getting started (i want to be a nightclub dj )

[sleepyhead408]

i have seen a dj at a club with a dj controller...

[melo477]

I would atleast practice for 1 year ( I gonna practice 2 years or longer ) before you start djing for real.

[trancedj77]

some good things said in this vid but, about the beat matching part...unfortunately, it's beginning to be a thing of the past. Just look up names like Richie Hawtin, who use sync and midi controllers (very expensive ones, but still midi controllers).

[A1partydjs]

no doubt about its more about the music than beatmatching , the more ppl that wake up to this the better.

[pierbover]

He's right that any deck of cds is good for starting, and that it will train your ear and beatmatching skills.... BUT Midi djing is the future, in 10 years nobody will spin on cds/vinyls anymore.

[xsquid99]

Sasha has been using Ableton FOR YEARS and nobody seems to have an issue with that. If a guy wants to learn to DJ using software and a midi controller I think he should go right ahead.

[DjGulio]

If you wanna seriously get into it and become a good dj then you would need to invest a little money and even if you get used equipment, just get the best you can. Ask any dj and they will tell you that quality is king, if your ass is on the line. You don't want your equipment to stop or skip or just not work as hard as your willing to work. And places also offer finance options so you can get 0 % for 12 months and pay off the equipment slowly, as you work. Options are there, just find them.

[cfmcconville]

look on ebay make sure you read the desciption i picked up 2 gemini mx40 for £200 and a gemini cs02 5 cannel mixer for£102 that just over £300 for pro gear that wont fall apart after a week don't impulse buy wait something will come around thats what your looking for

[PSI236]

not really at £1300

[DjGulio]

check out numark ns7...works very well and can be a greater starter tool....

[DudasMiska]

Yea nice vid, but how can you say that Midi is not suitable for the disco...look at PVD, what he does with midi is just INCREDIBLE, its just such a pleasure to go to his sets and their incredibly powerful...You could be working in a disco and take your laptop, cds and midi controller Id think...

[A1partydjs]

this is advice to a brand new dj, if u wanna learn how to mix and understand how a song is constructed , u must learn on cds. its not a video about wats good to use in clubs.

[DudasMiska]

yea I got that but why would you say its not good to use midi then in the disco

[A1partydjs]

its just not accepted down here, ppl want djs to be djs . when i use traktor scratch , other dj say. gees u dont even need headphones, but u and me both know u do. they just dont get it, one day it will turn around . soon im thinking coz the cdj 2000 is basically a pc with a cdj attached. but what do u say to a new dj go and get a midi controller to learn how to beatmatch. i can teach my grandmother to beatmatch on a midi in ten minutes.

[mgband]

Thank you for this... Thank you so so so much. You have said EVERYTHING I was always thinking.

Not saying that Midi, or mixing programs are bad, I am saying that if you really want to learn how to be a proper DJ, as opposed to a nerd infront of a computer with a fairly respectable music collection, then you need to stay away from the 'Sync' button.

Learning how to beatmatch manually helps a new DJ in ways that are hard to describe, but I recommend that to any new DJ.

[A1partydjs]

spot on m8, im the same, im not saying midi is bad, but its better to learn , by not watching a computer screen.

[KizzaKhaz]

Traktor Scratch has a mode where I'm not able to see a beatgrid, right? Like, Scratch mode or something, no? The only reason I ask is because my budget couldn't possibly fit in the cost of a CDJ setup. The price on 'em = ridiculous. The turntable and Traktor is a bit more within my price range.

[KizzaKhaz]

Hey John, would Traktor scratch, two belt driven turn tables, and a couple of time coded vinyls work out well for a beginning DJ? I've been using a midi controller lately, and I hate it.

[A1partydjs]

my point here was to suggest to ppl who want to learn to beatmix, is not to do it with a visual, because u still just watch for the beatgrip and push play , and match the beatgrid , u dont count beats or bars , or listen for the breaks , once u learn how music is constructed , then move on to someting else.. btw i use TRAKTOR Scratch , i luv it.

[KizzaKhaz]

Well, my budget doesn't really permit me to get a CDJ setup. I've checked on the prices, they're ridiculous. Traktor Scratch has a Scratch mode where I can practice without matching a beatgrid, right?

[mrdj5150]

good to see u on here again :)

[cary1130]

is it too late to start at 30 to be a Dj....?

[A1partydjs]

not really, might be hard getting a nightclub gig tho. most places prerfere 18 to 25 . but hey im 40. still clubbing. but i started when i was 15

[traderpete007]

I also agree with the posters about midi controllers being more than most think. I have a few digital rigs - one with Virtual DJ another with Serato and both work great with my Denon HD2500 in MIDI mode. It can also play out the timecodes in mp3... but why?

[discodjking]

Some great advice there but i still love my midi controller.

[Mijolnier]

way to go john i totally agree i first got stated on a pair of Gemini cdj-02 really basic and affordable, perfect for learning on i became quite proficient at beatmatching within a week and my first mixer cost me $20 US midi is convenient but most people rely on the program their running to help them beatmatch, u still need to learn the basics if your ever going to go anywhere in the industry

[mastermc789]

John don't you know that alot of the new cdj's have midi functionality ? So how can you say that it's not a good idea to use midi. Your totally wrong because midi is the future or else why not use turntables instead of cd players ?

[A1partydjs]

i recon u need to learn on cds first, other wise it becomes visual , know wat i mean?? then u can go onto other things,

[mastermc789]

ya but if you say learn on cd's...then the real way is to learn on vinyl if you want a dj to learn basics

[mastermc789]

i learned on vinyl first not cd's...cd's was the next step

[mgband]

I agree 110%. You need to learn the fundamentals, then you can go easier. But if you miss the fundamentals of mixing, then you will always be a crap DJ.

[bigjjrams]

CD'S SUCK

[jasperibe]

Truthful, honest response John. I am with you, there is a lot of time wasted in the "what brand of ...." should I get type of questions!!! And am glad you brought it back to the basics, and to learn the art of beat-mixing.

[JackDooner]

You can still beat mix with midi controllers........

[A1partydjs]

i know, but its just not accepted here . yet.

[LouigiVerona]

I do not agree at all. Today MIDI controllers are fine for night clubs, really. Look at Richie Hawtin.

[A1partydjs]

here in melb , its still not accepted, but im sure when the cdj2000, get installed in clubs , ppl will embrace the new technology. tiesto and van burren , when they dj a big events use cd players still

[FrankyLeeJones]

Van Buuren just changed from Vinyl to CD in 2003 i think. I think He'll still wait a bit with the next step into the Virtual Djing without any Mediums

[A1partydjs]

might be fine , but not accepted here in melbourne. ppl think it cheating , i dont agree, but thats wat ppl think down here

[FrankyLeeJones]

You can't compare Richie Hawtin with a Standart Night Club DJ. And Richie has expierence with Vinyl

[JackDooner]

It doesn't matter, they still use midi controllers.... Doesn't matter if its live act or not cuz its still a midi controller running software.... There is no difference between timecode cd's and a midi controller. Timecodes are only for cdj's without midi function.

Search Nygel36 on youtube, he uses midi controllers for his club set's, look at his gig log's...

[LouigiVerona]

I do not see how Traktor Studio with auto beat sync and beat grids has anything to do with vinyl experience, really. If you saw how Hawtin works, you know that he is happy to focus on effects and doing an interesting set and doing various tricks and leaving the sync to the computer.

I understand how knowing a vinyl situation can be a really good experience, but time moves on and I do not think it is any necessity.

[JackDooner]

John i disagree... it depends on the type of controller. if its a hercules with a built in mixer, its not good for a club. But if its a pro Allen & Heath Xone 1D or something then it would be club worthy. Look at richie Hawtin & Deadmau5, they depend on midi controllers for their whole sets

[A1partydjs]

van burren and tiesto when they came out here used cds. djs here just wont go down that path of midi... . im just saying to learn first use cds.

[JackDooner]

Yeye i know, thats cool, its your opinion. But what in 10 or 12 years, there probably wont be anything else other than midi controllers.... I'm even getting a midi controller next month =P I've used vinyl and cd's and now software, i got traktor pro so I'm ok ;)

Search Nygel36 on youtube, watch his club gig log's.. he uses a midi controller for his club sets.....

thanks ;)

[FrankyLeeJones]

you can't compare Hawtin and Deadmau5 because Deadmau5 is a liveact

[xsquid99]

Hawtins sets are just as "live" as Deadmau5's pre-recorded tracks that he plays.

[ragazzohilbert]

made me think ure ever more retarded a few seconds later

[ragazzohilbert]

loltard

[mike71flores]

pick the top dj's in the world, they all use midi controllers. MIDI controllers can do the same thing as CD players and more at half the price.

I've seen tons of clubs in the US with a MIDI controller and a laptop. look at the new Pioneer cd players...guess what ? they are MIDI CONTROLLERS!!

[A1partydjs]

ye but to learn the art of beatmixing , start with cds, otherwise it becomes visual. btw dont forget we r about 2 years behind in technology here ;) btw when van burren was here this year , he used cds. no1 dj

[partymastersdj]

Great Realistic Comments... Start as a Mobile DJ... Get Experience.. Watch Youtube Videos... And Practice

[FrankyLeeJones]

There are Many Famous DJs using Midi Controllers like Richie Hawtin, Carl Cox ore Chris Liebing. But one thing they have together is that they have expereince with vinyl. They just went the Digital way b/c the have more creative options there.

So 1 important thing is lern to Beatmatch andhow to DJ with CDs/Vinyl. If you are good in this you can change back to MIDI, beacause there are more options. But you have to Know how Music works, the built up and stuff,and you lern that easyif you beatmatch

[A1partydjs]

thank you that is spot on. well said

[ETDHanalei]

lol harsh comments. I think john is being real about it. If u think about it, how many dudes are out there djing on their computers and dubbing themselves as "djs"? a lot!!! (including me at one stage). i'm not saying their not djs, but sometimes u just gotta step it up and show u stand out alittle more. I learned so much from djing on a computer, but took the next step of getting real decks and mixer. got a job in a club at 18 now 19 and am learning heaps! Keep the vids coming john!!

[DJStereoTypical]

Most nightclubs over here in the UK use laptop based software now........cd's and vinyl are almost a thing of the past

[KnoCantMix]

lol correct. i started out with a midi controller.

if it has a sync button, get a hammer and smash it :) haha