There’s plenty to do at the moment, but it’s always difficult to know exactly where to start. A little bit of routine is a good and necessary thing. Mine revolves around a few simple components: reading, writing, listening to music, running/exercise and cooking. Also, looking for a job. I’m also going to record a new mix, probably by the end of next week, as well as chase up a couple of features for this here blog.
On the subject of mixes and, more specifically, hardware, I’ve recently become very interested in photographs of DJs’ set ups. Resident Advisor are a little bit responsible for this as they post such stuff on their Instagram page to accompany their podcast series. These photos are very revealing, offering a portal into the DJs life and, by extension, their personality. There are plenty of Facebook groups which, no doubt, do something similar. Saying this, I’ve just looked up ‘DJ Rooms’, a group I used to like until it slipped by the wayside a few years ago. And of course there’s also the page devoted to Rotary and Classic DJ Mixers. The photos on these pages are very different to those in the RA Instagram and, I bet, much different to what passes for your normal everyday record and mixing enthusiast. Unless I know someone on these pages personally, I’ve never heard of anyone. This isn’t a prerequisite for liking the page anyway, but it’s astounding that practically everyone who posts pictures of their set ups seems to have the most expensive and cleanest gear imaginable. Of course you don’t want to look shit for your big moment, so it’s my feeling that the majority of those on these pages are not pros, but rich, or very well-paid, enthusiasts. And there’s something awfully sterile about their environments compared to the more lived in surroundings of the RA podcasters. However, a number of professional DJs don't even own their own hardware.
There was an interesting thread on Twitter last month started by Bobby Analog which I’ve randomly reproduced here.
Why are "DJ's" shocked that DJ's have DJ equipment to DJ with??
is that a thing now? oh dear
I've genuinely seen people posting about this. I get that cdj 2000's are expensive but the 750's do a great job for a reasonable price and I'm just a bit shocked that people who are doing shows aren't reinvesting into their supposed craft.
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When I’m dropping a lot of money on gear for my studio, I try to always spend that money on gear that will appreciate or at least keep it’s worth. As someone who isn’t rich, If I’m spending $700-$2000 on a cdj, it’s difficult because in 1-2 years it won’t be worth much at all.
my xdjs are like 5 years old and they’re still fine
I think you know what I’m saying though. Turntables never lost value and are workhorses that last a lifetime.
Initially 909's and 808's where worth absolutely fuck all after they came out. The have appreciated over 35 years so could a basic digital deck who knows.
To me, Cdj’s are more akin to iPhones in terms of value over time. I think capitalism played a big role in that though b/c both are always looking to improve technologically, making old versions obsolete.
I’m not dragging pioneer though and I’m of course not dragging anyone with a full setup! I would have one but every time I have spare cash it tends to go towards gear. I am desperate to have a setup again though, especially now.
if this is part of some deeper techno twitter drama that im unaware of, ill be deleting all of these lol
Don't do that ur points are valid.
if i didn't have dj gear at home i'd die... those of us living in the US outside of new york average like 1.5 gigs a month, often less
I had the 350s for years with their tiny displays so the 700s are brilliant in comparison.I sold the 350s and saved up for the 700s. I’ve always put any money earned back into buying equipment/records. Don’t have nice clothes or shoes tho, it’s just different priorities I guess.
DDJ 400 is good enough if you don't need the third deck
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Yeah, seen this around too. Loads of people playing out don’t have a single piece of gear at home it seems.
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I was thinking this as well! Thanks for bringing it up. I’ve always invested in my craft and had at least a basic dj set up at home for my entire career. I’d rather fly economy but buy a synth or New dj equipment instead. I’m by no means rich I just have different priorities
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I dunno man buying cdjs always felt like a wast no matter what I stopped at the 100s but also stopped dealing same time maybe that’s why
that’ll do it! I’d feel nervous going into a club these days when the level is so high, not always being well practiced at home on the latest standard gear and updates all the time but I also overthink it a lot. Also I’m a nerd and buy dj shit before food haha
I mean tbh last times I’ve been seeing you made me be like shit I gotta step up my djing also with the sampler step one.. just they change so fast these days it’s kinda more expensive not anymore like getting 1200s that last for a couple decades lol
Said that I spent more on my studio monitors than on my car
Haha we’ve all got our priorities! But yeah you need to hit up pioneer im sure they will lend you a djs1000 you’d be wicked on that it’s baby steps for a producer of your talent
’m an idiot haha I didn’t think about it, they were so nice to send me a squid sequencer recently.. gonna hit them up, thanks
Squid and djs1000 are a dream
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DJing on CDJs, the way that 95% of DJs use them to perform, is absurdly easy.
I’d find it strange if DJs didn’t have DJ equipment at home?
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They’re probably posting from their €3500 MacBooks despite not being Pixar animators or whatever
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It isn't but it probably should be.
this, it's just another round of gatekeeping
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ah, I muted enough of the technos not to really know what this was about
real djs use bandcamp & ableton, take it from anonymous experimental twitter
I'm just a bedroom DJ but still saved up to get some decks because I enjoy it, definitely doesn't mean I'm rich. all these trust fund accusations seem weird.
Same here.. My bedroom set up is 100% better than the one around the clubs in my city... at the same time isn’t about the gear is about the music selection that separate ones from others
Types into google: How to get good at guitar without having a guitar
Because so many major DJs just roll up to venues that have their own CDJs or rented CDJs and they just plug in their thumb drive and go. But every DJ should have at least some modest setup at home!
My heart goes out to the DJ’s who are stuck at home and do not have it though.
Exactly
I would drop kick a baby across the street for one of these right now.
My heart goes out to the DJ’s who are stuck at home and do not have it though
Names!
It’s not that expensive if you’re willing to save for a while, prioritise what you spend on and buy second hand, I got my 900’s including a mixer for $800 and they work fine...
Because it's fucking expensive
I’ve had my 2000s since like 2013 idk seemed like a good idea at the time
Spinning since 93, I just use Traktor these days, my 1200s aren’t even plugged in at home
Because most DJs don't even practice
Imagine people have the nerve to invest in their craft or hobby. The bleedin nerve
lol
Mostly house djs I know have no dj equipment. Sad
I'm more shocked if someone who calls themselves a DJ DOESN'T have DJ equipment...although it would explain why so many people out there can't really mix tbh.
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