[Dynagroove] Re: OK HERE'S A TOPIC"PROGRAMING A SET"

[Will Yardley]

My previous followup on this one didn't seem to make it through to the
list.... not sure if it got moderated out, but I'll include it below my
response to Cade's message.
 
On Thu, Apr 03, 2003 at 05:00:19PM -0800, Cade O Nelson wrote:

> I know some DJs that not only pre-program their sets they also
> memorize the pitch placements...  I will never book them.  I would be
> better off booking a CD for the night.

Haha - the funniest example of that was when my friend found a DJ's set
list (complete with exact pitch control settings) at a party I was
playing. 

[ Previous response ]

On Wed, Apr 02, 2003 at 11:26:43PM -0500, Radio1200 at aol.com wrote:

> Now i may be weird but i dont like to "program a set befor hand" if
> i am making a demo or spinning at a party,i think its kinda borring
> for some reason i cant do it it dosent have the same affekt on me as
> the first time i did it, yet it may sound really good to others and
> they dont really think about if this guy is programing his set or
> not,
[....]
>         i have a feeling people are going to say ya program that
> shit if your serious but i like to go off what im feelin' at the
> time im mixin'

I don't know that people will neccessarily say that. Opinions on this
vary widely from person to person. I don't program sets beforehand
(mix tapes / CDs is a different story) - I like to try and react to
the crowd, and I think in general, that's a big part of what a good DJ
does.

The bottom line is really whether you can make people dance - but I
doubt that many "serious" DJs program their sets in advance.

Personally, I usually start thinking of a few different "starting"
records a few hours before my set, or even while I'm packing -- and
then right before I play, I sort through my records and pull out a
few potential starting tracks depending on what the previous DJ is
playing.  Once I've figured out my starting track, I just proceed from
there.

-- 
The Pope has said this war is wrong, that it is a Sin. The Pope! But
even worse, the Dixie Chicks have now come out against you! How bad does
it have to get before you realize that you are an army of one on this
war? - Michael Moore