Dave West Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 What do you class as the role a DJ plays.Is it to bring us poular and / or unknown sounds. Is it to inform us. Is it to entertain us. Is it to educate us .Is it to trick us. How can somone DJ and not use the mike. Does he then just become a human jukebox.
Guest Rowly Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 How can somone DJ and not use the mike. Easy. just put the stylus on the record, cue it in then press start, whilst making sure volume levels are set correctly. I wanna hear music - not some in audiable waffle from someone tellling me that I haven't got any soul if i don't dance to such and such a tune.
Guest cenco Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 Easy. just put the stylus on the record, cue it in then press start, whilst making sure volume levels are set correctly. I wanna hear music - not some in audiable waffle from someone tellling me that I haven't got any soul if i don't dance to such and such a tune.I COULDENT AGREE MORE MATE
Supercorsa Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 Jeez! I have enough trouble just cueing up a record, let alone thinking about using a mike as well.
macca Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 my relatively little experience of attending venues in continental europe tells me that very few use the mic. could be wrong though. having said that, the organiser of the recent weekender in gijon spain, used one, & in spanish of course...
Guest dundeedavie Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 Easy. just put the stylus on the record, cue it in then press start, whilst making sure volume levels are set correctly. I wanna hear music - not some in audiable waffle from someone tellling me that I haven't got any soul if i don't dance to such and such a tune. with ya 100% Rowly chief , i can and will if i have to but at basics for example we have a no mic policy but we have one if a guest "has to"
Pete Burton Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 Easy. just put the stylus on the record, cue it in then press start, whilst making sure volume levels are set correctly. I wanna hear music - not some in audiable waffle from someone tellling me that I haven't got any soul if i don't dance to such and such a tune. Spot On ! Never can understand what they're saying anyway. If you want to know what a record is..............just go and ask.
Guest cenco Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 Spot On ! Never can understand what they're saying anyway. If you want to know what a record is..............just go and ask. WELL SAID THAT MAN
Guest rachel Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 Spot On ! Never can understand what they're saying anyway. If you want to know what a record is..............just go and ask. Much more skill IMO to putting together a set that 'flows' musically from one record to the next than (usually incomprehensibly) shouting out the record/artist/city of origin/encouragement to get on the dancefloor (we'll decide if we want to dance or not, thanks). Heard too many disjointed sets which people get away with because they ramble for long enough inbetween tunes.
Guest TONY ROUNCE Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 Unless one can exhibit some sort of coherent verbal communication with your audience, married to an acquired skill of knowing how to fluently make one record follow another one is decidedly not a DJ, just a "Record-Putter-Onner"... TONE (DEFINITELY A DJ)
Dave Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 Much more skill IMO to putting together a set that 'flows' musically from one record to the next than (usually incomprehensibly) shouting out the record/artist/city of origin/encouragement to get on the dancefloor (we'll decide if we want to dance or not, thanks). Heard too many disjointed sets which people get away with because they ramble for long enough inbetween tunes. You mean a standard NS set.
Guest Andy BB Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 Disagree. (With Rowly and Davie, just for a change!) I think DJs who use the mic are much more entertaining, as long as they're not as dull as dishwater like.
Guest Baz Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 (edited) You mean a standard NS set. Funny how we we're talking about that very situation on friday night Dave I have to say i agree with all the above, but a good DJ can use the mike to create an atmosphere, as well as put a flowing set together. dont like most of the ramblings on the mike but used in moderation it can be a handy tool. P.S im not saying any one who doesnt use the mike is any less 'good' or not a proper DJ Disagree. (With Rowly and Davie, just for a change!) I think DJs who use the mic are much more entertaining, as long as they're not as dull as dishwater like. Great minds Mr BB! must be because we are both mods P.S i've got a picture of you with three ladys hands on your bottom from this morning your face looks terrified Edited August 13, 2006 by Baz
Guest Rowly Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 coherent verbal communication with your audience, Exactly. But 99.9% of the time most dj's "banter" is totally incoherant. So don't bother, there's good guys n' gals!
Guest Andy BB Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 Exactly. But 99.9% of the time most dj's "banter" is totally incoherant. So don't bother, there's good guys n' gals! I think R&B DJs should be made to talk into the mic. For at least 60 minutes in an hour set.
Guest dundeedavie Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 I think R&B DJs should be made to talk into the mic. For at least 60 minutes in an hour set. hey i hope that was aimed at him and not me
Guest soul kitten Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 I think DJs who use the mic are much more entertaining, as long as they're not as dull as dishwater like. prefer a bit of chat inbetween myself as long as its not a trip around america etc don't need to know everything about record been played and some do go on to the far end of a fart ,the late Tony Banks you could go to the bar ,ave a piss get changed and he was still talking anyway gettin on a bit now need a breather between records
Dave Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 Funny how we we're talking about that very situation on friday night Dave Were we? I have to say i agree with all the above, but a good DJ can use the mike to create an atmosphere, as well as put a flowing set together. dont like most of the ramblings on the mike but used in moderation it can be a handy tool. P.S im not saying any one who doesnt use the mike is any less 'good' or not a proper DJ Great minds Mr BB! must be because we are both mods P.S i've got a picture of you with three ladys hands on your bottom from this morning your face looks terrified Got a funny feeling I can guess which three ladies they were!
Guest rachel Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 You mean a standard NS set. I didn't say a word
Guest Andy BB Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 P.S i've got a picture of you with three ladys hands on your bottom from this morning your face looks terrified That's my multiple orgasm face Baz! "hey i hope that was aimed at him and not me " Him Davie, although on second thoughts his middle-class posh boy Kent accent might get a bit too much after 30 mins
Guest Baz Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 Were we? Yes i can just about remember it myself
Soulsmith Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 Lots of DJs don't use the mike because they are nervous. It really is that simple.
Guest sigher the gutter snype Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 in my times of hearing the haggis keb speak on the mic, i think its been a good one a little informative, tells it like it is, if he plays it twice as in soul45.org "its cause he wants to hear it again" then fair play to him im all for giving the crowd a bit if down low on the music i fit doesnt distract from whats being played then why not. all part of the fun in my opinion hopefully we should all be half bladdered to either care, or think in the morning "damn what was that record that was played again??"
hipshaker 05 Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 save the mic for announcing the meat raffle
Guest Matt Male Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 (edited) Easy. just put the stylus on the record, cue it in then press start, whilst making sure volume levels are set correctly. I wanna hear music - not some in audiable waffle from someone tellling me that I haven't got any soul if i don't dance to such and such a tune. Just buy a CD player and don't bother going out then. It's a really boring world where DJs just whack on one sound after another without any comment. DJs should communicate and entertain and be informative and interesting. I want to know new sounds i'm hearing and i want the DJ to engage me. I want them to be passionate about what they're playing and maybe tell me something i don't know. Totally agree with Sigher, all part of the fun. Dancers, DJ, venue.. it's all part of the mix for me. Edited August 13, 2006 by Matt Male
Guest Soultown andy Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 Over the year i have to fill around 300 dj spots in the venues i run and help to run,i dont employ any djs that dont use the mic[to the best of my knowledge]all part of the job .
Guest Matt Male Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 Over the year i have to fill around 300 dj spots in the venues i run and help to run,i dont employ any djs that dont use the mic[to the best of my knowledge]all part of the job . Well said.
Guest Rowly Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 Him Davie, although on second thoughts his middle-class posh boy Kent accent might get a bit too much after 30 mins If I've told you once I've told you 100 times.... - It's Sussex not Kent - you thick Scaaarse Git!
asboannie Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 A good D.J. knows exactly when to talk, and when not to . To introduces a new record or a semi known, you need the feed back .
Guest Rowly Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 Just buy a CD player and don't bother going out then. It's a really boring world where DJs just whack on one sound after another without any comment. DJs should communicate and entertain and be informative and interesting. I want to know new sounds i'm hearing and i want the DJ to engage me. I want them to be passionate about what they're playing and maybe tell me something i don't know. Totally agree with Sigher, all part of the fun. Dancers, DJ, venue.. it's all part of the mix for me. But that's the whole point i was making. 9 times out of 10 you can't make out a word that they're saying.... it's just a garbled noise that Norman Collier would be proud of, ruining the flow of the music.... If you're gonna use the damn thing at least make sure you can talk proper, like wot I do. Perhaps elocution lessons for dj's is the way forward?
Guest hammy Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 Over the year i have to fill around 300 dj spots in the venues i run and help to run,i dont employ any djs that dont use the mic[to the best of my knowledge]all part of the job . Quite right Mr McCabe Let's not forget, there's also a few DJs out there who can raise a laugh as well . That Chalky fellow is prone to dropping one syllable in 4 from time to time ;-) Hammy
Jumpinjoan Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 At the end of the day it's all down to preference... some like ... some don't like.... pretty much as it is with everything on the soul scene. Now i don't for one second consider myself a DJ... i'm just a lass who loves soul with a passion... loves to dance with a passion... and collect the odd record ... again .. with a passion... and if people ask me to do the odd spot... then i will do it ... again with a passion. I personally don't use the mic... for no other reason other than the fact that i talk... err... a little fast... and therefore is definitely a blessing that i refrain. So does that mean i shouldn't play records at a venue? Bollocks! Everybody that asks me to do a spot knows that i don't use the mic. If that's a problem for you... then you don't ask me... quite simple really. I think that the fact that i do get asked means that i must be doing something right in the eyes of the person doing the asking.... could that be the choice of records themselves i wonder? Cos after all... surely they're what it's all about? If you hear a 'DJ' ... i use that title loosely... play something that you like... get your arse up there and ask them what it is. 1) It gives the player of the record a bit of a buzz to know that someone thinks a record they've played is good. 2) You get to actually hear clearly who it's by... what it's called... what label it's on... a rough idea of rarity/price/chances of getting hold of one... and possibly even get to look at the record itself... which is always a good thing. When someone says to me ... "oh .. why don't you talk?" i say "Why? The record says it far better than i ever could"! Those who want to use the mic... knock yourselves out. Those of us who don't... will knock ourselves out also... only quietly!!
Guest ShaneH Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 i prefer the mic user to be honest. it may be old fashioned to some but i think it serves its purpose for thanking the last dj, introducing the new dj and also thanking the promoters. as well as the obvious announcement of records. if done right you can also give the crowd a kick up the arse. no one better than roger banks for this Shane
Guest Brian J Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 Just buy a CD player and don't bother going out then. It's a really boring world where DJs just whack on one sound after another without any comment. DJs should communicate and entertain and be informative and interesting. I want to know new sounds i'm hearing and i want the DJ to engage me. I want them to be passionate about what they're playing and maybe tell me something i don't know. Totally agree with Sigher, all part of the fun. Dancers, DJ, venue.. it's all part of the mix for me. .........apart from that it gives you time to get a drink and wipe your face before the next track starts!
Soul Shrews Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 i prefer the mic user to be honest. it may be old fashioned to some but i think it serves its purpose for thanking the last dj, introducing the new dj and also thanking the promoters. as well as the obvious announcement of records. if done right you can also give the crowd a kick up the arse. no one better than roger banks for this Shane [/q Does the Mike know 'bout dis?
Guest dundeedavie Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 i think it depends on the crowd , in my opinion younger crowds (like the one we get ) don't want it so we don't use it
Guest Brian J Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 At the end of the day it's all down to preference... some like ... some don't like.... pretty much as it is with everything on the soul scene. Now i don't for one second consider myself a DJ... i'm just a lass who loves soul with a passion... loves to dance with a passion... and collect the odd record ... again .. with a passion... and if people ask me to do the odd spot... then i will do it ... again with a passion. I personally don't use the mic... for no other reason other than the fact that i talk... err... a little fast... and therefore is definitely a blessing that i refrain. So does that mean i shouldn't play records at a venue? Bollocks! Everybody that asks me to do a spot knows that i don't use the mic. If that's a problem for you... then you don't ask me... quite simple really. I think that the fact that i do get asked means that i must be doing something right in the eyes of the person doing the asking.... could that be the choice of records themselves i wonder? Cos after all... surely they're what it's all about? If you hear a 'DJ' ... i use that title loosely... play something that you like... get your arse up there and ask them what it is. 1) It gives the player of the record a bit of a buzz to know that someone thinks a record they've played is good. 2) You get to actually hear clearly who it's by... what it's called... what label it's on... a rough idea of rarity/price/chances of getting hold of one... and possibly even get to look at the record itself... which is always a good thing. When someone says to me ... "oh .. why don't you talk?" i say "Why? The record says it far better than i ever could"! Those who want to use the mic... knock yourselves out. Those of us who don't... will knock ourselves out also... only quietly!! I liked this part..... "and possibly even get to look at the record itself... which is always a good thing." PMSL Makes me feel priveleged.
Jumpinjoan Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 I liked this part..... "and possibly even get to look at the record itself... which is always a good thing." PMSL Makes me feel priveleged. Ha ha Brian ... never bought the wrong record by mistake then!! I... unfortunately have. All i was saying... it helps to know what the record actually looks like... nothing else.... ok?
Bigsoulman Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 Over the year i have to fill around 300 dj spots in the venues i run and help to run,i dont employ any djs that dont use the mic[to the best of my knowledge]all part of the job . Totally agree Andy, it seems to me that dj's who don't use the mic are lacking confidence, I keep my chat to a minimum at all times but tell the crowd who it was and what the record is, I think some younger dj's are lacking maturity hence not speaking, just my opinion of course Lenny
Guest Baz Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 Now i don't for one second consider myself a DJ... I would reconsider if i were you Joan Personly i couldn't give a rats arse if some one use's a mike or not, i would rather hear a spot that flows than some one masking a badly put together spot with drabble inbetween records, like i said earlyer, used right i can be a handy tool. Another pet hate is people anouncing prices over the mike
John Elias Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 i prefer the mic user to be honest. it may be old fashioned to some but i think it serves its purpose for thanking the last dj, introducing the new dj and also thanking the promoters. as well as the obvious announcement of records. if done right you can also give the crowd a kick up the arse. no one better than roger banks for this Shane Quite agree with you,it's all part of atmosphere building along with, of course QUALITY,ORIGINAL RARE SOUL........can also depend on the venue aswell
Guest Brian J Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 Ha ha Brian ... never bought the wrong record by mistake then!! I... unfortunately have. All i was saying... it helps to know what the record actually looks like... nothing else.... ok? Whoa......slow down, wasn't having a go. It made me chuckle that's all....ok?
Jumpinjoan Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 Whoa......slow down, wasn't having a go. It made me chuckle that's all....ok? PMSL
Guest dundeedavie Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 Totally agree Andy, it seems to me that dj's who don't use the mic are lacking confidence, I keep my chat to a minimum at all times but tell the crowd who it was and what the record is, I think some younger dj's are lacking maturity hence not speaking, just my opinion of course Lenny well i don't use the mic at basics lenny , and erm never had a confidence problem . i use it elsewhere and do a radio show just don't use it at basics cos we don;t want it . i'd say this goes for a lot of dj's
Glyn Williams Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 anyone can play records - you can train a monkey to do it, get a computer to do it. A human being adds sparkle and life to an evening if done correctly Also a professional show presenter knows how to flow music and how to control an audience - when to play what and more importantly when NOT to play it. when you can get away with new introductions and when you can't - all part of the job and cannot be taught - has to be experience. Whats the point of playing your biggest floor filler when people are just arriving and warming up? etc - things like that - Oh and also not repeating records - some of the overplayed records are bad enough without hearing them 3 times in one session. if a dj can't be arsed to get at a venue early enough to hear whats been played then it's a poor show if you ask me so no excuses. being fresh every time, not being able to set you watch by what they are playing - these are all the traits of a DJ and NOT just a walking jukebox I'm sure this will inflame some and it's just my opinion - from a DJ who talks and has done for 30 years
Guest Dodger Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 i'd say this goes for a lot of dj's Quite fond of passing opinions on what others do and should do, aren't you.
Guest Rowly Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 (edited) well i don't use the mic at basics lenny , and erm never had a confidence problem . i use it elsewhere and do a radio show just don't use it at basics cos we don;t want it . i'd say this goes for a lot of dj's Tis True there Davie. IMO the mike should be used A) at the begining of your spot to thank the person who's just finished, introduce yourself and tell the poor punters how long they're gonna be stuck with you inflicting your taste in music on them and to announce your first tune. B )if you're playing a request for someone. C) if you've had someone come up and ask about the record playing, to also annouce it over the mike for them for good measure. D) at the end of your spot to thank your appreciative crowd, and to introduce the person about to take over from you. Short sharp and to the point - no unnessesary clap trap! Edited August 13, 2006 by Rowly
Guest Brian J Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 Quite fond of passing opinions on what others do and should do, aren't you. Hey Dodger what's that music your cats boppin' to? I hope it's not a boot?
Glyn Williams Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 oh, and also, a DJ knows how to set a sound system up so you CAN hear what they are saying
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