Have you become lazy?

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Have using request lists, playlists and computers to DJ with made you lazy and unadventurous?

Comments please.

[OllieJames]

Have using request lists, playlists and computers to DJ with made you lazy and unadventurous?

Comments please.

Using computers have made me more adventurous I think :) It has enabled me, although cheating, to beatmix some songs together and the ability to load a request in like 3 seconds is fantastic.

From a 'lazy' point of view, it's cracking to be able to load of a playlist of background music.

[djdave01]

i was a bit lazy during the recent xmas party nights, i regularly used the night befores playlist that virtual dj saves automatically.
i just added in any requests.
i have also setup various playlists for background music, which one i use depends on the age group of the crowd.

[DiscoPromotions]

Using computers have made me more adventurous I think :) It has enabled me, although cheating, to beatmix some songs together and the ability to load a request in like 3 seconds is fantastic.

From a 'lazy' point of view, it's cracking to be able to load of a playlist of background music.

I agree that computers allows DJs to be more adventurous. As for lazy it is a yes and no.

No part: I got a lot of stuff I spent hours mixing in mixmeister at home. Putting some great selections together or unique transitions. I tend to mix between these.

Yes part: If doing a set that i know that works, I tend to load mixed playlist. This good time for small break.

So overall, it is 70% mixing and 30% pre-load.

[Charlie Brown]

From a 'lazy' point of view, it's cracking to be able to load of a playlist of background music.

:agree:

I don't think I've become lazy. I still have to remember what works with what etc.

It allows you to entertain and watch the dancefloor more? Instead of faffing around with CD's. It's made my job easier....although I hardly ever used CD'S.

[Shaun]

Have using request lists, playlists and computers to DJ with made you lazy and unadventurous?

Comments please.

I'd argue that it's the opposite.

I'm more adventurous as I'm structuring my music choices better on the night to compliment the clients and guest song requests. This has resulted in a more varied selection of music of music at my events than ever before.

Also, since going digital the music is at my fingertips quicker, allowing me to be more creative - live megamixes on the fly are great fun.

[Megamix]

I think about what I'm going to play in advance and build up a playlist as a guide - probably no different to selecting/swapping CDs from my collection as I used to do. It makes it more convenient and quicker - lazy would be if you just stuck to it.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

I can understand how people can become lazy particularly when using laptops however it makes its sooo much easier to plan out a rough guideline of songs you think you'll play that night. I remember in the earlier days thinking:Censored: :Censored: :Censored: what should i put on next then trying to find it, load it into the player within 3 minutes max each time.

I think its a case of working smarter not harder and the end result is much better.

[WWDJ]

I think its a case of working smarter not harder and the end result is much better.

I think that sums it up for me. I can preplan more upfront, tracks, cue points, general playlists and so on so i can be more attentive to my audience. Yes you can put on 'Cruise' so that warmup and buffet music takes care of itself, but didn't people used to put on a mix CD anyhow.

As long as you cover the inevitable risks with using computers, crashing etc, by having a backup, then the customer is the winner at the end of the day.

in every trade there are tools to make you work smarter so i don't see why it should be any different for DJ's

[CRAZY K]

I think that sums it up for me. I can preplan more upfront, tracks, cue points, general playlists and so on so i can be more attentive to my audience. Yes you can put on 'Cruise' so that warmup and buffet music takes care of itself, but didn't people used to put on a mix CD anyhow.

As long as you cover the inevitable risks with using computers, crashing etc, by having a backup, then the customer is the winner at the end of the day.

in every trade there are tools to make you work smarter so i don't see why it should be any different for DJ's

Because modern technology makes it easier to DJ I would say it means what Neil says above--you need to work smarter, harder and be constantly looking for new angles to differentiate yourself from the competition.

Nothing new there then!

CRAZY K
VOLCANO VICTIM JUST BACK IN FROM MEXICO YEE-HA!

[rob1963]

I'm not sure whether digital DJing makes you lazy, but it's certainly easier.

Just a few buttons to press...rather than going through boxes of CDs.

:D

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Playlists, definately not. Im always looking at how to link the requests in with the dancefloor instead of just playing guaranteed floorfillers.

Laptop, again no, because i can now concentrate on the creativity over looking for tracks, and im experimenting alot with midi right now (right gig allowing obviously).

[sleah]

Nope, not really lazy. Made my life easier for many of the reasons already given, such as faster searches.
I do tend to use playlists from previous gigs, but then when I was on vinyl and CD I tended to play the same basic set just tweaked for the particluar gig, adding in requests and occasionally mixing it up a bit, to give variety for my benifit as much as punters:D seeing as you don't often see the same crowd unless you do a residency or have a customer who like their discos:cool:

It gets my back up when people think you are lazy or not a proper DJ when you use a computer:mad:
I still DJ in exactly the same way as when I started out on 45's but I now have tools that make my job easier and better IMHO.

[NKR]

I am falling out of love quickly with digital and going back to my CD's

I doesn't work for me I am now less creative and can't think what to play next to save my life. The Denon is a pain in the backside as it takes it an eternity to scroll the track along in that tiny screen.

The Digital is going to be held in reserve for those off the wall requests, but its back to CD's for me. However, it has reduced the number of CD's I need to carry about and down to 3 boxes now.

[StarZSoundS]

I am falling out of love quickly with digital and going back to my CD's

I doesn't work for me I am now less creative and can't think what to play next to save my life. The Denon is a pain in the backside as it takes it an eternity to scroll the track along in that tiny screen.

The Digital is going to be held in reserve for those off the wall requests, but its back to CD's for me. However, it has reduced the number of CD's I need to carry about and down to 3 boxes now.


Well ....I have to say that is a surprise!!:eek: :eek: :eek:

There must be other options Neil???

I don't use a Denon....straight into a player called BPM...it couldn't be easier ...even for an old fogey like me!!;) ;) ;)

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Well ....I have to say that is a surprise!!:eek: :eek: :eek:

There must be other options Neil???

I don't use a Denon....straight into a player called BPM...it couldn't be easier ...even for an old fogey like me!!;) ;) ;)

There is Martin, DVS (Digital Vinyl System), like Serato or Traktor.

Doestn fix the issue of what to play next though...

[StarZSoundS]

There is Martin, DVS (Digital Vinyl System), like Serato or Traktor.

Doestn fix the issue of what to play next though...



Thanks Steve....


But its a bit late for me to be learning about all them....

I'm getting more than a decent tune out of what I've got anyway!!:) :) :)

[Dynamic Entertainment]

TBH, i wouldnt really recommend a DVS system unless you do a fair amount of pub/club work.

The main advantage to it though is that you get vinly/cd manipulation as per the original media, you basically use your mp3 library as a record box.

[StarZSoundS]

TBH, i wouldnt really recommend a DVS system unless you do a fair amount of pub/club work.

The main advantage to it though is that you get vinly/cd manipulation as per the original media, you basically use your mp3 library as a record box.

Yep....just as I thought...nothing like a bit of vinyl/cd manipulation:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: what the :Censored: is that??

[Tony Scott]

I pretty much went straight to PC from vinyl in 1999 and embraced the concept immediately...

no more carrying around 1/2 a van load of vinyl...

no more franticly searching through trying to find records with 15 seconds to spare...

no more dodgy sounding scratched or chipped 45's...

no more paying over the odds for must have import only upfront tunes...

I can live with being branded lazy for using a PC and believe that it has made me a better DJ as I can respond to the mood of the crowd more quickly. :)

[NKR]

Well ....I have to say that is a surprise!!:eek: :eek: :eek:

There must be other options Neil???

I don't use a Denon....straight into a player called BPM...it couldn't be easier ...even for an old fogey like me!!;) ;) ;)

It hasn't suprised anyone who knows and loves what we do. I am still using the digital system for sections of the night but I love loading CD trays and hoking in boxes for inspiration.

The digital issue is I can't be set building and shuffling as I used to. Ie I would be about ten tracks ahead of myself on CD and constantly switching them about and adding/removing tracks as my dance floor evolved. I can only really be one ahead on digital as once one is playing and the next cued you are kind of just stood waiting.

With CD's I am searching and building and reshuffling and really involved. Much better, much more creative. Close friends who don't DJ (but have stood alongside me) did warn me - don't lose what makes you special, which is your ability to have four options for your next track and only make that call 30 seconds before its due and almost always get it right.

[CRAZY K]

It hasn't suprised anyone who knows and loves what we do. I am still using the digital system for sections of the night but I love loading CD trays and hoking in boxes for inspiration.

The digital issue is I can't be set building and shuffling as I used to. Ie I would be about ten tracks ahead of myself on CD and constantly switching them about and adding/removing tracks as my dance floor evolved. I can only really be one ahead on digital as once one is playing and the next cued you are kind of just stood waiting.

With CD's I am searching and building and reshuffling and really involved. Much better, much more creative. Close friends who don't DJ (but have stood alongside me) did warn me - don't lose what makes you special, which is your ability to have four options for your next track and only make that call 30 seconds before its due and almost always get it right.

Heard of the DJ who was asked to play a guaranteed floor filler for the Bride
and promised faithfully to play it immediately---only to find it wasnt in the CD cover:eek:

I know one ;)

CRAZY K
VOLCANO VICTIM

[Dynamic Entertainment]

It hasn't suprised anyone who knows and loves what we do. I am still using the digital system for sections of the night but I love loading CD trays and hoking in boxes for inspiration.

The digital issue is I can't be set building and shuffling as I used to. Ie I would be about ten tracks ahead of myself on CD and constantly switching them about and adding/removing tracks as my dance floor evolved. I can only really be one ahead on digital as once one is playing and the next cued you are kind of just stood waiting.

With CD's I am searching and building and reshuffling and really involved. Much better, much more creative. Close friends who don't DJ (but have stood alongside me) did warn me - don't lose what makes you special, which is your ability to have four options for your next track and only make that call 30 seconds before its due and almost always get it right.

i can do all that with Serato though through the playlist and prepare features

[Excalibur]

It hasn't suprised anyone who knows and loves what we do. I am still using the digital system for sections of the night but I love loading CD trays and hoking in boxes for inspiration.

The digital issue is I can't be set building and shuffling as I used to. Ie I would be about ten tracks ahead of myself on CD and constantly switching them about and adding/removing tracks as my dance floor evolved. I can only really be one ahead on digital as once one is playing and the next cued you are kind of just stood waiting.

With CD's I am searching and building and reshuffling and really involved. Much better, much more creative. Close friends who don't DJ (but have stood alongside me) did warn me - don't lose what makes you special, which is your ability to have four options for your next track and only make that call 30 seconds before its due and almost always get it right.

I know whereof you speak. I've regularly made the call with three
seconds to spare. ;) Hence why I've got two pairs of digital options cued, ( ie four tracks ) and soimetimes another on the laptop.

To answer the OP, being digital doesn't make you lazy. It does however offer the option of being lazy.

[StarZSoundS]

It hasn't suprised anyone who knows and loves what we do. I am still using the digital system for sections of the night but I love loading CD trays and hoking in boxes for inspiration.

The digital issue is I can't be set building and shuffling as I used to. Ie I would be about ten tracks ahead of myself on CD and constantly switching them about and adding/removing tracks as my dance floor evolved. I can only really be one ahead on digital as once one is playing and the next cued you are kind of just stood waiting.

With CD's I am searching and building and reshuffling and really involved. Much better, much more creative. Close friends who don't DJ (but have stood alongside me) did warn me - don't lose what makes you special, which is your ability to have four options for your next track and only make that call 30 seconds before its due and almost always get it right.

Neil...I think you are guilty of pulling out of prematurely...I've done that before:eek: :eek: :eek:

The advantages so outweight the negatives...It takes time tho.Others more proficient than me are going to have a say shortly tho...methinks
???

[SC Events]

Neil...I think you are guilty of pulling out prematurely...I've done that before :eek: :eek: :eek:

:lol:...What do you get up to at your gigs? Is it a northern thing? :D :D :D