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Most DJs suck?

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Most DJs suck? Posted on: 01.10.2012 by Valeri Holderness Before you read this: by writing this I’m not saying that I’m some super crazy DJ, I still have a lot to learn myself. This is just something I’ve felt for a long time and I’d like to get some insight on how other people feel about this. Also, I’m talking mostly about club djing here. edit: after some discussion, i realized the thread title was a little misleading. just because a dj isn't technical doesn't make them a bad dj, and thats not what I'm going for here I got a chance to see dj spinbad and dj starting from scratch over the weekend (they played a set at a Russell Peters show). Their set was AMAZING and blew my mind. They were doing something truly artistic and were essentially making something new on stage. Slick cuts, juggling, acapellas, etc. It made me believe, why isn’t the standard for djs a little bit higher? Why aren’t big touring djs and resident djs expected to put some skill into what they do? Overall, I believe its safe to say that the majority of djs don’t really engage in the technical aspects of djing; they don’t necessarily “make” something new, they often just beat match between two tunes and call it a day. Some people like to pat themselves on the back for beatmatching, phase matching, phrase matching, etc. but as A-trak said: no one ever complimented a dj on how artistically they beat match. Spending a week learning basic beat matching and having an interest in a specific genre of music (which is something virtually something everyone has) is basically enough to make a mix that would be considered “acceptable”. I find that a lot of djs just reach this acceptable level and then don't feel the need to learn beyond that. Does anyone else see a problem with this? Everyone complains about aoki, guetta, etc. jut hitting play, but how many regular djs do anything more than that? Along with this, its almost become the standard for people to believe of djs as “record player players”. I was reading the paper this morning and the review of the show stated “also appearing was DJ Sarting from Scratch and DJ Spinbad but neither brought much to the evening as canned music would have easily filled the same role”. After perhaps dj craze, these guys played the craziest set I’ve seen in my life. Tonnes of live mashes, cutting etc. between each other all by ear. They were incredibly technical and not messy in the slightest. Also they were about 20 feet away from eachother so they couldn’t communicate or screen peak. Because we’ve set the standard so low, DJs who are actually talented don’t get the props they deserve. Because the majority of DJs themselves are ok with being at the "acceptable" level (and don't strive to do anything necessarily creative), people don't seem to make a distinction between a quality dj and your average joe. sorry for the novel, just something I wanted to discuss here opinions?
Julian Ispas 11.10.2012	hella fun to watch, i bet it probably took some dedication, longggg studio days to get to the level he's at
11.10.2012	FWIW I've seen Kissy Sellout play and whilst he was amazing technically, his music made me want to stick screwdrivers in my ears, it's like it had ADD which is not nice.
Rochel Papillion 11.10.2012	\|guess this is he level of technicality ya want to see more people reach
Darren Teboe 09.10.2012	Thanks for being a spam bot. I'm sure no one will benefit from it.
Shaina Sulick 09.10.2012	Thanks for sharing this information. I am sure lot of people will benefit from it.
Darren Teboe 08.10.2012	Originally Posted by Claude485 You're not going to be doing a lot of scratching playing EDM. Only if you choose not to. Scratching really compliments Funky House, Disco House, Jackin House, and almost every sub-genre of Breaks and Drum & Bass/Jungle. If more DJ's were a bit more well rounded, it would be a bit more obvious. Originally Posted by Claude485 It sounds like you're asking guys who play house to be more like hip-hop DJs/turntablists. Nope. He's asking guys who dj to be well rounded DJ's. Originally Posted by Claude485 They're 2 different ways of going about being a DJ. There is two ways of going about being a DJ. Being horrible and barely able to mix, or taking incremental steps to getting better by learning all aspects of it, which is what makes it an art as opposed to being a human version of iTunes Genius program, or the cruise mode in traktor.
Julian Ispas 08.10.2012	people just need KEEP practicing, never be satisfy with where you are, always move foward. video above ^^^ is very good, but that doesn't say the whole story. you can practice then routine endless and then record yourself, so pretty much going through the motion. but it does take some better-ing yourself to come up with new stuff. so learn from others, compare yourself with people better than you not people less creative. practice practice and be dedicated. most people dj's are probably hobbies, and they don't put it as a priorities....while others this is their job 40 hours+/week on that instruments. so of course they are good. so give them average joe's a break....but if one is cocky about their no skills dj-ing, then let them have it. everything comes with time...but if your a bit talented...you just get to that level a little quicker. but hard work most of the times run neck to neck with being talented.
Valeri Holderness 08.10.2012	heh sorta related to the topic, i suppose some people can't even bother to dj themselves. today my friend found someone on youtube that was taking some of my mixes and putting his name on them. unfortunately not the first time its happened either -_- heres are some of his videos. basically just took my name off and put his on it. wtf?
Freida Leash 08.10.2012	Originally Posted by sobi Correct. In the case of beatport from what I've heard, plenty of people will use some type of service to purchase about a thousand copies, and that puts you in the top ten. That would be the reason for a lot of the "hits" on there. Hmm... I wonder if buying a thousand copies is worth the pay off? I mean in some ways that might be a decent investment, if trying to get gigs based on mp3 sales, or if 2k people just buy it because it is the top 10, or trying to convince a larger label to carry the next release. I'd be interested in knowing some numbers on this sort of thing, as it may be the cheapest way to market.
Darren Teboe 07.10.2012	Originally Posted by rdale they are the "hits" for a reason Correct. In the case of beatport from what I've heard, plenty of people will use some type of service to purchase about a thousand copies, and that puts you in the top ten. That would be the reason for a lot of the "hits" on there.
Valeri Holderness 07.10.2012	Originally Posted by Patch No-one that posts here is qualified to comment on DJ Spinbad's technique. i believe there are lots of talented people on here, but spinbads definitely on another next level
Brunilda Kora 07.10.2012	No-one that posts here is qualified to comment on DJ Spinbad's technique.
Valeri Holderness 07.10.2012	Originally Posted by djfil007 Wow this thread is still going? Just wanted to respond now that I had chance to see the DJ's in the OP's post... Spinbad and Starting From Scratch, the touring DJ's for Russel Peters. I was impressed with the sync that they both have as a 2x4 setup, especially when they are on opposite sides of the stage. That said their mixing style was simplistic, mostly using quick cuts\drops, and then on top is quality scratching and few other juggling techniques... but that's almost the norm for 'top 40 mash-up' style that they play. It seemed that they had an exact formula being followed... like exactly on end of bar 4, it's scratch for distraction followed by an instant cut/drop to the next track. Few other things I did notice... the songs (all be it with the classic and current top 40 hooks, vocals, etc) they were all house/breaks edits (maybe even just the vocals on top of basic tracks/loops... maybe using serato bridge?). It also sounded like they never moved off a set BPM for the entire 30+ minutes I got to listen (which sure does make the distant 2x4 setup and quick mixing style a lot easier). It's not something I would pay to see on it's own... but for a general crowd (like warming up for a big stage comedy show) it works just fine. To each their own I suppose. I personally thought it was very well done and much better than what 99.999% of djs can do. they were doing live mash ups of almost every song they played + doing lots of cool turntablism. your typical dj just plays a song, waits a verse, and then throws in the next song with some basic beat matching
Arlinda Finazzo 07.10.2012	Wow this thread is still going? Just wanted to respond now that I had chance to see the DJ's in the OP's post... Spinbad and Starting From Scratch, the touring DJ's for Russel Peters. I was impressed with the sync that they both have as a 2x4 setup, especially when they are on opposite sides of the stage. That said their mixing style was simplistic, mostly using quick cuts\drops, and then on top is quality scratching and few other juggling techniques... but that's almost the norm for 'top 40 mash-up' style that they play. It seemed that they had an exact formula being followed... like exactly on end of bar 4, it's scratch for distraction followed by an instant cut/drop to the next track. Few other things I did notice... the songs (all be it with the classic and current top 40 hooks, vocals, etc) they were all house/breaks edits (maybe even just the vocals on top of basic tracks/loops... maybe using serato bridge?). It also sounded like they never moved off a set BPM for the entire 30+ minutes I got to listen (which sure does make the distant 2x4 setup and quick mixing style a lot easier). It's not something I would pay to see on it's own... but for a general crowd (like warming up for a big stage comedy show) it works just fine.
Freida Leash 07.10.2012	There really is nothing wrong with dropping a top 10... personally I don't do it and enjoy digging a little deeper, finding new and old stuff, but that is about my passion for music, not about dj'ing. If the guy gets gigs playing the hits, more power to him, they are the "hits" for a reason, and I'm sure he probably gets decent response doing it? He might even have a passion for the top 10 beatport list. I believe 70% of my music gathering has been bootlegs and self released free tracks from artists bandcamp, facebook or soundcloud this past month. The tracks I have bought have probably been mostly influenced by those labels and producers. Even in the way back, there were a few great producers, that had weak DJ skills, but every dubplate worth having, well in advance. I never had the feeling that I was getting ripped off going to hear them, I knew I wasn't going to hear well developed mixing or tight turntablism that you might get at an Andy C or Danny the Wildchild, but I was always pleased to hear their selections.
Audrey Pinda 07.10.2012	DJing in and of itself, is also subjective. That's something that is being overlooked here. Some people don't want to hear something completely pushing the envelope, they just want to hear good tracks mixed fluidly. While others want to be surprised by different things. We, as DJ's, are the biggest snobs when it comes to what we like... because that's our job. It's also good because there are different evening s, and different niches for the different styles people bring to the table. I'll admit I absolutely hate the "top 10 beatport" rinsed and repeat week after week (yes, a DJ at a local club I go to honestly just does that week in and week out). And I believe that's the important thing. You can TELL when someone is putting love and effort into their mixes. You can TELL when they really don't give a flying F*** and just are doing it for the popularity and/or money. The style that they choose to push? Whatever it is, they need to be going for it fully. People need to regain passion and ambition. This arbitrary mediocrity is terrible.
Lina Rawie 06.10.2012	Originally Posted by IznremiX but why is she even allowed up there in the first place? i doubt they'd ever let her go up there with a guitar, because there is a minimal degree of skill a crowd would demand from someone who plays guitar. however with djing, the standard is slow low, that anyone who can hit play can call themselves a dj :\ I don't believe you can really compare DJing with playing a guitar though. With a guitar, your "building blocks" are individual string plucks. With DJing, they're full songs that have almost always been created by somebody else, so it's MUCH easier to do an acceptable performance. I believe scratching is probably more equivalent to playing a guitar, which is obviously something that very few people care about in terms of solely going to see a scratch DJ perform. In any form of music, the best (if you can even objectively choose a best) are often not the highest paid or most successful. I believe the more you get into a particular style of music or a particular area of art, the more you develop an appreciation for that art which in turn may change your mind about what you believe is good or bad. As DJs, most of us are serious music heads who also have an appreciation of the technical skills required to be a DJ, but Average Joe doesn't share the same level of appreciation. Celebrity culture is also a big part of it and going to see a big name DJ (even if they're like Paris Hilton and not really a DJ at all) feels like more of an event or "big evening out" for many people and so it creates a much bigger buzz compared to going to see a local DJ, even if that local DJ is much better. In short - support your local scene and forget these celebrity clowns!
Valeri Holderness 05.10.2012	Originally Posted by Solitaire At least I'm not this bad but why is she even allowed up there in the first place? i doubt they'd ever let her go up there with a guitar, because there is a minimal degree of skill a crowd would demand from someone who plays guitar. however with djing, the standard is slow low, that anyone who can hit play can call themselves a dj :\
Rochel Papillion 04.10.2012	Originally Posted by LoopCat Jamie is OK his nu disco/house sound is a bit old though. Seth is cool and plays some good music the times I've seen him and his productions are pretty sweet. Wouldn't call them ground breaking amazing DJ's lots of better guys out there. DO you know any "amazing" ones I could check out?
Lillia Datson 04.10.2012	I agree with OP on most of it. Ive seen some DJ's trying to fit far too much into their set however, and others not enough. Some of the best DJ's ives seen have two tracks, some simple effects and they sound amazing. Some cut and chop 8 different tracks which sounds equally amazing. I suppose if your tracks selections good, and your confident you can smash a party then your a good DJ whatever you do.
04.10.2012	I'm posting in here because someone bigged up KiNK.
Ming Devis 04.10.2012	Jamie is OK his nu disco/house sound is a bit old though. Seth is cool and plays some good music the times I've seen him and his productions are pretty sweet. Wouldn't call them ground breaking amazing DJ's lots of better guys out there.
Rochel Papillion 04.10.2012	What you consider Jamie Jones? or seth Troxler. I do not know much about them (yet) just been looking thru the residenta advisor top 100 and they are like 1 n 2 respectively http://www.be-at.tv/brands/mint-fest...jamie-jones.go
Ming Devis 03.10.2012	Originally Posted by sobi That's part of what gets me aggravated. At least in my experience on the east coast going back 15 years ago in NY, the bar used to be set fairly high. Obviously good track selection, programming, and solid mixes were key, but most everyone expected something more from the best guys. See my earlier post quoted below. I believe some of the best techno/house guys are still pushing boundaries like James Zabiela, KiNk, Hawtin, Chris Liebing etc these guys are killing it. I believe now though the scene is so huge there is space for all different types of DJ's.
Louanne Andrix 03.10.2012	At least I'm not this bad
Rochel Papillion 03.10.2012	Maybe a little competition? People provide tracks and then tracks are voted for a list for a tracklist and everyone gets to make a mix of the tracks provided in the tracklist...
Darren Teboe 03.10.2012	Originally Posted by DJSigma I have no idea what the standard is like for EDM DJs as I don't go and hear them play and I don't download their mixes, but the same thing applies to all DJs IMO. That's part of what gets me aggravated. At least in my experience on the east coast going back 15 years ago in NY, the bar used to be set fairly high. Obviously good track selection, programming, and solid mixes were key, but most everyone expected something more from the best guys. See my earlier post quoted below. Originally Posted by sobi ...The thing I remember seeing (and doing myself) a lot of was getting really good track selection, and pulling off new ways of presenting the music. I remember Frankie Bones used to take a spool of thread, put it over the nipple of the record platter. Then, he'd replace the needle upside down and put the record on top of the spool. He put a pencil in the hole to center it and keep it in place, and then start it up with the needle playing the underside of the record, and the song was playing backwards. I had seen him do this, mix it into a track and get it playing by itself. While the record was playing alone... backwards, he'd mix in a copy of the same song forwards, and make a whole build of it. I was so impressed because it took a great song, and introduced a completely original way to mix in and tease a track. I was especially interested, because I had heard hyperactive do the same thing not too long before... but with only a mixtape to hear it, I started just trying to make that happen with no tools... learning the muscle memory to manually push the platter backwards in time with the song I was mixing into, mix out and kick it forward with my fingers, and press the start button in time to not miss a beat. I used to see a lot of people do this. Now there's so many easy ways to do things to get that effect and I rarely see people do it. I believe the message gets lost in the defense of peoples beliefs. Just because one style of DJing may appeal to peoples tastes more than others doesn't make it (or any others) more relevant. The point that most people miss is that (at least back when I first got into it), the best guys really do have experience in all, show an obvious talent for at least one, and show an ample competence in other areas as well.
Ming Devis 03.10.2012	Originally Posted by DJSigma Right, but that's the bare minimum you should be doing. If people aren't dancing to the tracks you're playing then you're not doing a good job, but just because they are doesn't mean that you couldn't be doing your job even better. There are non-DJs that appreciate what DJs do, outside of just playing songs and doing basic mixing. They are outnumbered by those who "just wanna get drunk and dance to some good tunes", but they still exist and depending on what type of gigs you play, the ratio varies. I would rather try and satisfy everyone in the room then play to the lowest common denominator, but I'm doing it because I want to though - not because I feel I have to. That's why I believe these conversations are almost pointless when it comes to changing peoples' minds. Yeah man. I believe a lot of new DJ technology is like a double-edged sword. You have the top few percent of DJs taking this new gear, pushing the limits of what can be done with it, and coming up with things that wouldn't have been possible with just turntables and a mixer, but the same gear can be used to make very basic DJing even easier and more accessible, with auto-sync, auto-levels, cheaper prices for the gear, easier ways to get music and what have you, so there's been this influx of DJs that are stuck down at that lower level either through choice, lack of passion, buying the wrong gear or whatever. If I hear another hip-hop mix where literally every transition is "lower the bass on one track, blend for X number of bars" and with no scratching or any other stand-out elements at all, then I believe I'll tear what's left of my hair out though, lol. I agree with this. Its not hard to get most of the crowd dancing by playing some current 'bangers' but a real good DJ will challenge himself and the crowd by awesome track selection/mixing/scratching whatever fits
Cole Maroto 03.10.2012	Originally Posted by IznremiX Don't mean to single you out, but this attitude is exactly what this thread is about. why are people satisfied with just getting the job done or being "good enough". isn't djing an artform and shouldn't you strive to become the best you can? well, i believe a part of the reason that people do not strive to do anything more than usually "get the job done" is because it's difficult for many. the more advanced techniques take a lot of time, skill and patience to master. you essentially have to bang your head against something over and over and over again to see those marginal gains i was talking about. for most people this aspect isn't very fun and they consider the time to knowledge ratio not worth the effort any longer, especially when they can already rock a room pretty consistently within their comfort zone. the energy to reward ratio starts to dissipate over time and it can be very discouraging especially if you are one of the only people noticing the very incremental steps your abilities are taking. i still agree that everyone should try to improve themselves, but the reality isn't always that simple when you factor in the real world with day jobs, deadlines, kids, bills, and and the pressures of life. sometimes you just want to grab a drink, get behind the decks, mix some good tracks together, and let the headaches of the day go by simply grooving along.
Lina Rawie 03.10.2012	Originally Posted by AllDay As long as your making people move and dance.. Your doing your job. Right, but that's the bare minimum you should be doing. If people aren't dancing to the tracks you're playing then you're not doing a good job, but just because they are doesn't mean that you couldn't be doing your job even better. There are non-DJs that appreciate what DJs do, outside of just playing songs and doing basic mixing. They are outnumbered by those who "just wanna get drunk and dance to some good tunes", but they still exist and depending on what type of gigs you play, the ratio varies. I would rather try and satisfy everyone in the room then play to the lowest common denominator, but I'm doing it because I want to though - not because I feel I have to. That's why I believe these conversations are almost pointless when it comes to changing peoples' minds. Originally Posted by IznremiX i find that part the bolded part especially interesting Yeah man. I believe a lot of new DJ technology is like a double-edged sword. You have the top few percent of DJs taking this new gear, pushing the limits of what can be done with it, and coming up with things that wouldn't have been possible with just turntables and a mixer, but the same gear can be used to make very basic DJing even easier and more accessible, with auto-sync, auto-levels, cheaper prices for the gear, easier ways to get music and what have you, so there's been this influx of DJs that are stuck down at that lower level either through choice, lack of passion, buying the wrong gear or whatever. If I hear another hip-hop mix where literally every transition is "lower the bass on one track, blend for X number of bars" and with no scratching or any other stand-out elements at all, then I believe I'll tear what's left of my hair out though, lol. EDIT - Oh yeah, and I don't believe that a DJ "sucks" if they're not doing technical stuff. If the crowd is happy, you don't suck. I would just like to see hip-hop DJs in particular pushing to get better technically, particularly as hip-hop was once looked upon as a genre where you would expect to hear the DJ flexing a few technical skills on the decks.
Valeri Holderness 03.10.2012	Originally Posted by DJSigma A jukebox in the corner of a room can entertain a crowd. I'm into hip-hop, so I rarely listen to EDM mixes, but I do check out a lot of hip-hop mixes and IMO the average standard (relatively speaking) has never been lower in the 25+ years I've been listening to mixes. Some of the current top tier guys are the best there's ever been, but the average is dragged down by all these people putting no effort in. People who wouldn't even be DJs if they had to learn on turntables because it would be too much effort. People whose idea of "digging" is looking at the best seller charts on websites that sell MP3s. I'm fully aware that a DJ with minimal skill can get paid DJ work, but that doesn't mean that other DJs should be promoting the attitude that minimal skill is all you need, otherwise the bar just gets lower and lower. great post, i find that part the bolded part especially interesting
Valeri Holderness 03.10.2012	Originally Posted by AllDay As long as your making people move and dance.. Your doing your job. Don't mean to single you out, but this attitude is exactly what this thread is about. why are people satisfied with just getting the job done or being "good enough". isn't djing an artform and shouldn't you strive to become the best you can?
Tera Baragan 03.10.2012	As long as your making people move and dance.. Your doing your job.
Lina Rawie 03.10.2012	Originally Posted by LoopCat Its one thing to try and progress with technical skill but it needs to be done tastefully with respect to the tracks and genre otherwise it sounds like cheese Yeah man, I'd totally agree with that. On DJ Forums I always say it's like adding seasoning to a meal. Add none and it can be (but isn't always) bland. Add too much and you ruin it.
Ming Devis 03.10.2012	Originally Posted by DJSigma You need tech skills to do the bits in bold though, right? Yep, having an ear for track selection and where to drop a track into the next and beat matching perfectly was what I was referring to with Techno and House. Some people seem to believe this takes no skill which I believe is wrong. Its one thing to try and progress with technical skill but it needs to be done tastefully with respect to the tracks and genre otherwise it sounds like cheese
Lina Rawie 03.10.2012	Originally Posted by LoopCat Deep House and Techno guys are going to enjoy a DJ who digs deep into his collection and picks amazing tune to fit the moment while mixing perfectly and creatively. Electro and Bro Step guys love the DJ's who create massive build ups with effects... You need tech skills to do the bits in bold though, right? EDIT - BTW, what makes me spit venom in topics like this, lol, is the standard of hip-hop DJing these days. That's what I'm into and so I hate to see it in the sorry state it's in. I have no idea what the standard is like for EDM DJs as I don't go and hear them play and I don't download their mixes, but the same thing applies to all DJs IMO. A good DJ will experiment with the features his/her gear has to offer, be it scratching, effects, loops, triggering samples, creating layers - whatever. Experiment with that stuff and a DJ may just find subtle uses for those things that they may once have written off as "useless" or "gimmicky" and that will help make them a better DJ and set them apart from the rest of the pack. They may not find a use for those things and continue to write them all off, but at least they tried.
Ming Devis 03.10.2012	It depends what scene you're into. Hip Hop guys are going love dj's who scratch like a champ. Deep House and Techno guys are going to enjoy a DJ who digs deep into his collection and picks amazing tune to fit the moment while mixing perfectly and creatively. Electro and Bro Step guys love the DJ's who create massive build ups with effects... A good DJ respects tracks. 99.9% of the time a Deep House dj will not scratch or use effects, they usually sound dumb with this style of music. A good Hip Hop dj will probably throw in some scratching here or there when it fits.
Lina Rawie 03.10.2012	Originally Posted by Woah I mix techno and I'm not going to scratch during my performance, thank you. @ Sobi, a boring, run of the mill DJ? Because I don't alter my tracks enough? I don't scratch enough? Scratching is just one example of a technical DJ skill. I'm not implying that every DJ has to scratch in their sets. And technical skills are far from gimmicks. Some DJs can overuse things, but subtlety is the key with this stuff. Let's say there are 2 hip-hop DJs that are given the same 20 tracks to mix. DJ 1 makes a mix by just doing the same basic blend from one track to the next - no frills mixing. DJ 2 makes a mix where he uses different transition techniques and he throws in a little bit of scratching here and a little bit of trick mixing there. I'm gonna take DJ 2's mix over DJ 1's every time because it's the technical skill that sets them apart in that instance. You can't just use music as the deciding factor, especially as a lot of DJs are out there rinsing the same tunes anyway. Even if I hear a mix where a DJ has dug really deep for tunes and his track selection is absolutely amazing, if he is just doing basic blends then I'm gonna believe "I loved the tunes, but it would have been better if this guy was more technically skilled". From best to worst: - 1. Great track selection + great tech skills 2. Great track selection + poor tech skills 3. Poor track selection + great tech skills 4. Poor track selection + poor tech skills There's a lot of people out there who are happy to be in category 2 instead of pushing to be in category 1, but 1 is where you really wanna be it if you want to be thought of as great. A jukebox in the corner of a room can entertain a crowd. I'm into hip-hop, so I rarely listen to EDM mixes, but I do check out a lot of hip-hop mixes and IMO the average standard (relatively speaking) has never been lower in the 25+ years I've been listening to mixes. Some of the current top tier guys are the best there's ever been, but the average is dragged down by all these people putting no effort in. People who wouldn't even be DJs if they had to learn on turntables because it would be too much effort. People whose idea of "digging" is looking at the best seller charts on websites that sell MP3s. I'm fully aware that a DJ with minimal skill can get paid DJ work, but that doesn't mean that other DJs should be promoting the attitude that minimal skill is all you need, otherwise the bar just gets lower and lower.
Valeri Holderness 03.10.2012	Originally Posted by Woah I mix techno and I'm not going to scratch during my performance, thank you. @ Sobi, a boring, run of the mill DJ? Because I don't alter my tracks enough? I don't scratch enough? Creativity is subjective, and I choose to be creative in other ways then that. I don't just show up and spin some toons, I learn to know my tracks very well beforehand and don't just mix from a to b, i blend alot, add things here and there, but other then that, I believe timing and track selection is the most important feature. I'm not really looking at features I don't find neccesary when I'm happy with my performance. I'd rather focus on the actual substance of a mix then trying to add all kinds of technical shit which basically is a gimick at best most of the time. i agree with most of what you said, but the last sentence is completely off imo. if early djs weren't inspired by the "gimmicky" things that people like grandmaster flash were doing (and they were doing more than just playing records), then NONE of us would be posting on this community right now and djing probably wouldn't exist as it does right now. and look at guys like carl cox, jeff mills, dj craze, a-trak, z-trip, etc. they've all made very successful careers out of what your dismissing as gimmick. obviously there has to be some value in technical djing, or else none of these guys would be getting paid as much as they do. im not saying theres anything wrong with not being technical, you can still entertain a crowd. however, too many people just dismiss technical ability even though its one of the most challenging things to do well in djing.
Devora Chait 03.10.2012	I mix techno and I'm not going to scratch during my performance, thank you. @ Sobi, a boring, run of the mill DJ? Because I don't alter my tracks enough? I don't scratch enough? Creativity is subjective, and I choose to be creative in other ways then that. I don't just show up and spin some toons, I learn to know my tracks very well beforehand and don't just mix from a to b, i blend alot, add things here and there, but other then that, I believe timing and track selection is the most important feature. I'm not really looking at features I don't find neccesary when I'm happy with my performance. I'd rather focus on the actual substance of a mix then trying to add all kinds of technical shit which basically is a gimick at best most of the time.

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