Music CDs...start with what you already have.

     The past several weeks I have been putting together my music collection. What an overwhelming job!Where do you start? Start with your own CD collection!!!  Currently, I am using an external drive to store my music. It connects directly to my DJ system. I have quite an extensive collection of CDs, so I started uploading albums and tracks that I felt were timeless and good. This has given me the opportunity to use the music I have been listening to for awhile and am familiar with.     
     Narrowing down the type of music in my collection has been tough though. I like such an eclectic array of music styles: House, Trance, World Music, Progressive House, Bossa Nova, Electronica, Reggae, Blues, R&B and new and old school Hip Hop tracks.



   

WESC Bagpipe headphones-stylin'

hooooooooooot

Here is a list of Headphone Brands out there......

1.  Search for them individually on the web to find out more...
     Here is a list in alphabetical order...
2.  Go to a music store and try the different brands. 

Allen&Heath    Audio Technica   Bose Cortex    Kam        Denon       Gemini
Monster           Numark      Ortofon    Panasonic       Pioneer    Sennheiser  Shure     Skullcandy
Sony               Stanton         Technics   Urbanears     Vestax      Wesc         Zumreed

Happy listening!

Headphones

     I  love shoes but when I went shopping for Headphones...wow.. .I feel in love with them, too! They can also be very hot! I had to keep in mind though...like shoes, it's about the quality, durability ..and then the style. You could have the nicest headphones aesthetically, but are a piece of junk.
     When it comes to headphones you can spend as mininal as $100.00 to $400.00. At times, price dictates what you can buy, and it can sometimes be an indicator of quality.
     Best advice was given to me by a musician. He said to try several pairs and compare them while 2 are plugged in at the same time. Try them on and listen back and forth between the two. Listen carefully to what is going on. What can you hear the most in the track? What can you hear the least in the track? Does the sound feel like it is close or far? Try many on and get a good feeling of what works for you. If you have a CD with you, even better because you can listen to a track you know.

     For me...a difficult thing was to find a pair that I felt comfortble while rotating and placing on and off the ear. Some of them were very big and slipped off and others were just awkward. I ended up buying a Denon brand. The DN-HP1000 are a mid-range headphone and they work for me!
     After I purchased my headphones, I did see some WESC brand headphones that were very cool. I will have to checkout their website and look up their reviews. I found them at a cool sneaker shop called 'Normal' and was unable to listen to them in the store. Headphones are not returnable most of the time because of hygiene, so make sure you do your research!!!
Happy headphone listening!

Music Sources=Music DJ Equipment

What type of music sources are out there? What still exists?
1. Records  a.k.a Vinyl
2. Compact Disk  a.k.a CD
3. Digital files like MP3's or other format.
    Which are stored on: computer / IPOD/MP3 player/ USB port/ External Hard drive
Obsolete: cassette
                8 Track (LOL)

So the list below will include various ways to play all these types of music sources as a DJ.
    
     For all sources above, DJ equipment is made to play them.  Some may think that this is basic but you cannot assume that everyone has this knowledge. What I learned is....don't assume anything!!!!

What can you play the music on and in what form?
1. 12 inch record turntables with real needles ( My vision of a DJ).
2. smaller simulated turntables that you can insert a CD /USB stick/computer USB/External drive
3. smaller simulated turntables to attach only to a USB cable to a computer
4. a midi controller with the mixer and simulated turntables to a USB a computer

     Once you have figured that out, you must take further steps to see what works for you. What do you want to use? That is a daunting question if you have never DJ'd before.

DJQ

Let the DJ experience begin...

     Is the DJ playing vinyl? Sometimes yes and sometimes no! I just always assumed that every DJ played 12 Inch Vinyl.
     Technology has revolutionized this industry and most things in our world. So, when I decided to take DJing as a hobby I had no idea.... I stress... no idea of what I was getting myself into. One thing was for sure.....I LOVE MUSIC!!!

   The first of many obstacles I faced was to understand what type of equipment was suited for me. How do you buy equipment when you have no idea what DJ equipment is available these days? What are DJ's using??? 

    First thing I did was Google various DJ topics on the Internet. I found out very quickly that many DJ's have their own philosophies on this issue due to preference of style. Most DJ's like to share their DJ set-ups, and few don't want to share their set-up innovations. With many people claiming to be DJ's these days, the craft has become sacred to some.
     Next, if you know some DJ's, tap into your resources and don't be afraid to ask for "some"..well actually.. "a lot of" advice. They are in the field and are experts at their craft. Luckily, I personally know several DJ's out there...  My mission was to ask some that I knew well....."DJ Silent E" and "DJ Incitare". They were kind enough to have numerous chats with me on various DJ issues. Imagine the questions I asked!!!!! They never be-littled me and shared their honest knowledge and plethora of expertise!!!
    They both use different equipment and spin in different styles. However, they both have been in this industry for more than 15 or so years.  Needless to say, they were both very insightful, honest and generous with their knowledge.

     I decided to blog my journey because I wanted to remember all the details and share it with another student DJ. If I am feeling this, there may be others that feel the same way. Maybe my learning curve could help someone else and I could meet other DJ's that can share their expertise.