At parties, do you often find yourself more concerned with the music selection than the drink selection? Do you call shotgun not for the better view and higher status but for the iPod control? Do you download remixes as often as originals? If you’ve answered yes to one of these questions, you could be suffering from LDS, or Latent DJ Syndrome.
Now more than ever, in the era of celebrity disc jockeys such as DJ AM, Mark Ronson and their ilk, the art of DJing is becoming more popular and more affordable than ever before. Thanks to advances in software and hardware, there are now multiple ways to become a DJ.
The modern concept of DJing has come a long way since its humble beginnings in the Bronx and Brooklyn in the late ’70s, where local kids would throw raucous block parties. DJs such as Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash pioneered and developed the technique of cutting between two copies of the same record in order to extend the instrumental break of a song. This laid the foundation for the modern hip-hop movement but also led to the objective of the modern party DJ: seamless transitions between songs.
The concept of the DJ has gone through multiple stages since its breakthrough in the ’70s, spanning everything from club-hopping party DJs to hip-hop DJs to out-there turntablists and scratchers, to the relatively recent phenomenon of the bellowing hip-hop mix-tape DJ. This guide is more of a casual how-to for those readers who are more inclined toward wanting to DJ during parties.
In short, beginners have three primary options, discussed here in order of ascending cost and amount of hardware.
The moonlighter
This is the cheapest and most accessible option for those who want to DJ. Accordingly, it is also most appropriate for bedroom DJs or people who just hate that uncomfortable silence when the next song clicks over on the iTunes playlist.
All this future DJ needs is virtual DJ software. This type of software comes in many flavors, from somewhat rudimentary freeware such as Mixxx, to more sophisticated software packages such as Traktor DJ Studio.
What these programs do is simulate two physical turntables and a mixer with virtual ones. A window at the bottom of the screen lets the user choose sound files from his hard drive to play in both of the virtual turntables. These programs can also beatmatch songs automatically, which means that at the click of a button two songs will be playing in sync at the same tempo. These programs also offer looping features as well as digital effects such as reverb, flanger and kill switches. Software such as Traktor will end up costing about $100, but it’s a bargain for those wishing to get their feet wet.
The standard
The vinyl control record. This one invention changed the landscape of DJing forever. Even after digital DJ software was developed, most DJs still preferred the traditional two-turntable physical setup because of the tactile control that real records offered.
Now, thanks to the invention of the vinyl control record, DJs are able to manipulate digital audio files with a single vinyl record that connects to a computer via a USB-compatible turntable. In other words, the DJ can mix, scratch, cut and manipulate MP3s in such a way that would be near impossible with a mouse and keyboard.
The result is something like the best of both worlds: tactile control of music and the convenience of an entire library’s worth of songs in one place (Goodbye, milk crates!). The unquestionable victor in the war between different brands of vinyl control has been Serato’s Scratch Live, which claims 80 percent of the market has bought its product.
Serato sells software and hardware bundles that include a physical turntable, control records, connecting cables and the Scratch Live software for $539. However, smaller bundles and sellers of non-package deals can be found to decrease the cost. Because of this method’s ease of use and convenience, DJs such as Steve Aoki, DJ AM and DJ A-Trak have all adopted it.
The purist
If you yourself are a vinyl junkie, perhaps the traditional setup of two turntables and a mixer is for you. The reason this setup remains in the face of a more convenient technology is twofold: the romance associated with dusty old records and the criticism that digital vinyl emulators are killing the vinyl industry, seeing how DJs are some of the last devotees of the nearly obsolete medium.
A top-of-the-line setup, complete with Technics 1200s, will easily cost more than $1,000, or Numark package deals go for about $450.
Top turntable tips for DJs
Stay away from the pitfalls of empty silences or the grimaces of a displeased crowd with these timeless tips for DJs of any skill level
The above breakdown of necessary equipment still leaves the actual practice of DJing up in the air. What to play? When to play it? What to say to irritating requesters? Here are some basic tips to get you started.
1. Never let the beat drop.
This is the absolute cardinal sin in DJing. We’ve all experienced the painful silence where everyone stands around feeling foolish while waiting for the next song. Be prepared to hear a chorus of “Awww!” if you leave your post for too long without having another song cued up.
2. Pick songs that are close in tempo.
Even in the age of the automatic beatmatch, it’s important to try to keep a consistent tempo as best as you can. Because even if you click that button to match them, if the gap in the original tempos is too great, the second song is either going to sound like meth or molasses. Note: you can click a button to keep the song from getting chimpmunked, but it will still sound strange.
3. Compromise.
If you’re not headlining at the El Rey, your primary goal is to please the crowd. Now I know you probably think you have better taste and you’re just waiting to unload your Kraftwerk b-side remix on your unsuspecting audience, but if you’re not careful, you’ll soon be spinning for an empty room.
So compromise. Mix in some of your French house with some top 40. If you can’t stomach playing Chris Brown or Katy Perry in your set, find a danker-than-a-dungeon dance remix. That way, you’ve got a good tempo and funky synths, and people can still say, “OMG, I love this song!”
4. Throw a few curveballs.
Slip something unexpected into your set. Metal, gypsy music, classic rock, as long as you keep the tempo up and watch the crowd, you shouldn’t clear the floor.
5. Throw a few fastballs.
You’re losing them. They’re leaving the floor. If all else fails, keep a couple absolute no-miss songs that “everyone” loves up your sleeve for emergencies only. Daft Punk, Justice and M.I.A.’s “Paper Planes” will usually do the trick.