Finding ways to Afford DJ Equipment, Help & advice needed
Finding ways to Afford DJ Equipment, Help & advice needed Posted on: 27.09.2013 by Cicely Gottfried Hi all fellow DJs on the DJTT community
!I have been mixing since the start of summer this year. I am a Traktor user and I am in love with the Traktor Kontrol S4 Mk II. I desperately want it but I don't have the money for it yet. I can earn the money to get it by doing gigs on holidays but not a lot of people listen to the music I'm into at home. So I'm very limited then. Another one of my best chances is by saving up what I can until black friday when it's heavily discounted and spend it then, that is if the S4 Mk II doesn't go out of stock by then. *Fingers crossed* My last best chance is when I go to Miami for the Ultra Music Festival for 2 weeks. Since it will be spring break, there will be hundreds of parties going on and people would be asking for DJ's or just playing their iPod which I believe is dulling. Since the parties last day and evening , I will get the money very quickly but it so far away and I need a crowd that loves my type of music, and hopefully there is, pff what am I saying, of course there is. My only problem is that I am stuck at school doing my classes and my school doesn't allow computers that are owned by me or you personaly unless given special permision and all my chances are somewhat a long time away. So I only have the holidays to do my mixing and I don't have a part time job because I basically live in the middle of no where when there is no snow. Where I am becomes a ski/snowsport resort during snowsport season. So I am asking you guys if you have advice, help, or ways for me to earn money to afford the Traktor Kontrol S4 MK II. I would apreciate the help a lot and I really need it because it is my dream to work with music. Please help me! | |
Cicely Gottfried 30.09.2013 |
Originally Posted by Ed Paris
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Dione Haimes 30.09.2013 | this cereal? the only thing my dad never bought me was a limp bizkit album when i was 11/12, which i ended up aquiring anyway, didnt stop me listening to it once i'd got it either |
Petra Arra 30.09.2013 |
Originally Posted by DJ Bodhisattva
but yeah. plenty of practice and never ever rush things as you are still young and there are plenty of opportunities to come. |
Matt Kane 30.09.2013 |
Originally Posted by DJ Bodhisattva
my advise again to you: practise, practise, practise. become a dope dj but don |
Cicely Gottfried 30.09.2013 | I am 16, and my dad didn't like any other form of music, I have no idea why, but he just doesn't like them. If I ever got caught listening to any other form of music I was busted. |
Matt Kane 30.09.2013 |
Originally Posted by DJ Bodhisattva
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Matt Kane 30.09.2013 |
Originally Posted by Jester
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Latoria Kavulich 30.09.2013 |
Originally Posted by SirReal
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Cicely Gottfried 30.09.2013 | Well miami is a different occasion since it is going to be the first set of concerts of my choice. I've never been to any concerts of the artists I like, I was limited on my music when I was younger. I could only listen to rock music, which didn't make me too happy, I also wanted to listen to other sorts of music, I finally got to during the summer of 2010 I believe. I've been listening to mainly EDM since then. But I have messaged a plan to my parents to see if I can get the S4 and then pay them back later |
Antonetta Wikel 30.09.2013 | @ Jester...LOVE the keyboard overlay, where did you buy it? |
Latoria Kavulich 30.09.2013 | ^ BoOm i played many a party with just a keyboard and mouse exhibit A |
Arnulfo Morten 29.09.2013 | go buy a usb keyboard and learn to map.... cheapest midi controller you can buy "_" knob twistin is overrated |
Latoria Kavulich 29.09.2013 | buy a cheap controller to get you started until you can afford to upgrade, like everyone else |
Delena Katherman 29.09.2013 |
Originally Posted by DJ Bodhisattva
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Petra Arra 29.09.2013 | ask your mom to buy your s4 since obviously she can afford to get you guys to miami. if not get a used numark mixtrack for less than $100. at least you wont be hitting the wrong button. |
Vito Chesnut 29.09.2013 | We have had a couple of good ones lately, eh? |
Dione Haimes 29.09.2013 | this thread is gold |
nayit ruiz jaramillo 29.09.2013 |
Originally Posted by Jester
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Cicely Gottfried 29.09.2013 |
Originally Posted by ImNotDedYet
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Lakeesha Storman 29.09.2013 | OP, dude, you're in for a rude awakening. Don't expect any gigs and don't even tell anyone you're available for any. You'll only get humiliated. And look into keyboard mappings for Traktor until you get the bones saved up for a controller. That way you can do multiple things at once. |
Latoria Kavulich 28.09.2013 | i posted that after approving teh posts karl |
Layne Koop 28.09.2013 |
Originally Posted by DJ Bodhisattva
When you are not at Ultra...how much $$$ are you willing to pay to see other "no name" DJs at house/hotel parties (or wherever you are planning to get your gigs)? The point is this...if YOU are not willing to part with $ to see someone you've never heard of....why should I part with $ to hear you?
Originally Posted by DJ Bodhisattva
Originally Posted by DJ Bodhisattva
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nayit ruiz jaramillo 28.09.2013 |
Originally Posted by Patch
Originally Posted by Jester
Originally Posted by flpanhandler
@OP: You're in school right? I dunno shit about US schools so I have no idea of your age but school means too young to be walking around cities bumming gigs. Work the summer, get some money together and buy some kit and practice. Get this idea of doing gigs out of your head. You are not ready for doing gigs doesn't matter how good your teacher is no-one is ready in 4 months. You are trying to run before you can walk... before you can even crawl to be honest. |
Delena Katherman 28.09.2013 | This can't be real. Sarcasm is sarcasm in any language. OP, is your plan really to go to Ultra and hope for the best, or are you trolling us? If this is legit, you WON'T get any gigs while you are there. None. You don't have any gear , for one thing. What will you play on? Where? Who would hire you and why, given that you only have a laptop and no one knows who you are? |
Vito Chesnut 28.09.2013 | NO, do NOT do that idea. Do not listen to them, they are trying to be funny. I promise you that going to Miami with an S4 and hope and a prayer, will not land you gigs. The most you could hope for is playing an after party in your hotel room, and finding a girl wasted enough to believe you are the best dj ever. Which of course will lead to an interesting evening , and story, it will not, however, land you a paying gig in Miami. |
Latoria Kavulich 28.09.2013 | either those guys are talking to themselves or the dudes' posts weren't approved |
Brunilda Kora 28.09.2013 | What on earth is going on in here?!?!?!? |
Cicely Gottfried 28.09.2013 |
Originally Posted by Cook
I don't believe I will even get a spot at ultra because those are big time Music Producer/DJs we are talking about and I have only 3-4 months of experience, but my teacher was an excellent DJ so I guess I can give them a few surprises. |
Dione Haimes 28.09.2013 |
Originally Posted by donstone
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Cicely Gottfried 28.09.2013 | Thanks guys for all the support, but the plan is that My mom is paying for the tickets for me, herself, and my sister, and the plan for me was that since Ultra only happens during the weekends on the last 2 weeks of march. I could spend the rest of the time getting gigs. I plan to spend my time at ultra to see all my favorite artists since I've never been able to go to concerts of my choice. @soundinmotiondj it is my plan to see as much of the artists that are going to Ultra as I can, so that means avicii all the way down to zedd. If you want more specific artists I can pm you them. The main reason why I am wanting to get the S4 Mk II is because Mixing with only my computer can get really hard because I am limited to do only one thing at a time which with the S4 I can do multiple things at once. I've also worked with the S2 already, it's an excelent controller but it just doesn't fit my needs because it's only two decks and I tend to mix two songs together, for example, Masta Blasta by Dillon Francis and Pink Lady by Feed Me, and sometimes I don't have enough time to change to another song. which really means I need the four decks so that way I can be more prepared. The S4 is also supposed to give me more control over the mixer because my mouse tends to do a little overkill on the frequencies and the crossfader. I also need a place to put my headphones while music is playing through my computer. |
Vito Chesnut 27.09.2013 | Yes, save the money for your tickets to Ultra, buy the S4 with that, and hit up some of the closer festivals in your area. I know they have massive festivals closer to you, if you are looking to see some decent talent. Ultra is really all about flash anyways, if you ARE set on coming here, go to WMC, and don't waste your time at Ultra. At least that way you might meet some djs that can give you some pointers and help with direction. |
Oretha Afful 27.09.2013 | No, you should totally go to Miami during Ultra and just wander the streets. You will totally get at least 4 paying gigs a day with this approach. You'll have enough for the S4 in no time. You'll probably even get a slot at Ultra. |
Layne Koop 28.09.2013 | Can you work in the local snow sports industry and earn money over the winter? Cash in the plane ticket to Miami...and you've got enough for a Mk1....and maybe more. There are some differences between the Mk 1 & Mk2...but nothing that will prevent you from learning the craft, practicing, and even earning money. I get the allure of the S4...but most of the "four deck" techniques are better suited to "routines" than to "live mixing." Do you "need" an S4 to really get the music out of your head...is the S2 really not up to the task in a fundamental way? Traktor has apps for the iPad and iPhone/Pod that allow for reasonable practice (the iMashine app is surprisingly fun to use). There are some controllers that can play directly from a USB drive, that might give you more opportunities to practice while you are at school. Perhaps those would be a better solutions given the lack of a laptop. Also, Music Festivals do not exist by handing out money to anyone who wants to DJ...most of the people there are going to be skipping meals just to attend. Said another way, how many $$$ are you planning to spend to hear a DJ at a house party while you are there? |
Lannie Kutay 28.09.2013 | trust me man, getting gigs for parties in Miami, is not the easiest thing. |
Cicely Gottfried 27.09.2013 | Yes I can't bring my own computer unless I am apart of the school party group called St |
Matt Kane 27.09.2013 | wait? you are not allowed to own a laptop except during the holidyseasons? and also you said, that you just started spinning this summer? do you really believe that you are already good enough to please a bigger crowd? easy man! don |
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