patch library on infekted.org ?

[tranqui]

cool, but I prefer the "share your favourite tweaks" thread for inspiration. it's not like the TI hasn't got enough presets to learn from

@berni: I guess it all depends on what kind of a DJ you are...

[Berni]

So what kind of disc jockey are you? Pretty quiet on your site or is 'silence' the next new DJing concept, Lol.

[Celestry]

I have always considered the world of DJs to be quite diverse, in terms of technique. Is it not that some are selectors, blending one tune, from another dude, seamlessly into another, scripting what they hope is a successful set? And what fantastic and exciting sets! Yet others are craftsman of extreme technical expertise and sculpt tune after tune as they go, scratching, sampling, and twisting beats on the fly?

It may only be me and Tranqui who see that as a clear distinction between what some DJs do different than others. I'm also fairly sure Tranqui did not seek to disparage those skilled selectors.

(@_@) LOL I've got no idea what I'm talking about LOL (@_@)

Oh, ahem, yeah, i think the easiest way to share patches is to upload in the Sound Designing section in your own post.

[tranqui]

kudos to you, now you've gotten me started! apologies for going offtopic. I'm new here, so I think it's necessary to explain that I'm well aware of the fact that some of the stuff you'll read below might sound a bit elitist. but that was never my intention - I'm just telling it like it is. always have and always will.

Originally Posted by Berni

So what kind of disc jockey are you? Pretty quiet on your site or is 'silence' the next new DJing concept, Lol.

hosting dj mixes in illegal, in case you didn't know. not to mention that I don't record demos, because the kind of person I am is one that cannot interact with the wall his decks are standing in front of. I make music for people and need them to get into the flow, ergo there is no way I could record a demo alone in my home studio - at least no mix that would realistically showcase the way I work. I'm still hoping to get someone to record a vid of me spinning in a live situation, but they are usually too busy freaking out. it's my own fault, I guess

as to silence, well... you probably just haven't noticed. I have a few very simple interactive loop sets on my site which, according to the tracking stats, keep most visitors occupied for quite some time (I have a bunch of better ones which I will integrate after the next relaunch); and with all due respect mate, someone with a site like yours really shouldn't be judging others' work throwing stones in glass houses and all that.

Originally Posted by Celestry

It may only be me and Tranqui who see that as a clear distinction between what some DJs do different than others. I'm also fairly sure Tranqui did not seek to disparage those skilled selectors.

you know, I don't even like the term "DJ" anymore. ever since mixing became more accessible, people who have a very limited understanding of music have been calling themselves that. I occasionally tutor guys who are just starting out and I can safely say I could probably teach a dog how to beatmatch - because it's so darn simple. sadly, most people don't ever grow beyond that level. most studio mixes I've listened to over the last few years lack any distinctiveness whatsoever. most DJs I've seen live are afraid to improvise. when I go for a night of clubhopping, I get the impression that I'm entering and leaving the same party over and over again. it's sad, really - because 10 years ago, when I started out, people have been trying to create an original performance - and nowadays, most of them only try to imitate the more successful ones. and this is why they fail. hideously.

here's a few things I usually tell the guys I train:
1. have a good, original selection of tracks; the beatport top 10 of the week won't cut it. think out of the box and explore multiple genres.
2. read the crowd. don't look at your decks, look at them! (loosely quoting norman cook)
3. once you've got them going, don't let them go, but...
4. ...give them a break once in a while. dehydrating isn't fun.
5. if you have special skills, don't be afraid to show them; but keep the practice sessions to your bedroom.
6. if your beatmatching is tight and your melodies clash, it's still a trainwreck. learn to mix harmonically.
7. no overkill combination of audio effects can save a shitty set, but well-dosed effects will certainly enhance a good one.
8. unique audio material will make you stand out. dig for it and use it.
9. no matter how good you think you are, you can always improve.
10. don't act like a fucking poser. nobody came here to look at you. if you want to leave an impression, use your music.

[Berni]

Well mr tranqui I got ya beat, been DJing for over 20 years mostly in & around Manchester in the northwest of England. I was there at the birth of the acid house scene in the late 80s early 90s...the Hacienda being noted as one of the first clubs to play this kind of music...of course this was for pussys & students, we prefered to break into warehouses, put on illegal parties & all the other dodgy stuff that made up the original rave scene...getting done for making a mix tape was the least of my worries.
You dont have any music or mixes at all? after 10 years??????? Trust me bro nobody is going to take you away for making a mix. Every DJ from the highest to the lowest has made SOME kind of mix.
My site is non existent at the mo...under construction as it says & likely to remain so as I'm having too much fun in my studio right now to dick around with HTML. Your loops dont work in Safari or Firefox btw.
I have to agree with you about the mixing aspect...back in the day it was you, your vinyl, some SL1200's & hopefully a decent mixer. You had to know your tracks, you had to know how to beatmatch manually (not easy) & you had to have timing...you pretty much only had one shot to get it right. Now any monkey with some MP3's & a computer can do it with a mouse & call themselves a DJ although most of them still suck because they dont have any idea about programming a set to suit the audience & not the other way round.
Let me know when you have some music to back up your claims...talk is cheap.

'Silence...its the ultimate minimal'

OK I wont bust your balls anymore...peace!

[TheHobbit]

Going to sound ol'skool but totally agree Bernie.

My anology of 'some' djs today in bedrroms to clubs use laptops/mp3s and call themselves Djs.

DJ is an art form that most people can participate - but a good dj will know the tunes, mix varients of each vinyl (yes vinyl) andknow how to work the crowd from tracklists to showboating.

To me what a lot of djs use (don;t get me wrong some 'are' creative) the mix is done for them by the software.

You cant beat the buzz of having that vinyl spinning on a SL1200 series cutting the mix, making sure the stylus sticks, grabbing the vinyl, spinning it , cutting it and knowing you are mixing.

My anology of todays mp3 mixing and software setups seems to be more painting by numbers colouring in books.

...and yep the 80's was cool...one minute you'd be chatting with yer mates - next min bundling into cars to a remote location hearing the buzz of a generator, make shift sound systems and a shit load of people buzzing their tits of tripping or gurning like theres no tomorrow until the fuzz turned up

Takes me back. ...

[feedingear]

Kind of cracks me up reading the comments about vinyl mixing vs CD/Ableton/PC - makes me think of the old musicians comments about synthesisers/arpeggiators playing music/being skillless, and the elitist wank that I know from personal experience lots of 'contemporary' musicians like to spout about electronic music.

The end result is what counts, and whilst technical skill and virtuouso performances on ANY instrument may increase your personal enjoyment of a performance (as it does for me, being a keyboardist/composer), for the majority of punters its about the music and the performance, and the way it makes you feel.

My friendly opinion .

On another topic - wish I could have been there back in those days .

[tranqui]

Originally Posted by Berni

Well mr tranqui I got ya beat

congratulations - but in case you didn't notice, it was never about beating anyone. I just don't react well to people going "what kind of DJ are you".

Originally Posted by Berni

you had to know how to beatmatch manually (not easy)

on the contrary; I think beatmatching is ridiculously easy. I use traktor scratch, but that doesn't mean I use the sync button that's what the sexiness of vinyl is about.

Originally Posted by Berni

You dont have any music or mixes at all? after 10 years???????

of course I do - but I haven't been recording any for the last five years (except a short drum'n bass demo I made for a UAF compo around april this year). also, I don't host them on my site. I send them out on demand. believe it or not, but if you're based in germany, it's risky to host stuff like that on your site; there is a group of lawyers who specialize in being assholes towards DJs (several of my friends have already had unpleasant letters in their mailbox) and I'm not taking any risks. I prefer to spend my money on equipment and music rather than on lawsuits.

as to music, I have a crapload of my own bootlegs which, again, are not the thing I would host on my site. I spin them, they work, that is enough. the stuff I make myself is purely live-oriented - and, like I said in my introductory post on this forum, I'm humble enough not to call myself a producer just yet. when I choose to release my music, which will happen eventually, I have to be completely satisfied with the result.

I must say I envy you for being based in the UK, because they have a huge scene. most germans have a big stick up their asses and it's a bit harder over here if you spin the stuff I do.

[TheHobbit]

Kind of cracks me up reading the comments about vinyl mixing vs CD/Ableton/PC - makes me think of the old musicians comments about synthesisers/arpeggiators playing music/being skillless, and the elitist wank that I know from personal experience lots of 'contemporary' musicians like to spout about electronic music.

From my personal stand there's nothing wrong with what your saying.

Preference to vinyl is the tangility of the record vs mp3 in a list. Its a work preference nothing more. CD mixers came out, nothing wrong with that, just prefer vinyl. MP3s and various methods of mixing came out again nothing wrong with that....in fact the use of finalscratch/serato etc using vinyl to trigger an mp3 track/sample from a laptop/pc is a great tool and counts towards creativity.

Overall its about keeping it real and people appreciate a good result whatever your scene.

Personally if I went on the pod and pressed a button in ableton or a tracklisting in a media player and the mix played...would the response and atmosphere be any different to an individual doing it all live? Maybe we could see people paying money and going to Wembley to see a band play live with no instruments and just pressing play on a cd deck!!! Mind you could be a hole in the argument here when referring to some artists who mime and just perform like the recent Britney spears concert - if you want!

Its about the experinece for the crowds, players, dj and most importantly the music and its scene.

After all everything is subjective...its what drives the vibe and creates the atmosphere that gets the result!

[tranqui]

the media discussion has been going on forever... at first glance, both argumentations are perfectly valid: on one hand, nothing can replace the feel of an actual record, but on the other hand, digital technology is something you should consider embracing if you want to raise the bar (or at least keep up).

but this is not the point. as it was already said, it doesn't matter at all to the audience; they came to dance and they don't care what the DJ is using as long as the music is okay.

the difference between a vinyl user and an mp3 user lies in the approach to music itself. when you grow up paying 12$ for a record, you automatically learn to pick out only the best - because you can't just walk out with 50 records, it's gonna cost you a fortune. so you value it. you don't go "who cares, I'll take those two as well" like you can in mp3 stores; you spend hours in the store picking out a handful of tunes. younger DJs who never knew what a record store is often don't realize how much crap they buy - and it shows when you hear them. a vinylist's selection is usually much better.

so I guess being a little old school is okay if you regard it in this context. if you're coming from vinyl, however, switching to a halfway digital solution - timecoded vinyl - is definitely the way to go. you get the best of both worlds and you still can spin your old stuff (and rarities you simply won't get online).