what soft where or turntable is good for djing or just beginning to dj , and how can i book a gig ?
Very open questions there my friend!br
br
There are all sorts of ways you can DJ now, some of it is going to be up to you - are you okay with using just digital equipment on a laptop, or do you want something more hands on, like using CD’s or Vinyl?br
br
There’s no right or wrong here, a lot of it is personal preference, and how much you want to pay as well. Some options are much more expensive than others! br
br
Regarding getting gigs, promoters who book DJ’s these days like people who produce their own tracks, if you don’t produce it’s tough.br
br
Unless you know lots of influential people like local promoters and other DJ’s in the local scene etc it’s going to be tough.
You can try sending out demo’s etc, but it’s probably going to have to be something pretty exceptional to really get noticed in this day and age!
Does anybody listen to DJ demos any more?br
br
Well i mean things like emailing links to soundcloud mixes etc, but you’re right maybe most promoters don’t really listen to mixes anymore?
I’d start chatting to local DJ’s. Thats how I got my first gig, it was through filling in for a friend. br
I try to stay out of it though as I hate mixing commercial music and thats what most club managers will ask you to play, although we are looking into starting a proper house night soon… Anyway I’m going off topic.br
br
If you cant get to/don’t know anyone, make a perfect mix and burn it onto a cd. It doesnt matter what you use (I know people that have done it all in ableton to make it absolutely error free) and hand that to clubs and promotors. Contact them on facebook and try popping by out of hours to see if anyone is in. If your an ok DJ and have a good tracklisting, you will start to pull in decent work. br
br
Just remember when you are mixing though, you are there for a job, not to play your own style and try to turn the club into something its not. Judge the dancefloor and select tracks accordingly. I wouldnt worry about speed changes (130bpm is great for energy) or mixing in key (although I normally keep keylock on so that the key is the same no matter what tempo). Most drunk people want to just sing along to songs that they already know, remember that.br
br
If you get into more specific clubs and nights you will have more fun!br
br
Its quite a close knitted community too, so remember be friendly and approachable. br
br
As for equipment, use whatever you like. Loads of guys use Pioneer CDJs and serato, I just use Traktor and my S2 controller with a bunch of samples. br
br
Also Dont worry if you f something up, it happens, especially if your new to it all and in an unfirmiliar booth (the classic one is loading the wrong deck… Bloody traktor :P)
How i did and i am living in a really small city with not a really big DJ and producer community. br
br
I went to an club and saw a guy playing. Some days later I send him a mail asking him how i can start djing and producing. We met and talked and he gave me some advice. Then i bought some stuff but didnt tried it at first. So before you buy something, ask some djs if they could show you there gear and how it works so you dont spend a lot of money on buying CDJs and then you realize that you want to play with Ableton Live. Just an example.br
br
If you want to play with an Laptop, get a good one. On my first gig everything crashed on my old acer after an hour.br
br
To get gigs you need a name. Its always good to now some local DJs and some supporters. To get a name some friends of mine and me made some parties. Not to often so nobody gets bored cause its the same every week. Then you need a bit luck. If you play music that nobody wants to listen then you are not going to play often. Sadly you dont have to play good you just have to be a jukebox and play what everybody wants to here. (I am not doing that but i am not playing that often :P)br
br
And whats very important - FIND YOUR UNIQUE STYLE. Dont play the same the DJ has played before. You have to be flexible, so dont play pre recorded sets. Of course its easier with an set list, but you have to interact with the crowd. Is the club burning, smash it. Are there only two guys dancing, bring the other people to dance too. br
br
Last tip, dont play to often in the same club in a short period of time.br
br
Just some experience 