Today’s DJ should…
- Know how to creatively use Midi controllers –
Turntables and vinyl-only DJs are a thing of the past. As you sit there
contemplating how to get going, the best thing you can do for yourself
is to get yourself a Midi controller and learn how to use it properly –
and this isn’t tied to just DJ controllers, either. With technology
improving and moving at such a fast pace, the ability to create dynamic
and live remixes has become the de facto standard of today’s
top DJs. I personally am using Ableton Live with a Novation Launchpad to
accompany my turntables along with Serato to scratch, to create
multi-layer live remixes. How are you planning on using modern gear to
make your sets that bit different from the rest?
- Become an expert at networking online – Back when I
started DJing (I bought my first turntables at Guitar Center and I
still have the receipt!), the internet had only just really taken off.
Yahoo! was still the premier search engine and AOL was still popular.
Now, with the advance of the internet and all the technologies at our
disposal, the web has allowed us to share our music and sounds around
the world. Knowing how to leverage what is out there – Facebook,
SoundCloud, Google+ and of course blogs and forums like this one – to
share your work and get help from others is both how you get better and
how you build a fanbase
- Learn how to remix and mash up – The days of just
mixing two songs together are over. Today’s DJ has to know a lot about
mashing up, remixing and even producing, to be in any way serious about
being a professional. Software packages such as Audacity, Pro Tools,
Cubase, Ableton and Reason allow DJs to mix, remix, and produce music to
the next level, differentiating themselves from other DJs. After all,
any DJ can just play a song straight, but is that how you are going to
be different? Get serious about making your own music, even if it’s just
mashing up, if you are serious about your DJ career
- Get obsessed with learning other types of equipment
– You might be extremely comfortable with your set-up, whether it’s
Serato or Traktor with turntables, a DJ controller, or whatever, but
it’s always important to diversify your knowledge of DJ tools and
equipment. After all, understanding what’s out there and the resources
you have available to you will keep you trying new ideas and remaining
innovative in your DJ sets. Plus, you never know when you’re going to be
called to DJ on another type of gear. Remember that good DJs can DJ on
anything
- Perform the music, not just play it – Everybody’s a
DJ these days. It’s true. People download free software, mix some songs
and yes, they can technically call themselves DJs. In my opinion a
“good” DJ is more than a DJ who just plays the music, rather someone who
performs it. Think about the popular DJs such as Tiesto, David Guetta,
Avicii and so on – they don’t stand there like a robot and play tunes.
They are actively engaged in the music physically and emotionally. If
you’re DJing and just looking like a robot, you’ve got to change. It’s
not enough nowadays
So – do you agree with me? Have I left anything out? Are you a
new DJ diligently trying to learn skills such as these? Or are you an
old skool DJ who thinks none of this is important at all? Please let me
know your thoughts in the comments.
