Mackie D4 Mixer

Once upon a time I edited and wrote features for a website called Gearwire.com. One of those features was on the Mackie D4 DJ production console. I talked on camera with Mackie rep Ronnal Ives, AKA DJ Buttnaked, about the Mackie D4 at a music industry trade show, NAMM 2007. Revisiting that video now (where the D4 was featured in a demo of  Mackie’s Traktion3 software),  I am tempted to pick up the D4 to integrate into my setup for Paisley Babylon, which goes back and forth between straight music production/performance and DJ sets.

The D4 connects to your Mac or PC via firewire, features Onyx mic pres, XLR outs, and sports four stereo program channels for your CD player, turntable, and FireWire inputs. The turntable inputs have Mackie-designed pres. It also comes with Traktion 3 software.

I’d love to hear from anyone who owns and uses the Mackie D4–drop a comment and let me know how you like it.
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DJ Skills: Mixing and Scratching

As much as I believe you can’t really impart what it takes to be a good DJ from a book, there are some people who insist that books like DJ Skils: Mixing and Scratching are helpful and useful to beginners. So while I can recommend a book like this to newcomers, I do so with the caveat that you really need to get some time behind the decks to learn the basics in practice, not just theory.

With that in mind, this book IS getting rave reviews. You have to recognize the ambition of a book that starts off discussing the earliest record player including the 1857 French invention of the phonoautograph and Edison’s 1877 invention of the wax cylinder phonograph.
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Numark Total Computer DJ in a Box

Aspiring latop DJs, take note…here’s a complete solution from controller to soundsystem interface--AND it’s priced to move. This starter kit is simple to learn–the Numark Total Control mixer is simple to learn. It uses Traktor LE, which is really all you need to get started learning the ropes. That said, be prepared to fork over the cash to upgrade to a full version of Traktor, as you’ll want the extra tools once you’ve mastered the basics.

I can’t vouch for the quality or lack thereof when it comes to the headphones–I only use Sony or Sennheisers. The DJ i/o box is designed to get your signal from the laptop or desktop (shudder) to a mixing board or PA system.

Your signal is run through RCA jacks into the soundboard…don’t expect XLRs out of this package, but again for those getting their feet wet in the DJ world (or DJ podcasting ) this is a nice compact package.

I strongly recommend you use a backup system including CDs and vinyl in case your computer setup tanks for any reason—including system crashes, hard drive failure and other gremlins that can jack up a gig. The Numark Total Computer DJ in a Box itself is quite reliable from my experience with the gear, but your computer’s hard drive may be another story. Don’t rely only on MP3s to get the job done, new DJs…you’ll live to regret it.

Surviving a Marathon DJ Gig

Ever struggled to keep a DJ set tight for six hours? It’s a DJ gig hell-ride, to be sure…but there are a few things you can do to survive a very long set, whether you’re spinning in a club, doing on-air DJ work or playing a party or wedding. I’ve done extended sets in just about every one of these situations–on the air, parties, you name it.

Naturally the setting you’re doing your DJ work in dictates a lot about how you manage a very long night, but there are a few specifics I’ve found apply no matter what. This ain’t a guide to how to make your DJ segues flow or how to keep the club jumping, this is more about keeping your body feeling as close to top form as you can get in hour number four, five and beyond.

Blood Sugar is a huge factor. When you load up with a lot of carbs, sugar or alcohol, the crash is coming, believe it. Your DJ set will be much better if you’ve packed a protein bar or two and keep some kind of carb control snack on hand that’s formulated to level out your blood sugar. You WILL feela difference. The second your energy starts flagging, don’t go for the Red Bull, try eating a small carb control snack or a few bites of a protein bar. Don’t eat the whole thing, try 1/4 of a bar at first and see how you feel.

Foot Fatigue isn’t always a factor in a club or a radio station, but if you’re DJing a wedding, chances are you’re standing on concrete or flimsy tile in those rec halls and reception centers. When I’m on the decks for an extended period, I make sure to pack a small area rug in my DJ equipment box. You can laugh if you want, but it delays the onset of foot fatigue and makes your entire gig much more comfortable.

Hearing Protection seems like a no-brainer to me, but I am shocked by the number of DJs who don’t wear hearing protection during their gigs. If you play longer than two hours you need this more than ever–prolonged exposure to high SPLs is a major occupational hazard for DJs and no club DJ or party spinner should ever play long sets without safeguarding the ears. It saves you in so many ways, but for me personally, a DJ set with hearing protection is much less stressful overall–I find extended high volumes physically draining without the earplugs.

Learn How To DJ With A Little Advice From Steve Albini

I haven’t posted much on the actual art or business of DJing here lately so I thought I’d pass along something to amuse. It started after reading Steve Albini’s rant against digital on an old CD copy of Rich Man’s Eight Track Tape. Albini wrote that in a few years, the compact disc would be unplayable on any equipment considered state-of-the-art and modern. It took a lot longer than Albini thought, but with the iPod and MP3 downloads ruling the market now, it turns out he was right in ways nobody expected. Not even him. But I babble…this was supposed to be a rant about DJing, wasn’t it?

I am constantly amused by all the Learn How to DJ websites I run across. I especially giggle at the sites that tell newcomers that they should invest in two turntables as part of their DJ rig as though that’s still standard, required equipment these days. It’s not that you can’t or shouldn’t expect to play vinyl as a professional DJ but every DJ interview you read these days says the same thing. “Vinyl is too heavy. I held out for a long, long time but finally switched to MacBook Pro and Serato.”

One thing I personally am in favor of is using the turntable to enhance your digital setup. You can go digital all day long, but sometimes you have the urge to whip out that old Laid Back “White Horse” 12 inch and mix it up with some Radioactive Goldfish. So why not buy yourself a Technics SL-1200 MK2 and get crazy with the cheese whiz?

When you learn how to DJ the first thing you discover is the gear isn’t going to make you spin any better. I’ve run four hour broadcasts using two clapped-out old decks with half-dead LED displays and played DJ sets using the most shameful home stereo craptacular setup you can imagine. What really matters is does the music sound good, loud enough and is it mixed well?

But I will say this–there is absolutely no replacement for actual, physical media at a club or party. When your laptop bites the dust at the last minute, or that hard drive crashes, or worse yet–your computer simply stops recognizing the hard drives you stored all your tunes on, you’ll be greatful for vinyl or CDs and the players to run ‘em on. Don’t overestimate your digital gear–one day it will take a nice big dirt nap on you when you need it most. Will you be ready to pick up the slack? Steve Albini is right–the future does belong to analog loyalists, even if only for those who were smart enough to pack some vinyl and a player for when their laptops quit working at the show.

DJ Essentials Tools and Tricks of the Trade

Becoming a DJ isn’t easy, but fortunately for newcomers there are a lot of books available that can help you learn exactly what it takes to be a professional DJ. You can learn everything from the art of remixing to buying the right gear thanks to the books on sale right this very second. I was VERY AMUSED to see what was on just such a list recently..apparently buying the right gear and spinning those tracks to please the crowds ain’t enough. I found a collection of books on DJ culture while doing a search on Amazon.com. What does Amazon reccomend for those seeking tomes on how to become a paid DJ professional? Behold:

The DJ Sales and Marketing Handbook starts off the list. So far, so good, right? Learn how to set up and get paid to party! That’s what author Stacy Zemon wants you to do. Why the hell not? Now granted, being a club DJ is alot different than being a MOBILE DJ, but a lot of people find the party DJ route easier to get into and they transition to clubs later. Not a bad career path if you ask me…

The Complete Guide To Remixing is probably a good bet, as long as you’re buying DJ how to books. After all, what good’s a DJ who can’t remix on the fly?

Then, there’s THIS little entry in the Amazon list of books, which surprised me on one hand, but on the other, I thought “Well damn, I guess I have some book ordering to do.” Apparently, the Amazon people understand DJ culture better than you might think:

And yes, How To Grow Exceptional Cannabis is STILL FOR SALE. Hurry, now.

Heavy Duty Vinyl Record Album Case

This is slightly pricey, but hot damn! This vinyl album case holds a whopping 200 albums, has a carpeted exterior and lid, and I hear you can stack these two and three high and even use the case as a makeshift stool if you’re in cramped quarters in some dingy club. You’re naturally spinning the good stuff instead of being what Mr. Automatic calls a “Craptop DJ”. I want several. I would imagine these to be a bit weighty when filled to capacity, but the lid is removable for easier access to the vinyl…never a bad thing.

Of course, I’d fill mine with dub platters, bizarre Icelandic new waver bands, Isaac Hayes records, Italian bachelor pad soundtrack music and a Goblin album or two. Those club kids don’t know what to make of me.

The World’s Most Expensive Record Needle

It’s not OFFICIALLY the world’s most expensive record needle, but at 10K, the Clearaudio Goldfinger is squarely in Donald Trump territory. Sold by NeedleDoctor.com, the Goldfinger is 16 grams of pure gold, with a boron cantilever. Are you going on one knee for some sweet, sweet DJ? Don’t waste your cash on one of those useless finger trinkets sold in shopping mall diamond shops, get this bit of precious metal instead. It’s functional, it’s beautiful, and it probably sounds like nothing on earth. Too bad it costs nearly as much as you’d get selling a kidney. What’s the first thing you’d play after scoring one of these? For my money, it would have to be the More Beer album by FEAR.

Just kidding.