DJ Starting tips [Archive] - inthemix Forums

Kaesien

25-Aug-10, 10:54pm

Hey guys and girls. This is my 1st ever post so be gentle with me lol

So anyways. I've been djing for about 7 months now and competed in a few open decks nights and have been getting a fair bit of praise from people.

What I want to know though is, if I was to attempt to take it further and really concentrate on long term goals like residences, touring, festivals etc etc. Do I need to have any form of licensing in order to carry around/play copied music (even if bought legitimately)?

Also any other suggestions/tips you might be able to share would be sick!

turkman

25-Aug-10, 11:23pm

Yes I'm an authorized license giver person, just PM me your CC details and I will get back to you shortly.

berserka

25-Aug-10, 11:34pm

these days the only way forward is to spam all your friends on facebook and lose them in the process, thereby making sure that no-one goes to any of your gigs due to no-one hearing your spam

Kaesien

25-Aug-10, 11:36pm

I would but I got a call from my long lost cousin Akmal today and loaned him my CC so he can buy a ticket over here.... Funny though... I never knew I had a cousin Akmal. hmmmmmm

berserka

25-Aug-10, 11:37pm

send him the $2000 and he'll refund you the $3000 straight away

camlv

26-Aug-10, 12:29am

If your goal is touring and festivals my advise is to quit while your ahead. It doesn't matter how good your mates think you are it isn't going to happen.

kone

26-Aug-10, 01:24am

to achieve any of those goals, start producing asap. its the only way to have a chance of getting anywhere. dj skill not enough these days. and also, try and make friends with as many people as possible. definitely who you know, not what you know

System_J

26-Aug-10, 02:19am

It's a cut-throat industry.

To stand out from the crowd, maybe try cupping the shaft and working the balls.

Kaesien

26-Aug-10, 10:00am

If your goal is touring and festivals my advise is to quit while your ahead. It doesn't matter how good your mates think you are it isn't going to happen.

Not my mates who have been saying it, was the club residents and owners at the open deck nights I went to who were telling me I should pursue it further. Hence why I'm asking.

Funkedub

26-Aug-10, 10:08am

It's a cut-throat industry.

To stand out from the crowd, maybe try cupping the shaft and working the balls.

probably the most sound advice thus far

Random_Kiwi

26-Aug-10, 02:12pm

Stick at it mate, but don't expect it to come to you easil because of a couple of people saying you're good...as has been mentioned, it's a cut throat industry, every second person and every second dog is a DJ...production is really the only way to truely standout.

Sure, you can crack into the local club scene through hard slog, supporting the gigs, meeting the DJs/promoters, assisting them in their promotions (ticket whoring/flyer distribution) and then hitting them with CDs and hitting them up for gigs...but festival circuit? Tough game, kiddo...would be hard pressed to get there without producing tracks which people known play...or at least being a known local club DJ for a fair few years

Do I need to have any form of licensing in order to carry around/play copied music (even if bought legitimately)?

No, the venue you're playing at pays APRA fees in order to legal broadcast music. However, it pays to keep your receipts for digital purchases so if questioned by APRA representative, you can prove the music you have was legally purchased...different with records as it's a physical medium which you have to have bought (well, you could have stolen it, but somewhere, someone bought it brand new so royalties were paid)

Regarding a mix CD to give to promoters/mates etc, legally speaking, this is completely illegal, no if's, and's, but's or maybe's...copying the music for distribution at any level is illegal (you can make copies for backup purposes only)...however, it's not cracked down on at all and is commonly accepted in the dance scene that this happens...never heard of people getting busted for it...but promoting gigs with hooks like "first 100 people through the door get a CD" and handing out a mix with unlicensed music on it could lead you to a lot of hot water.

bulldozer

26-Aug-10, 02:16pm

every second dog is a DJ

http://www.gonedigging.co.uk/images/products/large/DJ_Dog.jpg

Jarrod_s

26-Aug-10, 02:42pm

If you really want it to start picking up man, i'd suggest moving to another state cause Canberra is a hard group to crack and get residencies at because the promoters already know their djs that can play well and suit the time slot. Unless you were looking for something along the lines of a bar gig or lounge bar gig.

GrEnNo

26-Aug-10, 03:12pm

It's a cut-throat industry.

To stand out from the crowd, maybe try cupping the shaft and working the balls.

and swallow the gravey. gigs in no time!!!

deejaydee

26-Aug-10, 03:21pm

It's a cut-throat industry.

To stand out from the crowd, maybe try cupping the shaft and working the balls.

:lol:
Truer words have never been spoken...

fackedd

26-Aug-10, 03:53pm

Dont be put off from the trolls in here, probably just jealous because they cant get anywhere with it.

keep mixing, producing.... get your name out there. Keep doing what you love.

System_J

26-Aug-10, 04:11pm

Dont be put off from the trolls in here, probably just jealous because they cant get anywhere with it.

keep mixing, producing.... get your name out there. Keep doing what you love.

Don't listen to mr. idealism here...everyone knows that the way to get ahead is to give it.

bulldozer

26-Aug-10, 04:26pm

what's your dj name? i can tell you pretty much exactly how successful you will be.

pEAkeR_hAT

26-Aug-10, 06:59pm

What genre do you mix ? Do you produce also ? Do you have any mates who are promoters? also chuck a mix up on here man

macc4

26-Aug-10, 07:04pm

No, the venue you're playing at pays APRA fees in order to legal broadcast music. However, it pays to keep your receipts for digital purchases so if questioned by APRA representative, you can prove the music you have was legally purchased...different with records as it's a physical medium which you have to have bought (well, you could have stolen it, but somewhere, someone bought it brand new so royalties were paid)

.

If you download mp3 then burn as cd tracks to play out, then you would need a format shift license, or whatever it is called

slackas

26-Aug-10, 07:18pm

Im going to stop you right there... you need an intervention...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XvkSV1fS8s

Funkedub

26-Aug-10, 07:43pm

Dont be put off from the trolls in here, probably just jealous because they cant get anywhere with it.

we're not trolls ... we're disc jockeys (and some digital jockeys) and as such have varying experiences to share ... people are free to cast aside any advice given here ... but some of it is based on some real world experience.

jealous? meh ... i'm pretty happy doing what i do with it. No concerns about conquering the local/national/international DJ circuit ... I have other fish to fry

SlicyDicer

26-Aug-10, 11:46pm

Please stop telling people to produce, I get sent enough shitty demos already

thanks

bulldozer

27-Aug-10, 12:53am

Please stop telling people to produce, I get sent enough shitty demos already

thanks

agreed.

nobody produce any more music at all. there is enough good and shit music already.

thanks.

seannash

27-Aug-10, 02:23am

OP
look at festival lineups,club lineup and see who is playing the headline.

now think,do they produce there own music?

the day of getting anywhere these days on pure djing ability is over you need to get producing music.
fuck worrying about a licence.

if you want longevity,make music.

as a side i know plenty of ridiculously talented djs who id dare say are far far better djs than you who are doing nothing except playing locally.its not from lack of trying but like i said djing ability counts for sweet fuck all these days.

oh and licences,i wouldnt worry about it.itll take you years to get to a level where the authorities question you

SlicyDicer

27-Aug-10, 02:47am

agreed.

nobody produce any more music at all. there is enough good and shit music already.

thanks.

Hopefully people read this

Random_Kiwi

27-Aug-10, 03:31pm

If you download mp3 then burn as cd tracks to play out, then you would need a format shift license, or whatever it is called

Can someone confirm this? I’ve never heard of this before…damn near every DJ in the country does this, I’m sure I can’t be the only one who hasn’t heard of this?

If you’re allowed to make a backup, why can the MP3 on your HDD not be considered a “backup”, the CD is the medium you play it on?

Does this change in relation to playing off a DVS system?

Funkedub

27-Aug-10, 03:44pm

i don't care ... as long as i'm playing music i've paid for i figure i'm legit

It's just money grabbing from APRA for the most part

macc4

27-Aug-10, 04:33pm

Can someone confirm this?

http://www.inthemix.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=221743&highlight=format+shift+license

I wouldn't have a clue as to details, or if it is enforced

m_xt

27-Aug-10, 10:51pm

http://www.inthemix.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=221743&highlight=format+shift+license

I wouldn't have a clue as to details, or if it is enforced

I think what ur referring to is transfering cd's or lp's to a database, that would require a liscence to format shift. It is legal for personal use to format shift an mp's to use on cd or ipod or whatevs. The usage of digital downloads is up to the individual site, so i guess ur point remains tru, that u cant use beatport or other downloads to dj out with. Tho in reality what record companies that exist on beatport would be covered by Aria? unless ur downloading commercial or very popular stuff.

clubdj

28-Aug-10, 01:16am

whoever said it first about facebook was the most correct.

venues will give you a shot at headliner night or slot, if you promise to bring 100 of your mates.

everyone will come the first time, because you will makeout like its gonna be 'the best' night ever. but then if its not they'll never believe you again, and sooner or later they will get sick of your invites on fb and just ignore them and you will be stuck like a salesmen, not being able to have a conversation with anyone without bringing up how they 'should come to your next gig'

this approach will get you straight to stardom pretty quick, but you will fall down pretty quickly when your only 'rep' is your crowd.

my advice, would be to pick something you REALLY want to do music wise, and do it to the max. if a gig books you but then tries to tell you wat to play cancel. this way will take longer to climb but you will be enjoying your work and your friends will admire you rather than regretting they ever FB added you.

and i still haven't met a DJ in sydney who made it anywhere producing, its like one of those things (imo) that everyone whos doing says to do cas they are doing it and it will feel better if everyone does it (kinda like weed in high school)

good luck tho bro, and be sure to buzz me when your kinda setup I might be able to hook u up with something if your niche is within my contacts. oh and on that note, its not what you know its who you know. it sucks!

Kaesien

29-Aug-10, 11:34pm

What genre do you mix ? Do you produce also ? Do you have any mates who are promoters? also chuck a mix up on here man

Well there's certainly some.... interesting ideas on here.

Kaesien is the name I have chosen to use.

I mainly stick to house and also dabble a little into progressive and D&B.

I've been playing around a little with a few different programs (mainly fruity loops, ACID Pro and Ableton) but until I start getting a few gigs and time in clubs, production isn't at the top of my list of priorities at this point.

Here's a demo I did for Pang! which is one of the big promoters in Canberra.

http://soundcloud.com/kaesien/pang-demo

Wowk

30-Aug-10, 02:20am

Lol at the DJ The Crystal Method having the audacity to complain about someone else being a shit DJ.

Digitalgrub

01-Sep-10, 09:01pm

Kaesien, I checked out you mix. It's pretty cool, with tight mixing, but I reckon you should load up another mix as well that is a lot less 'peak time'. This kind of mix is the sort of thing you hear at 2 or 3 am in Lot 33 or Academy but when you first start they are gonna want you (and me because I've just started Djing as well) to play some deeper more driving stuff earlier in the night. No ones gonna want to be going off to banger after banger at 10pm, and it will leave the next three DJs with nothing to play; no what I mean?

By all means have a couple of hit anthems and a few bangers, but slow it down a bit, let the set build up gradualy with longer (and often older) tracks before dropping those key anthems at the end. That's when you pass it over to the resident DJs, as the crowd is hyped for some harder stuff. Even 'Kissy Sell Out' who is well known for the ravey electro stuff lets the earlier part of his sets build slowly (this is with fast music btw) before the drop that sends the dancefloor nuts. You always have a feer beers before you do some shots...it's the same with dance music.

Hope that wasn't patronising though mate, I'm new to all this too, but just passing off the advice I've been given. See you at the next open deck night at Lot!

Kaesien

02-Oct-10, 04:16pm

Digitalgrub

07-Oct-10, 08:48pm

Sounding good!