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How the fuck do DJs do their thing?

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I've been listening to a lot of trip hop lately and I just don't get how they do it with 2 turntables and a microphone. I had always figured they use protools and create the whole thing on a computer and then just play that CD live and scratch records over it, but when the music stops and warps at the control of a pair of hands on vinyl you know it is all somehow on the records (at least at that moment).

How does it work?

― Guitar Idiot, Saturday, 17 September 2005 03:08 (twenty years ago)

THEY HAV HEADPHONEZ

― Chinchilla Volapük (Captain Sleep), Saturday, 17 September 2005 03:13 (twenty years ago)

AAND MADD SKILLZ0R

― Chinchilla Volapük (Captain Sleep), Saturday, 17 September 2005 03:13 (twenty years ago)

AND SOME SORT OF AMAZXING SPEED/PITCH ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM!!!1!@#

― Chinchilla Volapük (Captain Sleep), Saturday, 17 September 2005 03:16 (twenty years ago)

Okay, okay.

So, who is the most talented DJ out there? I mean, who can really pull amazing tricks out of 2 records (and whatever else they do)?

Look at what this motherfucker is doing on the homepage:
http://www.djqbert.com/

― Guitar Idiot, Saturday, 17 September 2005 03:19 (twenty years ago)

http://entimg.msn.com/i/150/ce/mar2/djqualls_150x207.jpg

― Chinchilla Volapük (Captain Sleep), Saturday, 17 September 2005 03:26 (twenty years ago)

Sorry, GUITAR IDIOT, but I am v. drunk and your question is kind of like asking "how do microsurgeons do their thing?" ANSWER: PRACTICE, EDUCATION AND SKILL.

― Chinchilla Volapük (Captain Sleep), Saturday, 17 September 2005 03:30 (twenty years ago)

But, it can't possibly all be on 2 turntables, right? I mean, they've got samples, atmospherics, made up drum and bass lines and then on top of that they have a record or 2 that they scratch. What do they do, make special limited edition vinyls of their mixes so they can scratch 'em on stage? That's probably the trick, huh?

― Guitar Idiot, Saturday, 17 September 2005 03:34 (twenty years ago)

samplers.

― Ian John50n (orion), Saturday, 17 September 2005 04:57 (twenty years ago)

http://www.synthmuseum.com/akai/akampc6001.jpg

― Telephonething (Telephonething), Saturday, 17 September 2005 05:03 (twenty years ago)

They're way more talented than your average guitarist, I'm guessing. I won't know til I play around with some of this shit, but the ears on these people are amazing. Oh, and I've dicked around with samplers and drum machines. FUCK THAT SHIT. Way harder than playing guitar.

― Guitar Idiot, Saturday, 17 September 2005 05:29 (twenty years ago)

Yes, it is a lot harder than guitar. I've been playing guitar for 4 or 5 years and am relatively skilled now, but from the moment I picked up the instrument, I could passably make SOME sort of music, however simple.

When my friend left his turntable at my house, I fucked it with it for 2 hours and couldn't get anything I did to sound remotely like music. Granted, the only records I had to use were the Disneyland Electric Mainstreet parade, and More Songs about Buildings and Food, but it basically just sounded like one record being played in reverse and then another being scratched awkwardly on top of that.

So yeah, I have a lot of respect for anyone who can figure it out.

― fhfh, Saturday, 17 September 2005 06:17 (twenty years ago)

they press play on their pre-recorded cd and look busy

― frenchbloke (frenchbloke), Saturday, 17 September 2005 08:17 (twenty years ago)

They play other people's music, not theirs or covers. It's a totally different way of looking at the whole thing.

The world needs more ex-guitarists fumbling with turntables. Not

― blunt (blunt), Saturday, 17 September 2005 16:19 (twenty years ago)

DEE JAYS are dumb buttes who get some shit-ass records with BASS and play them all night then go home and fuck their stripper girlfriends

and thats a fact jack (as in jacky ickx, multi-time winner at LE MANS)

― ESTEBAN BUTTEZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, Saturday, 17 September 2005 16:22 (twenty years ago)

The world needs more ex-guitarists fumbling with turntables. Not

The world really needs you to die immediately, you piece of worthless shit.

― Guitar Idiot, Saturday, 17 September 2005 16:32 (twenty years ago)

Guitar Idiot, please do not be so angry. It makes me cry. I weep at the sight of anger and hurt. Please, I beg you, find a way to stop being so hurtful. Thank you.

― Chris "Chris" Martin, Saturday, 17 September 2005 16:34 (twenty years ago)

The world needs more ex-guitarists fumbling with turntables. Not

The world really needs you to die immediately, you piece of worthless shit.

C'est celui qui dit qui est.

― blunt (blunt), Saturday, 17 September 2005 16:34 (twenty years ago)

btw, I really love the dorky defensive tone of everyone in this thread.

"He doesn't even know the technical details of what DJs do! He probably doesn't even know the secret handshake!!"

― sdlh, Saturday, 17 September 2005 18:49 (twenty years ago)

I'll tell you the secret handshake...it's sorta like the freemason's handshake but you slip someone a drink ticket.

― Dan Selzer (Dan Selzer), Saturday, 17 September 2005 19:15 (twenty years ago)

I just don't get how they do it with 2 turntables and a microphone.

sometimes they don't even have a microphone!

― nathalie (stevie nixed), Saturday, 17 September 2005 19:18 (twenty years ago)

the secret handshake is a baffled stare followed by a forage in your record bag until the person goes away.

― Ronan (Ronan), Saturday, 17 September 2005 19:21 (twenty years ago)

sometimes they don't even have a microphone!

Real djs don't use microphones...they plug the headphones into the mic jack and scream into the ear-piece.

― Dan Selzer (Dan Selzer), Saturday, 17 September 2005 19:22 (twenty years ago)

Is someone going to point out to this poor guy that DJ'ing and producing a record are different things?

Hi Dan and ROnan and stevie and Casuistry and frenchbloke et al! I just got all my records back, unfortunately without turntables/mixer. I'm going to digitize some stuff for you all to listen to.

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Saturday, 17 September 2005 19:31 (twenty years ago)

Guitar Idiot, when they do it live it may be a LITTLE more complicated than just playing a minidisc and then checking their email while the dancefloor flips out, as frenchbloke suggests -- although not necessarily -- i.e. they may play it through some Program on their computer that allows them to manipulate the different tracks of the song, or parts of the song, in chunks or in toto. An yeah, they might even go so far as to create an acetate or actual vinyl of one of the tracks but the only people I've heard of that do this are like superstar DJs who have monogrammed Kleenex.

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Saturday, 17 September 2005 19:53 (twenty years ago)

i know a bunch of djs who press tour vinyls... they're largely "scratchy" types tho

― s1ocki (slutsky), Saturday, 17 September 2005 19:58 (twenty years ago)

ill tell you how they do it: magic. pure fucking, white and black magick.

ask any further questions and the devil will hunt you down.

― maria tessa sciarrino (theoreticalgirl), Saturday, 17 September 2005 20:02 (twenty years ago)

Is someone going to point out to this poor guy that DJ'ing and producing a record are different things?

I wish club promoters would understand that one too.

― blunt (blunt), Saturday, 17 September 2005 20:21 (twenty years ago)

haha or club goers more like, most promoters I guess just follow the money in that respect!

― Ronan (Ronan), Saturday, 17 September 2005 20:33 (twenty years ago)

OK so who tells clubbers that producers are better DJs than, you know, plain DJs ?

― blunt (blunt), Saturday, 17 September 2005 20:47 (twenty years ago)

I think if someone isn't a producer they just think "I'm not going to see him, I've never heard of him!"

I suppose singles sell better than DJ mixes!

― Ronan (Ronan), Saturday, 17 September 2005 20:49 (twenty years ago)

But it's obvious that a DJ could spend his time, money & energy perfecting his art. Becoming a much better DJ than a producer, whose entire time is consumed by music making but who steals the bill every weekend. I'm not talking about live gigs, just DJing.

― blunt (blunt), Saturday, 17 September 2005 21:00 (twenty years ago)

I agree with you but I think people when people go to a show they mostly want to see, or want to kid themselves in advance into thinking they'll see someone who plays music they already know. A certain amount of people anyway.

― Ronan (Ronan), Saturday, 17 September 2005 21:05 (twenty years ago)

Well it works with Todd Terry who is said to DJ his own stuff only. An exception to the rule or a clubbing legend, not sure.

― blunt (blunt), Saturday, 17 September 2005 21:11 (twenty years ago)

If you mix these two records together, I'm pretty sure you get Vitalic - http://s39.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2OP6BTGGAHTK10HD1XUHPX4A1A

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Saturday, 17 September 2005 22:21 (twenty years ago)

haha actually those two records together would sound horrible!

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Saturday, 17 September 2005 22:21 (twenty years ago)

how long is an average todd terry's set then?

― nique (nique), Sunday, 18 September 2005 01:26 (twenty years ago)

If Todd Terry played everything he ever released or remixed it'd last months...

― Dan Selzer (Dan Selzer), Sunday, 18 September 2005 01:28 (twenty years ago)

then a clubbing legend, obviously

― nique (nique), Sunday, 18 September 2005 01:29 (twenty years ago)

Todd made such a career not only of remixing but of building his tracks around classics, whether as samples or cover versions, most famously Bango or Weekend, that a Todd Terry set would be tons of fun.

― Dan Selzer (Dan Selzer), Sunday, 18 September 2005 03:04 (twenty years ago)

the secret handshake is a baffled stare followed by a forage in your record bag until the person goes away.

ha ha! that's so true that it hurts.

multiple x post.

― stirmonster (stirmonster), Sunday, 18 September 2005 03:34 (twenty years ago)

The Guitar Idiot educates you about DJ equipment:

Final Scratch allows you to play your brand new "hot off the presses shit" as if it is vinyl wihout spending a shitload of money and waiting 5 months.

― Guitar Idiot, Monday, 19 September 2005 17:20 (twenty years ago)

From above article:

Morant unsheathes a record that contains three of his original tracks. He sent the material off to have the lacquer cut in January and just recently got it back.

"Eighteen hundred bucks and five months just to play it on wax," he says. Tonight, he can play seven songs he cut last week -- and he can play them as though they were on vinyl.

― Guitar Idiot, Monday, 19 September 2005 17:24 (twenty years ago)

Serato Scratch is apparently gaining ground as a Final Scratch alternative, too. Then there's always the Ableton Live djing, etc.

― mike h. (mike h.), Monday, 19 September 2005 17:28 (twenty years ago)

If you can't afford an upscale Italian restaurant there's always Pizza Hut, Domino's Pizza, slice joints...

― blunt (blunt), Monday, 19 September 2005 17:59 (twenty years ago)

This is the reason the world needs you to die, blunt.

― Guitar Idiot, Monday, 19 September 2005 18:07 (twenty years ago)

You know, I actually used to talk like that, it's funny. You'll get over it just like rock, trip hop and the next thing you'll be into.

― blunt (blunt), Monday, 19 September 2005 18:11 (twenty years ago)

That's interesting, but I'm actually wishing you death, not "talking like that." Yes, I remember about 5 or 6 years back "die now" was a popular internet putdown. I'm actually saying that I can tell by how you've spoken thus far and what a presumtuous asshole you are, you are doing no good on this planet whatsoever. And I wish you, truly, a swift death.

― Guitar Idiot, Monday, 19 September 2005 18:55 (twenty years ago)

Eh, there's always the guy who misinterprets what's good. He thinks that I'm trying to approximate Italian cuisine, I'm realizing that I'm eating a delicious slice of Chicago-style and can eat Italian anytime.

Assuming blunt is trying to rip on anyone not using "real vinyl," I sure like different approaches. There's a video floating around of Hawtin doing some ableton set with his laptop and one of those insane midi xone mixers and I'd have to say he does a lot more than you can with vinyl alone. It's also great to hear a well-mixed vinyl set. I'd say "to each his own," but I'm really thinking there are some great options in all realms here.

― mike h. (mike h.), Monday, 19 September 2005 18:59 (twenty years ago)

I don't mind all this digital stuff, it does allow all kinds of formerly impossible tricks. As a dancer I think it doesn't cut it - with the DJs I've heard live, including Mr. Hawtin.

The argument about getting one's own music on the turntables was good but you can burn it and shove it in the club's pitch-adjustable CD player. Nothing wrong with playing a few CDs.

I'm actually saying that I can tell by how you've spoken thus far and what a presumtuous asshole you are, you are doing no good on this planet whatsoever. And I wish you, truly, a swift death.

I did understand you thought all this from the start, thanks for the second explanation, but you don't have the beginning of a clue.

― blunt (blunt), Monday, 19 September 2005 19:28 (twenty years ago)

DEAR GUITAR IDIOT,

THIS IS FERGIE. I DJ AROUND THE WORLD, MAINLY IN IBIZA. YOU MIGHT WANT TO CHECK OUT ONE OF MY CLASSIC MIX CDS, HARDHOUSE ANTHEMS, THE HARDER THEY COME VOL 3, DJ INTERNATIONAL ALLSTARS: FERGIE, HARD TO THE CORE PART 1, OR FERGIE 7 LIVE # 3, TO WITNESS HOW IT IS REALLY DONE,

FERGIE

― FERGIE, Monday, 19 September 2005 19:35 (twenty years ago)

I did understand you thought all this from the start, thanks for the second explanation, but you don't have the beginning of a clue.

What an asshole you are? I have more than a clue. I won the whole game. You're an asshole. You should not be alive.

I believe a little creative visualization is in order. I shall now procede as if you are already dead and verily it shall come to pass. Don't think it hasn't been a little slice of heaven. 'Cause it hasn't.

― Guitar Idiot, Monday, 19 September 2005 19:36 (twenty years ago)

You are nutzo. But yes, please do as if I weren't here, thanks.

― blunt (blunt), Monday, 19 September 2005 19:52 (twenty years ago)

ihttp://death.monstrous.com/death_artefact_21.jpg

― Combining tags on ILM, Monday, 19 September 2005 20:07 (twenty years ago)

blunt, I think the idea is that you can go to clubs where there is a standard two turntable setup and toss on your digital rig that fits in a bag and be good to go, rather than lugging your gear around or demanding a cd mixer in the venue (although many probably have them, mileage may vary..). I'd be interested to hear who you think does cut it as a danceable live DJ (no judgement either way on Mr. Hawtin, just tossed him out as an anecdote) since there are a number of people across genres who are picking up on the ableton bandwagon.

― mike h. (mike h.), Monday, 19 September 2005 20:38 (twenty years ago)

well, stirmonster for one!

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Monday, 19 September 2005 20:45 (twenty years ago)

lesson #1: turntables are for show.

(well, that's my jaded/cynical/"he's not really playing that record!!!" view.)
m.

― msp (mspa), Monday, 19 September 2005 20:50 (twenty years ago)

But I know too many danceable live DJs to mention, that's like asking about my favorite record ! And (poor Mr. Hawtin) allow me to inform you that on that night (Weetamix club in Geneva about a year ago) he showed up with an "assistant" whose sole purpose was to set up the finalscratch thingy. That'll be two airplane tickets, meals and hotel rooms and a jacked-up price at the door.

One of my best friends who also taught me how to DJ a decade ago was among the first to jump on the ableton live thing locally, he used to layer the recorded sets he made with vinyl turntables, etc., was fun. I even booked him at the club I used to program and all but he could not convert me to this day.

― blunt (blunt), Monday, 19 September 2005 21:04 (twenty years ago)

So, why do you let your friends eat Pizza Hut?

― mike h. (mike h.), Monday, 19 September 2005 21:28 (twenty years ago)

And here's a few of the DJs I booked last year that I really enjoyed, by way of an answer : Bougie Soliterre, Idjut Boys, Mike Grant, Frankie Valentine, DJ Gregory, Maurice Fulton, Tommi Gronlund & Hanni Hannikainen (Sähkö/Keys of Life)...

I believe I gave my friends the equivalent of a good Italian restaurant in doing so.

― blunt (blunt), Monday, 19 September 2005 21:31 (twenty years ago)

If anyone is still using an mpc 60, it's as a tabletop, not a turntable. Them thangs was HUGE.

― PappaWheelie B.C., Monday, 19 September 2005 21:40 (twenty years ago)

I believe I gave my friends the equivalent of a good Italian restaurant in doing so.

Does Italian food just represent the pinnacle of good eatin' to you or what? You sound a bit ridiculous. It sticks to your ribs because it's mostly garbage that either clogs your intestine or gets stored as fat. Yes, it is a step above a slice. Dipshit.

― Let me put this to you bluntly, Monday, 19 September 2005 22:54 (twenty years ago)

I take it back, you're not crazy. You're a fool.

― blunt (blunt), Monday, 19 September 2005 23:09 (twenty years ago)

Who me? Or the other guy?

― Let me put this to you bluntly, Monday, 19 September 2005 23:11 (twenty years ago)

http://www.moviesofmassdestruction.com/images/movies/30/fatso_poster.jpg

― LMPTTYB, Monday, 19 September 2005 23:12 (twenty years ago)

Who me? Or the other guy?
I duno, bring him back so I can ask. Schizo fool.

― blunt (blunt), Monday, 19 September 2005 23:40 (twenty years ago)

Surprise, surprise! Blunt's got it all figured out! The world on a string, dancing on a rainbow! What a douche. Your grammar sucks, too. Commas are not periods. Schizophrenia is also not multiple personality disorder.

― Have a cigar!, Tuesday, 20 September 2005 00:37 (twenty years ago)

Hey Blunt, how fucking cool is this? Spin short movie

And you would like Sinatra played at your funeral, which explains the Italian food analogy.

So, clearly your opinions are worthless.

― X Is To Y As Pizza Is To Good Italian Food, Tuesday, 20 September 2005 01:08 (twenty years ago)

http://www.familyoldphotos.com/pa/images2/jan3/trainwreck-r.jpg

― Telephonething (Telephonething), Tuesday, 20 September 2005 01:22 (twenty years ago)

?

― blunt (blunt), Tuesday, 20 September 2005 19:04 (twenty years ago)

DJ trainwreck or thread derailment?

― naus (Robert T), Wednesday, 21 September 2005 04:41 (twenty years ago)

Who knew words on the internet could make people so bitter and angry? The internet should be full of love!

― worst evar, Wednesday, 21 September 2005 06:31 (twenty years ago)

This thread amuses me so much!

― best evar!, Wednesday, 21 September 2005 18:44 (twenty years ago)

Give me some examples of this trip-hop you've been listening to and I'll tell you how they do it.

― Mark (MarkR), Wednesday, 21 September 2005 18:46 (twenty years ago)

How about El Stew? It's like 4 DJs. That much I know.

― My Pickles Have Become So Scratched They are Nearly Invisible, Wednesday, 21 September 2005 22:47 (twenty years ago)

one year passes...

ill tell you how they do it: magic. pure fucking, white and black magick.

ask any further questions and the devil will hunt you down.

-- maria tessa sciarrino (theoreticalgirl), Saturday, September 17, 2005 10:02 PM (1 year ago) Bookmark Link

qft

― ☪, Thursday, 12 July 2007 12:54 (eighteen years ago)

So, who is the most talented DJ out there? I mean, who can really pull amazing tricks out of 2 records (and whatever else they do)?

Look at what this motherfucker is doing on the homepage:
http://www.djqbert.com/

-- Guitar Idiot, Saturday, 17 September 2005 03:19 (1 year ago) Bookmark Link

― Dom Passantino, Thursday, 12 July 2007 12:56 (eighteen years ago)


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