Are you a Microwave DJ?

['Magic' Juan]

Found this to be an interesting read and thought I would share ...

-------------------------------------------------------

Microwave DJs

Jan 1, 2008 By Ean Golden
<!--endclickprintinclude--><!--begin page--><!--startclickprintinclude--><!--begin image-->http://remixmag.com/mag/801no_respect.gif

<!--end image--><!--begin paragraph-->
Have you ever introduced your sister to a buddy and then ended up regretting it for years to come? That's how I feel sometimes about DJing. It's beginning to feel like 1998 again when everyone owned a pair of decks and was convinced they were definitely a better DJ than Paul Oakenfold. The club scene is officially in the midst of a nu-dance, nu-rave revival that is looking more and more like the '90s every day. With another Clinton running for the hot seat, all we need is a reunion tour of Technotronic, and then it's all Girbauds and fat pants from there. And that's not even the scary part.
<!--end paragraph--><!--begin paragraph-->What's worrisome is what has happened to the quality of DJs. The situation has gotten bad enough that a new term has risen from the flame wars frequently scorching the Serato Scratch Live forums. “Microwave DJ” is a term applied to anyone who has not “paid their dues,” but because they own a laptop and thousands of MP3s, they are now qualified to play in a club. This, of course, threatens the old-school cats who spent 10 years and thousands of dollars honing their craft — as well it should. The game is changing fast, and DJing as we know it is appropriately morphing into the Internet age. The trouble is not with the technology itself but with new DJs taking technology shortcuts and failing to learn the crucial aspects of the craft.

<!--end paragraph-->A STAR IS BORN

<!--begin paragraph-->Let me give you one shining example of this common pitfall. About four years ago, an acquaintance started DJing with popular DJ software that performs the arduous task of beat matching for you, albeit not always so well. This particular individual was genuinely proud of the fact that after only six months, he was being booked to play clubs all over Brazil. During one of my first tours there, he opened for me at a major nightclub, and the resulting sonic mess was sadly predictable. Even though the software was able to match up the songs 60 percent of the time, he was not able to tell that everything else was completely off. Technology had fast-tracked the learning curve, and his ears did not get the chance to become properly trained.
<!--end paragraph--><!--begin paragraph-->Mix timing is not the only casualty when a newcomer opts out of DJ basic training. During the years that it takes most people to learn, hone and subsequently improve their craft, normally their tastes grow and get more critically focused. That applies to all arts, including the simple task of playing music in a club. Without that crucial time it takes to train the ears musically and rhythmically, a DJ is really not ready to hold the reins of a proper dancefloor.

<!--end paragraph-->INST-O-MATIC MUSIC

<!--begin paragraph-->You really can't place all the blame on the DJ — it's a bad combination of several wrong ingredients that turned sour when placed in the sun for hours. Consider this formula: × [bad taste] = bad music. When the Hype Machine (www.hypem.com (http://www.hypem.com/)) and other music blog aggregators showed up, it was basically the Second Coming for DJs. Seemingly endless supplies of unreleased, one-of-a-kind remixes stretched out for days, promising fresh new music as long as the Internet bill was paid. This was in the “early days” (one year ago in modern technology time), so the smaller music blogs had not yet become the major tastemakers that they are today. Submissions were fewer, and the bloggers seemed to try to outdo each other with the hottest cuts they could dig up. Then it caught on like wildfire and everyone with a few MP3s and Ableton Live started pumping out carbon-copy remixes based on the latest submicro-genre fad. Conveniently, these fads implode after a month, but with each death a more horrendous one seems to grow from its still-warm ashes. [Nonexistent music training + zero filter] × [unlimited distribution] = endless supply of bad micro-genres.

<!--end paragraph-->[B]FOR BEST RESULTS

<!--begin paragraph-->Now before anyone gets too insulted, let me reiterate that blogosphere and the new world of DJing are wonderful things. We are in an exciting time when digital DJ technology, broader access to music and the proliferation of music blogs has resulted in a second honeymoon for music lovers everywhere — no complaints there. It just seems a little more restraint on the part of the DJ and bloggers everywhere might improve the uncharted terrain of this new musical frontier. Just because you can post or play anything does not mean you should. The final layer of quality control, nightclub bookers, also seems to be losing to the laws of the free market. From a promoter standpoint, it's quite simple: Why should I pay you all that money when this guy over here will play for next to nothing? The common excuse: Sure, his mixes might be a bit messy 80 percent of the time, but the crowd is piss drunk. Who really notices anyway?
<!--end paragraph--><!--begin paragraph-->When you blend all the conditions together, it's no surprise that the established veterans are up in arms about Microwave DJs taking their hard-earned gigs. It's enough to almost throw in the towel and start a jam band. Maybe that's why it's such a breath of fresh air hanging out in Berlin, where the status quo is pure minimal predominantly played on 12-inch vinyl by a seasoned DJ crop. Yes, it almost sounds like this could be the incredibly tired “nothing sounds like vinyl, man” debate. Well, it's not: Digital technology rules. I personally switched over five years ago without a single regret. Blogs and MP3s have revived a dying music industry, and it's great that so many people have access to DJ technology. Unfortunately, I just kind of wish I hadn't introduced it to my little sister because next week I am going to have to open for her epic rave-rap-electro-rock-ghetto-tech-favella-crunk set.

[OneMasterMixer]

Found this to be an interesting read and thought I would share ...

-------------------------------------------------------

Microwave DJs

Jan 1, 2008 By Ean Golden
<!--endclickprintinclude--><!--begin page--><!--startclickprintinclude--><!--begin image-->http://remixmag.com/mag/801no_respect.gif

<!--end image--><!--begin paragraph-->
Have you ever introduced your sister to a buddy and then ended up regretting it for years to come? That's how I feel sometimes about DJing. It's beginning to feel like 1998 again when everyone owned a pair of decks and was convinced they were definitely a better DJ than Paul Oakenfold. The club scene is officially in the midst of a nu-dance, nu-rave revival that is looking more and more like the '90s every day. With another Clinton running for the hot seat, all we need is a reunion tour of Technotronic, and then it's all Girbauds and fat pants from there. And that's not even the scary part.
<!--end paragraph--><!--begin paragraph-->What's worrisome is what has happened to the quality of DJs. The situation has gotten bad enough that a new term has risen from the flame wars frequently scorching the Serato Scratch Live forums. “Microwave DJ” is a term applied to anyone who has not “paid their dues,” but because they own a laptop and thousands of MP3s, they are now qualified to play in a club. This, of course, threatens the old-school cats who spent 10 years and thousands of dollars honing their craft — as well it should. The game is changing fast, and DJing as we know it is appropriately morphing into the Internet age. The trouble is not with the technology itself but with new DJs taking technology shortcuts and failing to learn the crucial aspects of the craft.

<!--end paragraph-->A STAR IS BORN

<!--begin paragraph-->Let me give you one shining example of this common pitfall. About four years ago, an acquaintance started DJing with popular DJ software that performs the arduous task of beat matching for you, albeit not always so well. This particular individual was genuinely proud of the fact that after only six months, he was being booked to play clubs all over Brazil. During one of my first tours there, he opened for me at a major nightclub, and the resulting sonic mess was sadly predictable. Even though the software was able to match up the songs 60 percent of the time, he was not able to tell that everything else was completely off. Technology had fast-tracked the learning curve, and his ears did not get the chance to become properly trained.
<!--end paragraph--><!--begin paragraph-->Mix timing is not the only casualty when a newcomer opts out of DJ basic training. During the years that it takes most people to learn, hone and subsequently improve their craft, normally their tastes grow and get more critically focused. That applies to all arts, including the simple task of playing music in a club. Without that crucial time it takes to train the ears musically and rhythmically, a DJ is really not ready to hold the reins of a proper dancefloor.

<!--end paragraph-->INST-O-MATIC MUSIC

<!--begin paragraph-->You really can't place all the blame on the DJ — it's a bad combination of several wrong ingredients that turned sour when placed in the sun for hours. Consider this formula: × [bad taste] = bad music. When the Hype Machine (www.hypem.com (http://www.hypem.com/)) and other music blog aggregators showed up, it was basically the Second Coming for DJs. Seemingly endless supplies of unreleased, one-of-a-kind remixes stretched out for days, promising fresh new music as long as the Internet bill was paid. This was in the “early days” (one year ago in modern technology time), so the smaller music blogs had not yet become the major tastemakers that they are today. Submissions were fewer, and the bloggers seemed to try to outdo each other with the hottest cuts they could dig up. Then it caught on like wildfire and everyone with a few MP3s and Ableton Live started pumping out carbon-copy remixes based on the latest submicro-genre fad. Conveniently, these fads implode after a month, but with each death a more horrendous one seems to grow from its still-warm ashes. [Nonexistent music training + zero filter] × [unlimited distribution] = endless supply of bad micro-genres.

<!--end paragraph-->[B]FOR BEST RESULTS

<!--begin paragraph-->Now before anyone gets too insulted, let me reiterate that blogosphere and the new world of DJing are wonderful things. We are in an exciting time when digital DJ technology, broader access to music and the proliferation of music blogs has resulted in a second honeymoon for music lovers everywhere — no complaints there. It just seems a little more restraint on the part of the DJ and bloggers everywhere might improve the uncharted terrain of this new musical frontier. Just because you can post or play anything does not mean you should. The final layer of quality control, nightclub bookers, also seems to be losing to the laws of the free market. From a promoter standpoint, it's quite simple: Why should I pay you all that money when this guy over here will play for next to nothing? The common excuse: Sure, his mixes might be a bit messy 80 percent of the time, but the crowd is piss drunk. Who really notices anyway?
<!--end paragraph--><!--begin paragraph-->When you blend all the conditions together, it's no surprise that the established veterans are up in arms about Microwave DJs taking their hard-earned gigs. It's enough to almost throw in the towel and start a jam band. Maybe that's why it's such a breath of fresh air hanging out in Berlin, where the status quo is pure minimal predominantly played on 12-inch vinyl by a seasoned DJ crop. Yes, it almost sounds like this could be the incredibly tired “nothing sounds like vinyl, man” debate. Well, it's not: Digital technology rules. I personally switched over five years ago without a single regret. Blogs and MP3s have revived a dying music industry, and it's great that so many people have access to DJ technology. Unfortunately, I just kind of wish I hadn't introduced it to my little sister because next week I am going to have to open for her epic rave-rap-electro-rock-ghetto-tech-favella-crunk set.


Well Put

[Daryl]

...and then it's all Girbauds

i can deal with this - Antique & Brand X for me!!!

[DJJM3.COM]

Found this to be an interesting read and thought I would share ...

The common excuse: Sure, his mixes might be a bit messy 80 percent of the time, but the crowd is piss drunk. Who really notices anyway?

I heard this in a few circles.....and the person who said it would really surprise you...

[dj joey joe]

I didn't mind when people were getting into buying vinyl and wanting to experience the "wanna-be-dj" status with their friends & what not but now that the main format for most is mp3's.

So now instead of going to buy cds kats are now just downloading singles & have a million mp3s on their laptops and iPods and finding programs to mix with them instead of actually buying records or cds these days.

What's weird is there is this club that usually has a EDM and Punk crowd, well on their Friday nights they have this themed night titled "iPop Night" which this kat plays disco, edm mash-ups of 80's rock, and new pop & rap but instead of a turntable he uses an iPod & a CDJ, but the sad part is he doesn't blend or mix he just plays one track after the other half the time he just puts his iPod on random, let it play, while not even in the dance area :jpshakehead: and that's there biggest night as far as crowds go.

[DJ GOLD D]

Thank you
I'm more like brick oven DJ.


Found this to be an interesting read and thought I would share ...

-------------------------------------------------------

Microwave DJs

Jan 1, 2008 By Ean Golden
<!--endclickprintinclude--><!--begin page--><!--startclickprintinclude--><!--begin image-->http://remixmag.com/mag/801no_respect.gif

<!--end image--><!--begin paragraph-->
Have you ever introduced your sister to a buddy and then ended up regretting it for years to come? That's how I feel sometimes about DJing. It's beginning to feel like 1998 again when everyone owned a pair of decks and was convinced they were definitely a better DJ than Paul Oakenfold. The club scene is officially in the midst of a nu-dance, nu-rave revival that is looking more and more like the '90s every day. With another Clinton running for the hot seat, all we need is a reunion tour of Technotronic, and then it's all Girbauds and fat pants from there. And that's not even the scary part.
<!--end paragraph--><!--begin paragraph-->What's worrisome is what has happened to the quality of DJs. The situation has gotten bad enough that a new term has risen from the flame wars frequently scorching the Serato Scratch Live forums. “Microwave DJ” is a term applied to anyone who has not “paid their dues,” but because they own a laptop and thousands of MP3s, they are now qualified to play in a club. This, of course, threatens the old-school cats who spent 10 years and thousands of dollars honing their craft — as well it should. The game is changing fast, and DJing as we know it is appropriately morphing into the Internet age. The trouble is not with the technology itself but with new DJs taking technology shortcuts and failing to learn the crucial aspects of the craft.

<!--end paragraph-->A STAR IS BORN

<!--begin paragraph-->Let me give you one shining example of this common pitfall. About four years ago, an acquaintance started DJing with popular DJ software that performs the arduous task of beat matching for you, albeit not always so well. This particular individual was genuinely proud of the fact that after only six months, he was being booked to play clubs all over Brazil. During one of my first tours there, he opened for me at a major nightclub, and the resulting sonic mess was sadly predictable. Even though the software was able to match up the songs 60 percent of the time, he was not able to tell that everything else was completely off. Technology had fast-tracked the learning curve, and his ears did not get the chance to become properly trained.
<!--end paragraph--><!--begin paragraph-->Mix timing is not the only casualty when a newcomer opts out of DJ basic training. During the years that it takes most people to learn, hone and subsequently improve their craft, normally their tastes grow and get more critically focused. That applies to all arts, including the simple task of playing music in a club. Without that crucial time it takes to train the ears musically and rhythmically, a DJ is really not ready to hold the reins of a proper dancefloor.

<!--end paragraph-->INST-O-MATIC MUSIC

<!--begin paragraph-->You really can't place all the blame on the DJ — it's a bad combination of several wrong ingredients that turned sour when placed in the sun for hours. Consider this formula: × [bad taste] = bad music. When the Hype Machine (www.hypem.com (http://www.hypem.com/)) and other music blog aggregators showed up, it was basically the Second Coming for DJs. Seemingly endless supplies of unreleased, one-of-a-kind remixes stretched out for days, promising fresh new music as long as the Internet bill was paid. This was in the “early days” (one year ago in modern technology time), so the smaller music blogs had not yet become the major tastemakers that they are today. Submissions were fewer, and the bloggers seemed to try to outdo each other with the hottest cuts they could dig up. Then it caught on like wildfire and everyone with a few MP3s and Ableton Live started pumping out carbon-copy remixes based on the latest submicro-genre fad. Conveniently, these fads implode after a month, but with each death a more horrendous one seems to grow from its still-warm ashes. [Nonexistent music training + zero filter] × [unlimited distribution] = endless supply of bad micro-genres.

<!--end paragraph-->[B]FOR BEST RESULTS

<!--begin paragraph-->Now before anyone gets too insulted, let me reiterate that blogosphere and the new world of DJing are wonderful things. We are in an exciting time when digital DJ technology, broader access to music and the proliferation of music blogs has resulted in a second honeymoon for music lovers everywhere — no complaints there. It just seems a little more restraint on the part of the DJ and bloggers everywhere might improve the uncharted terrain of this new musical frontier. Just because you can post or play anything does not mean you should. The final layer of quality control, nightclub bookers, also seems to be losing to the laws of the free market. From a promoter standpoint, it's quite simple: Why should I pay you all that money when this guy over here will play for next to nothing? The common excuse: Sure, his mixes might be a bit messy 80 percent of the time, but the crowd is piss drunk. Who really notices anyway?
<!--end paragraph--><!--begin paragraph-->When you blend all the conditions together, it's no surprise that the established veterans are up in arms about Microwave DJs taking their hard-earned gigs. It's enough to almost throw in the towel and start a jam band. Maybe that's why it's such a breath of fresh air hanging out in Berlin, where the status quo is pure minimal predominantly played on 12-inch vinyl by a seasoned DJ crop. Yes, it almost sounds like this could be the incredibly tired “nothing sounds like vinyl, man” debate. Well, it's not: Digital technology rules. I personally switched over five years ago without a single regret. Blogs and MP3s have revived a dying music industry, and it's great that so many people have access to DJ technology. Unfortunately, I just kind of wish I hadn't introduced it to my little sister because next week I am going to have to open for her epic rave-rap-electro-rock-ghetto-tech-favella-crunk set.

[JimmyEllis]

Very well written article.

Were did you find this?
and thanks for posting.

[Charliee]

I get switched off everytime i walk into a spot & c kats playing frm a lap top the WHOLE nite.

Makes u wanna step up, toss that piece to the floor & stomp on it.

Pay attention, keep ur eyes on the floor & not on the damn screen fool.

Rant over.

[Martin Red]

Now before anyone gets too insulted


LOL, they have been insulting us all for years, let the insults commence.


Great read Juan :)

[Martin Red]

keep ur eyes on the floor & not on the damn screen fool.


and when did nerds get a grip on human interaction, nerdy sorts spent to much time masturbating in front on a screen to actually recognise any real human emotion. Have a look in most IT departments and you will see a host of future serial killers. :)

[blackwax]

and when did nerds get a grip on human interaction, nerdy sorts spent to much time masturbating in front on a screen to actually recognise any real human emotion. Have a look in most IT departments and you will see a host of future serial killers. :)

i work in IT LOL

[Martin Red]

i work in IT LOL

haha, so do I mate

did you know left handed C+ programmers are most likely to murder a child, MUHAHHAMOOOOOhahhahaha

[Charliee]

Have a look in most IT departments and you will see a host of future serial killers. :)

:rofl:

[guy formally knwn as mfsb]

Kind of reminds me of how the old jazz purist would rant over the new kids using synths.

[Martin Red]

Kind of reminds me of how the old jazz purist would rant over the new kids using synths.

Or, how the old Jazz purists spoke about records and how we today speak of urrm records

[guy formally knwn as mfsb]

Or, how the old Jazz purists spoke about records and how we today speak of urrm records

So true. I'm just happy that I live in a city where records (old and new) are still available. I got a buddy who lives in LA and he says there are no records shops. There's one store that he mentions, where Madlib and them shop at. Says dude can get you anything. But there's a price associated with that.

[AgentDoubleA]

If you don't know how to program (to the crowd) during a set fugedahboutit!

:acclaim:

['Magic' Juan]

Very well written article.

Were did you find this?
and thanks for posting.

No problem.

Original source of article:

http://www.djtechtools.com

-M J

[MadMixer]

Found this to be an interesting read and thought I would share ...

This, of course, threatens the old-school cats who spent 10 years and thousands of dollars honing their craft — as well it should. The game is changing fast, and DJing as we know it is appropriately morphing into the Internet age.

Hahahahaha...so the old school cats started spinning in 1998? Sounds like this shit was written by some bitter muffucca who didnt step up his/her business skills.

[FK]

I get switched off everytime i walk into a spot & c kats playing frm a lap top the WHOLE nite.

Makes u wanna step up, toss that piece to the floor & stomp on it.

Pay attention, keep ur eyes on the floor & not on the damn screen fool.
Post of the Day™

Historically, it has always been the truly insightful ones who manage to put an entire category of people into the same bag,
dismissing them for whatever reason that may have been. Certainly everyone would agree that all of us who use this
kind of despicable gear merit at least that much, maybe we should also be sentence to a caning of 40 strokes, and put in for
voluntary ideological rehabilitation treatments too (at our own expense, of course, to be later reimbursed through hard labor)?

Should those who listen to this garbage also be forced into 'de-contamination' zones where competent authorities
can make sure that they are 'cured'? After all, it should be plain and obvious to any sane person how lethal it can be listening
to someone who claims to be playing 'music' in that fashion. Anyone with common sense wouldn't even call it that, just a
bunch of garbled noises which can bring serious complications if listened to for too long.

Maybe it's part of a larger hidden terrorist plot, to subvert pure American souls by playing what passes for music from
these infernal computer devices, but which contain hidden subliminal messages destined to render them incapable
of resisting 'when the day comes'?

For bringing this to our attention, I salute you.

FK

[Pang]

Post of the Day™

Historically, it has always been the truly insightful ones who manage to put an entire category of people into the same bag,
dismissing them for whatever reason that may have been. Certainly everyone would agree that all of us who use this
kind of despicable gear merit at least that much, maybe we should also be sentence to a caning of 40 strokes, and put in for
voluntary ideological rehabilitation treatments too (at our own expense, of course, to be later reimbursed through hard labor)?

Should those who listen to this garbage also be forced into 'de-contamination' zones where competent authorities
can make sure that they are 'cured'? After all, it should be plain and obvious to any sane person how lethal it can be listening
to someone who claims to be playing 'music' in that fashion. Anyone with common sense wouldn't even call it that, just a
bunch of garbled noises which can bring serious complications if listened to for too long.

Maybe it's part of a larger hidden terrorist plot, to subvert pure American souls by playing what passes for music from
these infernal computer devices, but which contain hidden subliminal messages destined to render them incapable
of resisting 'when the day comes'?

For bringing this to our attention, I salute you.

FK


I, for one, knew this was coming at some point in the thread.


Some of you really need to "think it through" before you post.

[Martin Red]

I, for one, knew this was coming at some point in the thread.


Some of you really need to "think it through" before you post.

LOL, I hope it doesn't detract from Juan's original post, which I think is pretty true.

[CG63]

haha, so do I mate

did you know left handed C+ programmers are most likely to murder a child, MUHAHHAMOOOOOhahhahaha me 2! DAMN, serial killers? LMAO
postal maybe, but not serial killer. bwaa haa

[FK]

LOL, I hope it doesn't detract from Juan's original post, which I think is pretty true.

Don't tell me that the lame-ass sorry excuses that were trying to pass themselves off for DJ's in the 70s at all of the
auditions I was going to were any different or had any more talent than today's hacks because they were spinning shiny
black discs rather than something else.

Maybe there was less people trying to be DJ's, but as far as my experience has been, the proportion of those with a total
lack of imagination, or who at best can copycat others rather than doing their own original thing probably hasn't changed
in well over 100,000 years. (yes, I've ben around for that long...LOL)

The only difference may be that in those days, songs could not easily be beat-matched as they were played live. The way
songs are manufactured today, 'assembly-line-stylee' with uniform and steady tempos could also be blamed for allowing
anyone to press play and easily get away with it.

Let's not confuse the tools and those who use them.

So now, we can also start blaming the producers who made it easy for wannabe DJ's to get away with it.

But most of all, let's keep focusing on blaming, complaining and not EVER creating anything original of our own. (which would require far more effort)
Let's make sure we never bring up how we could use this wealth of creative tools to make mind-boggling musical
creations and keep our audiences dazzled by displaying consummate and innovative mastery of our craft using them.
That is: If we bothered to take the time to learn them, understand what they can do and use that to our advantage.
Instead of aspiring to soar with the eagles, let's all just remember what it's like to stay among the turkeys.

I wish I could tell you what people like Larry Levan or Tee Scott would have given to have access to such tools
as those we have access to today.... instead of moaning, groaning, belittling and staying focused on the small,
the petty and forgettable, they'd be busy making crazy stuff with it and freaking it as it is supposed to be.

This last part I am sure of. Tee Scott was asking me to work at my studio as an intern to learn about all of these
new technologies not three weeks before he passed. The last project I worked on with Larry was edited and finished
in an early version of ProTools, (July 1992) doing tricks and fancy crossfades that would just not have been possible
with analog tape edits.

Why keep focusing on the mediocre, the dull and pedestrian, when you can use all of these tools to make your stuff shine?
One wonders, if this negative side is all people choose to rant about, it's no wonder that they are mostly unable to .... (never mind, I answered my own question)


FK

[FK]

Pay attention, keep ur eyes on the floor & not on the damn screen fool.

He says while typing with his eyes glued to his damn screen...
(don't you see the irony?...LOL)

I think that we should go further.

Let's stop connecting to the Internet, and only communicate face-to-face.

Much better.

We've all had enough of these message boards, they're for fools.

We'll just meet up at Moe's tavern next Wednesday and every Wednesday thereafter.

That'll keep it real.

FK

[Charliee]

He says while typing with his eyes glued to his damn screen...
(don't you see the irony?...LOL)

I think that we should go further.

Let's stop connecting to the Internet, and only communicate face-to-face.

Much better.

We've all had enough of these message boards, they're for fools.

We'll just meet up at Moe's tavern next Wednesday and every Wednesday thereafter.

That'll keep it real.

FK

Kool.

Moe's it is.

Remind me to bring my lap top with me so i can break it over ur head for taking my post out of context fool, errr, FK.

:wink:

[Martin Red]

Don't tell me that the lame-ass sorry excuses that were trying to pass themselves off for DJ's in the 70s at all of the
auditions I was going to were any different or had any more talent than today's hacks because they were spinning shiny
black discs rather than something else.

Maybe there was less people trying to be DJ's, but as far as my experience has been, the proportion of those with a total
lack of imagination probably hasn't changed in well over 100,000 years. (yes, I've ben around for that long...)

The only difference may be that in those days, songs could not easily be beat-matched as they were played live. The way
songs are manufactured today, 'assembly-line-stylee' with uniform and steady tempos could also be blamed for allowing
anyone to press play and easily get away with it.

Let's not confuse the tools and those who use them.

So now, we can also start blaming the producers who made it easy for wannabe DJ's to get away with it.

But most of all, let's keep focusing on blaming, complaining and not EVER creating anything original of our own. (which would require far more effort)
Let's make sure we never bring up how we could use this wealth of creative tools to make mind-boggling musical
creations and keep our audiences dazzled by displaying consummate and innovative mastery of our craft using them.
Instead of aspiring to soar with the eagles, let's all just remember what it's like to stay among the turkeys.

I wish I could tell you what people like Larry Levan or Tee Scott would have given to have access to such tools
as those we have access to today.... instead of moaning, groaning, belittling and staying focused on the small,
the petty and forgettable, they'd be busy making crazy stuff with it and freaking it as it is supposed to be.

This last part I am sure of. Tee Scott was asking me to work at my studio as an intern to learn about all of these
new technologies not three weeks before he passed. The last project I worked on with Larry was edited and finished
in an early version of ProTools, (July 1992) doing tricks and fancy crossfades that would just not have been possible
with analog tape edits.

FK

With all due respect, i disagree. In simple terms, I was born in 1969 and started DJ'ing in 1989. I could measure the stuff around from 69 - 89 and how much changed , how we moved forward progressed in those 20 years, with help to people like yourself and Tee. The music progressed and moved on all the time.


1988 - 2008 , not as nearly as much contrast, House has 500 different terms, that aint progress IMHO, just shite marketing

I do believe theat the super star DJ thing the Mags championed made sure we gathered alot of moss. That stone has vitually ground to a halt, the back has caught up with the front.


Music doesn't always move and change at the same rate, there are times of stagnentation and sometimes it jumps light years in the space of a few months.

would you say 68 - 88 was equal in change to 88 - 2008 ?

[blackwax]

very good points martin

my understanding of what FK said broken down was

stop the wining and try something different!
Instead of complaining seek out new ways get experimental

maybe when the moaning reaches a certain level and people are sooooo fed up with things it will inspire change
out of frustration can come a lot of creativity

surely that time will come soon?

[Bill Blake]

The audience doesn't care...

[blackwax]

The audience doesn't care...

wrong!

the audience cares very much (not all but a significant number)

[Pang]

The audience doesn't care...

suttle, yet profound!

[Pang]

wrong!

the audience cares very much (not all but a significant number)

Really. . .define significant?

[Sal Paradise]

FK, Killin it! I'll out Dj any of you nay sayers w/a laptop or w/vinyl. Clowns! These are all just tools, it's what's you do with em not which ones you have.

[Martin Red]

very good points martin

my understanding of what FK said broken down was

stop the wining and try something different!
Instead of complaining seek out new ways get experimental

maybe when the moaning reaches a certain level and people are sooooo fed up with things it will inspire change
out of frustration can come a lot of creativity

surely that time will come soon?


Thanks for summing up, I understand, but it used to be a little easier to get DJ work which pays for equipment when there where 10 DJ's here (most of us older UK working class heads aren't Lord Rothchild afterall) . Now when you've got 8000 DJ's the market is flooded, catch my drift mate.

Making music costs money, look at the charts and see how many rich posh silver spooned cu**s take this for granted now.


Let me go and stick some on some James Blunt or Lilly Allen and ease my mind
LOL

[Bill Blake]

FK, Killin it! I'll out Dj any of you nay sayers w/a laptop or w/vinyl. Clowns! These are all just tools, it's what's you do with em not which ones you have.

For WHO?

[Martin Red]

The audience doesn't care...




" i've met the man in the street and he's a c*nt "

[Sal Paradise]

B B

???????

[blackwax]

Thanks for summing up, I understand, but it used to be a little easier to get DJ work which pays for equipment when there where 10 DJ's here (most of us older UK working class heads aren't Lord Rothchild afterall) . Now when you've got 8000 DJ's the market is flooded, catch my drift mate.

Making music costs money, look at the charts and see how many rich posh silver spooned cu**s take this for granted now.


Let me go and stick some on some James Blunt or Lilly Allen and ease my mind
LOL

and thats the truth!

I myself did not have my own turntables untill about 4 years ago! and i have been DJing since the late 80's
I would dearly love to invest in some EFX units isolators and such like but i simply dont have the money

[blackwax]

Really. . .define significant?


I am speaking from a UK "underground" perspective

here the average deep house head has a littly savvy about them
in fact most are dj's them selves
I myself am a punter more so than a DJ these days and when certain elements are wrong like sound etc it puts me off attending a party
this is the same for most of the people i party with

[Martin Red]

The audience doesn't care...

Also, depends on the audience.


http://www.bdb.co.za/shackle/images/sheep_racing.jpg

[Bill Blake]

B B

???????

For who is all this 'good DJ' shit important to?

Who’s noticing your sound quality?
Who’s impressed by your subtle smooth mix from one song to the next?
Who’s upset that you used a laptop or a friggin Ipod for that matter to play some dance music?
Who’s in heaven noticing you programmed a musical journey now finding themselves on the far side of another sonic galaxy?

[blackwax]

For who is all this 'good DJ' shit important to?

Who’s noticing your sound quality?
Who’s impressed by your subtle smooth mix from one song to the next?
Who’s upset that you used a laptop or a friggin Ipod for that matter to play some dance music?
Who’s in heaven noticing you programmed a musical journey now finding themselves on the far side of another sonic galaxy?


so lets completely ignore those that do care and give a sub standard event so all the people that dont care will keep coming back and support

[Bill Blake]

so lets completely ignore those that do care and give a sub standard event so all the people that dont care will keep coming back and support

You mean the other 'DJs' in the room? Sure...

But you won't have to because Serato guy playing KissFM top ten for the last year will be being booked payed and liked while you're busy perfecting your sound.

[blackwax]

so now other DJ's are not alowed to come out and party?

[Bill Blake]

so now other DJ's are not alowed to come out and party?

Ha ha ha, isn't everyone a DJ now anyhoo? Wasn't that part the point of the article? Is this topic in the shape of a circle?

[Sal Paradise]

so now other DJ's are not alowed to come out and party?

not if they are going to go sour if the equipment doesn't meet there personal specs. They should stay home and do every one else a favor. I'll take skills and programming over equipment integrity any day.

[blackwax]

what goes around comes around LOL

[Bill Blake]

not if they are going to go sour if the equipment doesn't meet there personal specs. They should stay home and do every one else a favor. I'll take skills and programming over equipment integrity any day.

Spoken like a 'true dj'

[Pang]

Spoken like a 'true dj'

hehehehehe

[Chris Conrad]

once again everyone is focused on format/equipment and failed to see the other points in the article...

[blackwax]

not if they are going to go sour if the equipment doesn't meet there personal specs. They should stay home and do every one else a favor. I'll take skills and programming over equipment integrity any day.

i wasnt talking just the equipment i was talking the entire experience
venue
door policy
decor
sound
DJ
atmosphere

surely no matter how good the DJ is if the sound sucks i aint gonna dance
I want to hear the MUSIC not a load of distortion and such like
thats why i go out!

[Sal Paradise]

In this order for me

Crowd
DJ
Sound

after that, WTFC

the little extras are great and add to the collective whole of the experience. But they are never a criteria.

[Martin Red]

once again everyone is focused on format/equipment and failed to see the other points in the article...


exactly





For who is all this 'good sausage' shit important to?

Who’s noticing your sausage quality?
Who’s impressed by your subtle smooth sausage mix from one string to the next?
Who’s upset that you used a sausage machine or a friggin Isausage for that matter to make sausages?
Who’s in heaven noticing your sausage meat now finding themselves on the far side of another sausage galaxy?

[blackwax]

Lol

[FK]

once again everyone is focused on format/equipment and failed to see the other points in the article...

I do not think so... it's about programming, DJ skills and mediocrity.


Unfortunately, I just kind of wish I hadn't introduced it to my little sister because next week I am going to have to open for her epic rave-rap-electro-rock-ghetto-tech-favella-crunk set.

Well, I hate to have to point out that it is totally up to him (or anyone) to spend time playing an opening set for his
little sister and have to ever go listen to her or anyone else's lack of skills. It is up to the individual to patronize and
support those who are entertaining, and vote with their feet by not attending whack functions.

Instead of complaining about it, he could either play and have fun with it for what it was, or have his own party instead,
with the kind of music and message he wants to project, inviting the kind of people he wants to have there and not ever
having to deal with people he doesn't want around. Who's stopping him or anyone else from doing their own event?

My point is I still maintain that the proportion of uninspired, boring DJ's has not changed in the last xxx years.

But truly, in the end what many people don't like is that most parties today are not really about the DJ anymore; that's
bound to ruffle a few feathers. Life keep evolving. LOL

FK

[the crackhouse]

MTV and all the music business marketing staffs have done a great job.

To me it is already insane to be a dj when you want to become famous in top of all related aspects of the job.

Now you can do your job seriously, Djaying is not a coolest job than any other one. Many of the actual Djs want to be famous, kings of the night, but isn't the party and crowd the most important things?

I mean that producers are making music, and the reward is always for the Dj? The dj thing is now turning into a Paris Hilton scenario to me, famous, provokative but totally empty.

Everything is debated : Wanabees VS old Djocks, MP3's VS Records, TTables VS Laptops, Rap VS House, but the debate lies elsewhere IMO, it should really be about how seriously the work is done.

Are you here to impress the crowd or to share your unique vibe?
Do you want to be famous or to spend some good times at work?
Do you need admiration or reverence?

What changed and what didn't ?
Changed :
The music styles,
the crowd,
the Djs,
the clubs,
the dj tools.

Remained the same :
Everyone gets out on saturday nights,
People are producing music,
People are organizing gigs,
Music is used for dancing.

When you're done, you're done. If you are serious in your job, things could happen.
If you're looking only for the rewards, don't blame the tools, the job and the people, only you can make the difference.
Deejaying can be artistic when you have a really different approach, from David Geezercuso to Dj Craze, but for all casual party goers, you're just another component of their great saturday night.

Idance

[Moksha]

He says while typing with his eyes glued to his damn screen...
(don't you see the irony?...LOL)

I think that we should go further.

Let's stop connecting to the Internet, and only communicate face-to-face.

Much better.

We've all had enough of these message boards, they're for fools.

We'll just meet up at Moe's tavern next Wednesday and every Wednesday thereafter.

That'll keep it real.

FK


Me thinks you're missing his point entirely, FK.

I don't look at a message board when I'm hosting a dinner party...

[Bill Blake]

I do not think so... it's about programming, DJ skills and mediocrity.



Well, I hate to have to point out that it is totally up to him (or anyone) to spend time playing an opening set for his
little sister and have to ever go listen to her or anyone else's lack of skills. It is up to the individual to patronize and
support those who are entertaining, and vote with their feet by not attending whack functions.

Instead of complaining about it, he could either play and have fun with it for what it was, or have his own party instead,
with the kind of music and message he wants to project, inviting the kind of people he wants to have there and not ever
having to deal with people he doesn't want around. Who's stopping him or anyone else from doing their own event?

My point is I still maintain that the proportion of uninspired, boring DJ's has not changed in the last xxx years.

But truly, in the end what many people don't like is that most parties today are not really about the DJ anymore; that's
bound to ruffle a few feathers. Life keep evolving. LOL

FK

Francis,

If you were coming up as a DJ today, you wouldn’t be you. The days of the pioneer are over. You, because of your long commitment work and building are afforded to have these concerns. People expect that of you, and your patrons demand it.

But if you’re going to maneuver your way between the bar-lounge-house party-(if lucky) club-world of being a DJ and actually getting gigs and loot in New York today, your best bet is a lap-top consisting of all that music you may like or want to play, and a whole bunch of other shit you may give two hoots about that the masses want, at mp3 expense of sound quality, a nice program that beat matches for you since you won’t be playing nothing but ish anyways, and if you’re lucky, you played enough crunk joints to attract the attention of a drunk hot gal who’s slutty enough to play with your balls in the DJ booth.

The pug is more popular than the French poodle in 2008 kid.

[FK]

Me thinks you're missing his point entirely, FK.

I don't look at a message board when I'm hosting a dinner party...

I was not talking about the original thread starter's message, but the reply to it that told fools to stop staring at laptop screens.

Why separate digital interactions ( as we are having now) from digital music playing?

For better or for worse, it's all part of today. In the same way you could say that just as everyone can be a DJ, everyone also
has a blog and can claim to know about many things, and have opinions about stuff when they don't really have much of
a clue about it, which equally as superficial as some are taking DJ'ing.

...hence the comparison.

FK

[Martin Red]

I don't look at a message board when I'm hosting a dinner party...


http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/f/fa/Rustlersquarterpounder.png
"0 to tasty in 60 seconds"



http://www.bornrich.org/images/5000_burger.jpg
Kobe Burger

[FK]

Francis,

If you were coming up as a DJ today, you wouldn’t be you. The days of the pioneer are over. You, because of your long commitment work and building are afforded to have these concerns. People expect that of you, and your patrons demand it.

Sorry, but I believe that for someone who's young and determined, there are always many opportunities to shine
and make their way. With software that can make a recording studio in your crib for a few hundred $, the problem is
people's imagination in trying to make memorable stuff, not the means to accomplish it.

For example, speaking of poodles, the group 'Justice' came out of nowhere is now headlining concerts for 10,000 people.
And so on.

On a closer tip, these guys in Norway seem to be doing just fine with this whole 'Cosmic Disco' bandwagon, which they
created on their own, little by little and is now really gaining momentum.

There are amazing venues and groups of people to support them in the most unlikely places, like in Sapporo Japan, all it
took was someone with enough patience and passion to make it grow, and people behind who were committed to it for
reasons which had little to do with fame, success and blowjobs in the DJ booth.

It's easy to act all jaded....

FK

[Chris Conrad]

Sorry, but I believe that for someone who's young and determined, there are always many opportunities to shine
and make their way. With software that can make a recording studio in your crib for a few hundred $, the problem is
people's imagination in trying to make memorable stuff, not the means to accomplish it.

i agree and i think this is what the article was sort of trying to say...

[Sal Paradise]

On a closer tip, these guys in Norway seem to be doing just fine with this whole 'Cosmic Disco' bandwagon, which they
created on their own, little by little and is now really gaining momentum.



which is a very cool thing. But you know I came to New York for a reason. To become a part of a culture and tradition that spoke to me since before I can remember. I think there is merit in that as well.

[Moksha]

I was not talking about the original thread starter's message, but the reply to it that told fools to stop staring at laptop screens.

Why separate digital interactions ( as we are having now) from digital music playing?

For better or for worse, it's all part of today. In the same way you could say that just as everyone can be a DJ, everyone also
has a blog and can claim to know about many things, and have opinions about stuff when they don't really have much of
a clue about it, which equally as superficial as some are taking DJ'ing.

...hence the comparison.

FK

I think he is saying that new DJs should be sure to watch crowd reaction.

I don't think he is dissing the technology.

[Bill Blake]

Sorry, but I believe that for someone who's young and determined, there are always many opportunities to shine
and make their way. With software that can make a recording studio in your crib for a few hundred $, the problem is
people's imagination in trying to make memorable stuff, not the means to accomplish it.

For example, speaking of poodles, the group 'Justice' came out of nowhere is now headlining concerts for 10,000 people.
And so on.

On a closer tip, these guys in Norway seem to be doing just fine with this whole 'Cosmic Disco' bandwagon, which they
created on their own, little by little and is now really gaining momentum.

There are amazing venues and groups of people to support them in the most unlikely places, like in Sapporo Japan, all it
took was someone with enough patience and passion to make it grow, and people behind who were committed to it for
reasons which had little to do with fame, success and blowjobs in the DJ booth.

It's easy to act all jaded....

FK

Oh I like the technology.

Jaded? Ha ha ha: Does getting paid to have computer mix your shit for you while your balls are being rubbed in the DJ booth sound jaded to you?

[FK]

Oh I like the technology.
Jaded? Ha ha ha: Does getting paid to have computer mix your shit for you while your balls are being rubbed in the DJ booth sound jaded to you?

No worries, anyone can get all of that too!! Haven't you heard about Accu-Jack?

They already have a 'sucking' and 'ball-rubbing' optional attachment for most high-end mixers these days.

Why do you think he's making this face? LULZ

http://www.loldjs.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/crackerjack1.jpg

[Charliee]

Dont particularly care bout the tools, but there's def something 2 b said bout the psychology of using a laptop 4 every1 other than ur friends on a dancefloor.

[the crackhouse]

Sorry, but I believe that for someone who's young and determined, there are always many opportunities to shine
and make their way. With software that can make a recording studio in your crib for a few hundred $, the problem is
people's imagination in trying to make memorable stuff, not the means to accomplish it.

For example, speaking of poodles, the group 'Justice' came out of nowhere is now headlining concerts for 10,000 people.
And so on.

On a closer tip, these guys in Norway seem to be doing just fine with this whole 'Cosmic Disco' bandwagon, which they
created on their own, little by little and is now really gaining momentum.

There are amazing venues and groups of people to support them in the most unlikely places, like in Sapporo Japan, all it
took was someone with enough patience and passion to make it grow, and people behind who were committed to it for
reasons which had little to do with fame, success and blowjobs in the DJ booth.

It's easy to act all jaded....

FK

I don't know if you can compare JUSTICE to a Dj work.
It is so easy to say that one producer has done this great release of Ibiza summer 2007 and so (s)he's legit to do the Dj job.

That's why I tried to point out that Dj is a work, and maybe because you did all these remixes and original releases you may also have a different point of view.
The work of a music producer and the work of a Dj are really different imo. One will launch his work to the whole world as a try when the other one has the possibility to try again and again with different crowds, venues, and get better since his work benefits from feedback (and let's even say immediate feedback) from the growing or declining crowd he tries to entertain.

Idance

[the crackhouse]

Dont particularly care bout the tools, but there's def something 2 b said bout the psychology of using a laptop 4 every1 other than ur friends on a dancefloor.

Yes, you can see the 2 leading options :
- Getting leazy and you just have to check that you selected the next song, or...
- Getting mad and launching your own re-edits, productions, remixing live, sending effects, coupling with videos, plugging anything to add to the jam... Woah !

Idance

[Charliee]

I think he is saying that new DJs should be sure to watch crowd reaction.

I don't think he is dissing the technology.

Bingo.

[Martin Red]

For example, speaking of poodles, the group 'Justice' came out of nowhere is now headlining concerts for 10,000 people.

they had a mix rejected for Fabric also I believe, because they made it too short and refused to make the mix the required length.






On a closer tip, these guys in Norway seem to be doing just fine with this whole 'Cosmic Disco' bandwagon, which they
created on their own, little by little and is now really gaining momentum.

Created Cosmic Disco ?

by listening to old Italian club mixers from the 80's via the Intranet, not sure about that either really.

Bandwagon of no real substance though, it aint nothing new but a name, some good music, some self obsessed rubbish aswell.

Just shows how lacking we are we anything groundbreaking, in the wait seems any passing wagon will be jumped on.

[Monny JcIntosh]

Created "this whole 'Cosmic Disco' bandwagon". Reading skills are lacking all over the place in this thread.

[Martin Red]

Created "this whole 'Cosmic Disco' bandwagon". Reading skills are lacking all over the place in this thread.


"Created this whole re-edit bandwagon"


It's those fucking computer screen fucking with the eyes, let us go and have a fucking risk fucking assesment for fucks sake :)

[Charliee]

:bangdesk:

:biglaugha:

Moe's?

[Martin Red]

:bangdesk:

:biglaugha:

Moe's?

http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/simpsons/images/thumb/b/b5/Moes_motto.jpg/200px-Moes_motto.jpg

[Charliee]

http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/simpsons/images/thumb/b/b5/Moes_motto.jpg/200px-Moes_motto.jpg

That's House!

:rofl:

[Martin Red]

That's House!

:rofl:

http://www.teesnthings.com/ProductImages/tv-show/simpsons-t-shirts/disco-stu-air-freshener.jpg

[mr terror]

Don't tell me that the lame-ass sorry excuses that were trying to pass themselves off for DJ's in the 70s at all of the
auditions I was going to were any different or had any more talent than today's hacks because they were spinning shiny
black discs rather than something else.

Maybe there was less people trying to be DJ's, but as far as my experience has been, the proportion of those with a total
lack of imagination, or who at best can copycat others rather than doing their own original thing probably hasn't changed
in well over 100,000 years. (yes, I've ben around for that long...LOL)

The only difference may be that in those days, songs could not easily be beat-matched as they were played live. The way
songs are manufactured today, 'assembly-line-stylee' with uniform and steady tempos could also be blamed for allowing
anyone to press play and easily get away with it.

Let's not confuse the tools and those who use them.

So now, we can also start blaming the producers who made it easy for wannabe DJ's to get away with it.

But most of all, let's keep focusing on blaming, complaining and not EVER creating anything original of our own. (which would require far more effort)
Let's make sure we never bring up how we could use this wealth of creative tools to make mind-boggling musical
creations and keep our audiences dazzled by displaying consummate and innovative mastery of our craft using them.
That is: If we bothered to take the time to learn them, understand what they can do and use that to our advantage.
Instead of aspiring to soar with the eagles, let's all just remember what it's like to stay among the turkeys.

I wish I could tell you what people like Larry Levan or Tee Scott would have given to have access to such tools
as those we have access to today.... instead of moaning, groaning, belittling and staying focused on the small,
the petty and forgettable, they'd be busy making crazy stuff with it and freaking it as it is supposed to be.

This last part I am sure of. Tee Scott was asking me to work at my studio as an intern to learn about all of these
new technologies not three weeks before he passed. The last project I worked on with Larry was edited and finished
in an early version of ProTools, (July 1992) doing tricks and fancy crossfades that would just not have been possible
with analog tape edits.

Why keep focusing on the mediocre, the dull and pedestrian, when you can use all of these tools to make your stuff shine?
One wonders, if this negative side is all people choose to rant about, it's no wonder that they are mostly unable to .... (never mind, I answered my own question)


FK

exactly!!!

[Martin Red]

http://deadhours.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/i-am-legend-bigposter.jpg

[DJ Loka]

Found this to be an interesting read and thought I would share ...

-------------------------------------------------------

Microwave DJs

Jan 1, 2008 By Ean Golden
<!--endclickprintinclude--><!--begin page--><!--startclickprintinclude--><!--begin image-->http://remixmag.com/mag/801no_respect.gif

<!--end image--><!--begin paragraph-->
Have you ever introduced your sister to a buddy and then ended up regretting it for years to come? That's how I feel sometimes about DJing. It's beginning to feel like 1998 again when everyone owned a pair of decks and was convinced they were definitely a better DJ than Paul Oakenfold. The club scene is officially in the midst of a nu-dance, nu-rave revival that is looking more and more like the '90s every day. With another Clinton running for the hot seat, all we need is a reunion tour of Technotronic, and then it's all Girbauds and fat pants from there. And that's not even the scary part.
<!--end paragraph--><!--begin paragraph-->What's worrisome is what has happened to the quality of DJs. The situation has gotten bad enough that a new term has risen from the flame wars frequently scorching the Serato Scratch Live forums. “Microwave DJ” is a term applied to anyone who has not “paid their dues,” but because they own a laptop and thousands of MP3s, they are now qualified to play in a club. This, of course, threatens the old-school cats who spent 10 years and thousands of dollars honing their craft — as well it should. The game is changing fast, and DJing as we know it is appropriately morphing into the Internet age. The trouble is not with the technology itself but with new DJs taking technology shortcuts and failing to learn the crucial aspects of the craft.

<!--end paragraph-->A STAR IS BORN

<!--begin paragraph-->Let me give you one shining example of this common pitfall. About four years ago, an acquaintance started DJing with popular DJ software that performs the arduous task of beat matching for you, albeit not always so well. This particular individual was genuinely proud of the fact that after only six months, he was being booked to play clubs all over Brazil. During one of my first tours there, he opened for me at a major nightclub, and the resulting sonic mess was sadly predictable. Even though the software was able to match up the songs 60 percent of the time, he was not able to tell that everything else was completely off. Technology had fast-tracked the learning curve, and his ears did not get the chance to become properly trained.
<!--end paragraph--><!--begin paragraph-->Mix timing is not the only casualty when a newcomer opts out of DJ basic training. During the years that it takes most people to learn, hone and subsequently improve their craft, normally their tastes grow and get more critically focused. That applies to all arts, including the simple task of playing music in a club. Without that crucial time it takes to train the ears musically and rhythmically, a DJ is really not ready to hold the reins of a proper dancefloor.

<!--end paragraph-->INST-O-MATIC MUSIC

<!--begin paragraph-->You really can't place all the blame on the DJ — it's a bad combination of several wrong ingredients that turned sour when placed in the sun for hours. Consider this formula: × [bad taste] = bad music. When the Hype Machine (www.hypem.com (http://www.hypem.com/)) and other music blog aggregators showed up, it was basically the Second Coming for DJs. Seemingly endless supplies of unreleased, one-of-a-kind remixes stretched out for days, promising fresh new music as long as the Internet bill was paid. This was in the “early days” (one year ago in modern technology time), so the smaller music blogs had not yet become the major tastemakers that they are today. Submissions were fewer, and the bloggers seemed to try to outdo each other with the hottest cuts they could dig up. Then it caught on like wildfire and everyone with a few MP3s and Ableton Live started pumping out carbon-copy remixes based on the latest submicro-genre fad. Conveniently, these fads implode after a month, but with each death a more horrendous one seems to grow from its still-warm ashes. [Nonexistent music training + zero filter] × [unlimited distribution] = endless supply of bad micro-genres.

<!--end paragraph-->[B]FOR BEST RESULTS

<!--begin paragraph-->Now before anyone gets too insulted, let me reiterate that blogosphere and the new world of DJing are wonderful things. We are in an exciting time when digital DJ technology, broader access to music and the proliferation of music blogs has resulted in a second honeymoon for music lovers everywhere — no complaints there. It just seems a little more restraint on the part of the DJ and bloggers everywhere might improve the uncharted terrain of this new musical frontier. Just because you can post or play anything does not mean you should. The final layer of quality control, nightclub bookers, also seems to be losing to the laws of the free market. From a promoter standpoint, it's quite simple: Why should I pay you all that money when this guy over here will play for next to nothing? The common excuse: Sure, his mixes might be a bit messy 80 percent of the time, but the crowd is piss drunk. Who really notices anyway?
<!--end paragraph--><!--begin paragraph-->When you blend all the conditions together, it's no surprise that the established veterans are up in arms about Microwave DJs taking their hard-earned gigs. It's enough to almost throw in the towel and start a jam band. Maybe that's why it's such a breath of fresh air hanging out in Berlin, where the status quo is pure minimal predominantly played on 12-inch vinyl by a seasoned DJ crop. Yes, it almost sounds like this could be the incredibly tired “nothing sounds like vinyl, man” debate. Well, it's not: Digital technology rules. I personally switched over five years ago without a single regret. Blogs and MP3s have revived a dying music industry, and it's great that so many people have access to DJ technology. Unfortunately, I just kind of wish I hadn't introduced it to my little sister because next week I am going to have to open for her epic rave-rap-electro-rock-ghetto-tech-favella-crunk set.



the same thing has happened to the fitness industry ....

everyone and their mother is a trainer. so when you're an expert...you pull yourself out of the crap pit, and bring your quality elsewhere..eventually the market follows and the cracks start to show and the people start saying 'damn why are my ears ringing' (or in my case, damn that trainer screwed up my back)

it takes a little while but the real professional can weather this stuff, and even thrive if you're creative enough...

[djmarbll]

Don't tell me that the lame-ass sorry excuses that were trying to pass themselves off for DJ's in the 70s at all of the
auditions I was going to were any different or had any more talent than today's hacks because they were spinning shiny
black discs rather than something else.

Maybe there was less people trying to be DJ's, but as far as my experience has been, the proportion of those with a total
lack of imagination, or who at best can copycat others rather than doing their own original thing probably hasn't changed
in well over 100,000 years. (yes, I've ben around for that long...LOL)

The only difference may be that in those days, songs could not easily be beat-matched as they were played live. The way
songs are manufactured today, 'assembly-line-stylee' with uniform and steady tempos could also be blamed for allowing
anyone to press play and easily get away with it.

Let's not confuse the tools and those who use them.

So now, we can also start blaming the producers who made it easy for wannabe DJ's to get away with it.

But most of all, let's keep focusing on blaming, complaining and not EVER creating anything original of our own. (which would require far more effort)
Let's make sure we never bring up how we could use this wealth of creative tools to make mind-boggling musical
creations and keep our audiences dazzled by displaying consummate and innovative mastery of our craft using them.
That is: If we bothered to take the time to learn them, understand what they can do and use that to our advantage.
Instead of aspiring to soar with the eagles, let's all just remember what it's like to stay among the turkeys.

I wish I could tell you what people like Larry Levan or Tee Scott would have given to have access to such tools
as those we have access to today.... instead of moaning, groaning, belittling and staying focused on the small,
the petty and forgettable, they'd be busy making crazy stuff with it and freaking it as it is supposed to be.

This last part I am sure of. Tee Scott was asking me to work at my studio as an intern to learn about all of these
new technologies not three weeks before he passed. The last project I worked on with Larry was edited and finished
in an early version of ProTools, (July 1992) doing tricks and fancy crossfades that would just not have been possible
with analog tape edits.

Why keep focusing on the mediocre, the dull and pedestrian, when you can use all of these tools to make your stuff shine?
One wonders, if this negative side is all people choose to rant about, it's no wonder that they are mostly unable to .... (never mind, I answered my own question)


FK

Good points FK. I still use primarily vinyl, but I understand if people use laptops, even if I don't necessarily agree with it. I just wonder how people's programming skills have changed, since with a laptop, you can have your whole music library at your disposal. I've been getting more into purposely bringing about 50-60 records and a couple cd's to force myself how to program with limited resources. Its opened my ears up to so much good music I've missed, lol.

[Martin Red]

the same thing has happened to the fitness industry ....

everyone and their mother is a trainer....

Interesting

[djmarbll]

the same thing has happened to the fitness industry ....

everyone and their mother is a trainer. so when you're an expert...you pull yourself out of the crap pit, and bring your quality elsewhere..eventually the market follows and the cracks start to show and the people start saying 'damn why are my ears ringing' (or in my case, damn that trainer screwed up my back)

it takes a little while but the real professional can weather this stuff, and even thrive if you're creative enough...

I know its funny. Everyone claims to know about good health, yet we're the fattest country in the world, lol. :icon_rofl:

[DJ Loka]

I know its funny. Everyone claims to know about good health, yet we're the fattest country in the world, lol. :icon_rofl:


eventually people figure out that experience matters.

but there's always business for those who strive for excellence. let crap djs get paid less and pierce the eardrums of their clientele...who wants clients that don't know any better anyway?

if you have a name in your profession, part of that recognition comes with remaining ahead of the curve ....establishing yourself in a manner that others can't touch, and/or marketing whats UNIQUE about YOU, that obviously someone else CANT do.

homeostasis is dull anyway...:conf44:the only thing you can really rely on is that everything is going to change...

[TAC]

the same thing has happened to the fitness industry ....

everyone and their mother is a trainer.

WORD!!!!

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[DJ Loka]

WORD!!!!

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:rofl5:omg he hit himself in the eye with the necklace

watch out for dat weddy weddy ...ya knees dey could go dat pop!


if had my old studio open i'd hire that guy in a hot second...he'll have 60 screaming chicks in a room in no time flat. :grinyes:

[The Buddy Love Show]

I'm a wannabe "microwave" "dj"

having more fun w music today than I've ever had

and when the scene changes (again) i'll convert this new hobby into paying gigs (again)...or not

Traktor
Ableton
Reaktor
Novation
Behringer
and Apple
are my new toys...thinking of replacing the Rane w the Ecler 5 or the Mackie d4 (mixers are meeting new demands)

[Tee Cee 13]

He says while typing with his eyes glued to his damn screen...
(don't you see the irony?...LOL)

I think that we should go further.

Let's stop connecting to the Internet, and only communicate face-to-face.

Much better.

We've all had enough of these message boards, they're for fools.

We'll just meet up at Moe's tavern next Wednesday and every Wednesday thereafter.

That'll keep it real.

FK


By the way your wife is a wonderful artist....
Communicate face-to-face very well put
I have been putting together a Listening
Session now for about a year, where
I invite Dj's over to share information it's
fun and yes face to face is much better I
would like to invite more people in da near
future..... Tee Cee 13 Zing Zang Crew.

[DaveR]

(playing off the Microwave concept)

Successful Chefs don't care that you can aquire their same utensils and ingredients ... b/c they can still serve shit up better than you ... and they use Microwaves too

... same goes for Graphic Artists & Photoshop

... embrace and continue ... or fight, complain, blame - and fail

[Chris Wood]

I didn't mind when people were getting into buying vinyl and wanting to experience the "wanna-be-dj" status with their friends & what not but now that the main format for most is mp3's.

So now instead of going to buy cds kats are now just downloading singles & have a million mp3s on their laptops and iPods and finding programs to mix with them instead of actually buying records or cds these days.




whats the elemental difference?

[bigshawn]

...that's there biggest night as far as crowds go.

So his night will prob last longer than the other entertainment then. Good on em :)

[old disco jock]

So true. I'm just happy that I live in a city where records (old and new) are still available. I got a buddy who lives in LA and he says there are no records shops. There's one store that he mentions, where Madlib and them shop at. Says dude can get you anything. But there's a price associated with that.

there r vinyl stores in california u just gotsa look around....

[Pete_ is_ niccce]

I get switched off everytime i walk into a spot & c kats playing frm a lap top the WHOLE nite.

Makes u wanna step up, toss that piece to the floor & stomp on it.

Pay attention, keep ur eyes on the floor & not on the damn screen fool.

Rant over.

That's gansta son Ha ha ha !!!