The conflation of 'DJ's' and 'Producers' is what is causing this confusion. There's a difference between 1. a local open format/hip hop DJ at a wedding, bar, or night club, 2. a local house or techno DJ at a small rave, and 3. producers DJing tracks they have produced themselves to a large audience at a big club or festival. The first two are DJ's in the older-school sense of the term, mixing and blending songs written and released by a variety of other artists. Number 3 is more of a performing artist, when you go see Guetta or whatever youre really going to a concert more than a DJ set.
In the 90's DJing was more than just moving from one trach to another with a crossfade. DJ's used to layer music live. Vocals from 1 track, Drums and Melody from a second, and a third or fourth song. It used to feel more like a creative pursuit.
Very well said! I started DJing after being inspired by amazing local house and techno selectors in Brooklyn, but it was initally difficult to articulate a "purpose" for pursing it. At the end of the day, it's people sharing the music that they love
I like how you simplify the modern term of DJing. I recently got into playing music at local events from where I am from. I'm fortunate enough to learn from a close friend who has been DJing since the 90s (DnB & House). I used to travel 70-80 miles from my town just to listen and dance to House music because where I'm from, it's not played often at my local venues. I got into DJing myself so that I can bring House to my local venues and showcase that theres more than mainstream Hip-Hop & RnB tracks that people can dance to. I practice at home on a $300 pioneer flx4 controller on RekordBox & let me do say that it was challenging at first, & also playing in front of people had me nervous, but eventually I kept practicing.
I might as well throw some of my subcategories of DJs in, I work as a nightclub tech closely following DJs throughout their sets. I am strictly talking about DJs mixing live, in a club/rave context, generally in """EDM""". 1. You've got the bedroom DJs, they bought a digital set online and have practiced making soundcloud/radio sets intended for headphones or personal listening use. They generally do quite well at music discovery and playing original, exploratory music. But they often suffer in a live context as they arent nearly as used to how a club audience behaves, how to control attention, energy, and stamina. They often use cliche or just plain bad mixing. As well as the more obvious lack of technical experience in terms of using club level CDJs, Mixers and sound systems. 2. Office DJs, they're evolved bedroom DJs, they've had some time to get used to clubs, and have a greater knowledege of how to play live, and usually wont have a problem playing an opening or closing set. But can still run into the same issues of being unable to really follow and lead a crowd closely and take them on a context dependent journey. 3. DJs. The reguarly employed, experienced DJs who have graudally built their skill base. They know how to work a club and fit contexts. They do their job. Can play at any point in the night, knows their workflow, has confident mixing and technical ability. 4. Oldheads. Easiest way to spot and oldhead is by their granny trolley and cane. They've got the most experience, they're generally the best. They tend to stumble when playing to younger crowds but are technically incredible to watch, even if they're not necissarily playing on vinyl. 5. Producers. These sets are usually very well mixed, very well practiced clean mixes. They know their stuff well, probably because they've studied that one kick for hours. They tend to be better than their experience level suggests, and since they're so directly working on their tracks, the experienced are usually great. Yes they can still be DJs they're just using their own rather than moulding others to fit. 6. The "I'm mates with the promoter" Usally an opener or a closer, complete wildcard. The quality of the lineup has nothing to do with these fuckers. They're a complete dice roll. Sometimes I wished they headlined, sometimes its torture. 7. Social media DJs, this is a really interesting breed to see spring on nowdays, they can pull a huge audience, usually suffer from bedroomitis mixed with a horrific misunderstanding that being locked in an expensive hot room is the opposite of content. Your audience cant just swipe away this time. But often this can be a really great push for people to get better and evolve their music. I could ramble on forever about who rolls through, but thats a few examples. Personally, I dont think theres much use in comparing digital to analog, I think its a fundementally different craft. It's like comparing a pianist to a keyboardist, they have similar base practices but their techniques, habits and methods vary alot. Bit of a hot take but, I think the current perception of vinyl being somehow pure or better is sampling bias. There are only a few mediocre vinyl players are still arround, they've either grown with time, or shiftted to digital and continued to mostly be mediocre. (Sure theres a few new ones, but why would you ristrict your ability to work as a beginner just because you're a snob without earning your right to snobbery.) You only see the very best. FINALLY, DJ has lost all meaning over time, but to get the credit, you have to demonstrate your ability to mix, to me atleast. Thats not including concerts or tours were pre-recorded timecode sets are almost a technical necessity.
Could not have said it better my self. The skills and talent needed has decreased so much. This is coming from a 57 year old that has witnessed so much change. You are spot on and covered this topic very well.
Most people think of scratching, I think of somebody who mixes the reality is a guy who plays music at a party. All are a DJ except almost no one uses a disk. 😑
The worlds best mixer is dj Randall he could mix without looking at the decks just by sound and was a real dj and never bothered to produce because he was more interested in the art
The best DJs for the hip house of the late 80 early 90s using vinyl and mixing sanple from all kind of genre. The the UK house scene exploded in 1988 thanks to a lot of DJs but Paul Oakenfold. A club in south london. Lots of people practiced it in the late 80s and early 90s learning the art of vinyl and the differents way of introducing one set to another and perhap 3 sets of music at the same time. House music was invented by the US DJ of detroit but was made popular by UK and very quickly Europe especially techno and italian house and Spanish who were great producers too. Those DJ were both great DJ in the clubs and producers and only into their music. But record labels wrre also keen on them to perform their title remixes for them. Clubbing is much better than perforers unless done properly loke Underworld or Faithless in particular used all sorts of instruments to perform their music
who are some good DJs or are there any examples of good sets? i'm a musician but never really got DJs but always wanted to try to understand it more and give it a try.
🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 03:50 🤔 The video discusses the growing confusion around the definition of a DJ, attributing it to technological advances, the rise of EDM, and the proliferation of DJing as a hobby or side gig. 04:28 🎛️ Explains the technical aspects of DJing, such as using equalizers and matching BPMs to create seamless blends between tracks. 05:38 💻 Highlights how technology has made DJing more accessible, but also diluted the skill set, mentioning the controversial "sync button" that automates beat-matching. 07:30 🎆 Points out that EDM has shifted the DJ's role from a background figure to a spectacle, complete with pyrotechnics and showmanship. 08:24 📋 Introduces a classification system for DJs, including the "working class DJ," "desktop DJ," "turntablist," "club spectacle," and "EDM spectacle." 10:47 📸 Notes the "Boiler Roomification" of DJing, where DJs are now the center of attention and often captured on social media. 13:21 🎤 Discusses the emerging style of DJs like Kenny Beats, who blend hip-hop and crowd sing-alongs, creating a different kind of mass DJ experience. 14:33 📺 Mentions new platforms like "Book Club Radio" and UA-camrs like Chris Luno, who are redefining what it means to be a DJ in the digital age. 15:27 ❓ Ends by posing the question of what a DJ should be in the modern context, inviting viewers to share their thoughts. Made with HARPA AI
Wicky wicky? The disrespect. I waited for the explanation of the underground HipHop DJ and I got wicky wicky and a quick mention of DJ battles. I get it tho. It’s not really a respected form of DJ’ing outside the US. Everyone wants cake and EDM now.
The conflation of 'DJ's' and 'Producers' is what is causing this confusion. There's a difference between 1. a local open format/hip hop DJ at a wedding, bar, or night club, 2. a local house or techno DJ at a small rave, and 3. producers DJing tracks they have produced themselves to a large audience at a big club or festival. The first two are DJ's in the older-school sense of the term, mixing and blending songs written and released by a variety of other artists. Number 3 is more of a performing artist, when you go see Guetta or whatever youre really going to a concert more than a DJ set.
In the 90's DJing was more than just moving from one trach to another with a crossfade. DJ's used to layer music live. Vocals from 1 track, Drums and Melody from a second, and a third or fourth song. It used to feel more like a creative pursuit.
Very well said! I started DJing after being inspired by amazing local house and techno selectors in Brooklyn, but it was initally difficult to articulate a "purpose" for pursing it. At the end of the day, it's people sharing the music that they love
I like how you simplify the modern term of DJing. I recently got into playing music at local events from where I am from. I'm fortunate enough to learn from a close friend who has been DJing since the 90s (DnB & House). I used to travel 70-80 miles from my town just to listen and dance to House music because where I'm from, it's not played often at my local venues.
I got into DJing myself so that I can bring House to my local venues and showcase that theres more than mainstream Hip-Hop & RnB tracks that people can dance to.
I practice at home on a $300 pioneer flx4 controller on RekordBox & let me do say that it was challenging at first, & also playing in front of people had me nervous, but eventually I kept practicing.
Smart!thanks!
I might as well throw some of my subcategories of DJs in, I work as a nightclub tech closely following DJs throughout their sets. I am strictly talking about DJs mixing live, in a club/rave context, generally in """EDM""".
1. You've got the bedroom DJs, they bought a digital set online and have practiced making soundcloud/radio sets intended for headphones or personal listening use. They generally do quite well at music discovery and playing original, exploratory music. But they often suffer in a live context as they arent nearly as used to how a club audience behaves, how to control attention, energy, and stamina. They often use cliche or just plain bad mixing. As well as the more obvious lack of technical experience in terms of using club level CDJs, Mixers and sound systems.
2. Office DJs, they're evolved bedroom DJs, they've had some time to get used to clubs, and have a greater knowledege of how to play live, and usually wont have a problem playing an opening or closing set. But can still run into the same issues of being unable to really follow and lead a crowd closely and take them on a context dependent journey.
3. DJs. The reguarly employed, experienced DJs who have graudally built their skill base. They know how to work a club and fit contexts. They do their job. Can play at any point in the night, knows their workflow, has confident mixing and technical ability.
4. Oldheads. Easiest way to spot and oldhead is by their granny trolley and cane. They've got the most experience, they're generally the best. They tend to stumble when playing to younger crowds but are technically incredible to watch, even if they're not necissarily playing on vinyl.
5. Producers. These sets are usually very well mixed, very well practiced clean mixes. They know their stuff well, probably because they've studied that one kick for hours. They tend to be better than their experience level suggests, and since they're so directly working on their tracks, the experienced are usually great. Yes they can still be DJs they're just using their own rather than moulding others to fit.
6. The "I'm mates with the promoter" Usally an opener or a closer, complete wildcard. The quality of the lineup has nothing to do with these fuckers. They're a complete dice roll. Sometimes I wished they headlined, sometimes its torture.
7. Social media DJs, this is a really interesting breed to see spring on nowdays, they can pull a huge audience, usually suffer from bedroomitis mixed with a horrific misunderstanding that being locked in an expensive hot room is the opposite of content. Your audience cant just swipe away this time. But often this can be a really great push for people to get better and evolve their music.
I could ramble on forever about who rolls through, but thats a few examples.
Personally, I dont think theres much use in comparing digital to analog, I think its a fundementally different craft. It's like comparing a pianist to a keyboardist, they have similar base practices but their techniques, habits and methods vary alot.
Bit of a hot take but,
I think the current perception of vinyl being somehow pure or better is sampling bias. There are only a few mediocre vinyl players are still arround, they've either grown with time, or shiftted to digital and continued to mostly be mediocre. (Sure theres a few new ones, but why would you ristrict your ability to work as a beginner just because you're a snob without earning your right to snobbery.) You only see the very best.
FINALLY, DJ has lost all meaning over time, but to get the credit, you have to demonstrate your ability to mix, to me atleast. Thats not including concerts or tours were pre-recorded timecode sets are almost a technical necessity.
Lovely video! how satisfying it is to define such dense topics... You make it look easy!
critical omission in your discussion of youtube djs is Dom Whiting with Drum and Bass on the Bike -- its worth checking him out!
I like your breakdown of different kinds of DJing... it's a also good snapshot of different audiences in 2023.
Could not have said it better my self. The skills and talent needed has decreased so much. This is coming from a 57 year old that has witnessed so much change. You are spot on and covered this topic very well.
Most people think of scratching, I think of somebody who mixes the reality is a guy who plays music at a party. All are a DJ except almost no one uses a disk. 😑
Really well put 👏.
Props for the Roc Raida pic when discussing turntablists. RIP.
Clearly DJs symbolize the era of ursupation and showing off AND the accpetance of it from the low music-educated people
The worlds best mixer is dj Randall he could mix without looking at the decks just by sound and was a real dj and never bothered to produce because he was more interested in the art
The best DJs for the hip house of the late 80 early 90s using vinyl and mixing sanple from all kind of genre.
The the UK house scene exploded in 1988 thanks to a lot of DJs but Paul Oakenfold. A club in south london.
Lots of people practiced it in the late 80s and early 90s learning the art of vinyl and the differents way of introducing one set to another and perhap 3 sets of music at the same time.
House music was invented by the US DJ of detroit but was made popular by UK and very quickly Europe especially techno and italian house and Spanish who were great producers too.
Those DJ were both great DJ in the clubs and producers and only into their music. But record labels wrre also keen on them to perform their title remixes for them.
Clubbing is much better than perforers unless done properly loke Underworld or Faithless in particular used all sorts of instruments to perform their music
who are some good DJs or are there any examples of good sets? i'm a musician but never really got DJs but always wanted to try to understand it more and give it a try.
🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation:
03:50 🤔 The video discusses the growing confusion around the definition of a DJ, attributing it to technological advances, the rise of EDM, and the proliferation of DJing as a hobby or side gig.
04:28 🎛️ Explains the technical aspects of DJing, such as using equalizers and matching BPMs to create seamless blends between tracks.
05:38 💻 Highlights how technology has made DJing more accessible, but also diluted the skill set, mentioning the controversial "sync button" that automates beat-matching.
07:30 🎆 Points out that EDM has shifted the DJ's role from a background figure to a spectacle, complete with pyrotechnics and showmanship.
08:24 📋 Introduces a classification system for DJs, including the "working class DJ," "desktop DJ," "turntablist," "club spectacle," and "EDM spectacle."
10:47 📸 Notes the "Boiler Roomification" of DJing, where DJs are now the center of attention and often captured on social media.
13:21 🎤 Discusses the emerging style of DJs like Kenny Beats, who blend hip-hop and crowd sing-alongs, creating a different kind of mass DJ experience.
14:33 📺 Mentions new platforms like "Book Club Radio" and UA-camrs like Chris Luno, who are redefining what it means to be a DJ in the digital age.
15:27 ❓ Ends by posing the question of what a DJ should be in the modern context, inviting viewers to share their thoughts.
Made with HARPA AI
do not mp3 do wav
Wicky wicky? The disrespect. I waited for the explanation of the underground HipHop DJ and I got wicky wicky and a quick mention of DJ battles. I get it tho. It’s not really a respected form of DJ’ing outside the US. Everyone wants cake and EDM now.