Any tips to a newcoming DJ?

[Yivyn]

I wanna start doin' Audio Portal music and I need some tips and advice. Anyone know n e thing I should know?

[Erkie]

Don't take things too seriously, don't let anyone get you down. Take advice, even from idiots.

[SpamWarrior]

Firstly, using copyrighted samples is not allowed. I know, you'd only put you're work up so people can give constructive criticism, but thats the way it is.

Look for free samples off the net to learn mixing with, there are plenty of free instrument samples available.

Next get a time stretching programme, this feature is in Sony Acid Pro, also Wavelab, i think by steinberg. I dont currently know of any free or cheaper programmes.

Learn the correct relative velocitys for each track.

With these programmes you can time stretch. Firstly get them in time, and find a hook or melody. Mix it with different bits til you get what you think sounds good.

If something roughly fits, yet the tempo's and melodys do actually blend, there is a sound clash. Some people like to leave these in as an interesting effect, (ie aphex, tho his is programmed and more controlled), but they do not make for smooth phrases, unless looped perhaps.

So find an equaliser effect, and play with it till it sounds good. If bits of it change, you'll be wanting to use equaliser envelopes to change the amounts and places of equalising in the sound scale.

Also, throw some effects in, play with them.

[DjLynchmobKillAthens]

Dj hey.... just don't overlook good oldfassion manual sequencing!

[SpamWarrior]

True, sequencing can make some very cool stuff. But then he'd be a musician, not a dj. Unless.....

As i understand it, people who are called dj's do the following things

1. Play records from major artists. Depending on the venue, can be bland or extreme music.

2. Vinyl masters. These either work alone, remixing, or remix with an artist, usually a hip hop/rap type artist.

3. Digital dj's, similar to vinyl masters but use pc's and sequencing.

and 4, those who dont care for convention and play what they like, taking whatever parts they like.

I'm not sure what qualifications and skills you need to be the first type. You'd need to be able to follow the trends and spot incoming ones, and invest in your music collection accordingly. Following the trends and spotting can be done just by listening, though a less instinctive and more canny artist will take note of requests.

2. You need a set of decks, a mixer, and a talent for it. I'm not sure how many decks its possible to use at the same time.

3. A pc, mixing programme like acid pro and an ear for possibilities. Its like vinyl mixing, but not. With acid you can try mixing in the style of decks, with the tracks lowering in pitch as they slow down, or stretch them to stay the same pitch at different tempos, or just leave them intact, without touching them and stretch others to fit to them.

4. Will chop and choose from 2 and 3, do some sequencing and programming as well, and probably use a digital sequencer and mixer, as opposed to the type of recording and mixing equipment instrumentalists use.

However aphex twin, who both does dj sets and his own material recently made all his latest work on analogue equipment, like oldskool synth and drum machines.

The possibilities are up to you and your budget.

If i'm wrong on anything, anyone, i'm glad to be corrected.

[Erkie]

The man is ready, and just wants advice, not a DJ School.

But you are correct, I do not call myself a Disc Jockey because I don't have a live aspect, or rip from vynil.

[SpamWarrior]

LOL @ erkie, its me who's in the school, i was seeing if my general knowledge was right. Thanks for telling me i was, even if it was in a brusque manner :)

[Pandora-Tranquil]

a dj and somone making music is totally different things, half the time DJ's don even know how to make music, all they do is mix songs together and optimize sometimes (and tweak)

[CFP]

my advise
1-get fruity loop (fl studio) u can purchase it or dl it on emule
fl ispretty good for newcomer

2-keep praticing and show your song to your friend and ask them how they liked it and what should i do to made my song better.