Highlights from
America’s Best DJ
Summer Tour
AMERICA’S FIRST MAGAZINE FOR PROFESSIONAL DJs ESTABLISHED 1988
OCTOBER 2011
$6.95 CANADA $4.95 US
Presented by
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guetta
LIFE AT THE TOP
DJ EXPO:
Hot Shots & Takeaways
advice
from America’s Top VJs
$4.95 US $6.95 CANADA
www.djtimes.com
plus:
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Paul Kalkbrenner
Randy Boyer
Rane MP25
Electro-Voice Live X
Elektron Octatrack
By Robert LaFrance
“Video is the future of DJing.”
I’m sure you’ve heard that statement many times. Only time will tell if it rings
completely true, but one thing is certain—for any DJ that’s playing exclusively
audio, adding the option of video to your sets can spark new inspiration, futureproof your skills, and add to your value as a DJ. When done right, video sets are
multi-sensory experiences that can command attention and capture imaginations
unlike anything else. Does that get you amped up and ready to get started? Me,
too!
But before you head down the path to video greatness, there is a lot to consider. Gone are the days of showing up to the club with a crate of records and
a pair of headphones. Video DJing requires computers, special software, media
players, mixers, a new music/video library, and maybe even a MIDI controller or
two. Plus, there are multiple options in each category depending on your DJ style,
music format, and access to capital.
But don’t worry, that’s what we’re here for. DJ Times reached out to some of
the nation’s premier video DJs and asked the following questions to help you start
thinking about “the future of DJing.” The are:
1) If you had to give advice to a newbie on how to get started as a VJ or a DJ
incorporating video, what would you tell them to buy? What platforms would you
recommend? Where do you get your content?
2) What’s your current video-gear setup and why does it work for you?
2011
UPDATE
VJ
Incorporating
Video Can
Future-Proof
Your DJ Career.
Here’s How
Some of
DJ TIMES
OCTOBER 2011
America’s
16
Joshua Carl, Strictly Hits, Boston:
Advice: With technology moving as fast as it does, the right answer
today might not be the right answer tomorrow. You need to find the
pulse of the video DJ community and keep your finger on it. In the past
five years alone, we’ve gone from DVD players to hi-def MP4 files. So
find yourself a mentor—someone who has already made all the mistakes and is willing to pass on his knowledge. If you can’t find one, scour
the website of your favorite Digital Vinyl System (DVS), read the forums,
and hit up the moderators and senior members.
What to buy is completely dependent on what style of video DJ you
want to be, much like choosing your DVS software. You have Serato
Video SL (VSL), MixEmergency by Inklen, VirtualDJ, DVDs and a few
other lesser known programs. If you’re someone who just wants to load
up a few videos and walk away to work the mic, then VirtualDJ may be
for you. If you’re a turntablist or hip-hop DJ who is a performance style
artist, then maybe Serato is more your speed.
As far as content goes, I’m a complete hoarder. Joining pools is an
integral part of building your collection, and most sites offer deals to
buy their back-catalog. I’ve been with SmashVidz since Day 1, I also have
an account with DT Video. If you live in Canada you can join Xtendamix.
These sites round out the baseline of my collection nicely. And with a
weekly trip to Crooklyn Clan and a few of the other independent editor sites, you can be ready pretty quickly. But, the beast must be fed,
so eventually you want to start make your own edits. That will surely
elevate your content.
Gear: I have been on Serato since Day 1. But when I got into video,
the VSL plug-in was not out yet. So, I was running VirtualDJ for video
gigs, and Serato Scratch Live (SSL) for audio gigs. Once the VSL plug-in
dropped, I immediately made the switch. In 2010, I moved from the VSL
plug-in to the MixEmergency plug-in. I am a vinyl guy at heart, so I love
the way it feels—the responsiveness and all the things we have all come
to love in the vinyl style DVS software. Couple that with the constant
releases, ease of use, and amazing features of MixEmergency, and it’s
literally like flipping a switch on and you can wow your crowd with
effects, transitions, visuals. At the moment, MixEmergency is Mac-only,
but it was enough reason to switch me from PC last year, and I haven’t
looked back!
Top VJs
Do It
DJ Roonie G, Mix Ultra Lounge, Columbus, Ga.:
Advice: Get either VirtualDJ or Serato Scratch Live. If you go with
Serato, use either Serato Video-SL or Inklen’s MixEmergency. For editing there are a few options: Apple’s Final Cut, Adobe Premier, or Sony
Vegas Pro. Promo Only is a great source for content and so is SmashVidz.com.
Gear: Personally, I use Serato and MixEmergency on a MacBook Pro
with 8 GB of RAM. I thought the RAM would make a big difference,
but not really. I also don’t use any more external USB drives from bad
experiences. I only use the FireWire 800 drive port if I’m using external
now. It makes a big difference when a file needs to be re-analyzed. I also
try to stay away from powered external drives simply because there
are more opportunities for things to come unplugged. I prefer editing
on Vegas Pro. Scotty B, Miller Lite/Promo Only, Orlando:
Advice: Before you buy anything, do it right and plan. Make sure that
the software/hardware you buy now will still meet your needs next
year. Otherwise, you’re just wasting money. For example, will your present system handle HD videos? I recommend you try several software
titles and invest in the one you feel most comfortable with. VirtualDJ
allows flexibility. MixEmergency has great transitions. Serato is an industry standard for a reason. There is no “one-size-fits-all” answer. Go
with what you feel comfortable with and will help you make your show
look the best.
Content? Get it from a variety of sources. There are several sites that
have some amazingly good content and editors like Promo Only and
SmashVidz. I also create my own edits with Final Cut. Don’t be lazy and
buy from just one site. The more sites you dig through, the more great
videos you will find. Unique, quality content will help elevate your game
as a VJ and separate you from those who just download and play videos.
Gear: I run MacBook Pros. My main rig runs with VirtualDJ using a
Denon DN-MC6000 controller. I feel most comfortable with Virtual-
DVDJ Unique, Video Assassins, Miami:
Advice: When making the transition to video, there are a few different routes
you can take. If you already own a DVS solution, the most economical route is to
purchase a plug-in or third-party app that works with your existing DVS. There
are a number of very reliable and reputable DVS solutions that support video,
such as VirtualDJ and Serato Scratch Live. VirtualDJ natively supports video and
Serato Scratch Live requires the Video SL plug-in. Surprisingly, a more advanced
and economical solution to Video SL is MixEmergency, which is a third-party app. If you don’t trust computers and their stability, or just prefer using DVDs instead
of a DVS solution, the Pioneer DVJ-1000 may be a viable solution. Although, for
the newbie DJ/VJ this may not be the most economical, it still is an option.
Overall, if your goal is to jump into video with the smallest learning curve possible, then you’ll want a DVS solution. Going this route gives you the flexibility
to simply add on to your existing DJ setup, without a costly upgrade in DJ gear.
If you’re not sure which application to purchase, check out which applications
the industry leading DJ/VJs are using—like this article! Usually, they’re the most
advanced users and push the limits, giving these applications a true test. You can
also receive a lot of great advice on DJ forums and DJ magazines such as this.
CrooklynClan.net and SmashVidz.com have quickly become a major source of
my content. The quality of their videos is amazing. As one of their remix artists,
(continued on page 42)
OCTOBER 2011
out of the crowd. I get huge reactions out this. With MixEmergency the possibilities are endless.
As a video editor, I used to use Vegas 8 Pro and eventually grew out of it and
decided that I wanted to pretty much do all my work from one computer and
switched to Final Cut Pro 7.
DJ TIMES
Scott King (aka DJ King), Crooklyn Clan,The
Vault Videos/SmashVidz, Orlando:
Advice: You first need a laptop computer that is
capable of playing video through your VJ software.
Not having enough processing power can make your
playback look choppy or blocky with video or audio
dropouts. Usually, 2 GB of RAM is sufficient with a
decent-size video card. You’re going to need a VJ software that can play video. Right now, I am using a MacBook Pro 2.8GHz, i7 processor, with 8 GB of RAM.
Content? I’m a proud supporter of SmashVidz. I
am sponsored and edit for the company. Their edits
are made for the working VJ with eight-bar intros and
outros on most songs. They also provide a cappella and remixed videos.
For editing, I would recommend getting a more powerful computer. I started
out on Vegas for Windows and kept using my Mac to do certain types of
processing and decided it was taking too long to transfer files from one hard
drive to the next. Now I am on Final Cut Pro 7 and life has never been easier.
I feel comfortable with Final Cut Pro because of the all the pro plug-ins that
are available for it.
Gear: As a VJ, I use Serato SSL 2.0 with MixEmergency by Inklen as my
video plug-in. I also use my IPad 2 with the Touch OSC app as a MIDI controller
that triggers both audio and video effects. My mixer is a Rane TTM 57SL and
I use two Technics 1200s, with time-code records. I am using an older version
of Serato—and this is not uncommon. I talked to several other VJs that have
the same problems with newer versions of Serato. Anything after 2.0 has a
weird type of lag when loading video that makes it almost impossible to do
quick mixing. Also, video and audio tend to drop out if you start jumping to cue
points within a song. So I just stay with Serato 2.0.
MixEmergency (ME) by Inklen is hands-down the best video plug-in I have
ever used. It gives me accurate fader assignments with my Rane mixer. Nick
at Inklen loves hearing about glitches in his software and fixes them almost
instantaneously. It gives you easy access to 12 different video ambients that
you pre-assign and can drop over your playing window at a moment’s notice.
You can also link video content to an audio track and have it recall whenever
you go back to that track. Another nice feature is that you can have scrolling
text at all times playing over your master output. VSL only has that option
per channel, so when you switch back and forth between decks your content
gets disrupted. My favorite thing in ME is displaying my laptop’s camera on my
master video output. Then, I dance to the music and do silly stuff to get a rise
MetroMix Media
DJ 2nd Nature, Screenwerkz, Atlanta:
Advice: The best advice I can give is to focus
on one thing at a time. There are so many paths
and options for DJs starting out today that it can
be overwhelming. If you’re a seasoned DJ thinking
about adding video into your sets, first focus on
learning the fundamentals of video editing. If you
want to set yourself apart and add another skill set
to repertoire, learning to become a video editor will
not only allow you to play your own unique video
edits during your sets, but it can open up doors for
new work opportunities in the future.
Gear: Getting started, gear-wise? My simple
answer is whatever you can afford or have access to.
Any video editing app will do. While I recommend
Final Cut X to the beginner, I wouldn’t recommend it
to the advanced editor. However, FCX for $299 is a
great tool to learn the basics of editing. I DJ with two
MacBook Pros. One runs Serato with MixEmergency,
and the second runs Avenue, all hooked into a digital
switcher.
MetroMix Media
DJ. I like the ability to remap an array of buttons and
effects to fit my creative needs. More importantly, I
like VirtualDJ’s ability to run large HD files. To me,
quality is important. I run 8 TB of Western Digital
Hard Drives via e-SATA. Data transfer speed is very
important and underestimated by many DJs. I also
run a second MacBook Pro that uses ArKaos and
Akai LPK25 Keyboard for visuals.
17
VJ Update
(continued from page 17)
I tend to double- and triple-check
my work before submitting it. Making sure I’ve meet all of their quality
control requirements. I usually recommend them as a source for DJ/VJs
regardless of their experience level. Gear: I chose to use Serato Scratch
Live and MixEmergency because I felt
it was the most stable, user-friendly,
and feature-rich combination. I also
rely heavily on the performance of
the MacBook Pro and the sound
quality of the Serato SL3. The Pioneer
gear (Pioneer CDJ-2000, Pioneer
DJM-800 or DJM-900) was a simple
decision—they have the industry’s
standard CD players and mixers for
a reason. I also use Novation Dicers
and an Apple iPad as MIDI controllers
to trigger features and effects.
DJ Rippin Da Bumps (aka DJ
Niros), The Betatesters, Seattle:
Advice: The most important piece
of gear to buy is the right laptop. This
is the brains of your VDJ system and
video DJing software is really picky
on what system, configuration, OS,
etc., it will work with. Computer
information and modifications are
readily available in the VDJ forums
on www.Serato.com or www.Inklen.
com. Do your homework before you
buy or modify.
To be a successful VDJ, you’ll need
to get content from a variety of sources. One video pool or video service
will probably not be able to supply
you with enough. I use Rockamerica,
SmashVidz and, since I have a condo
in British Columbia, I also use Xtendamix. I also get content from the labels
to edit for remixes, but the combined
services give me more than enough
current and older material.
Gear: My setup is a MacBook Pro
Quad 2.3, with 8 GB of RAM and a
500 GB hard drive running at 7200.
It’s running OSX 10.6.8 and I’ll wait
to update to the 10.7 until the smoke
is all clear. I use and prefer Apple’s
platform because it plays nicely with
Serato and VSL.
Jack Millz, Crooklyn Clan,
Pittsburgh:
Gear: Pioneer CDJ-2000s, Pioneer DJM-800 or 2000, Serato SSL/
VSL + MixEmergency. Apple MacBook
Pro. This platform allows the most
flexibility for the working VJ, with tons
of effects and options to get the creativity flowing. SmashVidz, Crooklyn
and Promo Only for content.
DVDJ Biggie, Crooklyn Clan
Vault/Visual Club Concepts,
NYC:
Advice: If you’re currently DJing,
then you probably have a platform
already chosen and you should stay
with it. If not, I’d suggest Serato with
the MixEmergency plug-in (Mac
only). VirtualDJ already has video
included (Mac or PC). Also, make
sure you have a laptop that can run
video and space for the video content. I have 2 TB of videos. Don’t
just jump into it. There’s a lot of stuff
you need to figure out like: What
inputs does the club have for video
(s-video, VGA, HDMI)? What kind of
converters will you need to hook
up? Is there video content for the
music you already play? For stuff
you don’t have a video for, what can
you put on screens (like drink specials, DJ name or upcoming events)?
The main question I get from people
starting out is: How do I convince my
club to do videos? My main selling
point is that not everyone in the club
comes to dance—so why not give
them something to watch? This could
make the people that aren’t dancing possibly stay longer. Also, video
DJs can promote anything—a liquor
sponsor with a logo on the screen in
the corner all night, upcoming events,
or scrolling text. All this adds a great
new feel to any venue!
I get video content from SmashVidz—intro’d and outro’d videos
with no breaks and Snipz which are
one verse chorus, and outro edits!
For remixes, SmashVidz and Crooklyn Clan Video Vault. Check my section out www.crooklynclan.net/dvdjbiggie. I have been making my own
content for about four years now.
Custom content is what separates
you from everyone else! Gear: I use VirtualDJ because I
was playing music videos before Serato came out with video capabilities.
I was already comfortable with VirtualDJ, so why spend money to switch?
There is a huge debate between DJs
of whether to use a MIDI controller,
CDJs or old-school vinyl. It’s not what
you use that counts—it’s how you
rock a crowd that counts. The people
on the dancefloor aren’t worrying
about what the DJs use—only the
other DJs in the house do! My setup
right now includes a Pioneer DJM-800
mixer, Hercules 4-Mx MIDI controller,
Alienware m15x Laptop, and VirtualDJ.
DJ Kris P, www.djkrisp.com,
Los Angeles:
Advice: If you want to get started
as a video DJ, you’ll need to get your
gear right and build up your video
library. It’s just like building a new
music library, but with the creativity
and fun of adding videos. I would tell
anyone just starting to go with Serato
Scratch Live and MixEmergency to
play their video content. As far as the
videos themselves, SmashVidz.com
is the most consistent for new content especially for the club genres. If
you’re more of the wedding-DJ type
or more open-format jock, Promo
Only has a vast library with every
genre from old-school to Latin. Gear: I use two CDJ2000s, a Pioneer DJM-900, Korg Nano Pad2, and a
MacBook Pro with Serato and MixEmergency. It’s a super-stable platform that
can’t skip and is super-forgiving. I use the
Nano Pad for MIDI controls. This gives
me great freedom to jump in and out of
songs live and remix on the fly.
DJ Eloy, Natural Born Spinnas,
NYC:
Advice: The first thing I would I
say is: What kind of gig are you trying to do—mobile or club? There’s
a large array of DJ/VJ applications
now on the market—Serato’s VSL,
Inklen’s MixEmergency, VirtualDJ, and
MixVibe. They all can play videos, but
some have better options, depending
on the task. I get a lot of my content from labels, Vimeo, VEVO, Promo
Only, and iTunes. Yes, I pay for videos
on iTunes. I am a video remixer and
it’s good to have HQ/HD content to
make remixes from.
Gear: I use Serato VSL, Inklen’s
MixEmergency and Modul8 because
I am a Scratch Live user and because
run an Apple Laptop. MixEmergency
has jumped head of the pack with
updates that come every three to
four months and they are on the cutting edge of VJing. I pipe my videos
from MixEmergency to Modul8, were
I go crazy with video effects and all
kinds of other things with it. I am
on a MacBook Pro and all of these
apps are Mac only other then Serato
ScratchLive. If you are a PC user you
can use Serato’s VSL. n
DJ TIMES
OCTOBER 2011
DJ Shadow: The Less You Know, The Better?
42
I’ve changed
since the 1996
release of
Entroducing…
You could
even say
I’ve mutated.
See what I mean?
DJ Shadow, Next Month in DJ Times