SwingDJs

When creating an audio CD with most popular programs there is an option to burn disc at once or track at once. When burning disc at once there is an option to include CD-Text on the disc. This is probably where various CD players are getting the information from. If your ripping software can read CD...

Not to pick on you (I kind of did in another thread) but do you have reference to the legislation or legal prescedent that makes downloading legal (either implicitly or explicitly) in Canada? The Canadian equivalent of the RIAA has been making noises similar to their U.S. counterparts. I've been fol...

You almost touch on something I was thinking about recently. How much natural skill is involved in DJing. A trained chimp could probably pick music and operate the equipment with the talking parrot providing the inane chatter. Some DJs have been doing this for a long time and others for a short time...

A few people seem to be implying the quality of music matters less at an exchange that at say a regular dance night. I think the local DJs versus hired guns for exchanges has been discussed elsewhere and I think exchanges should be about showcasing local color. My general thought is that an exchange...

Numark makes a couple of MP3/CD players, the MPCD3 (single) and MPCD33 (double). Gemini makes the MP-3000X. Pioneer makes the DMP555. Denon makes the DN-D4000. I have no experience with any of these so I can't vouch for compatibility or quality. The Gemini is probably the cheapest (cost wise). I don...

On a note related to the whole idea of playing music in public and copying CDs, if anyone is DJ'ing off anything but original CDs then they should have a licence. At the very least a venue (particular when the DJ is the house DJ) should compensate the DJ for his/her expenses.

I don't know about the ASCAP rules exactly but I believe its similar to SOCAN (the Canadian version/affliate of ASCAP) which requires the venue/facility have a license when there is a public performance. This applies not only to DJ'd music but also live bands, playing the radio (which ironically pay...

If you want cheap, then buy cheap. They're all about the same. If you want good, I'd second Plextor. My old A-open which had good reviews when I bought it has given me nothing mut trouble up until a month ago when it refused to burn anything but CD-RWs ... really weird. I just replaced it with a Ple...

You're right on Brenda. Just before Christmas, I spun most of the new University swing dance clubs debut dance. There were some out of towners and some of the regulars there that dig all kinds of stuff and can sometimes get quite particular about what they want to dance to. The really surprising par...

The selection at our local music stores sucks for anything but new releases of pop music. I usually end up going on an online binge every couple months. Just about due for another binge.

You say that like you spin stuff you haven't listened to before. If I preview a song, it's to decide if it fits in the context of the moment not to decide if it is good quality. Evaluating the "quality" and general suitibility for dancing is done outside of DJ time. I never spin anything I...

Does anyone have much experience with the Numark CD MIX-1 or CD MIX-2 dual CD player/mixer unit? I have access to a PA setup that provides adequate amplification and speakers but need a CD player and something with the ability to preview/cue. This unit looks like it like it will do the trick but the...

I didn't think I could spin an entire set without previewing but I managed a preview-free evening (three hours minus a 20 minute break) a couple weeks ago. It turned out to be a pretty good evening although I stuck to the stuff I knew best and didn't play any risky stuff. I'd still prefer headphones...

BryanC wrote:Stupid question: How does the DJ know how the crowd is reacting from behind the curtain? Peephole?

Feel the pulse of the floor, stronger pulse=more dancers!

I'll add to the "I started because the other DJs suck" list. Basically, the (currently) only other DJ here (and only at the time) was starting to play a lot of the same stuff. He then tried to appeal to a broader audience and esentially started alienating a lot of people like me. I was the...