Taz X.T.R.
New member
The People over at Stanton fowarded this to me. Hope it helps!
"Which Way 2 DJ ???"
Become the Pro DJ you've always wanted to be
The first thing you should understand about DJ-ing is that it will not happen over night. There is no instant road to popularity or success! However what you put into the art, you definitely get back… So prepare yourself for the most helpful (but brief) suggestions on entering the fastest growing occupation. The DJ market is the most promising aspect of the MI [music industry] market and is now the most popular profession for young kids. That's right being a DJ has surpassed the guitar player & lead vocalist for aspiring careers in music. Thanks to DJs like Paul Van Dyke, Paul Oakenfold, Sasha & Digweed, and also to groups like The Allies, the Invsibl Skratch Piklz, & The Beat Junkies, the world of DJ-ing has greatly expanded and improved.
There are three major types of DJs, plus the remix/producer DJ who is a combination of the three. First we have the Club DJ (who now tours the world rocking club, parties, & raves), the Turntablist (who also tours & does parties, but the primary focus is on battling), and last but definitely not least, the Mobile Jock (more of an entrepreneur and mostly provides music for weddings, public events, & corp. parties). Each profession has its advantages and disadvantages, it's up to you to do the homework and find what best fits you, as far as style, technique, & musical preferences.
Choosing the right equipment is the first step, It's always best to work with material you already have or may be familiar with. Therefore if you have more CDs in your collection perhaps a Dual CD DJ Player such as the S-500 would be best. Or, if you have ever played vinyl records or already have a record collection, perhaps turntables like STR8-50 or STR8-80 would be best. Club DJs often use both CD &/ Vinyl, whereas to do tricks or battle is predominately a turntable arena. However new units like the Final Scratch have a few "vinyl junkies" contemplating the crossover to digital. Mobile Jocks primarily use CDs or even MP3s Once you have figured out what suits you best (or what direction you want to go), I suggest a beginners kit for that area of DJ-ing. Most manufacturers including Stanton have a range of entry-level gear that is both professional & cost effective. Try the Scratch Pack or the All In One DJ Kits for turntables. It's always best to start with the basics and work you way up to the real pro stuff.
For a Club DJ, who can use either (CDs / Vinyl) start off with the basics of mixing…. Learn BPM (beats per minute). Regardless of the format (CDs / Vinyl) BPM are used the same way. It's simple math, you take two songs which often have different BPM, and attempt to change the tempo until they do match. When they match use the crossfader to blend one song into the other, for a continuous mix. Using mixers or CD players (like the S-700)with effects/special features is quite popular here. Mixers such as the DRM-120, or the Stanton VRM-10 work very well. This is the DJ that most people see or hear about due to the amount of "glamour" that is attributed with club life. Often they move into production (re-mixes, or programming beats) once they have conquered the club & mix CD market. The essence of a good Club DJ is to have a unique and original selection and "Crowd Control", to keep the crowd moving by flawlessly mixing different songs together.
For a Battle DJ, now known as a Turntablist, the turntable is used as an instrument to develop as many different sounds as possible. Using a durable turntable such as the standard s-arm ST-100 or new straight arm, STR8-100 which is quickly becoming the hottest commodity for better scratching. Remember direct drives are recommended for heavy scratching. A sturdy needle such as the Classic 500 ALII or new 890 SA (w/ good tracking force) is elemental in achieving the almighty Scratch / Skratch. The basic scratch is derived from not allowing the record to play, but rather the back and forth movement over a particular area (or a particular sound) of the record. The crossfader is still used here but in a different manner. Instead of blending sounds together with the crossfader, the crossfader here is used to eliminate / "cut" sounds. For the quickest cuts possible… check out the popular SK2F-Ltd. w/ Focus fader, or look for one of the new SA series mixers (SA-12 coming soon). The essence of a Turntablist/Battle DJ is "Hand Control", developing an original technique of manually manipulating the record and crossfader simultaneously.
For a Mobile Jock it is almost a completely different world. For here the skill required from the previous two can be used, but not to the same extent. Mixing & scratching take a back seat to selection & convenience. The word "mobile" should give a clue as to what is important. You usually have all of your own gear, this means a complete (and mobile) audio set up including speakers & amps, along with the preferred audio format (Vinyl, CDs, or MP3s). If you really mean business this mobile list also includes decorations, lighting effects, party favors, and sometimes-even dancers. **Hint the more you have in your repertoire; the more you can get PAID! And extra $300 on a smoke machine & basic lighting can bring you 300+ customers, once the word is out! For DJs that require the versatility of live applications such as karaoke jocks (KJs) as well as studio or radio DJs the RM-50 would probably fit you best and still not blow your budget. Or try RM-100 with the optional rotary knobs, if you want a mixer with a "club feel" or need to dazzle your audience with a few effects. **Hint : a simple effect can cue the audience in or get the party started. As far as CD players go… the new S-650 is a great professional CD player. CDs are preferred by mobile jocks for several reasons, this way DJs can compile their own selection of music and make it compact and easy to transport. Plus you get more of a broad-based selection to choose from. (i.e. having the "chicken dance" song just for uncle Al). Remember, your client is your only reason for DJ-ing and the only person you have to please (i.e. no room for big egos here). The essence of a Mobile Jock is having what your customer wants and being able to provide it in a pleasing, professional, and most of all timely manner.
Hopefully by now you have a clearer understanding the art of DJ-ing… For further tips and techniques please check out the DJ Workshop. Happy Mixing!
~Resident DJ
Stanton Magnetics, Inc.
"Which Way 2 DJ ???"
Become the Pro DJ you've always wanted to be
The first thing you should understand about DJ-ing is that it will not happen over night. There is no instant road to popularity or success! However what you put into the art, you definitely get back… So prepare yourself for the most helpful (but brief) suggestions on entering the fastest growing occupation. The DJ market is the most promising aspect of the MI [music industry] market and is now the most popular profession for young kids. That's right being a DJ has surpassed the guitar player & lead vocalist for aspiring careers in music. Thanks to DJs like Paul Van Dyke, Paul Oakenfold, Sasha & Digweed, and also to groups like The Allies, the Invsibl Skratch Piklz, & The Beat Junkies, the world of DJ-ing has greatly expanded and improved.
There are three major types of DJs, plus the remix/producer DJ who is a combination of the three. First we have the Club DJ (who now tours the world rocking club, parties, & raves), the Turntablist (who also tours & does parties, but the primary focus is on battling), and last but definitely not least, the Mobile Jock (more of an entrepreneur and mostly provides music for weddings, public events, & corp. parties). Each profession has its advantages and disadvantages, it's up to you to do the homework and find what best fits you, as far as style, technique, & musical preferences.
Choosing the right equipment is the first step, It's always best to work with material you already have or may be familiar with. Therefore if you have more CDs in your collection perhaps a Dual CD DJ Player such as the S-500 would be best. Or, if you have ever played vinyl records or already have a record collection, perhaps turntables like STR8-50 or STR8-80 would be best. Club DJs often use both CD &/ Vinyl, whereas to do tricks or battle is predominately a turntable arena. However new units like the Final Scratch have a few "vinyl junkies" contemplating the crossover to digital. Mobile Jocks primarily use CDs or even MP3s Once you have figured out what suits you best (or what direction you want to go), I suggest a beginners kit for that area of DJ-ing. Most manufacturers including Stanton have a range of entry-level gear that is both professional & cost effective. Try the Scratch Pack or the All In One DJ Kits for turntables. It's always best to start with the basics and work you way up to the real pro stuff.
For a Club DJ, who can use either (CDs / Vinyl) start off with the basics of mixing…. Learn BPM (beats per minute). Regardless of the format (CDs / Vinyl) BPM are used the same way. It's simple math, you take two songs which often have different BPM, and attempt to change the tempo until they do match. When they match use the crossfader to blend one song into the other, for a continuous mix. Using mixers or CD players (like the S-700)with effects/special features is quite popular here. Mixers such as the DRM-120, or the Stanton VRM-10 work very well. This is the DJ that most people see or hear about due to the amount of "glamour" that is attributed with club life. Often they move into production (re-mixes, or programming beats) once they have conquered the club & mix CD market. The essence of a good Club DJ is to have a unique and original selection and "Crowd Control", to keep the crowd moving by flawlessly mixing different songs together.
For a Battle DJ, now known as a Turntablist, the turntable is used as an instrument to develop as many different sounds as possible. Using a durable turntable such as the standard s-arm ST-100 or new straight arm, STR8-100 which is quickly becoming the hottest commodity for better scratching. Remember direct drives are recommended for heavy scratching. A sturdy needle such as the Classic 500 ALII or new 890 SA (w/ good tracking force) is elemental in achieving the almighty Scratch / Skratch. The basic scratch is derived from not allowing the record to play, but rather the back and forth movement over a particular area (or a particular sound) of the record. The crossfader is still used here but in a different manner. Instead of blending sounds together with the crossfader, the crossfader here is used to eliminate / "cut" sounds. For the quickest cuts possible… check out the popular SK2F-Ltd. w/ Focus fader, or look for one of the new SA series mixers (SA-12 coming soon). The essence of a Turntablist/Battle DJ is "Hand Control", developing an original technique of manually manipulating the record and crossfader simultaneously.
For a Mobile Jock it is almost a completely different world. For here the skill required from the previous two can be used, but not to the same extent. Mixing & scratching take a back seat to selection & convenience. The word "mobile" should give a clue as to what is important. You usually have all of your own gear, this means a complete (and mobile) audio set up including speakers & amps, along with the preferred audio format (Vinyl, CDs, or MP3s). If you really mean business this mobile list also includes decorations, lighting effects, party favors, and sometimes-even dancers. **Hint the more you have in your repertoire; the more you can get PAID! And extra $300 on a smoke machine & basic lighting can bring you 300+ customers, once the word is out! For DJs that require the versatility of live applications such as karaoke jocks (KJs) as well as studio or radio DJs the RM-50 would probably fit you best and still not blow your budget. Or try RM-100 with the optional rotary knobs, if you want a mixer with a "club feel" or need to dazzle your audience with a few effects. **Hint : a simple effect can cue the audience in or get the party started. As far as CD players go… the new S-650 is a great professional CD player. CDs are preferred by mobile jocks for several reasons, this way DJs can compile their own selection of music and make it compact and easy to transport. Plus you get more of a broad-based selection to choose from. (i.e. having the "chicken dance" song just for uncle Al). Remember, your client is your only reason for DJ-ing and the only person you have to please (i.e. no room for big egos here). The essence of a Mobile Jock is having what your customer wants and being able to provide it in a pleasing, professional, and most of all timely manner.
Hopefully by now you have a clearer understanding the art of DJ-ing… For further tips and techniques please check out the DJ Workshop. Happy Mixing!
~Resident DJ
Stanton Magnetics, Inc.
