Lately I haven't been blogging my DJ updates but recently there have been some big changes.
Firstly, I got new gear! After getting back into DJing a few months ago, I decided I need a good set-up again. Here are some pictures:
edit:
Here's my old set-up for comparison:
http://www.teamliquid.net/blogs/viewblog.php?id=207071
The idea behind this set-up is to have 2 ways to play/practice. Firstly, I really wanted some CDJs because I've always been using midi, and I really want to feel comfortable on more "standard" gear. Also, if I do happen to get a gig at a club, I'd like to be able to play on their CDJs and not have to lug out all of my gear. That's why I decided to pick up some cheap CDJ-200s. They are basically the low end of Pioneer cdjs, which is a high end brand. The cheap of the expensive I guess you can say. I've been practicing on these and they are definitely interesting, I like how conventional it feels.
I also picked up a monster, a Denon DN-MC6000. This thing is a beast for many reasons but mainly because it's a MASSIVE midi controller but ALSO functions as a standalone mixer so I can use it with the computer alone, but also with the CDJs. Definitely newer technology in terms of DJ gear because having a midi controller stand alone as a mixer with it's own soundcard and booth outs (outputs to the booth speakers) is a big deal. Why I bought this was because I still prefer to play on traktor (the dj program I use), as well as having something that is an all-in-one controller that basically, if I want to play out, I can just bring this and a laptop and I'm set. Don't need to bring a bunch of different midis, and the cord set-up is very easy and straightforward.
Oh ya and I also picked up some KRK-Rokit 6 Monitors. They are pretty damn sick I gotta say, very heavy on the bass compared to my old mackie-5s. The xone 1d isn't in use now as well, as I don't need all of those extra buttons and knobs, but I thought I'd add it to the pictures cuz it looks cool
Basically I'm covering all options of playing out with this thing + the CDJs, I can bring this easily, or I can use CDJs that a place has. I'm getting to a point where I'd like to start playing a gig or two every so often. I'm aiming to get a gig this summer, even just a house party would do to get some experience. Playing at home is fun but, I'd really like to play for a group of people live and see what it's like. Been doing this for 2 years with a 6 month break so...I am feeling like I am ready pretty soon.
Second reason why I am blogging, is to inform all of those people who got linked to my mixes either via my old blogs or people's streams (ex. Protech, cArn), that I am no longer uploading to soundcloud. The reason being is that soundcloud has new copyright laws that basically make it so that if they recognize a track, you can't upload it simply put. As a DJ this is brutal, I basically got all of my hits from soundcloud, and got all of my fanbase there.
Thankfully, mixcloud is a good alternative. I will be now uploading to:
mixcloud.com/rt24
I just made a new mix for March actually, and it is at:
http://www.mixcloud.com/rt24/march-2012-set-mega-mix/
My old soundcloud with my old mixes:
soundcloud.com/rt24
Some feedback on this new march mix would be cool actually. I've been mixing for a while and haven't asked for feedback in a long time, I'm curious to see people's opinions if they listened to my earlier mixes and could compare the newer mixes to the older ones, in terms of flow and technical things such as transitions, sound levels, etc..
Thirdly, I am looking to turn my mixes into a podcast. Unfortunately, that requires getting an RSS feed up which, I cannot seem to get going for the life of me. Is anybody good with getting these going, or perhaps done one in the past? I could really use some help; no matter how much research I do I can't seem to figure out how to get it going. If anybody knows how to get RSS going, I'd really appreciate it if you could help me!
Lastly, on the note of gigs, I am looking to gig in Vancouver for the summer! If you live in Vancouver and are connected to clubs in anyway, or simply just want to host a party with a DJ, let me know! PM me we can maybe work something out. I'm not very well networked so, getting in touch with some good contacts for gigs would be nice!
Phew ok I think that covers everything. I normally wouldn't blog my DJ stuff anymore because it essentially constitutes as self-advertisement and I know that gets annoying after a while, but there have been so many updates and changes with my DJ stuff I felt like this one was necessary.
If you have any questions feel free to post!