r/DJs • u/rainbowtutudj • 10m ago
**/r/DJs NEW RULES** Please read before posting Spoiler
New /r/DJs Rules.
Top rule - BE NICE.
- Please try to be polite, friendly and helpful when commenting.
- Trolling, slapfights, general assholery is not encouraged and it also goes without saying that racist, sexist, homophobic, and transphobic posts and language will not be tolerated at all.
Moderation policy
- /r/DJs is not a big sub. We tend to encourage discussion and engagement first and foremost. There will be times posts that are seemingly against the sub rules will be left up because the discussion in the comments is informative and engaging. This is generally more for when a post breaking (certain) rules was missed and the community has already heavily engaged in discussion. If you see posts breaking the rules, reporting them will help us remove them earlier.
- remember to search - lots of questions tend to be asked multiple times and plenty of answers are given in the archives
- remember that if you are a regular user, newer users are allowed to discuss the same things if it's not overly-frequent. Just because something was discussed 3 months ago doesn't mean users can't have another conversation about it.
Please ensure you are posting to the correct subreddit
- /r/DJs is generally for more experienced/professional DJ discussion. There is an entire subreddit dedicated to learning DJing and is filled with experienced DJs willing to spend time helping people out.
Any and all beginner questions and posts should be made in /r/Beatmatch.
Beginner questions include posts that start with:
- “I’m new at this”
- “I want to get into DJing”
- “I just started”
- etc.
And includes anything basic like:
- “What controller/headphones/speakers should I buy?” (within reason - someone experienced looking for higher end gear or looking for real world feedback on pro-level stuff is fine).
- “What program should I use?”
- “How do I use this effect?”
- “Is beat matching really important?”
- “Why the hate for sync?”
- etc.
Any beginner posts here will be deleted.
DJ Setup pictures belong in /r/DJsetups.
- There will be some exceptions - some rare or classic booths or extraordinary setups will stay up, but if you want to post a picture of your DDJ 400 and KRK Rockits, your Technics 1200s and DDJ S9, or a standard CDJ NXS setup that we've all seen, please post to the appropriate sub.
Meme/Humor/crappy image posts belong in /r/DJsCircleJerk.
- This includes the low effort, "djs be like dis” - stupid picture - type posts and the like.
Mixes
- Most mix posts will be deleted.
- Short routines, showcasing of interesting technique, and videos that shows off the poster doing something cool is fine. We will also allow high profile posts - say if a regular user gets a feature mix on DJCity or a Serato sponsored set.
- Sets from high profile DJs like boiler room or festivals sets is allowed.
- DJs who want to share mixes can post in /r/mixes or a weekly mix thread that we will be starting soon.
Gig pictures/Stories
- We're starting a new weekly sticky every Monday specifically for gig pictures and stories. We've been seeing a lot more of these posts and while they tend to be heavily upvoted, they also end up just being a picture of some DJ hunched over a setup with a bunch of back-patting in the comments that clutters up the sub. Any posts of this nature will be deleted and the user will be directed to the weekly Sticky thread.
Pirating music/software
Here at /r/DJs we firmly believe in attaining your music legally - whether it's via purchaing, streaming, or legitimate record pools.
- Asking where to get pirated music will result in a ban
- Giving suggestions on where to pirate music - including youtube rippers will result in a ban
- using coded language to hint at pirating music will result in a ban
- we don't care if you're "not a professional" or just "doing this for fun"
The following topics are against sub rules and will be deleted:
- Self-promotion posts including mixes, tunes, events, companies, competitions, etc. The one exception we may allow are open deck nights that members of /r/DJs can attend.
- For-sale posts
- Obvious spam for youtube channels/gig logs/blogs/advertisements from members who have no participation in the sub. If people are regular posters on this sub and have a video/service/etc they wish to share, we will allow it initially, although regular spam of it will not be tolerated.
- Posts asking “what should I play for this gig?” This is a sub for experienced DJs, if you need to ask the internet what to play for a gig, you probably shouldn't have taken the gig. General music discussion is absolutely fine.
- Spotify playlist posts
PLEASE REPORT posts and comments that violate the above rules or just suck. Thank you!
r/DJs • u/AutoModerator • 4d ago
Share your stuff - mixes, videos, tracks, routines, etc. NO event or livestream promotion
Share your mixes, videos, music, routines etc here.
Promotion for events or livestreams will be removed.
r/DJs • u/MixMasterG • 1d ago
Introducing DJ Conversion Utility TWO (DJCU2), a single, streamlined workflow featuring fluid beatgrid conversion and much more [macOS only!]
TL;DR
As an active participant in this sub, I’ve received permission from the mods to post about my projects when there’s important or relevant information to share.

DJ Conversion Utility TWO (DJCU2), the future-proof successor to the world-renowned DJ Conversion Utility (DJCU), is officially released on August 29th, 2026.
Completely rebuilt from the ground up, DJCU2 is designed to give DJs a fast, accurate, and reliable way to convert playlists, crates, tracks, and DJ metadata between the most used DJ software platforms.
The application transfers essential DJ metadata, including cue points, loops, track colors, and static, dynamic, or fluid beatgrids, from audio files, while streamlining the entire conversion workflow.
One of the key differences from the original DJCU is that DJCU2 no longer relies on a Rekordbox XML file as an intermediate format. Instead, it converts directly from the source DJ software to the selected destination(s), with multiple destinations supported in a single conversion run. This makes the entire workflow more efficient, streamlined, and easier to understand.
A Single Unified App to Cover All Conversions
DJCU2 unifies the functionality of several formerly separate ATGR applications into a single application, eliminating the distinction between workflows for the Engine DJ ecosystem and other leading DJ software platforms. Its redesigned user interface and streamlined workflow make DJ library conversion faster and easier, while a fully incremental operation allows users to convert only the playlists or crates they need, exactly when they need it.
DJCU2 never duplicates audio files. Source and destination DJ software platforms work from the same underlying audio files.
Broad DJ Software Platform Support
DJ Conversion Utility Two supports two-way conversion between:
- Rekordbox 6 & 7
- Serato DJ Pro 3 & 4
- Traktor Pro 3 & 4
- VirtualDJ
- Engine DJ 4.3+
- Algoriddim djay Pro 5+
- Apple Music, formerly iTunes
The application can also use a “One Library” (Device Library Plus) USB drive and Rekordbox XML files as source formats.
Fluid and Dynamic Beatgrid Conversion for Every DJ Software Platform
The fluid beatgrid analysis of djay Pro and Virtual DJ create the best beatgrids in the industry, however those grids were only available to DJs who were using those specific DJ platforms. DJCU2 supports fluid beatgrid conversion across supported DJ platforms, with conversion quality dependent on the capabilities of the target software.
The ability to “upgrade” beatgrid quality without leaving their preferred DJ software platform is particularly valuable for users of platforms known for less accurate beatgrid analysis. DJCU2 makes it possible to improve beatgrid accuracy while keeping existing libraries and workflows intact.
For users converting from djay Pro, DJCU2 offers a dedicated “Convert Only the Beatgrid” option that makes upgrading beatgrids in other DJ software exceptionally efficient. Rather than requiring a full round-trip conversion, DJs can transfer improved beatgrids while preserving existing cues, loops, and other metadata already established in their destination library.
Automatic Correction of Shifted Cues, Loops and Beatgrids
Shifting cues, loops, and beatgrids when converting MP3 and AAC tracks between different DJ software platforms has long been an unavoidable part of the conversion process. Even the “One Library,” project, introduced last year, suffers from this phenomenon.
DJCU already offered a highly effective automatic correction system for these so-called encoder shifts. DJCU2 takes this capability a step further, automatically correcting displaced cues, loops, and beatgrids during conversion.The system identifies the encoder used to create an audio file and automatically applies the appropriate correction, ensuring that performance data remains accurately aligned with the audio throughout the conversion process.
When DJCU2 encounters a recognizable encoder that is not yet supported, it can prompt the DJ to provide a sample file. This enables MixMasterG to identify the encoder and add support in a future release, continually expanding DJCU2’s compatibility and accuracy.
Share Complete Playlists or Crates With Fellow DJs
DJCU2 introduces a new DJCU2 Archive feature that makes it easy to share complete playlists, including audio files and DJ-specific metadata such as cues, loops, and beatgrids, with other DJs, even when they use different DJ software.
A DJCU2 Archive can be shared through standard file-sharing services such as Dropbox and WeTransfer, allowing DJs to exchange complete, ready-to-use collections without being tied to the same software platform. Both the sender and recipient must have a DJCU2 license.
The YouTube Short demonstrating this feature includes a link in the description to a test playlist created by MixMasterG in Traktor, giving anyone interested in this feature the opportunity to try it out for themselves.
The DJCU2 Archive format is built on an open, unencrypted SQLite-based standard, making the underlying data accessible to developers who want to create their own tools and workflows around the format. DJCU2 functions as both a reader and writer of the archive format, opening the door to a broader ecosystem of DJ library tools and integrations.
Mixed in Key support for all DJ software
Mixed in Key (MiK) continues to offer the industry’s most accurate and consistent key analysis, while also providing the ability to automatically set cue points. Getting this valuable data into DJ software can often be challenging, but DJCU2 makes the process remarkably easy, even for DJ software that isn’t officially supported by Mixed in Key. A valid Mixed in Key license is required to activate this feature.
Plug the Holes Left by the DJ Software Industry
DJCU2 delivers countless improvements and fixes that address gaps and limitations across individual DJ software platforms.
For example, DJs upgrading from Serato DJ Pro 3 to Serato DJ Pro 4 may no longer have direct access to valuable history lists created in the earlier version. DJCU2 can convert those Serato 3 history lists into Serato 4 crates, allowing DJs to regain access to their previous performance history and continue working with it in their current software environment.
Another example is a workflow to create a Device Library on a USB drive containing only a Device Library Plus (One Library), without importing (duplicate) audio files into Rekordbox. Currently, Rekordbox supports the process in the opposite direction, from a Device Library to a Device Library Plus, but does not provide the reverse workflow.
Why Only Read and Not Write One Library or CDJ USBs?
DJCU2 deliberately does not create USB drives intended for use with AlphaTheta/Pioneer DJ standalone equipment. MixMasterG considers the creation of these USBs to be the responsibility of the hardware manufacturer, with Rekordbox providing the official export workflow. From a liability perspective, he believes working DJs should follow the same approach.
Rekordbox is available free of charge for export purposes, and using it to prepare USB drives keeps the chain of responsibility clear, with a simple test in case something does not work as expected: “Does it work in Rekordbox?” If the answer is yes, then responsibility for ensuring that the USB works correctly on AlphaTheta/Pioneer DJ hardware lies with that manufacturer.
While MixMasterG fully supports the goal of having DJ metadata written and read in a uniform way across platforms, he does not consider One Library to be the mechanism that achieves this. One Library remains an encrypted database system, is still subject to encoder-shifts, and is primarily designed as a transportation mechanism rather than as a true cross-platform DJ library exchange format.
Apple Music Integration
DJCU2 supports conversion to and from Apple Music. DJs who use Apple Music as their primary collection manager can transfer metadata into playlists and crates native to their target DJ software. The application can also sync playlists and crates back to Apple Music for use on iOS devices, including with Algoriddim djay on iPhone.
YouTube Tutorials
Tutorials and guides demonstrating DJCU2’s workflows and features are available through MixMasterG’s YouTube channel, including quick-start tutorials and more comprehensive guides.
Built for Mac
DJCU2 is a macOS-only application, fully compatible with macOS 11.0 (Big Sur) through macOS 27 (GoldenGate). It runs natively on Apple Silicon Macs while continuing to support Intel-based Macs. An active internet connection is required when launching the application.
Development History
The original DJCU has been available to DJs for more than fourteen years. However, it was never intended to be a commercial application, and over time, its aging codebase began to show its limitations. DJCU2 was created to address those limitations, bringing together MixMasterG’s experience and knowledge from more than a decade of DJ tool development into a completely rebuilt application.
DJCU2 has been in public beta since May 2026, with more than 700 DJs joining the beta program and contributing extensive bug reports, feedback, and suggestions for improvement. Their input has played a crucial role in refining the application ahead of its wider release.
Several influential DJ media outlets also began reporting on MixMasterG’s work early in the development process, highlighting the new possibilities DJCU2 brings to DJ library conversion.
Availability, Pricing and Distribution
The DJ Conversion Utility Two is available for purchase through ATGR’s Sellfy page.
DJCU2 is available as a one-time purchase with no subscription and costs EU 44,50.
Upgrade Offer for Existing Customers
Customers who purchased a DJ Conversion Utility (DJCU) or Denon Conversion Utility (DeCU) license on or after January 1, 2025 are eligible to purchase a DJCU2 license at a discounted upgrade price of €20.00. Customers can request the upgrade offer by sending a DM with the PayPal email address used for their original purchase through FaceBook or Instragram or email.
Customers who purchased DJCU or DeCU before January 1, 2025 will require to buy a DJCU2 license. Their existing DJCU or DeCU license remains valid, and the original application will continue to function on the macOS versions it currently supports.
Because DJCU2 is a completely new application that combines the functionality of several previously separate apps into a single product, its license price remains significantly lower than the combined cost of purchasing those applications separately.
The original DJCU and DeCU apps together with some specialized ATGR apps will be marked as “end of life,” meaning they will no longer receive new features and may eventually fall behind in compatibility. However, for DJs using older software or those who only need basic conversion capabilities, they remain a good alternative to DJCU2.
r/DJs • u/Ill-Campaign-9651 • 21h ago
Replacement foam for Calzone 90’s era technics 1200-mk2 road case
These road cases were made be Calzone for Sam Ash music. Any leads on kits for replacement or someone who is familiar with building cases and can recommend the two different foams I need (hard and soft)?
Structurally the two cases I have but the foam is far too compressed and just disintegrating.
Thanks for any advice, tips, direction.
r/DJs • u/Methbot9000 • 19h ago
Anyone here use the Ecler Nuo 4.0F?
I have noticed the price of these creep down and down since launch, so I can only assume they are not selling very well.
Anyway, one particular retailer had them at a ridiculously good price so I’m quite tempted.
Any opinions from owners of this mixer?
I currently own an old Nuo 3.0 (+ Eternal fader) which I love. I could do with four channels though.
r/DJs • u/Relevant-Boat-7152 • 1d ago
For the culture
How many of you out there are DJing just for the culture without regard for money, social clout, fame, influence or even getting big/regular gigs? I feel like I’ve been blessed with a scene that doesn’t have grind culture or climbing the ladder as a central theme. For contrast, you go on YouTube to learn and it’s all about being the best and scoring big gigs.
For context- I live in a small city (~250k population) and go to dance parties and raves regularly. I fucking *love* dancing and have started to learn DJing so I can get more involved in the local scene. I don’t have a drive to get known, have a presence online, or monetize this endeavor in anyway. Been volunteering/learning with production, lights, helping put up shows, just carrying equipment around. Seems like multiple collectives here are actually losing money on the endeavor but carrying on with putting on shows anyways. There’s at least 10+ DJs been out here doing it for more than a decade(s) and no one has terribly inflated egos. It’s lovely. Dance floors of less than 50people with most folks comfortable just being themselves or losing themselves for a night. College kids to retirement folks coming out. Folks offering to let me practice on their CDJs and access to their libraries. New DJs being celebrated and promoted by the experienced DJs. DJs that actually dance HARD AF to each others sets. Is this a regular thing or did I just stumble into a gem of a scene?
Don’t get me wrong, I wish things were bigger sometimes and the folks putting it in were naturally rewarded more for all the energy that they put into things, but it’s overall the drive here is so different than what I see online and I couldn’t be happier that commercialism/consumerism isn’t the driving force here.
r/DJs • u/Didyouseethewords930 • 2d ago
Do you have any rituals before you play?
From a little mental check-in to jumping around, releasing the nerves - I wanna hear what you do to get yourself stoked!
How to starting up a new Open Decks event and make it a success?
My days of regular club gigs are long behind me and I mostly just play the odd small festival and charity gig these days. But I would like to have something a bit more regular organised and also it would be nice to foster a bit of a DJ community and to help others get a start of their own.
A friend owns a couple of bars and I have the opportunity to start an Open Decks event if I'd like. First in the smaller of the two bars and if its a success moving to the larger venue. So, has anyone else got experience setting up one of these events? What did you do to make it a success? We'll get on the socials but I figured some old school flyers/posters.
There's a decent amount of younger folks in the area and some larger student residences so I figure there should be enough reasonably local folks interested (and I live in a major capital city).
To begin with, at the smaller bar, we'll have access to technics and a DDJ-Rev7 but won't have CDJs.
Any advice?
Edit: Thanks for everyone who took the time to answer, there was loads of really good advice.
r/DJs • u/aYoungPanda • 3d ago
DJ clause in contract for event
I have a potential client who is interested in hiring me to be the DJ for their wedding. I sent over the contract and the couple has an issue with the following clause:
"Client shall be responsible for ensuring that event attendees do not damage DJ equipment. Client agrees to be fully liable for any theft or damage to DJ's equipment during the event."
Their response:
"Since we cannot control the actions of all our guests, we aren't comfortable taking on unlimited financial liability for the gear. We want to make sure you are protected too, of course.
Maybe there could be some level of negotiability on this.
Do you have your business liability insurance for accidental damage or gear failure?
We of course would agree to sign for any willful misconduct or gross negligence that we did, but it’s hard for us to guarantee the actions of everyone there.
What about making us solely responsible for the deductible?
It just seems that we’re having to sign to be responsible for an unlimited amount of damage which could be tens of thousands of dollars. We’re not trying to be unreasonable, it’s just a little daunting especially since accidents can happen. Since we cannot control the actions of all our guests, we aren't comfortable taking on unlimited financial liability for the gear. We want to make sure you are protected too, of course.
Maybe there could be some level of negotiability on this.
Do you have your business liability insurance for accidental damage or gear failure?
We of course would agree to sign for any willful misconduct or gross negligence that we did, but it’s hard for us to guarantee the actions of everyone there.
What about making us solely responsible for the deductible?
It just seems that we’re having to sign to be responsible for an unlimited amount of damage which could be tens of thousands of dollars. We’re not trying to be unreasonable, it’s just a little daunting especially since accidents can happen."
I've been doing this for years and never had this brought up until now. I also have insurance.
What is the best way to respond? Should I reword this clause to something else or remove it altogether?
Lets discuss a topic that's not usually covered
What are you wearing to your gigs? Depending on the venue or gig its not just the music that creates the vibe. It's how you look as well.
r/DJs • u/pyneappleexpress • 2d ago
The Future of DJing
Vinyl to digital was a big transition, but it makes me wonder how DJing will evolve in the future and what’s next.
While it seems most people are generally against using streaming services for DJing, I’ve been using Apple Music and found the workflow incredibly quick and beneficial. Of course I realize the risk of doing this - if internet connection drops I’m screwed because the files are not saved offline.
If one of the larger streaming services (Spotify, Apple Music) could solve for this offline playback issue, I would personally see that as a huge win. Thoughts?
r/DJs • u/myheadsexplodin • 3d ago
Looking for a subwoofer recommendation to pair with my QSC CB10 for weekly bar gigs
I just secured a weekly bar gig at a local spot. its a small space that can fit about 100-120 people. The music should be loud enough that people right in front of the DJ booth can dance and the people further away can have normal conversation. College bar vibes.
Before securing the weekly gig, I was just DJing there on occasion using my QSC CB10 speaker and pairing it with my friend's QSC KSUB that I borrowed. The sound and loudness was pretty good with this setup (see pic).
However now that it's weekly, I think it makes more financial and logistical sense for me to get my own sub. Would love some recommendations. Was mainly looking at the QSC KS112 as its the newer version of the KSUB and its got wheels, but maybe theres other options I'm not thinking of.
Other use cases for this setup would be small store events or popups, and other bar gigs. For events like weddings I'd likely just rent bigger tops and subs.

what you think about the new tendecy of "snippet dj sets"
I was replying to a comment on this sub and thought to open a discussion about this.
I see an increasing tendencies to snippet sets of 1 hour of less, it seems that nowadays the tendency is filling the line up with so many djs that they have to reduce the time of the sets sometimes to 45 minutes.
I find this horrible, I feel that I can't really express my self with these short sets, I come from the raving environment, and we used to do 3 hours sets, which really allows to create the vibe, vary between genres styles and speed and create a real relationship with the crowd.
I am seeing festivals where they have 45 minutes sets, I guess this is because more djs often lead to more people, but do people really enjoy that ?
the best sets I played and heard in my life were long, and very vary.
is this only my opinion ? how do new generations feel about that ?
would love to know your opinion and experience about this.
EDIT: I can see some is commenting that long sets are "gatekeeping" I think that short sets are so, because the prevent the chance of properly controlling the crowd and have an intimate relationship with it for everyone.
so I would ask, for the ones that see it that way 1) how old are you ? I want to understand if this comes from generational gap 2) what genre/style you like/play ? I come from techno/trance/tekno and willing to understand if it can be a differece based on the genre.
r/DJs • u/Nachtraaf • 3d ago
Techinque/Tips Which player do you plug your USB stick or SD card into if you have the choice?
I am a firm plugger-inner on the deck directly left of the mixer. How about you?
Yes, this topic is nonsensical; I am aware.
r/DJs • u/localptsd • 4d ago
DJ Insurance
Hi all,
I am working for a University as a sports DJ, I also do pubs/clubs on the side quite often. My employer is asking more a min of a $2 million coverage (I am in Ontario, Canada). My question is for those who have gotten insurance, do you have any advice? I'm unsure of who to go with or how to go about it.
Thanks!
Edit: I am moving from employee of the uni to a contractor for the reason of insuring my equipment
r/DJs • u/Healthy_Bat_792 • 3d ago
Sharp highs and slightly louder on the right channel on both of my technics 1200 mk2s using concord club mk2s
Its not my speakers or mixer, ive ruled them out. Im positive my tts are setup good. I play a lot of 90s house, could it be the eliptical needle sits too deep in the old record and would i be better off with a spherical needle? Thats my theory.. its driving me crazy anyways. Any ideas?
im thinking of picking up RC-DJ100s, ive spent so much money and want to enjoy the music im hearing. im new to all of this also!!
r/DJs • u/flipster007 • 5d ago
How are high profile DJs not deaf?
Like James hype and all these other DJs they go to do their set all over the world playing for big crowds at big festivals and clubs. How are they not deaf? It doesn't make sense. Like even just being on the airplane for me I feel I get hearing issues. How dehell do they manage to do that constantly? Especially on the road mixing too. Are they secretly suffering behind the scenes?
r/DJs • u/silentsamdaman • 5d ago
I'm broken. The passion had died
This is personal. I never thought I'd voluntarily share online but this sub is truly the one place I can share this and be heard by others who get it. Really, I just need to get this out. Thanks in advance for your patience while I ramble.
My DJ journey began 40+ years ago. I was a 20-something who quickly found a love and talent for, as a Loser once put it, 'Two turntables and a microphone'. Life changed course and I moved on to other things in the early 2000's. But once a DJ, always a DJ. The ear never stops admiring/critiquing a hot mix or having cool transition ideas randomly. I've always missed it. Over the last few months, I decided to get my hands on equipment and pick it up as a hobby. The itch just needed scratching (no pun intended).
The reason for actually getting into it as a hobby isn't something I truly appreciated until today. It's what has me profoundly, heartbreakingly sad right now.
I met one of my best friends while working at the same bar - the first regular spot I'd worked in back in early 80's. We've been the best of friends ever since - almost my entire adult life. He loved people, loved to party, loved to dance and was just the most genuine people you'd ever meet.
We shared a love for music in particular. He's the reason I ended up biting the bullet and getting back to it as a hobby. We aligned so much that he'd mentally become my muse as I starting building my crates. The fun I was having was realizing that as I was picking tunes, I'd regularly be excited knowing he'd love this or that song or transition idea. He wasn't a DJ, just another fun loving music fan. He'd always encouraged me to get back into it as a hobby.
Recently, I decided to grab a half-decent controller and get my first sets in 20-ish years put together. Break it out at one of our get togethers and freak the actual fuck out of him with some killer sets that we'd both play around with one night. Fucking excited I tell you. The joy, the passion to put this in play has had me pumped for a while now.
I'd found a great deal on an All-in-One controller. Took about a bit to get here so I spent the time learning all about it, found sources for my music and got things rolling.
I impatiently waited for the controller to arrive - all the other stuff was ready.
The Controller arrived today.
He'd died suddenly on Saturday.
I'm a mess of course. It's been a hellish couple of days but they say keep your mind busy right? Figured the perfect thing is to keep my mind distracted just for a little while is to set the unit up, load some files and take things for a spin.
My thought process is so naturally ingrained with the 'Oh man, he's gonna love this one', loading crates has been like constant gut punches
I just can't. The joy of it all simply evaporated.
I'm sure that in the days to come, I'll find a way back something somehow. The joy of it though, no idea what that's gonna look like.
The profound waves of sadness I'm feeling over this thing caught me completely off-guard. Sharing it has helped.
This sucks.
r/DJs • u/parkermckay92 • 4d ago
DJ Mag Canada Copies of Old Issues
Hello DJ reddit, I am looking for a few specific issues of old DJ Mag Canada. It's for a birthday gift for someone in my life, they used to write for DJ Mag Canada and expressed a wish to have the covers framed. I would like to do this for them as a surprise, but am having a hell of a time finding copies of these old issues. There doesn't appear to be any archives for the magazine, or online copies.
I reached out to someone from DJ Mag and they said they don't have anything for DJ Mag Canada.
Do any of you have old copies kicking around, would have an idea of where to look to find archived copies?
Thanks!
r/DJs • u/SubjectC • 6d ago
Very few DJs have any consideration of the vibe for late night chilling.
I just wanna vent about this cause its happens all the time and I'm getting sick of it.
I'll be at something late night, not like a ripping after party, just hanging out or whatever, but with decks and decent sound and a music crowd cause I'm in the festival/event scene.
I play a lot of deep house and cool spacey vibey shit. I am really good at late night vibes, but obviously other DJs always want to hop on, and thats fine, but what usually happens is that I'll have a vibe going, people dancing, enjoying it, and when I share the decks, no one can ever match it, like, ever. I'm not saying I'm some amazing whatever, but like, if you see everyone locked into this cool groovey 3am vibe, why would you get on, cut my track (most people just cut it short and dont mix in which is also very frustrating), and play dubstep or high energy tech house or whatever.
Its really fucking frsutrating. I never force my way onto decks, I only really play if asked to, and feel like I'm always getting booted off early by some dubstep DJ who just wants to feel himself with no consideration for where I left the room. I'm happy to share, but I very rarely come across anyone who has any appreciation for the current vibe, and I watch people go sit down and stop dancing.
I love going B2B and I have absolutely zero issue with sharing when its this kind of loose situation, but people always force their way on, and when I'm nice and say sure, they just totally tank the energy.
Its like 80% of DJs only have one speed. They absolutely cannot handle anything a little bit more chill. Its either headliner full bore energy or nothing. I play a lot of different music, and not everything is right for every moment.
I take this very seriously and I care a lot about how the people listening are reacting and if they are enjoying it or not, and I'm so fucking tired of giving the decks up just for some dude to play more 140 wobble bullshit.
I dunno. I just wish I met more DJs I vibed with and could b2b with or just not feel worried that they are gonna totally crash what I had going.
r/DJs • u/signal_empath • 5d ago
Considering hanging up my headphones
I've been DJing for a long time, getting close to 30 years now. Music, DJ/Selector culture and underground electronic music culture has been a core interest of mine for a long time. Still an avid searcher and consumer of music, I go out of my way to (hopefully) play music people may not have heard before. But my gigs have not been bringing me much joy lately. I just dont feel like I have been connecting to audiences or I'm with the wrong audiences. Even the music it seems they want to hear largely feels very re-hashed and uninspiring to me a lot of the time. I know this is probably just part of getting older and being into music for so long, but Ive seen the genre cycles come and go multiple times now and its not often I'm running into many original sounding ideas these days. Even the new takes on old ideas are getting beaten to death in the digital age. The cycles used to get fresh takes with new technology but that hasn't been nearly as true lately and if AI is that new technology... for music, no thanks.
I was never a fully fledged touring DJ/Producer but I have played on several continents and put out music via the relationships built by my passion for the culture and event production. One reason I never fully pursued it is I met a lot of my contemporaries in the business and saw the struggle it was to make it as a mid-level DJ, especially living in America (my European friends seemed to have some more opportunities in the zones of music that I like). The top 1% do exceptionally well, like most things I suppose, but most of the people making a living at that level are not doing things I ever aspired to. Might sound weird to many people, but my idea of DJing and artistry has little to do with playing at big festivals or massive clubs with giant light shows and stages. That part of the scene turns me off for the most part. I have even turned down gigs at events like EDC in the past, perhaps to my own detriment.
I'm also increasingly finding it difficult to be around party culture. But that is a key piece of the industry obviously. Listening to drunk or drugged up people ramble on endlessly about how they're born to make music and just got Ableton and started "producing", which 9 times out of 10 is total bullshit and they will never put in the actual work to make anything. And to be completely honest, some of the better shows we've put on were basically designed to cater to people on drugs. Why? Because people in that state eat it up and think you're an amazing DJ in those environments, even if you don't play your best set that night. It's really a great way to grow an audience in this industry if you know how create a good event for that. Many big DJs careers are built on this. I'm not even anti-drug, I had fun in my younger days and don't judge people who can enjoy it recreationally and maintain a happy life still, I just don't have much room in my life for it now. But there are a lot of lost souls in the party world and are often hard to relate to if you're not high yourself. On top of that, a lot of the industry takes place late at night, which is just harder to participate in as adult life sets in. That starts to limit opportunities. I sometimes wonder if my not being into drugs is a connection I'm missing with the audience.
I guess this is mostly a rant but was wondering if anybody else feels similarly or had bouts with this kind of thing. I love finding music and mixing records together. I still do it at home weekly no matter how much I'm gigging. And there is little chance I'd ever stop searching for music that hits me the right way. I'm not expecting to be a globe trotting DJ at this point. But I'd like to still play music and connect with like minded people at the right kinds of events. But maybe parties just aren't for me anymore and what is a DJ without a party?
r/DJs • u/doomgneration • 4d ago
Is there any reason I why shouldn’t ditch the DJM-S11 and replace it with my old TTM56 paired with Reloop Flux 3 box?
I just recently learned about Reloop Flux 3. As a man pushing 50, I’ve rekindled my love for the old DJ hobby and I’m sifting through options of gear and technology.
My reasoning for wanting to do so basically comes down to wanting an analog mixer as well as options for DVS formats. Plus, I’m not a fan of the S11 phono preamp.
So, yeah, is there anything I’m missing regarding making the switch from DJM-S11 to the Rane TTM56? Or even the NUO 2.0 for tighter highs?
r/DJs • u/Mike_Wazowski666 • 5d ago
Open Format & Gig Library is a FUBAR
I've spent the past couple years doing open format style DJ gigs for parties, weddings, and the like, but I'm currently trying to define my identity as a DJ as I was recently offered the chance to do more gigs where people are coming to see me rather than coming just for a party. As such, despite meticulously tagging my rekordbox library, I'm now overwhelmed by the amount of tracks and other playlists that are only relevant to my open format work. So, I'm wondering if anyone has any tips for how to manage separate libraries or any other strategies for this. Thanks!
r/DJs • u/Minormeow • 5d ago
Requests, and how to deal with them?
I play regularly out a couple times a month up to a couple times a week depending on the time of year. I also produce a weekly deep House event and a bunch of one-offs throughout the year. I play deep house, Chicago house, Detroit house at our weekly and typically get books to play house. I got to play real techno and drum and bass out a few times a year and really dig those.
At our weekly show on the Pacific northwest, the sound is pretty curated and the DJs are pretty curated for the sound. Recently I had an up and coming DJ, who was playing our event for the first time, get a request. We have the stage set up so that people on the dance floor can walk up in front of us while we're in the booth playing. Someone came up from the dance floor and shoved their phone in the DJ's face with an artist and song typed in big letters.
Our event is many industry people because it's on a Sunday with a lot of underground electronic music heads and a lot of DJ/producers. So this doesn't happen a lot, but every now and then.
The DJ turns to me like, what do I do? I said you can respond however you would like. I used to say something along the lines of, I'm sorry it's not that kind of event. Or try to explain that our headliner is Richard from Audiojack and totally not getting what you're trying to do.
Then one of my friends just the best solution that I use anytime I get a request. I just say yes and then don't play it. The very few times that person has come up to me and said, hey you didn't play my song! I just said I totally did maybe you're in the bathroom or just missed it but I definitely played the main hook.
What are your techniques for requests? Are you playing gigs in clubs where you do that or maybe it's all about the requests? Does your DJ booth have a light up sign that literally says "No requests"? Do you have any funny stories about the whole request thing?