paulb5
I just wanted to share my first experience working in a club with everyone, just so I can get it off my chest and see what people's thoughts were so here goes:
I live in a small town which only has two main clubs one of which has 2 student nights. I managed to get to know a few people and eventually have worked my way into helping and finally playing my own set on one of these (the quieter one). Firstly this club has its own equipment in the form of quite a large built in mixer but works primarily on a set up very similar to VDJ so I was quite lucky in that I found it quite familiar, although there is very little expansion for your own equipment apart from maybe a couple of CDJs (which I dont have). The main set up is two touch screens with the mixer and a large capability for video mixing, due to the number of screens around the club. Although I would say that there was very little actual physical skill in controlling the equipment, picking songs and playing the right songs in this place is slightly more difficult. Probably down to the fact that there are only 2 clubs and you get such a mixed bag of people.
The first night went well, couple of mistakes but on my firts go at commercial DJing I was pleased and the fellow DJ that got me in also was impressed. The second night (last night) went even better. Im hoping the larger number of people that attended was due to my performance last week, and not the cheap drink offer that is on instead (hopefully!). I experienced first hand the age old annoyances of, "can you play this somng please, now, i mean right now!" etc, but it was all good fun and I tried my best. I have been asked if i wanted to develop further and have a go on some of the bigger nights eg saturdays, but this requires me to expand my knowledge of 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s music, which leads on to my first question, whats the best way to go about learning and gaining a collection of this type of music??
To summarise this, I have been very much into my mixing and trying beat match, keep a continuous beat etc, which has got better using my hercules rmx. This has been a different type of djing and I have really realised the pressures of just trying to play the right music before even trying to mix in any shape or form. I know I now have to practice and practice to develop my musical knowledge and hopefuly earn a few quid for some more equipment to help me develop. I will be DJing again next week whilst my friend will try and show me the workings of CDJs in relation to club nights which I am looking forward to.
I hope some of my experience has helped some of the new up and coming DJs as I am still one myself, but I also hope that I can get some feedback from you pros on my first experience in a club!!
I live in a small town which only has two main clubs one of which has 2 student nights. I managed to get to know a few people and eventually have worked my way into helping and finally playing my own set on one of these (the quieter one). Firstly this club has its own equipment in the form of quite a large built in mixer but works primarily on a set up very similar to VDJ so I was quite lucky in that I found it quite familiar, although there is very little expansion for your own equipment apart from maybe a couple of CDJs (which I dont have). The main set up is two touch screens with the mixer and a large capability for video mixing, due to the number of screens around the club. Although I would say that there was very little actual physical skill in controlling the equipment, picking songs and playing the right songs in this place is slightly more difficult. Probably down to the fact that there are only 2 clubs and you get such a mixed bag of people.
The first night went well, couple of mistakes but on my firts go at commercial DJing I was pleased and the fellow DJ that got me in also was impressed. The second night (last night) went even better. Im hoping the larger number of people that attended was due to my performance last week, and not the cheap drink offer that is on instead (hopefully!). I experienced first hand the age old annoyances of, "can you play this somng please, now, i mean right now!" etc, but it was all good fun and I tried my best. I have been asked if i wanted to develop further and have a go on some of the bigger nights eg saturdays, but this requires me to expand my knowledge of 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s music, which leads on to my first question, whats the best way to go about learning and gaining a collection of this type of music??
To summarise this, I have been very much into my mixing and trying beat match, keep a continuous beat etc, which has got better using my hercules rmx. This has been a different type of djing and I have really realised the pressures of just trying to play the right music before even trying to mix in any shape or form. I know I now have to practice and practice to develop my musical knowledge and hopefuly earn a few quid for some more equipment to help me develop. I will be DJing again next week whilst my friend will try and show me the workings of CDJs in relation to club nights which I am looking forward to.
I hope some of my experience has helped some of the new up and coming DJs as I am still one myself, but I also hope that I can get some feedback from you pros on my first experience in a club!!
geposted Tue 19 Apr 11 @ 7:17 am
djnutz
First and foremost, this is a great opportunity. Most of us had to pay our dues prior to getting the chance to spin. I was a light jockey for a full year before I had my own night. Keep your ego in check. Keep in mind that without a crowd, you are nothing.
As to building a library, if you expect it to happen right away, then you would be better off finding something else to do.
THERE IS NO QUICK AND EASY WAY TO BECOME A GREAT DJ.
It takes time, money, practice, etc. My first gig was in the 80's. I have been collecting music since then. There are a lot of guys here just like me. I suggest you read this:
http://www.virtualdj.com/forums/145262/General_Discussion/General_How-To_and_Advice.html?search=djnutz&page=1
As to building a library, if you expect it to happen right away, then you would be better off finding something else to do.
THERE IS NO QUICK AND EASY WAY TO BECOME A GREAT DJ.
It takes time, money, practice, etc. My first gig was in the 80's. I have been collecting music since then. There are a lot of guys here just like me. I suggest you read this:
http://www.virtualdj.com/forums/145262/General_Discussion/General_How-To_and_Advice.html?search=djnutz&page=1
geposted Tue 19 Apr 11 @ 8:30 am
paulb5
Yea, I was so excited when I was givcen the opportunity. The first night I turned up just expecting to watch and learn, but the resident DJ showed me how it worked and said just to get on with it because the best way to learn was to do it myself. Of course I had some supervision as it was the first time I used the system. I am still doing it voluntarily and will be while I'm learning but this doesnt bother me because its just a way to learn and enjoy myself!!
I was still pretty nervous about it but once I was in the swing of things it was great! I have got a bit of a library now, Im quite up to date with new stuff but its the older tunes!! I just thought maybe go back to basics, buy some compilations and just burn them onto MP3? I just wish I could use some of my own gear because I think it would help me to do a better job!
I was still pretty nervous about it but once I was in the swing of things it was great! I have got a bit of a library now, Im quite up to date with new stuff but its the older tunes!! I just thought maybe go back to basics, buy some compilations and just burn them onto MP3? I just wish I could use some of my own gear because I think it would help me to do a better job!
geposted Tue 19 Apr 11 @ 8:44 am
Charlie Wilson
I can't believe you will ever need 50, 60, 70 in a club, really thats more private function/mobile disco territory. Can't imagine that there would be many 50+ people in the venue.
geposted Tue 19 Apr 11 @ 12:12 pm
SuperAceMan
One thing you will have to learn is to use equipment that you are unfamiliar with very quickly! Sometimes you don't have your equipment because you're filling in at the very last minute, or the club has a very cramped booth with no room to set-up your gear. Familiarizing yourself with all sorts of equipment and different connections is and should be one of the very first steps to becoming a DJ. I got my start in one of these situations and got a crash course on how to run a booth in the middle of a set where the DJ (who was too proud) refused to call in with food poisoning and tried to perform anyway. That was my first club gig 15 years ago. I knew music well and was in the right place at the right time. I am still learning how to be a DJ to this day.
Read the link that Nutz posted. It's a good read!
Read the link that Nutz posted. It's a good read!
geposted Tue 19 Apr 11 @ 12:19 pm
paulb5
Sorry forgot to say, the older stuff is just adding to my collection as Im looking to go mobile too. On the other hand, and I dont know if anyone else has experienced this; the particular company that owns the club has a strict "quota" policy on saturday and friday nights meaning that you have to play enough but not too much of certain genres of music. This is crap I know, but is why older music has to be included. Some of the older stuff actually does get the crowd going including the younger people. The night I am playing at is just generally newer stuff as it is a student night which is pretty good because its all music that I enjoy myself anyway.
I understand what your saying superaceman, I agree that perhaps being thrown in the deep end is the best way to learn because you experience first hand what is good and what is wrong. The post was pretty helpful, it was going to see the likes of Tiesto and Laidback Luke that inspired me to get onto DJing!
I understand what your saying superaceman, I agree that perhaps being thrown in the deep end is the best way to learn because you experience first hand what is good and what is wrong. The post was pretty helpful, it was going to see the likes of Tiesto and Laidback Luke that inspired me to get onto DJing!
geposted Tue 19 Apr 11 @ 3:04 pm