Software for spinning music on computer

dj_nick said:
In your follow-up you said that "in the art of DJing, nothing is written in stone". I think that applies here.

I take my job and the customers very seriously. I take reading the crowd very seriously. However, I simply cannot agree with an absolute and uncompromising statement such as 'a Great DJ never leaves his spot...".

Our job is to provide great music and a good atmosphere for the dancers. Sometimes, depending on the circumstances, that involves leaving the booth for a few minutes and having interacting with people in the room. Sometimes if the circumstances are right for it -- ie, if it's early on, a slow night with not enough leads around, and a casual atmosphere -- it might even involve having a dance every now and again.

Of course, I'm always in complete control over what music is being played and when, but if letting the computer handle the occasional transition will make a particular night better for the customers, then I see no problem in it.
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I meant those ppl that starts the music in a PC or laptop and left it unattended for several minutes (and sometimes, hours). but just I said, it happens to be someone that works in other things in the same club.

they couldn't be considered as DJ's. I may refer to them as jukebox operators.

I see no harm in taking a couple of minutes while DJing to mingle with the crowd or ask for a drink.
 
Sorry guy's I have been spinning for over 20 years and a DJ to me never leaves his spot unattended. He either has someone lookout for him until he gets back or he does not leave at all. I have seen my share of issues when leaving the booth even for a quick second.

1- CD Skips.
2- People going behind the booth.
3- PC Freezing
4- Speakers acting up.
and so on.

How would I look if the CD skips and I am dancing with no one behind the booth? Everyone will notice me running to the empty booth to correct the problem. Too many years of playing music both mobile and club which I have seen many issues come up. Especially when the club owner wants to talk to you and has to wait for you to finish dancing. In my company that is a BIG NO NO! Very unprofessional to leave the booth unattended. You are there to provide a service first. If someone can take over while you dance great but if not, don't do it. Too many issues can arise.
 
-to Abayarde -

I'm definitely with you there. My comment was really more directed to the original quote.

- to DJFreddy -

Of course most of the time and especially on busy and more 'serious' events, a DJ should rarely leave his post. However, you can consider it a cost benefit analysis. On certain types of nights, as I said, I can add -- and sometimes significantly -- to the atmosphere of the night by mingling a bit, or if there are few leads and the club is not yet crowded, by dancing a little.

I trust my equipment, use a dedicated high-end laptop for DJing which doesn't skip and has never frozen, and have enough common sense (I think!) to judge when it is appropriate to leave the booth or not. There are times where I think the benefits of being flexible here outweigh the unlikely risk of something going wrong with the sound.

It can also be good, on almost any type of night, to leave the booth every now and again to traverse the dance floor and check out how everything is sounding.

I simply take issue with the absolutism of your statement. Maybe you could say "a great DJ knows when he or she should or not not leave his post..."
 
@Freddy How much of a dancer are you? I was chatting to a DJ the other night, and he reckoned that most DJs don't dance so much. Maybe you just are more into the DJ side of things rather than dancing itself...... When you are not DJing, do you go out social dancing that much?

@Nick What software do you use by the way? Traktor? Serato? Virtual?
 
sunsoul said:
@Freddy How much of a dancer are you?
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Well if you must know, I use to teach with Salsa Lovers here in Miami when Rene was getting started back in 95 or 96. Went to the biggest Salsa nights here in Miami at every club you can imagine. Married a Salsera, taught half of my family how to dance Salsa Casino. So well you can say I dance a little.

When it comes time for me to work at a Club or mobile event, I am there to do a job. I NEVER EVER leave the booth unattended. That in our profession is very unprofessional. You always leave someone behind the booth while you go to do whatever you need to do. I love to dance but I never leave my post unattended especially to dance. If you do it, more power to you. One day you will remember this post when you are in the middle of the dance floor and something goes wrong. You then have to run knocking everyone in your way down just to get to your booth. I have experienced a lot both to me and also my friend DJs.

If you don't believe me fine. Copy this post to a DJ Forum and watch what your replies will be. You are getting paid to DJ, not dance.

And to the laptop reply, your laptop is new now maybe now it does not freeze but wait a couple of years and watch. Now if you would of bought a Mac that is a different story. LOL.....:D

I tell you what. I will post this myself on the DJ forums that I visit. I will copy and post on here all the replies I get. lets see what DJs from all over the world feel about this topic.
 
DJFreddy said:
When it comes time for me to work at a Club or mobile event, I am there to do a job. I NEVER EVER leave the booth unattended. That in our profession is very unprofessional. You always leave someone behind the booth while you go to do whatever you need to do. I love to dance but I never leave my post unattended especially to dance. If you do it, more power to you. One day you will remember this post when you are in the middle of the dance floor and something goes wrong. You then have to run knocking everyone in your way down just to get to your booth. I have experienced a lot both to me and also my friend DJs.
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My job, as a DJ at a salsa event for salsa dancers, is to play good music, and to make the night as enjoyable for people as I can. I can understand if you have a different approach. That's your prerogative of course. I find it very presumptuous of you however to call what I described "unprofessional", considering you have no idea what these events or like, nor what is expected of DJs at them.

If the day finally comes when my equipment fails while I'm not in the booth, then so be it. Perhaps it'll take me five seconds longer to get things up and going from what it would have if I were right in the booth -- and really, that is all we are talking about here -- but the countless times I've been able to improve the atmosphere of a night in other ways far outweigh those few lost seconds.

Don't forget, as I have said before, I am talking about casual events where this is appropriate.

Anyway, I doubt we are going to see eye-to-eye here. I'm just surprised you cannot understand that in environments other than the ones to which you might be accustomed, what is expected or required of us might be a little different.
 
DJFreddy said:
And to the laptop reply, your laptop is new now maybe now it does not freeze but wait a couple of years and watch. Now if you would of bought a Mac that is a different story. LOL.....:D
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I also have a Mac, so we have all found some common ground there. I have a MacBook, but I might get a MacBook Pro at the end of the year. I am currently using Djay 3 for some parties that I organise at my local salsa bar.
 
dj_nick said:
If the day finally comes when my equipment fails while I'm not in the booth, then so be it.
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Yes DJ Nick, I now see where you are coming from. Thanks for clearing that up.

I however shoot for every show to be as perfect as possible. Not because I am better then you or anyone else because I was taught that way.
I was taught:

1- You never leave your booth on auto pilot unless it is an absolute emergency.
2- You never argue with the client.
3- Always look like you are having fun behind the booth at all times.
4- Play for all crowds not for yourself.
5- Hide all wires out of view.
I could go on...........email me for the rest. :D
 
sunsoul said:
When you are not DJing, do you go out social dancing that much?
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Sunsoul, I do go out whenever I have a free weekend. I don't always go to a Salsa club. I also love the 80's classics or go to a House club every now and then. I do love Salsa though but as everything too much of one thing is not good, so I like to take my wife to other places to mix it up a bit.
 
sunsoul said:
I also have a Mac, so we have all found some common ground there. I have a MacBook, but I might get a MacBook Pro at the end of the year. I am currently using Djay 3 for some parties that I organise at my local salsa bar.
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I myself am not a DJ but have several friends who are. One showed me his equipment and on his Macbook Pro 15 inch where he uses a software called "Djay". He says it is a fully featured DJ software but it has one of the best prices.

You'll have to research it more to see if it is for you but I just thought I'd let you know. Have fun spinning the music!
 
kerry.alder said:
I myself am not a DJ but have several friends who are. One showed me his equipment and on his Macbook Pro 15 inch where he uses a software called "Djay". He says it is a fully featured DJ software but it has one of the best prices.

You'll have to research it more to see if it is for you but I just thought I'd let you know. Have fun spinning the music!
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Yes, this is the program that I am using. It is only available for Mac. The latest release, Djay 3, came out late last year. It is basically a stripped down version of something like Virtual DJ, but it is well put together and does everything that you need it to do, and cheaply too (it is about 80 US dollars).

I am not sure if you can compare it to something like Traktor, but salsa DJs don't normally mix and scratch so much, so the essential functions like the twin turntable, amendable playlist, cue points, BPM reader and auto mix are all there.

Another great thing is that it is fully integrated with iTunes, and you can use your playlists directly from iTunes, and alter them on the fly on the night.
 
I've never used Djay 3, but I'd be interested in checking it out. I'm sure it's very suitable for most salsa DJs. Really, I use a very small portion of Traktor's rich feature set, since I never use effects, beat-mix or scratch over the music.

I wouldn't mind having a look and comparing. We should meet one day with our laptops.

sunsoul said:
Yes, this is the program that I am using. It is only available for Mac. The latest release, Djay 3, came out late last year. It is basically a stripped down version of something like Virtual DJ, but it is well put together and does everything that you need it to do, and cheaply too (it is about 80 US dollars).

I am not sure if you can compare it to something like Traktor, but salsa DJs don't normally mix and scratch so much, so the essential functions like the twin turntable, amendable playlist, cue points, BPM reader and auto mix are all there.

Another great thing is that it is fully integrated with iTunes, and you can use your playlists directly from iTunes, and alter them on the fly on the night.
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dj_nick said:
I wouldn't mind having a look and comparing. We should meet one day with our laptops.
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That sounds like a great day........ No, we can do of course. Djay 3 was designed exclusively for the Mac platform, so the visual display is really nice. It is not so cluttered as Traktor or other DJ programs, and you have the large twin turnable, with the album covers spinning away, so aesthetically it is pleasing to look at and use.

The integration with iTunes is almost seamless, and a lot better than other programs that were not designed exclusively for Mac.

You can buy Djay with your pocket money. It is only about 8000 yen in the Mac store in Ginza...
 
DJFreddy said:
I have seen my share of issues when leaving the booth even for a quick second.

1- CD Skips.
2- People going behind the booth.
3- PC Freezing
4- Speakers acting up.
and so on.
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I am curious, what do you do if a song is playing and then your laptop computer freezes. What do you do? Do you immediately plug your iPod in to keep the music flowing until the computer restarts?
 
kerry.alder said:
I am curious, what do you do if a song is playing and then your laptop computer freezes. What do you do? Do you immediately plug your iPod in to keep the music flowing until the computer restarts?
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1. You have a decent computer that will make freezing less of a concern. (And, you look after said machine and keep it running smoothly).

2. You have a backup computer with you. I have an iBook running side by side... if the worst happens, then I could go over to that fairly quickly.

3. You have CDs with you for emergencies (like power cuts or something).
 
kerry.alder said:
I am curious, what do you do if a song is playing and then your laptop computer freezes. What do you do? Do you immediately plug your iPod in to keep the music flowing until the computer restarts?
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Well that is a great question. I always train my roadies to always do your best but be prepared for the worse.

I have been a Mobile Jock for over 20 years and I can tell you this, many mobile jocks have no idea what Customer service means. When a client walks into my office they don't immediately hear me spinning or introducing the Bridal party. The first thing they will notice is your appearance, how well you speak, what knowledge you can bring to their event, why should they hire you, what sets you apart from others. All these things come to mind and many more when a client comes to my office. So one of the things I offer since I was in the Customer Service field for many years is 100% client satisfaction. If anything goes wrong in the event and it is my fault, I compensate them for it. Up until now, no one has taken me up on it, thank god.

So you see I can't afford for anything to go wrong at any of my events, I have to be prepared for the worse case scenario.

This is my setup that I use at the events:
3- SRM 450 Mackies
2- Swa 1801 Makies
2- DVJ1000
1-Denon 9000 Cd player
1- DN-900x Mixer
1- Denon 800 mixer
1- Case of CDs
1- Serato 2.0

So as you can see I have backups of Speakers, CD players, and a case of CDs.

If my mixer breaks down I have another in the case but it will take me a few minuets to get it connected though. I always try though to upgrade my mixer every 4 years to keep it as new as possible so I can limit the times it might break down.

I always have a cd ready in the DVJ's just in case if my Serato acts up or something happens to the PC not only if it freezes but also if it gets stolen.

Now you can have all the Laptops you want as backup but what does that cost you? Plus you also have to be cautious about someone stealing your lappy more than them walking out with a case of CDs.

That is why I prefer to have my case of Cds, if something happens, I just hit play.

I have been using Serato for nearly three years plus and it has only let me down twice. One time the Mariachis were playing for over an hour upon them finishing I hit play on serato and nothing happened. Luckily I had a CD in the DVJs and was able to play a Merengue just in time. After I play whatever is in the CD player, I replace with a different song.

So you see a DJ should always be prepared for the worse since the party must go on at any cost.

Always have a backup plan in case if you ever need it. Believe me when I tell you, sooner or later every DJ out there will run into a situation and then they find out that no backup was ready or was even taken to the event. You have a pissed off client and say bye bye to that word that we all strive for at every event.... REFERRALS!

Hope that helps you out and if you have any other questions just HOLLA! LOL.........
 
DJFreddy said:
This is my setup that I use at the events:
3- SRM 450 Mackies
2- Swa 1801 Makies
2- DVJ1000
1-Denon 9000 Cd player
1- DN-900x Mixer
1- Denon 800 mixer
1- Case of CDs
1- Serato 2.0

So as you can see I have backups of Speakers, CD players, and a case of CDs.

If my mixer breaks down I have another in the case but it will take me a few minuets to get it connected though. I always try though to upgrade my mixer every 4 years to keep it as new as possible so I can limit the times it might break down.

I always have a cd ready in the DVJ's just in case if my Serato acts up or something happens to the PC not only if it freezes but also if it gets stolen.

Now you can have all the Laptops you want as backup but what does that cost you? Plus you also have to be cautious about someone stealing your lappy more than them walking out with a case of CDs.

That is why I prefer to have my case of Cds, if something happens, I just hit play.

I have been using Serato for nearly three years plus and it has only let me down twice. One time the Mariachis were playing for over an hour upon them finishing I hit play on serato and nothing happened. Luckily I had a CD in the DVJs and was able to play a Merengue just in time. After I play whatever is in the CD player, I replace with a different song.

So you see a DJ should always be prepared for the worse since the party must go on at any cost.

Always have a backup plan in case if you ever need it. Believe me when I tell you, sooner or later every DJ out there will run into a situation and then they find out that no backup was ready or was even taken to the event. You have a pissed off client and say bye bye to that word that we all strive for at every event.... REFERRALS!

Hope that helps you out and if you have any other questions just HOLLA! LOL.........
Click to expand...

Thanks, good info.
 
DJFreddy said:
I was taught:

1- You never leave your booth on auto pilot unless it is an absolute emergency.
2- You never argue with the client.
3- Always look like you are having fun behind the booth at all times.
4- Play for all crowds not for yourself.
5- Hide all wires out of view.
I could go on...........email me for the rest. :D
Click to expand...

1-4 sound good, 5 is new to me but I like it. Please add any more you can think of - this is my 20th year of DJing and I've still got a lot to learn.
 
in most venues I can say the difficult one is hide ALL the cables. Helps a lot having a nice covered table and shorter cables, specially for speakers.

also bring an extra amplifier, mixer, CD players, mics and cables of all kinds.

sometimes I get annoyed by a colleague or the guys from a live band or the photographer that aren't equally prepared. finally, you got to save the day playing the Mini-Radio-Shack role.
 
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