Ever have this awkward DJ situation?

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Ever have this awkward DJ situation?
Posted on: 08.07.2013 by Margo Munshower
Have u met someone or know someone who is a DJ that is starting out ask you for your ENTIRE music library (for free)?

I have been in this situation before and it is extremely uncomfortable. Being a DJ, I feel your music library is your backbone and ultimately defines you. I have no problem showing people artists, tracks, or labels, but outright handing someone my years of collecting and digging seems in-genuine and counter-productive to what makes a DJ a DJ. Not to mention, I pay for majority of my tracks.

I do not know how to handle the situation and usually am very deflective/non-responsive, at which point i am then met with signs of implying my reaction is uncalled for or douchey.

On the flip side, have you ever asked anyone for their library? I would never believe to ask someone so maybe I am projecting my own views on others. Still, to me, it doesn't seem or feel right both ethically.

Are they being uncalled for? Or am I?
Tawna Ulmen
10.07.2013
I love to share my music but its a two way street. I take an spare external harddrive just for that purpose.
Ara Tima
10.07.2013
Originally Posted by b1sh0p
You guys keep talking about your "collection" and how it's super secret, like other people don't have the Internet. You don't give people tunes because they should buy them. Producers make jack shit for money. Tell other people the name of the track and tell their asses to go buy the fucking record. You wouldn't believe how many of your favorite producers have fucking day jobs. Just because you bought the mp3 doesn't make it yours to give away.

"Can I have that track?" " fuck no. It's made by so and so. Go buy it."

/thread

Agreed 110%.

and keeping the names secret from people robs the producers of the only form of promotion and marketing they usually can get. DJs.
Kristofer Krauel
10.07.2013
Originally Posted by 031999
I don't have a problem with it. I would gladly share tracks, if the person shows a little interest in what I'm doing, not just wanting to the name of the track. If people have all my tracks then they have no need to come hear me play haha.
I hope this is a joke because it makes no sense. I own 90% of the tracks I hear other DJ's play. Still Im interested in how they use the tracks in their set. Otherwise why would DJ's exist if people just sat at home listening to their library?
Sonja Roybal
09.07.2013
You guys keep talking about your "collection" and how it's super secret, like other people don't have the Internet. You don't give people tunes because they should buy them. Producers make jack shit for money. Tell other people the name of the track and tell their asses to go buy the fucking record. You wouldn't believe how many of your favorite producers have fucking day jobs. Just because you bought the mp3 doesn't make it yours to give away.

"Can I have that track?" " fuck no. It's made by so and so. Go buy it."

/thread
Lannie Kutay
09.07.2013
Originally Posted by jdownesbaird
Totally agree. It seems so ridiculous to hide the name of a track from someone else. You may have "discovered" it before another DJ, but it's not your creation.
I don't have a problem with it. I would gladly share tracks, if the person shows a little interest in what I'm doing, not just wanting to the name of the track. If people have all my tracks then they have no need to come hear me play haha.
Dannie Dimora
09.07.2013
Originally Posted by Kwal
Fuck Shazam... Seriously.
Originally Posted by synthet1c
shazam has beatports entire catalog available...

http://news.beatport.com/blog/2013/0...hazam-awesome/
Kwal, soundhound is shit. Shazam has the best algorithms and database of ANY music searching app.
Delena Katherman
09.07.2013
Originally Posted by shr3dder
But the whole not sharing names of tracks seesm a little disrespectful to the producers of the tunes. You didn't write the tune it's not 'yours' to take credit for.
Totally agree. It seems so ridiculous to hide the name of a track from someone else. You may have "discovered" it before another DJ, but it's not your creation.
Ara Tima
09.07.2013
Originally Posted by 031999
someone will say, "oh shit that track is awesome what is it?..." and i have to physically put my hand over the screen, and say "sorry man that's one of my best tracks, cant let it out". I feel like a douche but hey, some of those tracks tool me over 6 months to hunt down from just a sample.
I've never ever understood that attitude. I'm all for not sharing whole collections of tunes, shit I doubt I'd even give a mate a few single files unless they were freebies from Soundcloud etc.

But the whole not sharing names of tracks seesm a little disrespectful to the producers of the tunes. You didn't write the tune it's not 'yours' to take credit for.

Each to their own though, I take it as a compliment if someone asks a tracks name, I've never said no in 10+ years of djing.
Clelia Roquet
09.07.2013
Originally Posted by Kwal
I can't have them knowing everything I play because I walk into places before my set and these individuals are banging out my tracks.... It's horrible.
Yeah I can understand that. The 'ministry of sound deep house 2013' Album did a similar thing here, everyone asking for the big obvious tracks...
Hellen Mindrup
09.07.2013
Originally Posted by Neil Oughton
Shazam got super useful after the partnership with Beatport, I've been known to use it only to find i've actually got the track!
Fuck, my issue is that everyone by me is a tryhard and dubstep nation and so many of these kids are trying to DJ for the sole purpose of the image and it's just a joke. I can't have them knowing everything I play because I walk into places before my set and these individuals are banging out my tracks.... It's horrible.

Originally Posted by D-Kem
Aye didn't say insignificant mate....insignificant in comparison.
Yeah I see that now and I totally agree with you
Lauretta Ehrhorn
09.07.2013
Aye didn't say insignificant mate....insignificant in comparison.
Clelia Roquet
09.07.2013
Originally Posted by Kwal
Fuck Shazam... Seriously.
Shazam got super useful after the partnership with Beatport, I've been known to use it only to find i've actually got the track!
Hellen Mindrup
09.07.2013
Originally Posted by D-Kem
I got my first vinyl collection literally stolen. Sharing some digital files seems insignificant in comparison.
Still... Spend over $1000 on music and then just give it away to some poser? Those files do have some significance to them.
Lauretta Ehrhorn
09.07.2013
Was at the time. 1994 so water under the bridge ( god that makes me feel old ). Id love to see anyone try now though. They would need a truck :-)
Clelia Roquet
09.07.2013
Originally Posted by D-Kem
I got my first vinyl collection literally stolen. Sharing some digital files seems insignificant in comparison.
Damn that's harsh..
Clelia Roquet
09.07.2013
Haha Agreed!
Lauretta Ehrhorn
09.07.2013
I got my first vinyl collection literally stolen. Sharing some digital files seems insignificant in comparison.
Hellen Mindrup
09.07.2013
Yeah it becomes valuable all of a sudden when you tell them to piss off though
Clelia Roquet
09.07.2013
I've sold records at gigs, mainly when i can get another copy for a quarter of the price i just took for the copy in my hand.. I've given records away to, but I don't know, when you can carry TB's of data around people don't seem to see it as valuable.
Hellen Mindrup
09.07.2013
Originally Posted by synthet1c
shazam has beatports entire catalog available...

http://news.beatport.com/blog/2013/0...hazam-awesome/
It's bullshit if you ask me.

Originally Posted by Neil Oughton
It's amazing how little value people hold for digital music... you would never ask someone for their vinyl, or original cd's for that matter.
Lol, you'd be surprised.
Clelia Roquet
09.07.2013
It's amazing how little value people hold for digital music... you would never ask someone for their vinyl, or original cd's for that matter.
Jonathan Chiuchiolo
09.07.2013
shazam has beatports entire catalog available...

http://news.beatport.com/blog/2013/0...hazam-awesome/
Hellen Mindrup
09.07.2013
Originally Posted by Polygon
It's a mode in Serato Scratch Live that was supposedly requested by dj AM himself, that with a combo of keypresses hides the track names from the screen.



The shazam team actually does update their database with many many underground releases..
Fuck Shazam... Seriously.
Lauretta Ehrhorn
09.07.2013
As a side note I have traktor set up so only track info in deck is the comment field. Keeps those tracks you don't want to share a bit more secret. "Bliss deep bomb" doesn't give them much to go on.
Dannie Dimora
09.07.2013
Originally Posted by Tortango
DJ AM mode? Can someone fill in a youngster on the joke here :P
It's a mode in Serato Scratch Live that was supposedly requested by dj AM himself, that with a combo of keypresses hides the track names from the screen.

Originally Posted by iambiggles
that might work on mainstream *edm* style stuff, but for underground tracks and limited release mixes, not a chance.
The shazam team actually does update their database with many many underground releases..
Freida Leash
10.07.2013
I've given tracks to friends, but it is stuff that is up their alley, not available from normal stores and really going to make their day. Like a song that was a promo, a free tune on soundcloud that isn't available anymore or part of a fundraising event for charity that is no longer in circulation. Library swapping is silly, asking for it criminal, and lazy. Here is a hot one from the way back that I really like and hope you do too https://soundcloud.com/freebirddnb/g...e-freebird-joe
Edwardo Rothenberger
09.07.2013
In the vinyl days I had a 'friend' who had been Dj'ing a bit longer than me & was quite well connected. I was on some mailing lists from record companies for promos, and had a better ear for tunes. It really pissed me off when he heard a track I was playing and he then took it to some of the bigger venues he played at and the other Dj's were like "Wow, what's this". He basically got the credit for 'breaking' those tracks.

So, I reckon don't even give the buggers the name, let alone the tracks free. They are leaches.
Emelina Chillson
09.07.2013
Id laugh maniacally and say "you want my vinyl mate? You got thousands of dollars? :P"

por serio tho. I trade tracks a lot, mostly dubs. I would never share my entire library tho. thats just perterbed. Thats a lot of digging work.
Katie Ahmady
09.07.2013
Originally Posted by Polygon
THIS
Oh my god this is a feature i absolutely WANT in the next sdj update.
DJ AM mode? Can someone fill in a youngster on the joke here :P
Qiana Castellucci
09.07.2013
Originally Posted by mdcdesign
If you did that, I'd just bust out my phone and use the song recognition to find the track :P

I do that sometimes actually; sometimes I'll hear a track when I'm working (the photography, not the DJing) that I KEEP hearing but I'm not sure who it's by, and I'll just hold my phone up to the speakers for it to analyse. 'tis a killer feature.
that might work on mainstream *edm* style stuff, but for underground tracks and limited release mixes, not a chance.
Doreen Schurle
09.07.2013
Originally Posted by 031999
it always happens when i play off my super secret playlist. (those tracks that are literally impossible to find, even on the net) and someone will say, "oh shit that track is awesome what is it?..." and i have to physically put my hand over the screen, and say "sorry man that's one of my best tracks, cant let it out". I feel like a douche but hey, some of those tracks tool me over 6 months to hunt down from just a sample.
If you did that, I'd just bust out my phone and use the song recognition to find the track :P

I do that sometimes actually; sometimes I'll hear a track when I'm working (the photography, not the DJing) that I KEEP hearing but I'm not sure who it's by, and I'll just hold my phone up to the speakers for it to analyse. 'tis a killer feature.
Dannie Dimora
09.07.2013
Originally Posted by Patch
You need DJ AM mode.

(and can I have your HD?)
THIS
Oh my god this is a feature i absolutely WANT in the next sdj update.
Brunilda Kora
09.07.2013
You need DJ AM mode.

(and can I have your HD?)
Lannie Kutay
09.07.2013
it always happens when i play off my super secret playlist. (those tracks that are literally impossible to find, even on the net) and someone will say, "oh shit that track is awesome what is it?..." and i have to physically put my hand over the screen, and say "sorry man that's one of my best tracks, cant let it out". I feel like a douche but hey, some of those tracks tool me over 6 months to hunt down from just a sample.
Vaughn Malbon
09.07.2013
The other point here is that when you start building a collection you go into certain areas, after awhile you find that you may be into trance and techno, but not much minimal, and as you build your collection it starts to represent your musical taste, it does become part of you. I never ask people for music, just as I wouild not offer music to them unless I want to share something I believe is really worth hearing and its kinda like trying to spread your own taste but its always on my terms. A DJ who just bulk copies peoples music often is not really into the music because he just wants to be able to pull up any song someone asks for, and who cares where it came from. For DJ's who consider themselves to be musicians, (something thats increasingly common) its not about having every possible track there is but about having the music they like and care for and nurture, so it is like giving away a bit of your musical soul.
Renate Mayeur
09.07.2013
I don't have a problem when people ask me for music. I write some artists and/or songs, labels,... down and give it to them.
But i only 'give' my music (vinyl, cd's or hard-drive) to close friends/family...
Corey Tronchin
09.07.2013
I'm surprised at all why you find it hard or douchy to say no. Your collection is quite a part of what defines you as a DJ. Sharing that is sharing a part of your DJ identity plus it's theft basically. I purchase all my music I DJ with as a token of appreciation and respect to the maker of it. I enjoy playing and editting their music, the least I can do is pay those 1,5 euros for it.
Sharing the library is not only comprimising your unique identity as a DJ, but also disrespectful to the producers.
This of course is based on my liking a specific musical niche within techno. I suppose for mainstream pop I would feel different. Also because that doens't make you unique as a DJ

I play with a friend a lot and we both have our own library. I wouldn't believe of asking or sharing libraries, even though we have quite some tracks in common.

Last point: A very important part of DJing is knowing your tracks. How well will you know your tracks when you'll get a library of several GB's at once? It's kinda polluting your delicately built up and maintained library.
Lashawn Maycock
09.07.2013
I'm quite surprised by the responses to OP's question with the number of you who would give copies of music (assuming not already given away for free by the producer).

Me, personally I'll tell them to foxtrot oscar, I'd happily discuss music, say what I'm in to, what the track playing is and where you can buy it from, but I wouldn't give a track I'd paid money for to someone who can't be bothered to save and buy his music - it's never been so cheap, hell, got to xlr8r.com and you've got enough music legally free to do many, many sets.

...goes off muttering about the love of discovering music for yourself and spending
Cole Maroto
09.07.2013
i would give my close friends and family my whole collection...people and djs i don't know very well...nope.

in fact i want to give friends my collection so i can have people with backups in case my main and backups take a dump.
Farrah Manygoats
09.07.2013
Originally Posted by zimfella
Just make a folder of stuff you don't like and give that to them
Lol, that's actually a really good idea. I believe that would be the best way to handle it. I remember reading a thread like this when I started out, and I thought what's the big deal with sharing your collection? But after knowing how much time and effort goes into digging, plus the satisfaction of choosing your own music, I understand why people aren't so willing to hand over their songs to another DJ

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