"Fake" DJs I go to a high school filled to the brim with so called "DJs"
People who honestly call themselves pro DJs because they downloaded DeeJay on their iPhones, and have Dr Dre Mixer headphones... People who have no actual talent, but still consider themselves to be at the top of the food chain...
I personalyy can't stand people like this, because they block my business... Because now EVERYONE is a DJ...
How many people do you know like this? |
Meaghan Machold
02.04.2013 |
Originally Posted by balakoth
Can I move where you live?
Since Ive moved to DC ive seen, 4 pre recorded acts, a guy who wears a mask, uses Serato and plays mashup top 40 all evening
. And DJs trying to get me to hook them up with my promoter, name dropping, saying they use to spin at X Club at this day etc.
Give them a shot, listen to their soundcloud, and while its not a great judge, you can instantly hear the bad ones. Kind of like Swedish House Mafias last set on weekend two. A complete train wreck of an hour lol.
Now im no Swedish House fanboy... and I dont even like house/trance... but that set was epic, and ur just being a troll. Its sooooooo lame to continue to hate on SHM and Guetta. get over yourselves, because hating on others will just keep u blackballed in ur bedroom recording to soundcloud.... |
Shawn Vanhaitsma
01.04.2013 |
Originally Posted by SlvrDragon50
I was watching from home :P
They were actually drumming, that was what surprised me. I didn't believe they actually knew how to drum. It wasnt just like hitting eight notes, but they knew how to do rolls and whatnot.
When they were hiding behind the table, they were most likely drumming.
I watched the live version too.. just didnt see it. Oh well |
Benjamin Sieh
01.04.2013 |
Originally Posted by SwedeDreams
Kids here get their parents to buy them Kontrol S4's , but when I ask "what's your dj name" or "do you have a soundcloud" , they're like "dafuq is a soundcloud and whats a dj?"
There are a few kids like that here, only, they are quick gracious about getting the gear. At least they aren't up in my face about gear.
Anyway, I've saved enough money to get two CDJs and I'm completely undecided on a mixer.
Anyway, I have regular work around the area, its making new contacts, that is hard now.
My age, and grade hinder me. |
Gaynell Rydberg
01.04.2013 |
Originally Posted by balakoth
Interesting.. never saw that and I was up front.. Half the time they were drinking.. two hiding behind the table, or one maybe punching some hot cues on the CDJ... Since they dont use digital systems what were they using for their drum pad, and samples.. a MPC? I didnt see any kind of gear
l ike that up there when UMF TV did their behind the decks views
I was watching from home :P
They were actually drumming, that was what surprised me. I didn't believe they actually knew how to drum. It wasnt just like hitting eight notes, but they knew how to do rolls and whatnot.
When they were hiding behind the table, they were most likely drumming. |
Shawn Vanhaitsma
01.04.2013 |
Originally Posted by SlvrDragon50
Meh...
The thing that makes EDM so different from other genres is that you're combining all these rather simple loops into one complex song. Not really that impressive to see someone playing the arpeggio over and over again.
At least SHM did play some drum pads.
Interesting.. never saw that and I was up front.. Half the time they were drinking.. two hiding behind the table, or one maybe punching some hot cues on the CDJ... Since they dont use digital systems what were they using for their drum pad, and samples.. a MPC? I didnt see any kind of gear
l ike that up there when UMF TV did their behind the decks views |
Valeri Holderness
01.04.2013 |
Originally Posted by SlvrDragon50
It's also a lot easier to sing live than produce a song live :P
they can at least play the main lead or something? the amount of effort some guys put into their live performance is just too low man |
Valeri Holderness
01.04.2013 |
Originally Posted by balakoth
See i dont feel any of the acts are any different. A "skillled" person A B mixing on CDJs or a Newly trained person A B mixing on Traktor.. it all sounds boring to me. It all looks boring, and both of those types of DJs are slowly going to become the minority. ONce the whole Rock Star DJ fad wears out
Oh to be 13 again, I remember my first show what I THOUGHT Djs did.. I THOUGHT They were creating Music, adding loops on the fly... how nieve I was. When I got older could finally purchase my gear
and saw what they were doing.. I was appalled. So from that day I decided I wanted to be more like Rabbit In the Moon, or a variation of a live type performance (Ive adapted it into something.. different of course)
I wanted to be a musician.. not a wanna be musician that for some reason the masses give DJs credit for half the time :/
this man has the right idea. honestly performing live is dead for the most part. if you go see a big name dj, they'll be doing basic a to b mixing that any monkey can do after 1 week of practice. if you go see a big name hip hop show, the artist won't even touch the mic except to belligerently shout in it once in a while as his album is playing in the back. i wish producers either a) stepped up their djing skills or b) grab some synths and started performing their songs live. i hate to go on a rant, but its frustrating to see these guys spending 90% of their time with their hands in the air, while playing tunes on a 6000 dollar dj set up that they are barely touching.
edit: with that being said, there are lots of great live performers. guys like hawtin always kill it. i just went to see nadia ali and she absolutely KILLED IT. it was 100% live with no pre-recorded vocals. she has an amazing voice live |
Shawn Vanhaitsma
01.04.2013 |
Originally Posted by lethal_pizzle
@balakoth... some people just want to play good tunes. The best tunes don't need to be messed with because they're already perfect. All you can do is make them worse. Traditional DJing will not die out in much the same way as art galleries will never die out.
This is where I disagree.. if you really assume ARt Gallerys in their modern form are going to stay that way Im not sure what to tell you. There will probably be a few old school canvas based Art Galleries in the future... but just as with anything in this world you adapt or die out... and become a relic.
We just have differing opinions and thats fine. I in no way find a DJ to be "show casing" someone elses art. Why would anyone want to do that anyways? Its just like the art Gallery. "Pay me for someone elses hard work" |
Shawn Vanhaitsma
01.04.2013 |
Originally Posted by SlvrDragon50
I mean, I don't see why you're discrediting the 'DJs' for that reason. Armin, Hardwell, etc. are all producers first, DJs second.
It's the same for a lot of other musicians. There's a very small percentage of musicians who are actually making music live.
I do agree though it's very easy for newbies to get confused about DJing vs producing though. I didn't realize that there was a difference until I started purchasing gear
like you.
We could probably help a lot of people out by making a guide.
Well we can agree to disagree.. First you put Armin van Burren in the same sentence as Hardwell which is funny :P Secondly Hardwell Started as DJ, didnt really break into the scene until his first bigger hit in 2009.. So.. playing 3 of the songs you produce a year, but 90 percent of it is other peoples music.. I consider that DJ First.. not Producer First... Someone like Deadmau5 would be producer first IMO |
Gaynell Rydberg
01.04.2013 |
Originally Posted by balakoth
See i dont feel any of the acts are any different. A "skillled" person A B mixing on CDJs or a Newly trained person A B mixing on Traktor.. it all sounds boring to me. It all looks boring, and both of those types of DJs are slowly going to become the minority. ONce the whole Rock Star DJ fad wears out
Oh to be 13 again, I remember my first show what I THOUGHT Djs did.. I THOUGHT They were creating Music, adding loops on the fly... how nieve I was. When I got older could finally purchase my gear
and saw what they were doing.. I was appalled. So from that day I decided I wanted to be more like Rabbit In the Moon, or a variation of a live type performance (Ive adapted it into something.. different of course)
I wanted to be a musician.. not a wanna be musician that for some reason the masses give DJs credit for half the time :/
I mean, I don't see why you're discrediting the 'DJs' for that reason. Armin, Hardwell, etc. are all producers first, DJs second.
It's the same for a lot of other musicians. There's a very small percentage of musicians who are actually making music live.
I do agree though it's very easy for newbies to get confused about DJing vs producing though. I didn't realize that there was a difference until I started purchasing gear
like you.
We could probably help a lot of people out by making a guide. |
Shawn Vanhaitsma
01.04.2013 |
Originally Posted by SlvrDragon50
You don't have to use a CDJ2000 to become a DJ though...
I don't necessarily believe controllers are a bad thing. Sure you might have more noobs out there, but I see it similar to the limiting costs of higher education. You never know who you might be suppressing just because of costs. By giving people opportunities, you might find the few diamonds in the rough.
See i dont feel any of the acts are any different. A "skillled" person A B mixing on CDJs or a Newly trained person A B mixing on Traktor.. it all sounds boring to me. It all looks boring, and both of those types of DJs are slowly going to become the minority. ONce the whole Rock Star DJ fad wears out
Oh to be 13 again, I remember my first show what I THOUGHT Djs did.. I THOUGHT They were creating Music, adding loops on the fly... how nieve I was. When I got older could finally purchase my gear
and saw what they were doing.. I was appalled. So from that day I decided I wanted to be more like Rabbit In the Moon, or a variation of a live type performance (Ive adapted it into something.. different of course)
I wanted to be a musician.. not a wanna be musician that for some reason the masses give DJs credit for half the time :/ |
Shawn Vanhaitsma
01.04.2013 |
Originally Posted by SlvrDragon50
That's the thing. I just don't understand hwo you DJ as a trio lol Cueing and shit must be so hard. Who does what?
I didn't watch the first weekend so I can't comment.
They dont, just they rotate, they dont do anything live, they dont do loops, they just horribly beatmatch their pre edited songs for that particular set. The documentary on YouTube about them is very enlightening about how DOuchey they really are. |
Meaghan Machold
02.04.2013 |
Originally Posted by balakoth
Can I move where you live?
Since Ive moved to DC ive seen, 4 pre recorded acts, a guy who wears a mask, uses Serato and plays mashup top 40 all evening
. And DJs trying to get me to hook them up with my promoter, name dropping, saying they use to spin at X Club at this day etc.
Give them a shot, listen to their soundcloud, and while its not a great judge, you can instantly hear the bad ones. Kind of like Swedish House Mafias last set on weekend two. A complete train wreck of an hour lol.
Now im no Swedish House fanboy... and I dont even like house/trance... but that set was epic, and ur just being a troll. Its sooooooo lame to continue to hate on SHM and Guetta. get over yourselves, because hating on others will just keep u blackballed in ur bedroom recording to soundcloud.... |
Shawn Vanhaitsma
01.04.2013 |
Originally Posted by SlvrDragon50
I was watching from home :P
They were actually drumming, that was what surprised me. I didn't believe they actually knew how to drum. It wasnt just like hitting eight notes, but they knew how to do rolls and whatnot.
When they were hiding behind the table, they were most likely drumming.
I watched the live version too.. just didnt see it. Oh well |
Benjamin Sieh
01.04.2013 |
Originally Posted by SwedeDreams
Kids here get their parents to buy them Kontrol S4's , but when I ask "what's your dj name" or "do you have a soundcloud" , they're like "dafuq is a soundcloud and whats a dj?"
There are a few kids like that here, only, they are quick gracious about getting the gear. At least they aren't up in my face about gear.
Anyway, I've saved enough money to get two CDJs and I'm completely undecided on a mixer.
Anyway, I have regular work around the area, its making new contacts, that is hard now.
My age, and grade hinder me. |
Georgie Lukowiak
01.04.2013 | Kids here get their parents to buy them Kontrol S4's , but when I ask "what's your dj name" or "do you have a soundcloud" , they're like "dafuq is a soundcloud and whats a dj?" |
Gaynell Rydberg
01.04.2013 |
Originally Posted by balakoth
Interesting.. never saw that and I was up front.. Half the time they were drinking.. two hiding behind the table, or one maybe punching some hot cues on the CDJ... Since they dont use digital systems what were they using for their drum pad, and samples.. a MPC? I didnt see any kind of gear
l ike that up there when UMF TV did their behind the decks views
I was watching from home :P
They were actually drumming, that was what surprised me. I didn't believe they actually knew how to drum. It wasnt just like hitting eight notes, but they knew how to do rolls and whatnot.
When they were hiding behind the table, they were most likely drumming. |
Shawn Vanhaitsma
01.04.2013 |
Originally Posted by SlvrDragon50
Meh...
The thing that makes EDM so different from other genres is that you're combining all these rather simple loops into one complex song. Not really that impressive to see someone playing the arpeggio over and over again.
At least SHM did play some drum pads.
Interesting.. never saw that and I was up front.. Half the time they were drinking.. two hiding behind the table, or one maybe punching some hot cues on the CDJ... Since they dont use digital systems what were they using for their drum pad, and samples.. a MPC? I didnt see any kind of gear
l ike that up there when UMF TV did their behind the decks views |
Gaynell Rydberg
01.04.2013 | Meh...
The thing that makes EDM so different from other genres is that you're combining all these rather simple loops into one complex song. Not really that impressive to see someone playing the arpeggio over and over again.
At least SHM did play some drum pads. |
Valeri Holderness
01.04.2013 |
Originally Posted by SlvrDragon50
It's also a lot easier to sing live than produce a song live :P
they can at least play the main lead or something? the amount of effort some guys put into their live performance is just too low man |
Gaynell Rydberg
01.04.2013 | It's also a lot easier to sing live than produce a song live :P |
Valeri Holderness
01.04.2013 |
Originally Posted by balakoth
See i dont feel any of the acts are any different. A "skillled" person A B mixing on CDJs or a Newly trained person A B mixing on Traktor.. it all sounds boring to me. It all looks boring, and both of those types of DJs are slowly going to become the minority. ONce the whole Rock Star DJ fad wears out
Oh to be 13 again, I remember my first show what I THOUGHT Djs did.. I THOUGHT They were creating Music, adding loops on the fly... how nieve I was. When I got older could finally purchase my gear
and saw what they were doing.. I was appalled. So from that day I decided I wanted to be more like Rabbit In the Moon, or a variation of a live type performance (Ive adapted it into something.. different of course)
I wanted to be a musician.. not a wanna be musician that for some reason the masses give DJs credit for half the time :/
this man has the right idea. honestly performing live is dead for the most part. if you go see a big name dj, they'll be doing basic a to b mixing that any monkey can do after 1 week of practice. if you go see a big name hip hop show, the artist won't even touch the mic except to belligerently shout in it once in a while as his album is playing in the back. i wish producers either a) stepped up their djing skills or b) grab some synths and started performing their songs live. i hate to go on a rant, but its frustrating to see these guys spending 90% of their time with their hands in the air, while playing tunes on a 6000 dollar dj set up that they are barely touching.
edit: with that being said, there are lots of great live performers. guys like hawtin always kill it. i just went to see nadia ali and she absolutely KILLED IT. it was 100% live with no pre-recorded vocals. she has an amazing voice live |
Delfina Suedmeyer
01.04.2013 | those people just need to shut up.
remember to stay humble, guys. |
Ethel Feigum
01.04.2013 | @balakoth... I like where your head is at, but keep in mind that the vast majority of people want us to "showcase" someone else's art. (by showcase I mean using our own art as djs to personalize the experience). |
Shawn Vanhaitsma
01.04.2013 |
Originally Posted by lethal_pizzle
@balakoth... some people just want to play good tunes. The best tunes don't need to be messed with because they're already perfect. All you can do is make them worse. Traditional DJing will not die out in much the same way as art galleries will never die out.
This is where I disagree.. if you really assume ARt Gallerys in their modern form are going to stay that way Im not sure what to tell you. There will probably be a few old school canvas based Art Galleries in the future... but just as with anything in this world you adapt or die out... and become a relic.
We just have differing opinions and thats fine. I in no way find a DJ to be "show casing" someone elses art. Why would anyone want to do that anyways? Its just like the art Gallery. "Pay me for someone elses hard work" |
Shawn Vanhaitsma
01.04.2013 |
Originally Posted by SlvrDragon50
I mean, I don't see why you're discrediting the 'DJs' for that reason. Armin, Hardwell, etc. are all producers first, DJs second.
It's the same for a lot of other musicians. There's a very small percentage of musicians who are actually making music live.
I do agree though it's very easy for newbies to get confused about DJing vs producing though. I didn't realize that there was a difference until I started purchasing gear
like you.
We could probably help a lot of people out by making a guide.
Well we can agree to disagree.. First you put Armin van Burren in the same sentence as Hardwell which is funny :P Secondly Hardwell Started as DJ, didnt really break into the scene until his first bigger hit in 2009.. So.. playing 3 of the songs you produce a year, but 90 percent of it is other peoples music.. I consider that DJ First.. not Producer First... Someone like Deadmau5 would be producer first IMO |
Marshall Aby
01.04.2013 | @balakoth... some people just want to play good tunes. The best tunes don't need to be messed with because they're already perfect. All you can do is make them worse. Traditional DJing will not die out in much the same way as art galleries will never die out. |
Gaynell Rydberg
01.04.2013 |
Originally Posted by balakoth
See i dont feel any of the acts are any different. A "skillled" person A B mixing on CDJs or a Newly trained person A B mixing on Traktor.. it all sounds boring to me. It all looks boring, and both of those types of DJs are slowly going to become the minority. ONce the whole Rock Star DJ fad wears out
Oh to be 13 again, I remember my first show what I THOUGHT Djs did.. I THOUGHT They were creating Music, adding loops on the fly... how nieve I was. When I got older could finally purchase my gear
and saw what they were doing.. I was appalled. So from that day I decided I wanted to be more like Rabbit In the Moon, or a variation of a live type performance (Ive adapted it into something.. different of course)
I wanted to be a musician.. not a wanna be musician that for some reason the masses give DJs credit for half the time :/
I mean, I don't see why you're discrediting the 'DJs' for that reason. Armin, Hardwell, etc. are all producers first, DJs second.
It's the same for a lot of other musicians. There's a very small percentage of musicians who are actually making music live.
I do agree though it's very easy for newbies to get confused about DJing vs producing though. I didn't realize that there was a difference until I started purchasing gear
like you.
We could probably help a lot of people out by making a guide. |
Katheryn Tristano
01.04.2013 | I agree with you it is frustrating!!
I am also a High school student (Last year) and the amount of "DJ:s in my area is shocking not to mention the area i do most of my gigs in.
I started out using VDJ still use it but a Midi controller or 2x CDj 350s in usb mode, but i never and still do not call my self a professional DJ, calling myself a DJ is a stretch at best.
I have personally played after guys who use VDJ pre mixed set no doubt chopped and cutted from a Hardwell and tiesto podcast and just crank the mixer in stupid ways or as i like to say: Go skrillex on it.
This is shocking as your not a DJ if you do not even do the basics like:
Choose the music
Fade and mix it
Read the crowd
Im there 100% with you on this, its frustrating and I often want to just beat them with their own shitty laptop! |
Shawn Vanhaitsma
01.04.2013 |
Originally Posted by SlvrDragon50
You don't have to use a CDJ2000 to become a DJ though...
I don't necessarily believe controllers are a bad thing. Sure you might have more noobs out there, but I see it similar to the limiting costs of higher education. You never know who you might be suppressing just because of costs. By giving people opportunities, you might find the few diamonds in the rough.
See i dont feel any of the acts are any different. A "skillled" person A B mixing on CDJs or a Newly trained person A B mixing on Traktor.. it all sounds boring to me. It all looks boring, and both of those types of DJs are slowly going to become the minority. ONce the whole Rock Star DJ fad wears out
Oh to be 13 again, I remember my first show what I THOUGHT Djs did.. I THOUGHT They were creating Music, adding loops on the fly... how nieve I was. When I got older could finally purchase my gear
and saw what they were doing.. I was appalled. So from that day I decided I wanted to be more like Rabbit In the Moon, or a variation of a live type performance (Ive adapted it into something.. different of course)
I wanted to be a musician.. not a wanna be musician that for some reason the masses give DJs credit for half the time :/ |
Shawn Vanhaitsma
01.04.2013 |
Originally Posted by SlvrDragon50
That's the thing. I just don't understand hwo you DJ as a trio lol Cueing and shit must be so hard. Who does what?
I didn't watch the first weekend so I can't comment.
They dont, just they rotate, they dont do anything live, they dont do loops, they just horribly beatmatch their pre edited songs for that particular set. The documentary on YouTube about them is very enlightening about how DOuchey they really are. |
Gaynell Rydberg
01.04.2013 | You don't have to use a CDJ2000 to become a DJ though...
I don't necessarily believe controllers are a bad thing. Sure you might have more noobs out there, but I see it similar to the limiting costs of higher education. You never know who you might be suppressing just because of costs. By giving people opportunities, you might find the few diamonds in the rough. |
Lannie Kutay
01.04.2013 | when you can get up and spin in front of 100 or more people and not piss your pants, that is what separates the boys from the men. Just let all those fakes get their chance to shine they will either totally blow it, and be revealed for what they are or... they will rise to the occasion and make that shit happen. (good for them) |
Dannie Dimora
01.04.2013 |
Originally Posted by balakoth
Can I move where you live?
Since Ive moved to DC ive seen, 4 pre recorded acts, a guy who wears a mask, uses Serato and plays mashup top 40 all evening
. And DJs trying to get me to hook them up with my promoter, name dropping, saying they use to spin at X Club at this day etc.
Give them a shot, listen to their soundcloud, and while its not a great judge, you can instantly hear the bad ones. Kind of like Swedish House Mafias last set on weekend two. A complete train wreck of an hour lol.
bl3nd? :P |
Sharmaine Pellino
01.04.2013 | Everyone TRIES to be a DJ.
It's cause controllers are so bloody easy to use, and are not as expensive as let's say CDJ2000's and DJM's.
But eventually they give up, or they become better.
Try to diversify yourself from them.
Don't focus on them, don't "hate' on them.
Create your own style, practice |
Gaynell Rydberg
01.04.2013 |
Originally Posted by balakoth
I was there both weekends. First was better than the second, First still had its issues. Every other song was mis timed, mis cued, not ment to be played, started stopped. People paid good money.. some of them simply to see that last act. Its not what I expect from a three figure "trio" group
(Never have understood their act)
Listen to the recorded Second weekend. Its amazing that Ultras mainstage soundsystem covered up instead of made sound worse lol. I thought it was bad in person, I thought I was listening to an amateur during the recorded version
That's the thing. I just don't understand hwo you DJ as a trio lol Cueing and shit must be so hard. Who does what?
I didn't watch the first weekend so I can't comment. |
Shawn Vanhaitsma
01.04.2013 |
Originally Posted by jakeintox
Yup! I'm sure there are plenty of fakes in my area, but I never see them, I'm too busy gigging.
@ Zer0beet, Just put your best foot forward and show potential clients that you are a professional, not just some hack with an iphone. Being young definitely makes it harder to be taken seriously, but working with a dj firm should help give you the credibility to get your foot in the door.
Above all believe in yourself. The only reason hack djs get gigs is because they walk in the door acting like they're the shit. Confidence in yourself and your skills will take you much farther than their false bravado. Stick with it and you'll start to get the gigs, while the posers fall by the wayside.
I sound like my dad... Must be drunk...
That and since everyone and their mom uses Traktor and Serato now to put out some of the most boring 4 minute a song pre planned sets, no half wit club owner gives half a crap anymore. hehe. He wants to sell private tables, and make his 400 percent mark up on his bottle of Kettle One. |
Ethel Feigum
01.04.2013 | Yup! I'm sure there are plenty of fakes in my area, but I never see them, I'm too busy gigging.
@ Zer0beet, Just put your best foot forward and show potential clients that you are a professional, not just some hack with an iphone. Being young definitely makes it harder to be taken seriously, but working with a dj firm should help give you the credibility to get your foot in the door.
Above all believe in yourself. The only reason hack djs get gigs is because they walk in the door acting like they're the shit. Confidence in yourself and your skills will take you much farther than their false bravado. Stick with it and you'll start to get the gigs, while the posers fall by the wayside.
I sound like my dad... Must be drunk... |
Shawn Vanhaitsma
31.03.2013 |
Originally Posted by SlvrDragon50
I guess I was too busy staring at the lights to pay attention to all the train wrecking lol.
It wasn't the best DJing i've ever seen, but I didn't believe it was a train wreck. Not as bad as Guetta.
I was there both weekends. First was better than the second, First still had its issues. Every other song was mis timed, mis cued, not ment to be played, started stopped. People paid good money.. some of them simply to see that last act. Its not what I expect from a three figure "trio" group
(Never have understood their act)
Listen to the recorded Second weekend. Its amazing that Ultras mainstage soundsystem covered up instead of made sound worse lol. I thought it was bad in person, I thought I was listening to an amateur during the recorded version |
Margie Pavell
31.03.2013 | be better than them...stop bitching about them...
practice and dig for your tunes...other than that... |
