"
Just believe in you instincts and play Like everything, if you are good it will shine, if not you will keep on trying, Right?! |
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offthenutboom
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Mar 1, 2006 22:21
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On 2006-03-01 04:19, obu wrote:
Your kidding, you mean the music doesn't play itself??!? There's more to djing than just hitting the "play" button and pushing the fader up?...nahhh
I kid, maybe
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Technically there is a workflow
Insert CD
Select track
Cue
Release on Bar
Beat Match
Cue
Release on Bar
Set EQs
Raise level
mix with EQs, gain and levels
Fade track out
Stop
Eject
It is the ear, the heart, the mind, the human behind the machine who adds the grace and spirit. If not all DJs would sound the same. |
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