• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 19:45
CEST 01:45
KST 08:45
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
Code S RO4 & Finals Preview: herO, Rogue, Classic, GuMiho0TL Team Map Contest #5: Presented by Monster Energy4Code S RO8 Preview: herO, Zoun, Bunny, Classic7Code S RO8 Preview: Rogue, GuMiho, Solar, Maru3BGE Stara Zagora 2025: Info & Preview27
Community News
Classic & herO RO8 Interviews: "I think it’s time to teach [Rogue] a lesson."2Rogue & GuMiho RO8 interviews: "Lifting that trophy would be a testament to all I’ve had to overcome over the years and how far I’ve come on this journey.4Code S RO8 Results + RO4 Bracket (2025 Season 2)12BGE Stara Zagora 2025 - Replay Pack2Weekly Cups (June 2-8): herO doubles down1
StarCraft 2
General
Rogue & GuMiho RO8 interviews: "Lifting that trophy would be a testament to all I’ve had to overcome over the years and how far I’ve come on this journey. Classic & herO RO8 Interviews: "I think it’s time to teach [Rogue] a lesson." Code S RO8 Results + RO4 Bracket (2025 Season 2) Code S RO4 & Finals Preview: herO, Rogue, Classic, GuMiho I have an extra ticket to the GSL Ro4/finals
Tourneys
[GSL 2025] Code S: Season 2 - Semi Finals & Finals $3,500 WardiTV European League 2025 Sea Duckling Open (Global, Bronze-Diamond) SOOPer7s Showmatches 2025 RSL: Revival, a new crowdfunded tournament series
Strategy
[G] Darkgrid Layout Simple Questions Simple Answers [G] PvT Cheese: 13 Gate Proxy Robo
Custom Maps
[UMS] Zillion Zerglings
External Content
Mutation # 477 Slow and Steady Mutation # 476 Charnel House Mutation # 475 Hard Target Mutation # 474 Futile Resistance
Brood War
General
ASL20 Preliminary Maps BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ Recent recommended BW games BW General Discussion FlaSh Witnesses SCV Pull Off the Impossible vs Shu
Tourneys
[Megathread] Daily Proleagues [BSL 2v2] ProLeague Season 3 - Friday 21:00 CET Small VOD Thread 2.0 [BSL20] ProLeague Bracket Stage - Day 4
Strategy
I am doing this better than progamers do. [G] How to get started on ladder as a new Z player
Other Games
General Games
Path of Exile Nintendo Switch Thread Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Beyond All Reason What do you want from future RTS games?
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
Vanilla Mini Mafia TL Mafia Community Thread
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine UK Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread Vape Nation Thread
Fan Clubs
Maru Fan Club Serral Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
Korean Music Discussion [Manga] One Piece
Sports
Formula 1 Discussion 2024 - 2025 Football Thread NHL Playoffs 2024 TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
A Better Routine For Progame…
TrAiDoS
StarCraft improvement
iopq
Heero Yuy & the Tax…
KrillinFromwales
I was completely wrong ab…
jameswatts
Need Your Help/Advice
Glider
Trip to the Zoo
micronesia
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 32768 users

Electronic DJ's Live

Blogs > JieXian
Post a Reply
1 2 Next All
JieXian
Profile Blog Joined August 2008
Malaysia4677 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-10-29 20:24:21
October 29 2012 20:13 GMT
#1
I've been watching a few videos but I can't figure out what is it that electronic music producers are doing live that makes it worth it to pay hundreds to see them, that others cannot do?

I know producing the song itself is hard but what's the difference between Skrillex/David Guetta/ Deadmau5 live and some other decent guy who's also taking their songs and making a mix while throwing in a few sounds from the MPC and twisting some EQs or filters here and there?

I'd totally understand wanting to watch something like this live



but what makes watching him so special aside from seeing the guy behind the music and maybe the atmosphere? Is there a musical reason?



I'm seriously curious to find out.



Please send me a PM of any song you like that I most probably never heard of! I am looking for people to chat about writing and producing music | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noD-bsOcxuU |
MrCon
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
France29748 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-10-29 20:29:28
October 29 2012 20:26 GMT
#2
I think Guetta is mixing here, he's not producing the music live. There is no real difference between him and another DJ besides hype and tickets sold imo. There is a difference between a talented DJ like Deadmau and a purely hyped guy who is just putting some CD's like guetta tho. (not talking about production here, Guetta is a good producer I guess if you like his style). It's the same difference between 2 pianists playing the same song.
Tobyone
Profile Joined June 2011
United States31 Posts
October 29 2012 20:35 GMT
#3
A lot of what I've noticed about what makes for a good live DJ performance is how they control the crowd. Sure, anybody can just play the popular songs from a playlist, but the good DJ's are much better about which tracks to use when in order to build excitement.
JieXian
Profile Blog Joined August 2008
Malaysia4677 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-10-29 20:45:32
October 29 2012 20:36 GMT
#4
I'm not talking about how good the music is at all. Ok so take this



it just looks to me like he's playing out the parts of the song that he prepared while fine tuning some stuff. I don't know the term for it but I'd imagine it's like pressing record on Ableton and then pressing play on the different parts that you prepared earlier

like this guy





On October 30 2012 05:35 Tobyone wrote:
A lot of what I've noticed about what makes for a good live DJ performance is how they control the crowd. Sure, anybody can just play the popular songs from a playlist, but the good DJ's are much better about which tracks to use when in order to build excitement.



ok are you sure people are paying the money because they are thinking that he has good song selection?


On October 30 2012 05:26 MrCon wrote:
It's the same difference between 2 pianists playing the same song.


So you're saying it's like

+ Show Spoiler +
vs

+ Show Spoiler +
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBgyXXnbfBc


I don't see how I'm still open and want to know what you have to say because that's a fucking huge difference
Please send me a PM of any song you like that I most probably never heard of! I am looking for people to chat about writing and producing music | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noD-bsOcxuU |
itsjustatank
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
Hong Kong9152 Posts
October 29 2012 20:44 GMT
#5
There's something to be said about the experience of being part of a huge crowd, listening to music you like, and feeling as one with them.
Photographer"nosotros estamos backamos" - setsuko
JieXian
Profile Blog Joined August 2008
Malaysia4677 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-10-29 20:48:28
October 29 2012 20:47 GMT
#6
On October 30 2012 05:44 itsjustatank wrote:
There's something to be said about the experience of being part of a huge crowd, listening to music you like, and feeling as one with them.


I get wanting the atmosphere and to see the guy, as I mentioned.
Please send me a PM of any song you like that I most probably never heard of! I am looking for people to chat about writing and producing music | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noD-bsOcxuU |
MrCon
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
France29748 Posts
October 29 2012 20:59 GMT
#7
Well yeah, mixing is taking existing tracks to make one long track, but it's an art and a live experience, listening to livesets on a home sound system can't really make you feel this.
In your deadmau video he's mostly mixing existing tracks and fine tuning stuff, but that doesn't mean everyone will be able to do it with the same talent. I can play a Jimmy Hendrix track with my guitar, I still won't be Jimmy Hendrix.
Wrongspeedy
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
United States1655 Posts
October 29 2012 21:21 GMT
#8
I like bands :S



I am a little confused why people produce music but choose to perform it by themselves when they could easily make it into more of a show. If you are just one person you should probably have a pretty amazing show or the most amazing songs anyone has heard, or maybe a mix of the two. I am probably reaching a bit much but it seems really egotistical to not have a band simply because technology makes it so you don't need them.

Realistically I think this could be an argument about what is more difficult (we like to talk about that on starcraft forums XD)? Is it more difficult to see one person playing all the instruments or more difficult for 4-5 people to play all their instruments together? In the end a show is a show is a show. Its about being entertaining the people that like your music in this case.

I play an instrument so I enjoy watching people play them, that being said I would go bat shit if I had tickets for Daft Punk
It is better to be a human dissatisfied than a pig satisfied; better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied.- John Stuart Mill
HelloSon
Profile Joined April 2010
United States456 Posts
October 29 2012 22:11 GMT
#9
I remember seeing this image on reddit last year:

[image loading]
yo
ApocAlypsE007
Profile Blog Joined January 2011
Israel1007 Posts
October 29 2012 22:43 GMT
#10
On October 30 2012 06:21 Wrongspeedy wrote:
I like bands :S

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=7Dmf-fReI6o

I am a little confused why people produce music but choose to perform it by themselves when they could easily make it into more of a show. If you are just one person you should probably have a pretty amazing show or the most amazing songs anyone has heard, or maybe a mix of the two. I am probably reaching a bit much but it seems really egotistical to not have a band simply because technology makes it so you don't need them.

Realistically I think this could be an argument about what is more difficult (we like to talk about that on starcraft forums XD)? Is it more difficult to see one person playing all the instruments or more difficult for 4-5 people to play all their instruments together? In the end a show is a show is a show. Its about being entertaining the people that like your music in this case.

I play an instrument so I enjoy watching people play them, that being said I would go bat shit if I had tickets for Daft Punk

Agreed with every word.
I watched few electronic live shows, and the best and most explosive show I have ever seen is Infected Mushroom, the guitarist(s in high profile live shows) and the cord guy are always improvising on stage and with the almost overly loud bass it makes quiet of an experience.
I'm playing the game, the one that will take me to my end, i'm waiting for the rain, TO WASH-- WHO I AM!!!
endy
Profile Blog Joined May 2009
Switzerland8970 Posts
October 30 2012 02:53 GMT
#11
Some electronic shows are adding musicians on the stage, like Juno Reactor:


Or some DJs are actually producing the music live, like Birdy Nam Nam :



Some other just come with an amazing visual experience like Amon Tobin (skip the beginning)
ॐ
Otolia
Profile Blog Joined July 2011
France5805 Posts
October 30 2012 10:40 GMT
#12
Here is a advice to understand what kind of performance you can expect.

Live : Playing the music in front of the crowd, either completely (with Synthetiser, Composer, Drum machines etc) or partially (using pre-recorded samples)

Set / DJ Set : Playing the songs in a sort of mashup without leaving a blank in the performance.

VJ : Visual artist creating the videos for famous artist - It's done a lot in Germany.

Some artist can do both Live and DJ Set (like 2manydjs/Soulwax or Apparat) some only don't.
JieXian
Profile Blog Joined August 2008
Malaysia4677 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-10-30 12:10:41
October 30 2012 11:09 GMT
#13
Endy and ApocAlypsE007, I definitely understand and see the "added value" in watching them live based on your videos, (thought I doubt anyone was thinking about the lights when they buy the tickets) however that's not what I'm trying to ask, People like Birdy nam nam and people who get a band together are obviously hard to imitate. I'm not bashing the genre.

On October 30 2012 05:59 MrCon wrote:
Well yeah, mixing is taking existing tracks to make one long track, but it's an art and a live experience, listening to livesets on a home sound system can't really make you feel this.
In your deadmau video he's mostly mixing existing tracks and fine tuning stuff, but that doesn't mean everyone will be able to do it with the same talent. I can play a Jimmy Hendrix track with my guitar, I still won't be Jimmy Hendrix.


Out of curiosity can you really play a Jimmy Hendrix song with your guitar? Because it would mean that you actually understand how hard it is. Or maybe if you have tried playing something as simple as fur elise perfectly and comparing it to how a pro sounds like. Because right now as an instrument player who's interested in music production I'm finding it hard to believe but at the same time I know that I don't know much about it.

I don't get the fine tuning part because wouldn't he have already tuned it while producing the track earlier? Maybe small changes to suit the sound system and venue? So are you trying so say that he has a huge talent in EQing and adjusting levels that you can clearly distinguish from him vs another decent guy with talent? Otherwise what is it that he does live that makes him so special?

Can you distinguish him from another guy like you can with people's voices (like you'd know your sister from your other sister just by hearing their voice)?

On October 30 2012 06:21 Wrongspeedy wrote:
I like bands :S

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=7Dmf-fReI6o

I am a little confused why people produce music but choose to perform it by themselves when they could easily make it into more of a show. If you are just one person you should probably have a pretty amazing show or the most amazing songs anyone has heard, or maybe a mix of the two. I am probably reaching a bit much but it seems really egotistical to not have a band simply because technology makes it so you don't need them.

Realistically I think this could be an argument about what is more difficult (we like to talk about that on starcraft forums XD)? Is it more difficult to see one person playing all the instruments or more difficult for 4-5 people to play all their instruments together? In the end a show is a show is a show. Its about being entertaining the people that like your music in this case.

I play an instrument so I enjoy watching people play them, that being said I would go bat shit if I had tickets for Daft Punk


Even if they wanted to get a band, I'm sure it'll be really hard to find people who can make the crazy sounds in dubstep or trance...... or even want to, for that matter haha.

I'm not arguing to see which is harder because my other intention is to understand it and also know what else I can do with my tracks live, if the time comes, aside from the obvious (playing instruments along with it), so I don't see that arguement going anywhere.
Please send me a PM of any song you like that I most probably never heard of! I am looking for people to chat about writing and producing music | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noD-bsOcxuU |
targ
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
Malaysia445 Posts
October 30 2012 15:06 GMT
#14
I also cannot understand people who like jazz. Very weird I feel!

XD kidding man, you can continue sending me videos, some are not bad at all
http://billyfoong.blogspot.com/ my other opinions are here
JieXian
Profile Blog Joined August 2008
Malaysia4677 Posts
October 30 2012 19:44 GMT
#15
On October 31 2012 00:06 targ wrote:
I also cannot understand people who like jazz. Very weird I feel!

XD kidding man, you can continue sending me videos, some are not bad at all


Read the OP >_>

and if it matters I like amon tobin, skrillex and deadmau5 and several others though I'm new to it
Please send me a PM of any song you like that I most probably never heard of! I am looking for people to chat about writing and producing music | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noD-bsOcxuU |
3Form
Profile Joined December 2009
United Kingdom389 Posts
October 31 2012 00:15 GMT
#16
DJ Worship is obscene, I'm looking at the people that bum Tiesto and always vote in that farcical "Top 100 DJs". What DJs do isn't particularly special, it should be about the music, not the DJ. If you don't go to events just because they don't have big names on the lineups then you're really missing out.
Having said that, what the DJ should do is have some sort of progression to his/her set, and you get to know what sort of music certain DJs play.

However what is even more obscene than DJ Worship are DJs that only play their own tunes. The ones that are all in it for their own promotion so they can sell their records and buy fancy cars.
malady
Profile Joined November 2010
United States600 Posts
October 31 2012 01:49 GMT
#17
as someone who used to dj

they are not doing much, its mostly about track selection and how you can put your own style to it

producing on the other hand is a different story

most djs are popular because they produce amazing tracks that other djs buy and remix

I'll leave you with a great article with deadmau5 explaining further:

http://deadmau5.tumblr.com/post/25690507284/we-all-hit-play
dumchu
Aerisky
Profile Blog Joined May 2012
United States12129 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-10-31 01:56:06
October 31 2012 01:54 GMT
#18
On October 31 2012 10:49 malady wrote:
as someone who used to dj

they are not doing much, its mostly about track selection and how you can put your own style to it

producing on the other hand is a different story

most djs are popular because they produce amazing tracks that other djs buy and remix

I'll leave you with a great article with deadmau5 explaining further:

http://deadmau5.tumblr.com/post/25690507284/we-all-hit-play

THANK you, finally. I thought his question was pretty obvious lol. What exactly do the DJs do, and what separates elite from normal DJs in skill level etc. Not "I don't understand the appeal of attending live shows". I've been wondering this too, thanks for the straightforward answer still a bit confused but I guess I know a bit more.

After looking it up, this seems to be a good summary as well:
1. The DJ replays existing music.

2. The producer creates music that is not yet in existence.

3. A DJ is hired to play at one venue, for a specified audience and period of time.

4. The average income of the producer is higher than that of a typical DJ.

5. The typical DJ will be required to purchase his or her own equipment, while this can usually be optional for the producer.
Jim while Johnny had had had had had had had; had had had had the better effect on the teacher.
JieXian
Profile Blog Joined August 2008
Malaysia4677 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-10-31 06:03:52
October 31 2012 05:51 GMT
#19
On October 31 2012 10:49 malady wrote:
as someone who used to dj

they are not doing much, its mostly about track selection and how you can put your own style to it

producing on the other hand is a different story

most djs are popular because they produce amazing tracks that other djs buy and remix

I'll leave you with a great article with deadmau5 explaining further:

http://deadmau5.tumblr.com/post/25690507284/we-all-hit-play


Thanks for the link from the man himself

im constrained to work on a set timeline because of the SMPTE


I'm being a noob here but I don't get this, or what it is

Actually while looking through several live videos I hear him changing some stuff here. Nothing too great to be fair but at least he does something to the track.


Quite frankly, I'm learning to produce tracks and it doesn't feel right to me if I were to just press play and EQ stuff. That's why I'm thinking about what I can do.


On October 31 2012 09:15 3Form wrote:
However what is even more obscene than DJ Worship are DJs that only play their own tunes. The ones that are all in it for their own promotion so they can sell their records and buy fancy cars.


You know for normal bands, that's why they tour, to promote themselves haha and people usually take more pride in playing their own songs than badly done covers. I'm surprised to find out that it's different for DJs
Please send me a PM of any song you like that I most probably never heard of! I am looking for people to chat about writing and producing music | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noD-bsOcxuU |
Ryalnos
Profile Joined July 2010
United States1946 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-10-31 06:02:43
October 31 2012 06:01 GMT
#20
I know one perk of going to a live show is that you may hear particular mashups / VIP mixes / unreleased tracks etc. which haven't been released (and may never be released, for that matter).

The DJing producers who do this reserve this material to create a more 'exclusive' experience for the live audience - and many will play out upcoming releases for a long while before they hit iTunes (or Beatport).
1 2 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Cheesadelphia
15:00
Cheeseadelphia 2025
Gerald vs EpicLIVE!
TBD vs FuturE
CranKy Ducklings436
davetesta107
LiquipediaDiscussion
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
RuFF_SC2 50
StarCraft: Brood War
Britney 15904
NaDa 30
Dota 2
LuMiX1
League of Legends
Grubby3064
Dendi1740
Counter-Strike
Fnx 1371
Stewie2K801
Foxcn568
Super Smash Bros
Mew2King47
Other Games
tarik_tv13073
summit1g8713
C9.Mang0733
ViBE163
Trikslyr78
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick1149
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 20 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• RyuSc2 84
• Hupsaiya 79
• musti20045 25
• HeavenSC 23
• tFFMrPink 13
• IndyKCrew
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• sooper7s
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
StarCraft: Brood War
• RayReign 11
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
• BSLYoutube
Dota 2
• Ler89
League of Legends
• Doublelift5951
Other Games
• imaqtpie1706
• Shiphtur273
Upcoming Events
GSL Code S
8h 15m
Rogue vs herO
Classic vs GuMiho
Sparkling Tuna Cup
10h 15m
WardiTV Qualifier
16h 15m
BSL: ProLeague
18h 15m
Bonyth vs Dewalt
Cross vs Doodle
MadiNho vs Dragon
Replay Cast
1d
Wardi Open
1d 11h
Replay Cast
2 days
Replay Cast
2 days
RSL Revival
2 days
Cure vs Percival
ByuN vs Spirit
RSL Revival
3 days
herO vs sOs
Zoun vs Clem
[ Show More ]
Replay Cast
4 days
The PondCast
4 days
RSL Revival
4 days
Serral vs SHIN
Solar vs Cham
Replay Cast
5 days
RSL Revival
5 days
Reynor vs Scarlett
ShoWTimE vs Classic
uThermal 2v2 Circuit
5 days
SC Evo League
6 days
Circuito Brasileiro de…
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Proleague 2025-06-11
BGE Stara Zagora 2025
Heroes 10 EU

Ongoing

JPL Season 2
BSL 2v2 Season 3
BSL Season 20
KCM Race Survival 2025 Season 2
NPSL S3
Rose Open S1
CSL 17: 2025 SUMMER
2025 GSL S2
Murky Cup #2
BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025
ESL Impact League Season 7
IEM Dallas 2025
PGL Astana 2025
Asian Champions League '25
BLAST Rivals Spring 2025
MESA Nomadic Masters
CCT Season 2 Global Finals
IEM Melbourne 2025
YaLLa Compass Qatar 2025
PGL Bucharest 2025

Upcoming

Copa Latinoamericana 4
CSLPRO Last Chance 2025
CSLPRO Chat StarLAN 3
K-Championship
SEL Season 2 Championship
Esports World Cup 2025
HSC XXVII
Championship of Russia 2025
BLAST Open Fall 2025
Esports World Cup 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall Qual
IEM Cologne 2025
FISSURE Playground #1
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2025 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.