I’m just assuming but DJ’s have their own equipment and they are welcome to bring it and use it, but clubs have their own stuff too, just in case shit happens (something gets lost broken stolen, stuff) Although I’m sure there is a better reason for this.
I’m still trying to decide which dj controller to get. maybe I’ll just get a BCD because it’s the cheapest…or maybe I’ll get one of the new Hercules joints.
If you want it for just sampling, get a cheap one and connect the outputs to your sound card and record straight into your DAW
But I recommend getting a direct drive, belt drive turntables suck balls.
Hi. I DJ seriously. I do HAVE my own equipment. I also DJ 3 nights a week on average and almost every single venue I DJ at has a scratch box already set up and i just have to plug in. it makes my life a little bit easier.
so if i don’t have to bring it… i won’t.
i don’t get what is hard to understand about that.
Okay, then. That’s been the experience about 0% of the spots I’ve been to, but maybe things are different there.
I need some help on Mastering, anyone got any tips for me?
good drivers…
no headphones…
understanding compression (my weak spot…at t his point)
practice…
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Is there any interested in an essentially Mint condition MPC-1000? Going to shop it to SRK folks and local folks before it hits the net. Looking for $550 - paid $800 new, comes with everything + additional drums.
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as far as mastering goes, you will NEVER be satisfied… hahaha.
i’d say a good compressor, a good ear, and try and listen to it through lots of different kinda of speakers… because not everyone is going to listen to a song through studio monitors… some people are going to listen to it through laptop speakers… (shudder)
Thanks for the tips guys 
I actually do run my tracks through a lot of different speakers/headphones. I have my normal speakers, my stereo system speakers that hook up to my laptop (what I use for monitoring, since I’m pretty broke and about to move into an apartment complex). Sennheiser HD 205 headphones, some old sony clip ones i use for casual listening/ipod stuff, and a few other things just for reference lol.
And yea, I’m really new to this multi band compressor business 
for ever I’ve been just using FL Studio’s normal compressor, yet another dimension of producing I must learn haha!
Thanks on the chiptune help, I’ll try those options out when I get back into the “mood”.
Truth
That was my biggest problem early on. Things sound right in the headphones, but on big speakers things are off.
The most important thing imo is what is common sense to some which is assigning individual sounds to different channels/tracks.
For a long time each channel would have its own compressor and EQ. That’s the key for me right there. Gotta keep the sound in check, then tweak what I want to stand out. Then I’d go for reverb if I feel like the sound could use it by itself. I forgot where I heard this but you know you’ve done reverb right when you don’t hear it (unless you want that chamber sound).
Lately I’ve been using limiters instead of compressors. With the compressor I’d just mess with the whole sound, with the limiters you can set the ceiling for how loud you want the sound and the gate to where you want silence to kick in, plus you can amp or reduce the sound by using the gain (there’s more stuff, but that’s what I do). I kinda wish I’d had access to limiters earlier because they really help. They’re like the bouncer keeping the sound behind the velvet rope and deny everything under whatever range you set access to the club.
For the master channel I’d do the same thing with the others, eq, limiter, and a touch of reverb to make the track less flat (a short release).
I’m mini rambling here but basically imo,
No headphones (unless you got dat ear)
Keep as many sounds separated as you can
Listen and tweak each sound individually if need be (the EQ is your best friend and the compressor/limiter is her hot sister)
And for the master track EQ and limit again to get the lows bumping just right (clipping ain’t cool), the highs unmuffled, and to put that snare that’s peaking higher than the rest of the track back in check.
Practice makes perfect. You’ll find what works for you.
When I eq, I do it based on “big speakers”. In the beginning I kinda felt I had to put that “bump” in a track, but that changed when things sounded muddy on a decent system. Just make a bumpin’ track and leave the rest up to the person’s system. Oh and if you work on a comp, take note if any sound filters are running. Make sure to add whatever you’re using to the filter’s ignore list.
. . . at work, typing to pass the time:china:
Ooo FL Studio
I never liked the multiband compressor. It was nice because it separated the 3 ranges, but it kinda felt like it was trying to be too filter like. I used the regular one and a filter (I liked having more control).
Limiter
7 Band EQ
Filter
All you’ll need right there for the major adjustments and control.
For reverb I use
Reverb 2 (the one that has the 3d model of the room)
SoundGoodizer for mastering is cheating, like playing CvS2 EO
You should check out automation and formula controllers, it’s basically programming tweaks into the track. You can record messing around with a flanger, chorus, or even turning somethign on/off into the track playing, but I don’t think the values self reset of you jump to a track section without automation.
damn digging the music producer thread explosion =)
Oh man I learned my lesson after making a couple songs on headphones as well as LAPTOP speakers, never again!
most of what’s been described is mixing, not mastering. It’s really not mastering until you’re working with a well mixed stereo wave.
nod nod…
however as I said, you still need good monitors (I said drivers…stupid car audio heh) and you don’t want to do it with headphones on…
and you still need to practice… :arazz:
On a sidenote, anyone know a place I can scoop cheap bookcases for holding vinyl records? Whats the point if you have no place to put them? Unfortunatly all the shelves I come across are like 11.5 deep, so the records would be sitting ‘out’.
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I don’t even know how to use it heh
i have my latest ep uploaded here: http://www.last.fm/music/SLAM+KING
haven’t read the thread, but i have a strong interest in engineering and production. i’m self taught, with a mostly analog rig, so it’s taken me years to still be figuring it out.
anyone here think mastering is overrated or am i just listening to “badly” mastered tracks where they try to make it so loud these days that it’s getting distorted?
I’m totally fine with some breathing room and some eqing. nothing more nothing less.
There is a difference between mixing and mastering and REALLY mixing and mastering. Once you’ve heard a good example of good mixing and mastering yhou set new goals in life hehe. For example listen to this http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?onlwmygzkzz its not mine, its my boy in Orl, but I hear it and was AMAZAED at how he was able to really master everything…listen to that then compare t some of the stuff you have or have heard andthink of it as a litimus test.
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