Mixing...is it really that important?

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mikemerlin said:
A clarification needs to be made here. I do receptions exclusively and don't mix and have great dance floors. Tempo flow and what you play is more important IMO. Blending two songs seamlessly doesn't mean much if those songs suck :)
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That's rather ignorant.

You have great dance floors ONLY because of great songs - meaning your potential is LIMITED to your supply of great songs - other people's dance appealing work. You're doing only what anyone and everyone can do with a playlist.

A great mix makes not-so-great songs sound more appealing to a dancer which gives a mix DJ the ability to fill a dance floor with far more diversity and range than you ever could. I see it all the time - other DJs and emcees who write down the songs I play with great success only to discover the songs don't work when they play them. They simply don't get the fact that the mix provided the context that made the song work.. on it's own it may not have that kind of dance appeal.

This is a perfect example of why so many "wedding DJs' all sound the same - because they are limited to pulling out the same routine collection of dance hits... there's nothing about the playlist that would make people take note of the DJ or his ability.

We all get compliments - but, how many of you are complimented with phrases like "..it's so refreshing to hear someone that can actually mix" or "that was great music and not all the usual stuff..?" These are the details that separate a real DJ from an emcee, etc.
 
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steve149 said:
It's like saying "Switch Hitting .. how important is it" to a professional baseball player. It's a skill, one that can be learned, that few have perfected. Some of the best players didn't/don't have it .. doesn't make them less professional or "less finished".
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It's interesting but it's not a skill - otherwise every player would be trained to do it. It has no real advantage in the game since what matters most is the ability of players on the field to make a play - not which field the batter hits to.

Excepting for out of the park home runs - baseball games generally aren't won because people get hits - their won because the other team's runners are prevented from advancing. It's a defensive game. You can often get the most hits and still lose the game.
 
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I think there is a difference between a Disc Jockey and a DJ now.

I get that they mean the same thing, but honestly, I look at radio jocks completely far and away from being a DJ. Put them in from of some DJ gear and most of them have no idea what to do with it.
Again, there is nothing wrong with being an ENTERTAINER. But just because you play music for people does NOT make you a DJ. Where I come from a DJ is defined by mixing. If you can't mix, then people say you just push play and you aren't a true DJ. I don't necessarily agree with that, but I DO think that if you value other skills (like talking on the mic) over anything that has to do with the music (tempo and flow, mixing, song selection, etc), then I am sorry, but I don't consider you a DJ. You are an entertainer, but unless your primary focus is on the music, and how you manipulate it, you're not a DJ.

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Proformance said:
That's rather ignorant.

You have great dance floors ONLY because of great songs - meaning your potential is LIMITED to your supply of great songs - other people's dance appealing work. You're doing only what anyone and everyone can do with a playlist.

A great mix makes not-so-great songs sound more appealing to a dancer which gives a mix DJ the ability to fill a dance floor with far more diversity and range than you ever could. I see it all the time - other DJs and emcees who write down the songs I play with great success only to discover the songs don't work when they play them. They simply don't get the fact that the mix provided the context that made the song work.. on it's own it may not have that kind of dance appeal.

This is a perfect example of why so many "wedding DJs' all sound the same - because they are limited to pulling out the same routine collection of dance hits... there's nothing about the playlist that would make people take note of the DJ or his ability.

We all get compliments - but, how many of you are complimented with phrases like "..it's so refreshing to hear someone that can actually mix" or "that was great music and not all the usual stuff..?" These are the details that separate a real DJ from an emcee, etc.
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I agree 267%.
I can play the exact same songs as someone else, but WHEN I play them, HOW I play them, how I MIX them... all that plays a huge role in how well the song is received. You could have the hottest song out right now, but if you botch a mix going into it, I guarantee it will affect the energy and flow of your dancefloor.
 
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Proformance said:
It's interesting but it's not a skill - otherwise every player would be trained to do it. It has no real advantage in the game since what matters most is the ability of players on the field to make a play - not which field the batter hits to.

Excepting for out of the park home runs - baseball games generally aren't won because people get hits - their won because the other team's runners are prevented from advancing. It's a defensive game. You can often get the most hits and still lose the game.
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No offense, but you must know very little about baseball.
 
DJ Jynxx said:
No offense, but you must know very little about mixing.
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I know what it is, I know you have mad skills at it, and I know that it isn't the defining characteristic of a DJ. And I know switch-hitting is a lot like mixing .. a skill that can separate you from the pack .. and no, I can't bat from both sides either.
 
Proformance said:
That's rather ignorant.

You have great dance floors ONLY because of great songs - meaning your potential is LIMITED to your supply of great songs - other people's dance appealing work. You're doing only what anyone and everyone can do with a playlist.

A great mix makes not-so-great songs sound more appealing to a dancer which gives a mix DJ the ability to fill a dance floor with far more diversity and range than you ever could. I see it all the time - other DJs and emcees who write down the songs I play with great success only to discover the songs don't work when they play them. They simply don't get the fact that the mix provided the context that made the song work.. on it's own it may not have that kind of dance appeal.

This is a perfect example of why so many "wedding DJs' all sound the same - because they are limited to pulling out the same routine collection of dance hits... there's nothing about the playlist that would make people take note of the DJ or his ability.

We all get compliments - but, how many of you are complimented with phrases like "..it's so refreshing to hear someone that can actually mix" or "that was great music and not all the usual stuff..?" These are the details that separate a real DJ from an emcee, etc.
Click to expand...

I am actually complimented all the time on the range of music I play, it depends on the crowd. I've gotten 3 unsolicited e-mails from the past 3 weddings I've done saying how awesome the mix of music was. As far as playing substandard songs that mix well together I could give a rat's azz about any of that. Keeping the dance floor packed is all I care about. That and football...and Christmas, I like Christmas...

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One other thing who GIVES A CRAP whether YOU are recognized? Are you getting married? Is it your special day. As a wedding DJ it's your job to MC and keep the floor packed. If you want recognition go to an event where people actually are there to see you not someone's wedding
 
steve149 said:
I know what it is, I know you have mad skills at it, and I know that it isn't the defining characteristic of a DJ. And I know switch-hitting is a lot like mixing .. a skill that can separate you from the pack .. and no, I can't bat from both sides either.
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I was really just givin you sh*t, I know you know what mixing is... you just left yourself open for the comment lol
:p
 
Jynxx .. much love :)
 
Proformance said:
It's interesting but it's not a skill - otherwise every player would be trained to do it. It has no real advantage in the game since what matters most is the ability of players on the field to make a play - not which field the batter hits to.

Excepting for out of the park home runs - baseball games generally aren't won because people get hits - their won because the other team's runners are prevented from advancing. It's a defensive game. You can often get the most hits and still lose the game.
Click to expand...

Being able to switch hit effectively certainly gives a player an advantage. No it doesn't matter what field you hit it to, but most pitchers have a distinct statistical advantage over either right hand or left hand hitters. Being able to on the opposite side of the pitcher's throwing hand can give a player a split second longer to see the ball and neutralize a pitcher's advantage.

While pitching is important, many games are won on singles, doubles, triples, sac flies, not just home runs. When it your team's turn to bat, you are not worrying about preventing runs. The focus is on getting hits, which leads to runs. If you have the honed the skill of switch hitting, it makes sense to use it.

Switch hitting certainly is a skill, but in order for it to make sense to hone that skill, one must show that they have some ability to make it worth while to work on it.

Being able to effectively dribble down court and dunk a basketball is a skill and very effective scoring method, but they don't teach everyone to do that either.
 
steve149 said:
No offense, but you must know very little about baseball.
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I know enough not to try equate it with DJs. :p

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mikemerlin said:
I am actually complimented all the time on the range of music I play, it depends on the crowd. I've gotten 3 unsolicited e-mails from the past 3 weddings I've done saying how awesome the mix of music was. As far as playing substandard songs that mix well together I could give a rat's azz about any of that. Keeping the dance floor packed is all I care about. That and football...and Christmas, I like Christmas...

- - - Updated - - -

One other thing who GIVES A CRAP whether YOU are recognized? Are you getting married? Is it your special day. As a wedding DJ it's your job to MC and keep the floor packed. If you want recognition go to an event where people actually are there to see you not someone's wedding
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Not getting recognized is why you still have a day job. :)

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Scott Hanna said:
Being able to switch hit effectively certainly gives a player an advantage. No it doesn't matter what field you hit it to, but most pitchers have a distinct statistical advantage over either right hand or left hand hitters. Being able to on the opposite side of the pitcher's throwing hand can give a player a split second longer to see the ball and neutralize a pitcher's advantage.

While pitching is important, many games are won on singles, doubles, triples, sac flies, not just home runs. When it your team's turn to bat, you are not worrying about preventing runs. The focus is on getting hits, which leads to runs. If you have the honed the skill of switch hitting, it makes sense to use it.

Switch hitting certainly is a skill, but in order for it to make sense to hone that skill, one must show that they have some ability to make it worth while to work on it.

Being able to effectively dribble down court and dunk a basketball is a skill and very effective scoring method, but they don't teach everyone to do that either.
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So if switch hitting is like mixing then what's your excuse for not getting up to bat?

Without any experience mixing or the ability to turn it on or off where do you get your knowledge of it's value or what it means to working a dance floor?
 
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The funny thing is - this question matters 1000% more TODAY than it ever did since by and large anyone with iTunes has an automated program that makes really great segues. For about $89 or less you can get a DJ program or app that makes basic sync mixes.

So, given that any average Joe can cue a playlist and run around with a microphone - what makes you a DJ? Why should anyone take what you do seriously?
 
djsarge said:
Anyone have a sample of how you'd mix Twist and Shout - The Beatles and Shout Parts 1 & 2 - Isley Brothers then into Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton?
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Yes. But I wouldn't use the Isley Brothers version, and I doubt I would make Twist and Shout the lead in.

Also - no free samples. :)

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mikemerlin said:
If you consider working full time in radio a day job then I guess you're right. :)
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I bet DJing pays more. :)
 
Proformance said:
The funny thing is - this question matters 1000% more TODAY than it ever did since by and large anyone with iTunes has an automated program that makes really great segues. For about $89 or less you can get a DJ program or app that makes basic sync mixes.

So, given that any average Joe can cue a playlist and run around with a microphone - what makes you a DJ? Why should anyone take what you do seriously?
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Given the fact that it matters so much, it's interesting to me that it doesn't appear anywhere on your website or in any of the informative shopping or planning guides (nicely done by the way) you've made.

In fact you say:

A professional disc-jockey must be a director, psychologist, motivator, host, and entertainer all at the same time. It is important to select a DJ who is mature, articulate, accommodating, and well educated in reception protocol. Check that the years of experience are consistent with the DJ's age. More importantly, you should know how many wedding receptions the DJ has performed at to be sure that their experience is relevant. Look for other diverse experience they can bring to your event as well. You want to avoid a DJ who's flexibility is limited by a singular exposure to one event style. When interviewing the DJ pay attention to their ability to pick up on your ideas and offer interesting and insightful approaches to your concerns.


all which is absolutely correct .. and mixing skills never appears.
 
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