Pioneer DDJ-800 Released

DJ's who think the client cares are only deluding themselves. The mobile dj client doesn't give a crap whether the scratching sound is coming from the platter, or from you scratching your ass. They don't care if you're doing it live or if it's pre-recorded, only that you produce a sound that is pleasing to them.

Anybody that thinks that that skill set applies to the mobile dj industry and has any bearing on whether or not you would be hired to perform at their private event has delusions of grandeur.

As was mentioned, it's a skill set that only applies to the club or battle scene!

I could say the same back to you, but the opposite. You are unaware of how it adds to a DJs performance and how it could make a DJ more attractive, especially with younger folks. It's not a skill that only applies to a club DJ b/c there are a lot of DJs doing it, and charging more b/c they offer a high level of performance.

Are you arguing this point?

As said before, it's not needed, but it adds to a DJs skillset and something that stands out among the average mobile DJ. I for one, just do it b/c it feels right. It's all part of my mix and I don't often plan a scratch routine as I am incorporating some form every single mix.

I am not picking on you, but it's not quite fair for you to say such things when you don't even have the skillset.

All skills CAN be useful but not every skill is appreciated or beneficial...or even necessary.

A skilled and talented painter need not be capable of every type of painting skill. I know of some very successful house and automobile painters that likely couldn't paint a portrait of a polar bear wearing white gloves and white socks while eating cool whip in a blizzard with his eyes closed...

I've NEVER in 30+ suffered ANY consequence as the result of my minimal appreciation of the art of scratching. In the 90's when I chased more High School clientele, I was adept enough to judiciously utilize the "wiggy wiggy" and the chirps etc, but even then only 5 to 10% of the audience even feigned notice and of that tiny minority, only a dozen or so even appreciated it enough to give a nod.

The purpose of the performance was to provide the audience with a soundtrack to which they could bounce, twerk and dance...they gave notashit about some battle type performance and, I have no doubt, such un-requested manipulation of their preferred dance songs would have resulted in rejection and negative consequences for future bookings.

Key mixing, beat mixing, programming and Emcee talents have OVERWHELMINGLY produced more success, financially and artistically

TES3S said:

I am not picking on you, but it's not quite fair for you to say such things when you don't even have the skillset.

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And I could say that it's unfair for you to assume how unaware I supposedly am of how you think it adds to a mobile dj's performance.
If you are hired on that basis alone, then it's only because the client specifically wants a "club dj" for their event which isn't even 5% of the inquires mobile dj's get.

Mobile dj's are hired to perform pre-recorded music. Not saying that they can't or shouldn't try and do anything more (excluding beatmatching), just that the importance of doing scratches and other video game like button pushing has little bearing on your hireability in this realm.

I think you are blurring the lines between club dj and mobile dj.

Can club dj's get hired to do mobile events? Of course they can.
The problem from what I have seen is that 99 percent of club dj's have no clue about PA systems and proper sound reinforcement/placement for proper coverage because the majority of them only show up with their controller in hand and just plug into an existing PA.

You say that scratching is a skillset that mobile dj's should have?
I say a better and more universally applicable skillset is to know how to properly setup and tune a PA system and relevant processing gear than to worry about thinking that my button pushing as a mobile dj is what's going to give me better reviews and make me look cool, but as John Lennon would say...."whatever gets you through the night"!

You said it yourself, not me. You have never seen DJs scratch at a wedding or a mobile event.

I would say it's all important. Knowing how to set up sound is just as important as knowing how to give an exciting DJ performance.

My clients and people looking for DJs in my class/tier/whatever you want to call it are expecting club style top-notch performance mixing when the dancing starts, and are willing to pay more for it.

Those who don't value or don't care about the advanced skillset probably won't even consider me b/c I will be out of their budget.

There is a reason i charge a lot more than the few companies around here who don't offer much in the way of DJing, other than just playing the song.

I am not putting you down for not incorporating advanced skills in your set, but having it only allows you to set yourself apart from more and thus charge more b/c you offer a higher level of DJ to make the party that much better

I think let's just agree to disagree on this one. I find that my DJ skills and the way I mix make me more hirable. It's even talked about in the consultation.

Well good luck to you then. I hope you can exploit that tier/market for all it's worth!

already have...

My clients voice certain concerns with me... they dont want corny activities... or an mc who wont shut up...or makes every moment somehow about them or promoting their company... they want music presented in an exciting ...professional way....in a world of Spotify playlists....if we dont stand out we can be replaced...

cc

TES3S said:

I am not putting you down for not incorporating advanced skills in your set, but having it only allows you to set yourself apart from more and thus charge more b/c you offer a higher level of DJ to make the party that much better

I think let's just agree to disagree on this one. I find that my DJ skills and the way I mix make me more hirable. It's even talked about in the consultation.

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You really make a lot of assumptions about other dj's advanced skill sets (or what you deem is a lack thereof) in order to try and make yourself sound superior and worth more.

As Rocky mentioned..... try scratching, braking or making bleeping and blopping sounds by pressing control pad buttons during a hot track that everyone wants to hear as it sounds on the radio and see what kind of reaction you get from the crowd. Once again I think you're blurring the lines for the type of clientele most mobile dj's typically serve but hey whatever works for you.

The most important dj skill set to have is to know when to use those certain supposed skills and when not to.

I am not blurring the lines, I am offering the desired service to the clients who want/appreciate that style of mixing. I am not trying to sound superior as you say-- I am always trying to take my DJing to the next level, and practicing my turntablism skills just like working on really good sets where certain songs mix so well with other songs are all part of it.

I want to stand out and be desired! Is that so bad?

You should hear my consultation (on the phone). I talk about my DJ skills and how I bring a higher level of energy through my mix, EVEN if people don't know what on earth I am doing up there.

The way you talk about scratching tells me you have not seen it done in a tasteful way. In no shape or form am I am "breaking, bleeping, or blopping sounds by pressing control buttons during a hot track.

The way you describe it, it sounds like you think "we" are remixing the song. As you said, you have never seen it before...

Go watch the AM Doc. He was one of the first to do it right and probably is still the best to ever do it. I strive to be as good as he was. His creativity and the way he went about his mix/set is sensational.

You can think whatever you want, but a lot of people hiring a DJ want something similar.

Again, there is nothing wrong with basic fading of songs, but don't hate on others who offer more and don't tell others who take their DJing to the next level that it is not warranted and that they shouldn't b.c YOU THINK it's not effective when it simply is not true.

I think I will stick to working on my skillset to offer that "club level" stlye DJing at the high end weddings I work.

TES3S said:

As you said, you have never seen it before...

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I never said that......you did!
I can show you lots of cheesy videos of bad dj's doing just that and wrecking the song.

How about you show us a video of what you do, what you are talking about, and what you think is tasteful?

you are right, it was djmm, but I take it you have not seen much just by the lingo you use.

You can show me videos, sure! By as I have said numerous times, if not done tastefully, ya it sounds awful, JUST LIKE A BAD MIX-really no different. I can show you plenty of bad videos of DJings bombing a mix too. So what!

Go to my website DJJASonline.com and listen to my mixes or watch videos or get out more and listen to other DJs.

One of the best things other DJs can do is listen to other DJs at events and even the club. It only makes us better and sparks creativity.

My favorite current DJ is DJ Splyce. He is definitely considered of the best and DJs for all kinds of events, including weddings and high-end corporate events like Facebook. He is a scratch master and takes it to a whole another level displaying the art in a very appropriate and tasteful way. His skillset is extremely desired and charges $1,000 an hr.

Banned Topics at ODJT

1) Politics
2) Religion
3) Ford vs. Chevy
4) Bose
5) Mixing/Syncing/Scratching/Winamp
6) Mix's friends

Steve, how's the weather?

Nobody is disputing you have a very good skillset and no one is hating on you. The debate (which has become a derailed thread once again from the op) was only the appropriateness of when and where those skills are to be applied.

And please stop making the assumption that we need to get out more like we don't know what's happening in our own markets.

For the ones talking here, MOST DJ gear would not even be utilized the way it was intended, including the new DDJ-800. It's for the advanced performance mixer/DJ.

There are much simpler and more basic ways of playing music. In fact, no controller is even needed if you are just playing the song as the radio does.

Megseg comes to mind.