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Sep 1, 2005
With a laptop music system and a portable P.A. package, it's possible to play almost any type of venue. Unfortunately, that means you're still tethered...
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Sep 1, 2005
Since the early '90s, I've been listening to mixtapes by DJs such as Ron G., Chill Will, Triple C, Doo Wop, Kid Capri and Buckwild, the people who really...
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Aug 1, 2005
Beat-mixing skills are the foundation of any great DJ. Subtract the ability to beat-match songs, and you are nothing more than a human jukebox. But as...
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Aug 1, 2005
There are many wonderful locations to play out and have your music heard besides the clubs for example, park festivals, boardwalks, house parties, college...
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Jul 1, 2005
With so many great bands champing at the bit to play decent venues, club owners have little incentive to actually pay a band to play. In fact, in cities...
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Jul 1, 2005
In my experience, only one thing truly sets a DJ apart: programming! The way a set is put together is crucial to a great night. Many times, new DJs are...
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Jun 1, 2005
The turntable is an instrument? But you're just playing records! So goes the claim of the naysayer of turntablism as an art. DJ Babu of the Beat Junkies...
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Jun 1, 2005
For musicians, few things are worse than playing to an empty room. People don't want to practice long hours and spend time setting up for a show only...
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May 1, 2005
Given the many ways to exploit a good live recording, not recording your set is like flushing cash down the toilet. For example, a live recording can...
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May 1, 2005
Did you just buy your first set of turntables? Are you learning how to mix? Have you been working at it for a few months but still having trouble breaking...
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Apr 1, 2005
When hip-hop began, the DJ was the foundation of the genre. Whereas the rappers were the hype masters responsible for exciting the crowd, the DJ was responsible...
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Mar 1, 2005
Where the angels go, trouble follows. And where I go, trouble, mayhem and mischief follow. When I started in this business, I only wanted to learn about...
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Feb 1, 2005
If you're used to performing with a headphone mix in the studio, stepping onstage and realizing that there is no controlled mix to play along with can...
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Feb 1, 2005
Many of today's popular scratch techniques focus purely on precise fader manipulation, but a host of faderless scratches, such as the hydroplane, are...
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Dec 1, 2004
Focusing some practice time on vinyl-manipulation techniques can pay great dividends and will help improve your skills even with fader-centric scratches....
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Dec 1, 2004
After giving your all in a live performance without turntables or even a CD player as backup, it's hard to know how to respond when a fan comes up after...
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Nov 1, 2004
The headphone-cue function (also called cue or pre cue) found on all good DJ mixers is an amazing invention. Originally, its sole purpose was to allow...
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Nov 1, 2004
Hitting the road for a DJ tour in support of your album seems simple enough: Just book the dates, pack a bag, grab your tracks and get on the plane right?...
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Oct 1, 2004
When you get a pair of decks, the first thing you do is toss the platter's rubber mat and replace it with a slipmat, right? This frees up your vinyl for...
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Oct 1, 2004
One computer can generate all the parts for a live jam, especially when you employ a software program that has sophisticated live-performance features....
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Oct 1, 2004
Once upon a time, DJs' crates were full of acoustic music with no sequenced beats in sight. As synthesizers, drum machines and samplers showed up on the...
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Sep 1, 2004
Through my experience teaching at the Norcal DJ and Music Production Academy (norcalDJMPA), I've been asked many questions about scratching. Students...
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Sep 1, 2004
Smart song selection and tight beat matching for smooth segues between songs are the core skills that every DJ must master. But after you have these essential...
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Jul 1, 2004
I started scratching in 1984, and looking back, I realize that I have experienced many different phases: being part of a mobile DJ crew; entering battles;...
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Jul 1, 2004
Infectious grooves aren't the only ingredient that you need to put on a great show. It's not enough to simply drop a groove and let it ride; you need...
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