beginner dj needs help

edger

Hello all.im a 32 year old man and have recently bought a dj set up which consists of 2 neumark ndx800's a sound card and a behringher ddm 4000 mixer.I have downloaded traktor pro 2 and have the whole thing set up.my problem is that I cant get the ndx800'S to control traktor(by this i mean scrolling up and down the songs and selecting them).one side will work and its usually the side that is switched on first and the other side does nothing even though its lit up and everything.another problem is the side that does work puts the same song up on both sides of the screen on traktor.any help would be appreciated as I am at a loss of what to do.

ironclaw

Your best bet is the Numark site:

http://www.numark.com/images/product_downloads/ndx800_controller___setup_with_traktor_le.pdf

With respect, you bought very up-market gear for just starting out. Are you just starting? Or have you played for a few years?

edger

thank you iron claw for your help.i am only starting out and bought it on adverts.probly we bit over my head but sure ill give it a try.i tried all that you said but i still cant seem to get the both sides to control traktor.one side is working fine and that is the side that is turned on first but the other side will do nothing.and it is still putting the one song on both screens.would it be my computer by any chance.

ironclaw

edger wrote: »

thank you iron claw for your help.i am only starting out and bought it on adverts.probly we bit over my head but sure ill give it a try.i tried all that you said but i still cant seem to get the both sides to control traktor.one side is working fine and that is the side that is turned on first but the other side will do nothing.and it is still putting the one song on both screens.would it be my computer by any chance.

No, it would appear that they are not mapped correctly. So your computer is not at fault. Mapping hardware to traktor is not the easiest but this site may help: http://www.traktorbible.com/en/default.aspx

Can I ask, are you Djing for fun or as a potential business? If you are thinking of starting as a business, I would seriously reconsider.

frozenfrozen

I'm going to second that thought, re-using djing as a potention business, in the most friendly and constructive way. If you can't get your head around mapping controls then you're most certainly not currently capable of being a professional dj. Know your gear inside and out before you start dreaming about doing it for money

ironclaw

frozenfrozen wrote: »

I'm going to second that thought, re-using djing as a potention business, in the most friendly and constructive way. If you can't get your head around mapping controls then you're most certainly not currently capable of being a professional dj. Know your gear inside and out before you start dreaming about doing it for money

Not only that, in my opinion there is very little money in mobile DJing alone. It seems everyone thinks its a recession busting occupation. I did a few gigs in the past few weeks for friends and then got a few more from that. I never considered doing it in a serious manner but I have toyed with the idea.

If your doing 21st's etc, your looking at Friday / Saturday bookings. So two days a week. If you got €200 per gig, thats €400 a week. Provided you could get two gigs a week, every week, for 52 weeks (A nigh impossibility in my eyes) your looking at €20800 a year. I guessed that at best I'd get about 75% booking for the entire year, so thats €15600.

Not exactly a huge income for the initial outlay of gear but the 2 hours either side of a gig to get there, set up and take down. Add to that the cost of transport as you'll need a decent sized car to carry lights and speakers.

I'm lucky that I can rent very good gear at a very low price but if you had to invest from scratch say €5000 for a decent, road ready rig you'd be a very long time making it back (In the example above, you wouldn't start making money til about week 13) And thats depending on you being a very good DJ. One bad gig and your a goner.

The_Honeybadger

ironclaw wrote: »

Not only that, in my opinion there is very little money in mobile DJing alone. It seems everyone thinks its a recession busting occupation. I did a few gigs in the past few weeks for friends and then got a few more from that. I never considered doing it in a serious manner but I have toyed with the idea.

If your doing 21st's etc, your looking at Friday / Saturday bookings. So two days a week. If you got €200 per gig, thats €400 a week. Provided you could get two gigs a week, every week, for 52 weeks (A nigh impossibility in my eyes) your looking at €20800 a year. I guessed that at best I'd get about 75% booking for the entire year, so thats €15600.

Not exactly a huge income for the initial outlay of gear but the 2 hours either side of a gig to get there, set up and take down. Add to that the cost of transport as you'll need a decent sized car to carry lights and speakers.

I'm lucky that I can rent very good gear at a very low price but if you had to invest from scratch say €5000 for a decent, road ready rig you'd be a very long time making it back (In the example above, you wouldn't start making money til about week 13) And thats depending on you being a very good DJ. One bad gig and your a goner.

Agree with most of this, however to be fair most guys do it to supplement their income rather than as a full time job. If you are any good you should make somewhere between €12k-€20k from mobile gigs per year as you have said. If you add this to a full time day job of €35k or so it's not bad at all.

In my experience the guys doing 21st parties for €200 aren't spending €5,000 on gear either, a couple of powered 15's, mixer, controller and software (likely cracked) and a few cheap LED lights can be had for a grand or so second hand on DD, and is all that is needed to do a very basic set up (I'm not advocating this set up btw). Obviously there are guys with better set ups that do spend up to €5k and more, but I don't see them doing 21st parties in my area, they are more likely to be doing better paid work like weddings etc (obviously there are exceptions, don't mean to offend anybody).

My point is that it is cheap to set up, easily fitted around a 9-5 normal job due to the nature of the times you would be working, and could be a nice earner if you enjoy it and are good enough to get gigs. No wonder so many people want to try their hand at it. I wouldn't dismiss it out of hand as a business once he practices and gets familiar with the gear and music required for the type of gigs he wants to do. Everybody has to start somewhere, and he can upgrade gear as he goes. That is how most people start out before getting more serious and investing in good pro gear. Do ensure OP that if you are going out doing paid work that your gear is reliable and you have some back up, alot of people learn that the hard way.

frankspencer

I think since the recession began around five years ago,a lot more wannabe djs have entered the scene.These guys undercut all other Djs in their area(know one Dj who does a disco bar for less than 100 plus few pints) use sub standard gear.Secondly don't put the time i to learn the business and how to earn more gigs.I find myself travelling a lot more for gigs that pay well,I find 21st are almost dead and gone these days, around 75% of my bookings are coming from venue's, companies and other dj's. so best thing to do is start promoting yourself with them in mind

hufpc8w3adnk65

frankspencer wrote: »

I think since the recession began around five years ago,a lot more wannabe djs have entered the scene.These guys undercut all other Djs in their area(know one Dj who does a disco bar for less than 100 plus few pints) use sub standard gear.Secondly don't put the time i to learn the business and how to earn more gigs.I find myself travelling a lot more for gigs that pay well,I find 21st are almost dead and gone these days, around 75% of my bookings are coming from venue's, companies and other dj's. so best thing to do is start promoting yourself with them in mind

Theres a bar in Cork in the City Centre that is packed each and every Fri & Sat night.Djs work from 9-2 and it pays 80 euro.And there is allways a "dj" in there

The_Honeybadger

Amara Ripe Fluoride wrote: »

Theres a bar in Cork in the City Centre that is packed each and every Fri & Sat night.Djs work from 9-2 and it pays 80 euro.And there is allways a "dj" in there

That's crazy money for a 9-2 gig. But I suppose nowadays everybody has a laptop, and software and all the music you'll ever need is available for free from torrent sites. It's virtually free to get set up assuming the venue has gear installed so I can't blame a young lad for wanting to work as a dj. It's a hell of a lot better and more glamorous than working behind the bar or collecting glasses, even if its only slightly more money.

frankspencer

mickeyk wrote: »

That's crazy money for a 9-2 gig. But I suppose nowadays everybody has a laptop, and software and all the music you'll ever need is available for free from torrent sites. It's virtually free to get set up assuming the venue has gear installed so I can't blame a young lad for wanting to work as a dj. It's a hell of a lot better and more glamorous than working behind the bar or collecting glasses, even if its only slightly more money.

I think there is a lot of DJ's who are serious about how they operate some starting off and others with experience.
I know in the U.K they have an official body for mobile DJs,
Was at the BPM show a few years ago,The standard of DJin over there is a lot higher from sound, lighting, music, marketing etc etc...

Maybe its time in this country to full the same route and establish some kind of formal group that represents DJ's?.....just an idea.

The_Honeybadger

frankspencer wrote: »

I think there is a lot of DJ's who are serious about how they operate some starting off and others with experience.
I know in the U.K they have an official body for mobile DJs,
Was at the BPM show a few years ago,The standard of DJin over there is a lot higher from sound, lighting, music, marketing etc etc...

Maybe its time in this country to full the same route and establish some kind of formal group that represents DJ's?.....just an idea.

100%, I'm registered on a uk dj forum and the guys there take it very seriously. The pictures in the gallery are amazing compared to some of the rigs here. Most of the guys there are full time wedding djs though getting good money. They treat it as a business with professional marketing etc.

There are also lots and lots of cowboys in the uk doing pub gigs for peanuts too it should be said. The people you'd meet at bpm would be the more pro guys. It is probably easier to be a pro dj there as weddings are often dj only and go on all day. If the dj is providing entertainment and uplighting etc they can come away with a nice sum for one days work. That type of gig is the exception here rather than the rule.

ironclaw

mickeyk wrote: »

Agree with most of this, however to be fair most guys do it to supplement their income rather than as a full time job. If you are any good ....

Great post. I like to see myself in the better bracket, I actually care about how a gig goes and invest only in quality gear. I actually make a point of meeting the client at the venue in advance. Even for 10 mins just to check the style of music, any special requests etc. Really annoys me when you see cowboys doing it for half nothing with a pair of knackered speakers and a netbook.

I actually charged €175 for my past two gigs and on both occasions people said that was very cheap. I was pretty shocked as I thought it was 'about right' if not a little high! On both occasions I got another gig out of it and people asked for my facebook / SoundCloud link as they liked my personal tracks.

My biggest problem at the moment is my gear outlay. I'm trying to make my set up lighter (While maintaining quality) as its weight is significant for hauling around the place.

The_Honeybadger

ironclaw wrote: »

Great post. I like to see myself in the better bracket, I actually care about how a gig goes and invest only in quality gear. I actually make a point of meeting the client at the venue in advance. Even for 10 mins just to check the style of music, any special requests etc. Really annoys me when you see cowboys doing it for half nothing with a pair of knackered speakers and a netbook.

I actually charged €175 for my past two gigs and on both occasions people said that was very cheap. I was pretty shocked as I thought it was 'about right' if not a little high! On both occasions I got another gig out of it and people asked for my facebook / SoundCloud link as they liked my personal tracks.

My biggest problem at the moment is my gear outlay. I'm trying to make my set up lighter (While maintaining quality) as its weight is significant for hauling around the place.

I use a good powered sub and two 12's for mobile work, I don't think there is any benefit in bringing more than this unless you are doing a big venue. Add a couple of moon flowers and slimline pars for colour wash and dj booth and playout gear and that is enough for most gigs. That will fit in the back of a mid sized hatchback.

I agree €175 is very cheap for somebody with experience and decent gear btw.

ironclaw

mickeyk wrote: »

I agree €175 is very cheap for somebody with experience and decent gear btw.

I know its been flogged to death here but what is the going rate? I'm half afraid of the usual 'Sure John-Joe will do it for €50' or the 'Its a recession' reply.

hufpc8w3adnk65

ironclaw wrote: »

I know its been flogged to death here but what is the going rate? I'm half afraid of the usual 'Sure John-Joe will do it for €50' or the 'Its a recession' reply.

Well i gave two prices recently. 200 for a mobile gig in a local 8:30 too 12:45ish
and 280 for a wedding playing after a band till 2ish and got both gig's.

frankspencer

the usual rate is what you tell the punter.
Had a call last week price was 200...venue goes "ooooh your very expensive bla bla....young lad in the parish will do it for 80"...i replied with its the going rate in this town since I started.Told the venue you can get a guy who has a proven record and reputation or a young lad who downloaded his music via youtube

The_Honeybadger

ironclaw wrote: »

I know its been flogged to death here but what is the going rate? I'm half afraid of the usual 'Sure John-Joe will do it for €50' or the 'Its a recession' reply.

Depends on the area, certainly €200 minimum for a party on fri / sat, more if the gig is more than 3 hours or so. If they want it cheaper tell em to get John joe, most won't as they know you'll do a better job. €280-€350 for an afters of a wedding, although there are djs that i know personally getting more than this regularly.

ironclaw

frankspencer wrote: »

the usual rate is what you tell the punter.
Had a call last week price was 200...venue goes "ooooh your very expensive bla bla....young lad in the parish will do it for 80"...i replied with its the going rate in this town since I started.Told the venue you can get a guy who has a proven record and reputation or a young lad who downloaded his music via youtube

Heard that before alright.

Generally I play 9 to 1. But I set up well in advance as early as 7 on occasions as I like to be out of the way for people to decorate etc (Talking in terms of a 21st)