The Passionate DJ Podcast

Episode 45: Turntable Maintenance & Mods

In this week's episode, @TripTurlington gives us a once over on proper care, maintenance, and modification of the original weapon of choice for DJ's since the 1970's: The Technic SL1200 Turntable. In this episode, we focus mainly on the MK2 model. There is plenty of overlap with other models, but there are also a lot of differences, so be sure of the differences between your model and the MK2 before trying ANY of this at home. That said, here's our disclaimer: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING YOU DO TO YOUR EQUIPMENT. We have done our best to provide accurate information, but at the end of the day, anything you do to your own equipment is your responsibility. Proceed with caution, and if there's ANY question, please seek out a certified electronics technician to assist you. That said, we cover the bases in this episode: cleaning, tonearm & cartridge calibration, tips on taking the deck apart, adjusting the pitch and brake, and mods...such as painting vs powder coating, removing the "zero click" from the pitch fader, internal grounding, swapping RCA leads, and LED replacements!

Episode 44: Current Headlines

View the full show notes at: http://passionatedj.com/44 Welcome to another edition of The Passionate DJ Podcast! Episode 44 is all about current happenings in the DJing realm. David pulls several headlines from other DJ and News sites, reads them, and gives opinions on the subject. This is a solo show featuring David only, because Chef Trip was busy throwing cookouts all weekend.

Episode 43: Pick 3

View the full show notes at: passionatedj.com/43 We've all got lists of "Top X of Y". In Episode 43, @TripTurlington, and @Tony-DeSaro, and I realized, we've been doing all of this talking about the technical aspects of DJing, and talking about what differentiates the genres, but not really opening up and sharing what music drives us, influences us as musicians and DJs, or that brings up fond memories. So, in this episode, we present "Pick 3" ...not necessarily our Top 3 favorites of all time, or of any specific genre, but top 3 tracks that came to mind as we were brainstorming for this episode. There's some great variety, here, and we enjoyed it so much that our intention is to keep bringing installments of this segment. We'd also love to hear your feedback. What do you think of the songs we picked for this episode? What are some of YOUR "Top 3" tracks? (Special thanks to @Dayton-Studios for allowing us to record!)

Episode 42: Warming Up The Room

View the full show notes at: http://passionatedj.com/42 Many of us DJs have wide eyes and high hopes for playing those mega, big-room, headliner spots and getting paid to travel the world. Realistically, the more common scenario for a club DJ is to be an opener for such an act. The "warmup DJ" has a very specific and important role, and it can often feel like an under-appreciated position to be in. But it is an art form all its own, and one that we should find joy in. When you have a crowd full of people who have arrived to see someone who is not you, it can be intimidating to be put in the position of convincing them to like you while simultaneously restraining yourself (as to not overstep the headliner). Conversely, many people feel that the openers should bring everything they've got, since it's their time to shine. The role of warmup DJs is often debated, and there are a lot of arguments which all hold merit. In episode 42, we talk about various approaches to warming up a room for a top-billing act. We discuss the struggles of the warmup DJ. For example, how easy it is to get stuck doing warmup gigs, once promoters figure out that you're good at it. We also use our buddy @MisterShifter, from episode 34, as an example of pivoting a set based on reading the crowd before a big headliner. Hopefully he doesn't mind! Surprise, Jack! :) Since @TripTurlington @Tony-DeSaro, and I have all had experience in various roles outside of DJing (such as being event promoters), we try to approach the discussion from various angles and give a fair assessment of what we think non-headliner DJs should be doing at big shows. P.S. - make sure you listen all the way through after the outro, as Trip ends the show with a great story, of an embarrassing situation that he learned a very valuable lesson from! *Resources in this episode include: The Underdog DJ: Finding Joy in the Warmup Set http://passionatedj.com/the-underdog-dj-finding-joy-in-the-warm-up-set/ Follow us on Instagram! http://instagram.com/passionatedj

Episode 41: Are Controllers Too Amateur for the Big Room?

When a guitarist comes on stage, he wants to play his own guitar. He wants his own tool to perform his own art. Should DJing be any different? The DJ industry has changed over time, where “club standard” or “industry standard” means less and less, and people are bringing their own setups to shows. Sometimes, this is out of necessity (i.e. this is “what I learned on”), and sometimes it’s actually a prerequisite of their type of performance. For example, if you play stripped-apart techno music and you’re heavily reliant on Traktor Remix Decks for your sound, it might be a problem for you to play on a strict Pioneer Nexus setup. In episode 41, we go over the complaints on either side of the fence. Some people say that a DJ should learn to use “the real deal” The benefit of having an industry standard is that there is a universal setup that touring DJs can use, and have a solid and familiar setup when they get to the gig. Yet, some acts (DJ Craze is given as example, later in this episode) tour with their own entire setups anyway. It’s a much different climate than 10+ years ago, when Techs and a Pioneer mixer were what you mixed on, period. As a jumping-off point for the conversation, Trip brings in a recent article published on Magnetic Mag, titled What It Says To Be Using A Controller In The Club. http://www.magneticmag.com/2016/04/what-it-says-to-be-using-a-controller-in-the-club/ Note: we use the article to stimulate conversation and not to tear it apart, thanks to Magnetic Mag While we understand why the industry is in the state it’s in, and why some people bring their own setups to play in front of large crowds, we also get the point which is made in the article. Quote: “No matter how talented you are on a controller, coming into a major nightclub and asking the technician, other DJ, or promoter to move the gear that's already set up just to plug in your S4 is seen as an amateur move. For one thing, it's a hassle for them, because controllers aren't very small as I'm sure you know. Sometimes they even put the controller directly on top of the CDJ/DJM layout, but that makes it harder for the next DJ to smoothly come in at the end of your set.” We understand the frustrations of sound techs and stage managers, when it comes to catering to individual specific needs. Tony said he even worked at a festival, where some riders even required a classic CDJ-2000 setup vs. a CDJ-2000NXS setup. So, there were two nearly-identical setups in order to accommodate the headliners. It makes one wonder… how far do we want to take this? The conversation also moves into related topics, such as the ways that geographic location and the size/strength of your local scene might affect the way that you make purchasing decisions when it comes to DJ gear. We even speculate as to how the accessibility of varied and cheaper hardware may have allowed a revitalization of smaller scenes. So, does the use of controllers in clubs and large-scale festivals make us look like amateurs? Or is this just a sign of the times? What is the way forward? All this, and more, in this week’s episode of the Passionate DJ Podcast. Leave your comments below and let us know what you think!

Episode 40: The State of Streaming

View the full show notes at: http://passionatedj.com/40 There is a lot happening in the world of streaming audio this year, especially when it comes to the realm of the DJ. In episode 40, after answering a voicemail from a listener asking about the use of "set rips", we go over all the current happenings in the streaming space. We cover recent moves by PulseLocker (with Serato integration), Spotify, Apple Music, SoundCloud Go, and similar services. We chat about the pros and cons of streaming technology, how feasible it currently is for use in a DJ booth, and the ramifications of not actually owning your music. We also get into some of the new technology popping up within the streaming services which is meant to help with the convoluted copyright situation we've found ourselves in. Are we headed towards a much less "gray" place, where we will be able to hack, slash, edit, remix, and upload music in a completely legal manner, and have all relevant artists get paid for it? Or is this a pie-in-the-sky idea? Before we dive in to the full discussion, I take a moment to make a very special announcement regarding the growth of The Passionate DJ Podcast, don't miss it! We're making big moves! Thanks so much for all you do as a listener, to support The Passionate DJ Podcast.

Episode 39: Is EDM on Life Support?

Hey folks! We're back with a killer Episode 39. Sorry for the delay, but some of us succumbed to this nasty bug that seems to be going around. Early on, we cover a handful of topics before getting into the main "meat" of this week's show: the current state of dance music, and where it might be going. The first thing we talk about is the new SashaAndJohnDigweed.com website, where you can sign up and get updates on what appears to be a re-uniting of the pair. Tony, Trip, and I are all long-time fans of the duo, and the thought of them touring together (or working on music in, basically, any way) definitely piques our interest. We chat a little bit about the influence that these two had on dance music back in the 90s, and their ability to pull off what we DJs like to call "telling a story". And we also give a little speculation on why they may have stopped touring together in the first place. What started out as an apparent April Fools joke now looks like it may hold some water, with tour dates popping up on the Internet in various places. Be sure that the three of us are going to start talking about a trip to Chicago if this pans out to be true. We then get into Avicii's recent announcement that he's retiring from DJing. Clearly the result of intense over-work (being a full-time, touring DJ is not just fun and games, after all), it goes to show that the industry has a way of eating up artists and spitting them out. Avicii has had a pretty rough time, admitting to problems with alcoholism, health issues (including gallbladder removal), and an overall desire to have "normal" life experiences. Best wishes to him as he decides what to do next. Eventually we work our way into the main topic: Is EDM on Life Support? Many DJ and dance-music outlets are screaming, "The sky is falling!" when it comes to the alleged bursting of the EDM bubble. And it's not a tough argument to make. After all, with the rise and fall of mega-conglomerate SFX, the falling attendance in Miami's yearly festival, and a seeming drop in overall cashflow for large events... the argument isn't without merit. “You see someone DJ and throw his hands up and fireworks in the background, and that experience is replicated a hundred times. How is it changing for you? What’s the selling point unless you’re a super fan?” - Senthil Chidambaram, CEO of Dancing Astronaut However, we talk about the difference between the mainstream and "hardcore" dance music culture, and the differences in today's climate versus, say, the rave and "big beat" eras of the 90s. While the Miami Herald claims that the dance music craze is slowing down, other outlets like Magnetic Magazine are saying that everything is just fine. We say that, like with most things, the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle. But, regardless of what happens... those of us who are truly here for the music and the community will be around to pick up the pieces. @Tony-DeSaro @TripTurlington

Episode 38: Reading Your Crowd

You've landed a gig. You bought the newest, hottest tracks. You've practiced a set list and gone over it so many times, you could land every mix in your sleep. The night of, it's finally your turn, you plug in, press play, and then the worst thing happens...PEOPLE ARE LEAVING THE DANCE FLOOR! What do you do? Can you deviate from your predetermined set list, and bring those people back? Can you read your crowd to prevent a mass exodus from the dance floor, to begin with? In Episode 38, David, @Tony-DeSaro, and @TripTurlington talk shop around the art of reading a crowd. We talk a lot about the relationship and synergy between DJ and his/her crowd. Obviously, there's some caveats to this, so the context may not be totally relevant for every type of DJ. For example, a DMC contestant is not going to change the routine they've practiced for months during their performance on competition day. A wedding DJ may have to work off of a very strict play list. So, keep in mind, a lot of the context to this episode, lies in the "performance" aspect of a DJ in a club/rave/concert/festival scenario. The guys let loose with some of their experiences and actual tactics to crowd reading and dance floor manipulation that they actively use every gig they play. So, for anyone who's been curious how some DJs "just wing it" without a set list: Pay attention, because there's some useful tips you can snag and implement in to your own skill set, here. What are some of YOUR experiences with reading a crowd? Have you ever had a show go horribly south, that allowed you to learn from it? Do you have a method or technique to reading your crowd that you didn't hear mentioned? Hit us up, WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! Also, make sure you leave us some honest feedback! https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-passionate-dj-podcast/id874338547?mt=2 And, for those of you who didn't know, @TripTurlington is also a producer with @Base-Industry-Records, as well as a DJ. Check out his latest remix of @Nicmor's "Resistance", available NOW at Beatport, Juno, iTunes, Amazon, and other digital music outlets! https://pro.beatport.com/release/resistance-remixes/1709062

Episode 37: Love of the Underground

Pop culture. Sub-culture. Counter-culture. Mainstream vs. underground. Where are these lines drawn, and why? In episode 37 of The Passionate DJ Podcast, we explore the ins-and-outs of what we call "The Underground". Is underground music a sound, or an attitude? Is it determined by the amount of money involved, or the size of the culture? These days, it's hard to truly lock down what it means to be underground. Today's modern technological climate has put us in a state of constant connection... something that isn't inherently bad, but it does seem to have extreme effects on scenes which took a lot of sweat-equity to build. The effect of “being wired to everyone 24/7” means we all have access to everything. As it turns out, in 2016, scarcity is scarce. We find that many of today's artists are in somewhat of a gray area. Are acts like Skrillex and Deadmau5 pop artists, underground artists, or somewhere in-between? If you consider them mainstream, what was the defining point at which they became pop stars? What becomes popular in the mainstream often starts in the underground, and is accelerated by exploiting pieces of a subculture into the most extreme version of itself. As Tony says, "Once something becomes cool, they start going for the wrong reasons." We also discuss the role that geographic location plays. Can something be described as underground, merely as a result of how under-represented it is in a particular part of the world? Finally, we discuss how keeping it “too underground” can mean going stale. In order for anything to progress, it needs to change. All this and more, in this week's episode of the Passionate DJ Podcast. Give it a listen, and if you appreciate what you hear... please take a moment to leave us an honest review on iTunes. This type of thing helps us more than you may realize. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-passionate-dj-podcast/id874338547?mt=2 Thanks folks, and we'll see you next week! @Tony-DeSaro @TripTurlington

Episode 36: Excuses, Excuses (Helping DJs to Start Making Moves)

This week, @Tony-DeSaro and @TripTurlington take some time off while David gets caught up with @KilmaMusic. The first warning sign that a project is in trouble, often, is that little twinge where we begin to search for excuses. You know what I’m talking about: that pre-loading of responses that our brain begins to compile, just in case. We think, “I can start doing this, and if it doesn’t work out the way I want it to, I can blame it on… [blank]”. Some people even have “one size fits all” excuses, which they can pull out of their back pocket at any time. “I was a middle child”, “I’m a Virgo”, or “the deck is stacked against me”. We often do this without even realizing it, so that we have a rapid-fire response in case someone or something challenges our status, or lack of progress. Our brains can often seem to be in a constant state of excuse-refinement. We never want to be under-prepared. We feel much more comforted, and in control, if we have a ready-made excuse when the bill collector calls or the police officer pulls you over. The big problem here is that it serves as a constant reminder of all the factors in our lives that are out of our control. Excuses, even valid ones, can often lend themselves to self-fulfilled prophecy. It allows us to be complacent. For example, we don’t have the time, so we don’t make the time. So, how can we avoid having an excuse-driven life? As DJs, how can we push forward, in spite of the hurdles that we come up against? Resources mentioned in this episode include: - Kilma's (awesome!) Blog - http://www.dontkilmavibe.com - Advice For Busy DJs with Day Jobs (article) - http://www.passsionatedj.com/dayjobs - The Ultimate 2016 DJ Planner (article) - https://dontkilmavibe.wordpress.com/2015/12/07/the-ultimate-2016-dj-planner/ You can email Kilma at beats@kilmamusic.com, or Tweet/Instagram her using the hashtag #AskKilma. And don't forget, you can always leave us a voicemail here at the Passionate DJ Podcast! http://passionatedj.com/ask