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Features
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| Mindbenderz talk ‘Lord of the Rings’ and fishing, as well as the creation of their new album ‘Celestial Gateway’! | | Iono-Music artists One Function, Eliyahu, Invisible Reality and Dual Vision talk Robert Miles, kids, dogs and vinyl, while we chat about their current releases! | | Luke&Flex talk influences, the Irish rave scene, why Flex wears a mask and Play Hard, their new EP out now on Onhcet Repbulik Xtreme! | | Lyktum expands on his new album ‘Home’ – talking about his love of storytelling, creating new harmonies and the concept behind his musical works. | | Pan talks getting caught short crossing the Sahara, acid eyeballs and tells us Trance is the Answer, plus shares his thoughts on his latest release 'Beyond the Horizon' - all from a beach in Spain! | | Miss C chats about living with the KLF, DJing in a huge cat’s mouth, training her brain and the upcoming super-duper Superfreq Grande party at LDN East this Saturday, 16th September! | | NEM3SI$ - I Live for the Night – talks superficiality, psychopaths, and bittersweet success, ahead of a plethora of evocative, emotional, and passionate upcoming melodic techno releases! | | Psy-Sisters Spring Blast Off! We talk to DJ competition winner ROEN along with other super talents on the lineup! | | Blasting towards summer festivals with Bahar Canca ahead of Psy-Sisters Spring Blast! | | Shyisma talks parties, UFO's, and Shotokan Karate ahead of his upcoming album 'Particles' on Iono-Music! | | SOME1 talks family, acid, stage fright and wolves - ahead of his upcoming album release ‘Voyager’ on Iono-Music in February 2023! | | The Transmission Crew tell all and talk about their first London event on 24th February 2023! | | NIXIRO talks body, mind and music production ahead of his release 'Planet Impulse' on Static Movement's label - Sol Music! | | Turning the world into a fairy tale with Ivy Orth ahead of Tribal Village’s 10th Birthday Anniversary Presents: The World Lounge Project | | The Psy-Sisters chat about music, achievements, aspirations and the 10-Year Anniversary Party - 18/12/22! | | A decade of dance music with Daniel Lesden | | Earth Needs a Rebirth! Discussions with Psy-Trance Artist Numayma | | Taking a Journey Through Time with Domino | | New Techno Rising Star DKLUB talks about his debut release White Rock on Onhcet Republik! | | PAN expands on many things including his new album 'Hyperbolic Oxymoron' due for release on the 14th April 2022 on PsyWorld Records! | | Psibindi talks all things music including her new collaborative EP 'Sentient Rays' on Aphid Records, her band Sentience Machine and 10 years of Psy-Sisters! | | N-Kore talks Jean-Michel Jarre, unfinished tracks and fatherhood! | | Celebrating International Women’s Day and Ten Years of Psy-Sisters with Amaluna | | A Catch Up with John Phantasm ahead of his upcoming set at the Tribal Village 4 Day Outdoor Event in Kent 6-9 May 2022! | | 'The Maestro that is Tristan talks barn owls, Shazamming and keeping it Psychedelic ahead of his upcoming performance at the Tribal Village 4 Day Event in Kent 6-9 May 2022! |
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New Years Resolution - Find the Perfect DJ
Reported by Michelle Figg
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Submitted 05-02-03 22:52
The Christmas season is barely behind us. And there was no doubt a few pertinent items on the wish list of every "child of the beat." Search the world over and you would probably have run across any of the following items under the Christmas tree: Decks, Records, Speakers, Mixers, Amplifiers, Equaliser, and Headphones. On Christmas morning, eyes will light up with joy as visions of becoming the God that stands above the masses, the chosen one who plays for those who praise their "lord" by reaching for the lasers, the master of the music which brings joy and excitement to the crowd, the superstar of the millennium...THE DJ!!
For the last decade, we've seen a change from what used to be the typical dream job aspiration to a new one. In the past, when questioning about dream jobs, you'd no doubt get answers like; Professional Footballer, Michael Jordan, Movie Star, Rock Star, or even being the latest "One Hit Wonder" to emerge from shows like Pop Idol or Fame Academy. Lead by the "Original Ibiza crew" (as I fondly refer to Oakenfold and Company) who have spent the past decade showing the world ways of enjoying music and the "total experience" of clubbing, we've now seen a whole new occupation that receives respect, fame, and let's not forget...the big money!
There must be a sense of power and excitement when you are up in the DJ booth looking down at a crowd of totally mad for it punters who have gone totally mental over a tune you've selected or the particular way you've mixed. As an avid clubber and dance music lover myself, I can say that the DJ is an essential component (duh) but one not always chosen correctly. I follow certain DJs because of their musical taste and they way they mix and play their music. When I pay my money and go to a club just to hear the style of a favourite DJ, I want consistence.
I'm sure everyone out there can relate to the following scenario. We, "Lords of the dance," spend the week trolling the internet and the latest issues of Time Out, DJ, or Ministry searching for the perfect night out. You run across a big name DJ who usually plays the music you like and mixes like a genius. You get dressed up, queue for a hour to get in, spend money on door fee and drinks ... and the night is total crap.
The same situation occurs with purchasing CD’s and albums. Judge Jules has a compilation that comes out annually and I never know if it's going to be funky or more of what you'd hear at Serious or the main room of Judgement Sunday. Other DJs keep pumping out compilation after compilation on what seems like a monthly basis and continually use the same tunes yet pass it off as "THE NEW ALBUM MIXED BY...." Yeah yeah, I'm bored and tired of wasting my money.
This summer, I heard something different. My neighbour always seemed to have the best music seeping through the walls of his room and entering through mine (sometimes not at the most opportune times of the day...evening...or wee hours of morning). One day I asked what music he was playing and he told me it was a mate of his who works as an insurance adjuster and mixes on his PC in his spare time. I have to be honest and say I was totally impressed with the music but mixing on his PC? Something just doesn’t seem right. How can you do that? Probably with a computer programme that does it for you. So, he may have good taste in music and a nicely selected playlist but, he must surely lack the talent to mix like a REAL DJ………..
………..All I can say is, I was wrong!
One Sunday when we were all lying around listening to music, (you all know that routine) and when, on several occasions, I asked who the CD was mixed by I was given the same answer. Different CD, same DJ. Totally different music selection than the last one I heard, yet still fantastic. Um, could this be the consistence that I was searching for?
But, mixing on his PC? Apparently, I wasn't armed with all of the facts. There are many DJ software packages that can be purchased and will do the mixing for you. Fun for everyone who's a bit uncoordinated but still wants be a cool DJ (like me?). However, there is also a programme that duplicates the typical DJ environment and does in fact require the individual to know how to mix properly. It's a product called Virtual Turntables, which allows for MP3 tunes to be mixed professionally with a PC. It demands talent and a musical ear because essentially the user is mixing as if on a typical set of decks. It models its primary interface after a typical Mixer board and Panasonic CD Mixer with jog wheel for, smoothing up or down in speed. Other usual elements such band kills and sampler are included and enhanced live, with effects to bring a track to the max, live.
A free shareware link is included at the end of this page.
I was still sceptical and decided to meet the man behind the fantastic music I kept hearing. Digital Liquid (Steve) showed me the program and how it works and I'm now a believer in his raw talent. Mixing with Virtual Turntables allows him to take the art of being a DJ to a higher level. The music library becomes infinite since it utilises the latest in MP3 technology. With this technology, he's able to gather music from virtually any source be it the internet, MP3s files, or purchased music compact discs (ripped into an mp3 file format) and take his record bag with him, not in crates of records, but in a single jewel case. All he needs is a computer when he performs. And what other DJ but this type could financially afford to have such an extensive music library at his fingertips or be able to play continuously for potentially over 48 hours? He's a one-man rave!! With the advent of broadband availability, the opportunity to download mp3 files, whilst live mixing, is achievable. Provided the internet could provide the required track for download, the DJ of tomorrow will be able to meet any request or wish of clubs/promoters by having access to millions of files, world wide, live and in the mix.
I don't buy CDs from high street stores anymore and to be honest, if Digital Liquid was a resident at a club, I'd make it my home. This DJ rocks my world and has, through recognition by his listeners, managed to gather a group of faithful followers. His music selection is enormous and outstanding. He finds music and sound bytes subsequently creating mixes that couldn't possibly be duplicated by any other DJ. Over the last six months I have heard over 12 compilations mixed by Digital Liquid and seen him mix live on various occasions. One word sums his performance up and that's consistence! His speciality is hard and euphoric trance and I've heard him sneak in a bit of the progressive side of trance as well as banging hard house when the crowd suits ! No matter what, or where, his music selection is awesome and his mixing is astounding! Why in the world is DJ Digital Liquid not one of the chosen ones who stands above the ravers with their arms reaching up for the lasers and out to praise him? Because he's never been introduced to them properly.
My new years resolution is to return back to the original joy of clubbing! I believe that it’s newer DJs that will bring back this feeling. Remember that first "proper" clubbing experience? Remember the club nights that stick in your memory forever because the sheer height of euphoria nearly blew the roof off and left your feet still twitching in the car ride home? This is what's on my Christmas wish list and my New Years resolution.
Come on the ravers and you serious clubbers; Let’s demand a change from what is all too quickly becoming the norm. If God is a DJ do you have one to proudly stand behind and support? Does he let you down? Remember, a God shouldn’t let his people down! Find yours and praise him!
I'VE FOUND CONSISTENCE AND PERFECTION AND IT'S DIGITAL LIQUID!!!
Download a sample of Digital Liquid’s compilation here. (n.b. for copyright reasons, tracks here are 2000/2001 – more recent tunes will be hosted elsewhere soon and are available through the mailing list)
Or hear some of his own creations here
If you like what you hear e.mail me at figgmichelle@hotmail.com and you’ll be automatically added to the exclusive mailing list.
Email your comments and ideas of where you believe he should display this talent to figgmichelle@hotmail.com. Additionally, you can leave your own comments on his writing and production directly on his web page for future readers. www.digital-liquid.org
Download a copy of the mixing software here
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The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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Comments:
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From: Sneaky on 7th Feb 2003 00:06.39
The program mentioned is what I first learnt to beatmatch on - it's a great idea because you can see if you enjoy the first stages without having to spend a penny on any expensive equipment. There's also another great product available at http://www.deejaysystem.com which I've played with extensively and is also very good.. this one attempts to simulate widely used CD mixing equipment.
As a side note - to get the best out of most of these you'll need 2 sound devices, one for output, one for headphones/monitor, but if you have that then it's as close to real you can get without the kit..
From: virtualvinyl on 11th Feb 2003 08:58.21
realtime Mp3/wav/cd mixing on a computer. is still a relatively undiscovered area. constantly it is improving in its functionality. though it will never have the same tactile feel to it as vinyl does.. This kind of mixing has some pros that vinyl does not. instant cue-ing, mulitple cue points.( at the touch of a button. instant loop making, and even wav file manipulation.
I have been experimenting in this kind of mixing for the past 3 years. and i have tried many programs.. VTT being the first!! back when you only had 1 soundcard and you split the left and right channel.. ( 1 for monitor and 1 for the main output!)
there are about 10-15 main mixing programs out there.. with probably 2-3 real good contenders. (www.finalscratch.com www.pcdj.com virtaul turntables, tractor to name but a few..)
but the best piece of software that is out there at the moment that really does the buisness is a program called bpmstudio. www.bpmstudio.com
made in germany by a company called alatech. this software knocks the socks of all it's competitors..
constatnlty being updated by users feedbacks.
if any one is wishing to look into doing this.. check this software out first.. (you can download a demo from their website)
demo meaing fully operational just a 30min program shutdown timer.
you need a 2 channel sound card e.g ( soundblaster live upwards, and midiman soundcards, and most yamaha's ( compatability list of their site) (personally i use a 2 channel soundcards and an external mixer ( gives you a bit more hands on feel)
just try the program, and you'll understand what i am on about.. you'll get hooked. 
if you need any more info/advice on this program, pm me and i'll get back to ya!
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