Find the right gear for you.
Over the past five years, I’ve used live streaming as a tool to reach more people through my music. During that time, we’ve seen live streaming become integrated into the social platforms we as artists use every day. Over the past five days alone, it’s become clear that more and more artists are considering streaming […]
Pioneer has released the DDJ-XP2 controller, evolving its DDJ-XP1, which now allows compatibility with Serato, as well as rekordbox DJ. Also new is Silent Cue, Transport Mode, and 16-Pad Mode. Equipped with 32 performance pads, Slide FX, and flexibility of Hot Cues, Beat Jump and Slicer, Pioneer says “No matter which DJ application you’re used […]
You can cut your original productions into chunks and play everything back as loops – but why not take it a little further for some of the parts and resample a few notes, so you can play them back live? Follow our step-by-step guide to get a better handle on your live arrangements. Sampling technique […]
Don’t change your setup In the week (or two) before your gig, it’s advisable to not change your setup. If your hardware is working perfectly, don’t change anything, not even a cable or plug. If your computer is fine as it is, then no more software updates until after the gig… and turn off automatic […]
Nick Ronin Image: Martin Delaney Nick Ronin is a producer, performer and event organiser – originally from free-party circles, but now poking his head into various scenes both above and below ground. He teaches music production courses in London at Point Blank, ICMP and Guildhall School Of Music & Drama. He hosts and organises the […]
Elektron Model:Samples The first in Elektron’s more affordable ‘Model’ series (well, it’s probably going to be a series), Model:Samples is an accessible machine that shouldn’t be dismissed. Even though it’s a sample playback-only device, which could be considered limiting, it has a very user-friendly array of interactive controls and also has a decent MIDI spec. […]
Playing your own compositions live to other people can sound like quite a daunting prospect, particularly if you’re planning on playing alone. But there are multitudes of practical (and psychological) approaches that can make that transition relatively painless. Firstly, we should state here that playing live shouldn’t always mean playing a prearranged set. There are […]
Success brings pressure along with it – and the stress of long periods of touring can take its toll both physically and mentally. “DJ’ing over 200 shows a year can be taxing and can get lonely,” says the 41-year-old globe-trotting DJ Steve Aoki. “If you go into it cold, you can fall out pretty easily. […]
Listen to your music! It sounds obvious, but really listen to your tracks and know them inside out. Even if you change up your sets frequently, you need to know your tracks like they’re your favourite records. Becoming well versed with the structure and details of each track will allow you to change up your […]
Try to travel light Being surrounded by the entire familiar setup of your studio when on stage can be a great comfort, but it does of course entail physically transporting your entire gear list from gig to gig. One you’ve done a few gigs, you’ll soon discover that the main pitfall of playing live is […]