For DJs

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Review of the Chauvet DJ Intimidator Wave IRC

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The Intimidator Wave IRC from Chauvet DJ

Moving head light fixtures, the type with strong, bold color beams, are a sure fire way to upgrade a mobile DJ’s lighting show. But at the very minimum, moving heads work best in multiple units. One beam of colored light shooting around a ballroom is okay, but add another one, or two … or five?

However, hauling around several moving heads, along with its cabling, can get a bit cumbersome. Enter the Chauvet Intimidator Wave IRC from Chauvet DJ.  Today’s review takes a look at this compact, multiple moving head light fixture.

My complete review of this light fixture is available on Digital DJ Tips and the video is below.

Discovering the Undiscovered - How to Find New Music

Searching for music and artists like Allen Stone, Irma Thomas and Pokey LaFarge

DJ Justin Kanoya explores some of the ways to find new music that works well for cocktail and dinner hours and just about any other non-dance period during an event. 

One of the most arduous tasks -- but still fun -- of being a DJ is sorting through the mountains of music that I have access to on a daily basis. While it’s important to be up-to-date on the latest hits and chart toppers, it’s equally important to find those less heard tracks.

The reason I like to explore off chart music, is less about wanting to introduce new music to an audience -- although that is an incentive -- and more about finding music that works well for those times during a set when dance floor fillers are not needed. I’m talking about those cocktail and dinner hours, and the music to play when people are walking into a room, or when leaving a party.

I also play music for award shows and galas, so it’s important to have a library of “walk-up” tracks (songs that are played literally as people are walking on and off stage).

Why “unknown” tracks vs. the latest upbeat Justin Bieber song? For starters, you do not want to waste a good dance song while everyone is sitting and having their dinner or sipping a cocktail. Since music sets a tone and vibe to a room, I don’t want people to be too into what is playing during these times at an event.

Think about the last time you were having a conversation and a song you really like came on in the background. You probably stopped and said, “oh, I love this song.” Or maybe started to sing along. I don’t want to disrupt dinner conversation or interfere with the first impression when people walk into a room. I want the music to complement that.

Therefore, playing music that has a great beat, but one that a person has likely not heard, does just that. It complements everything else, enhancing their experience.

I dig around for this type of music a couple of different ways.

Dive into your music subscriptions. If you are getting paid to DJ, you should be paying for your music. Online music pools, such as BPM Supreme, Promo Only, DJ City and others are the best way to stay current. Set aside time to listen to tracks and artists you haven’t heard before and note what may work for those “non-dance” times of an event.

The other tool I’ve been using lately is Spotify. This popular online streaming music service has been invaluable in discovering new music. Not only does it have hundreds, if not thousands of pre-made playlists for what seems like an inifite number of genres, there is also also the weekly updated “Discover Weekly” section. For those using Spotify, just tap or click the “Discover” tab and proceed to a set of music that has been custom made just for you, based on your past listening choices.

Each week on the “Here and Now” show on National Public Radio titled “DJ Sessions.” It features a guest that is a genre expert who presents a list of new songs from up-and-comers. The portion of the show, usually not longer than 10 minute, provides snippets of the songs and is fun to listen to as it provides some insight on the artist. The songs are also added to the “Here and Now” playlist on Spotify. Once again, if you’re a Spotify user, log on and subscribe to this great playlist.

New music is just a click away, so go digging and see what you can find. Also, tell me what artists you like to play for cocktail or dinner hour?

Denon MCX-8000 Preview Pics; Video

It's been a couple of weeks since Denon DJ announced a new addition to its product line, the MCX-8000, and the fervor around the new piece of gear continues to be a hot topic in the DJ world. It's argrubably the first "major" new release from the company in the past few years, as most recent product additions were updates of previous hardware models. 

Here's info straight from their press release: MCX8000 DJs looking for a complete, high-performance set-up with flexible operation and freedom from computer-related restrictions will find an MCX8000 with Engine system fulfills all their requirements: 4-deck Serato control and Engine-provided freedom from a computer, plus the ability to switch to local USB dives when using either Serato or Engine. With the MCX8000 two DJs can seamlessly hand off from one to another combining Engine and Serato DJ.

And here we are, the week of NAMM 2016, and we are finding even more nuggets of info, including this video of the MCX-8000 in action with DJ Cable on the decks. 

Three time DMC champion and BBC Radio 1Xtra DJ , DJ Cable is one of the premiere DJs to perform with the MCX8000. Watch DJ Cable play his set with the new built-in Engine software on the MCX8000. 

I'll be at the NAMM show this week and will look forward to grabbing my own pictures and information to share. In the meantime, DJ Worx has a nice collection of photos they recently shot. 

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Feel Me Flow: Programming the Perfect Yoga Playlist

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Scorpion DJ? Or just a scorpion pose with DJ gear. Programming music for yoga is more than just picking out random downtempo beats. 

NOTE: For a sample yoga playlist, scroll to the end of this article

As a special event DJ, I find myself gigging at all types of events. There’s the usual wedding, birthday party, graduation party, pool party … okay, basically anything that ends with the word party. But it was not until 2015 that I found myself playing tunes in situations many would not consider a party at all … fitness events. And more specifically yoga events.

Yoga, as an activity, was something I engaged with more in 2015 to supplement all the running and other physical activity I do each week. Yoga has benefits both mentally, physically and spiritually. But yoga as an event, where hundreds gather outside of the traditional studio and into unconventional spaces and waterfront places, found me.

In fact yoga events have really taken off during the past few years. Check out this list of seven massive yoga events. Events such as Wanderlust, Seawheeze and the summer solstice in Times Square attract thousands of yogis. Why are people stepping out of the warm confines of a yoga studio to tree pose in the outdoors? There’s just something about 500 people all simultaneously saluting that sun, while actually under the sun, that seems so much fun.

I had the opportunity to “live DJ” a yoga flow for the first time last March. I was excited as it was an opportunity to do something completely different. But it was also done with a bit of hesitation, because like anything that you are giving a go for the first time, there is the wonder on how to do it. I asked the yoga instructor, Helen Cloots, for any of her preferences and she simply said “I can teach yoga to anything, so just do your thing.”

Since that first event, I’ve DJ’d a handful of other yoga events and feel I have a good recipe for creating the perfect yoga playlist. Just like building the energy on a dance floor, there is an energy you can build on a yoga mat.

For those old enough to remember making mix tapes, preparing music for a yoga flow is similar to creating one of those. When you handed someone a mix tape, they took it to heart and truly listened to it. Unlike creating 45 minutes of background music, the students in a yoga class are tuning in to what is playing. The music becomes one with all of the other senses that are at play during their yoga practice.

Here are few tips for programming a yoga playlist, both for DJs that might find themselves playing one of these events, and for yoga instructors who program their own music.

DJ Justin Kanoya plays music for a yoga event sponsored by Fitbit. 

Do Yoga
Obviously aimed at DJs who have never taken a yoga class before, I want to stress how important it is to actually experience yoga before creating music for yoga. As with any type of new gig, it’s always better to have previously been engaged in or attended the event that you are playing music for. In the same way that it’s not wise to DJ a wedding if you’ve never been to one, it’s not a good idea to blindly put a yoga playlist together if you’ve never flowed from cobra to chaturanga to downward dog.

Yoga studios are everywhere and offer classes everyday at all hours. Go check one out, and of course, pay close attention to the music.

Take it Slow
Yoga, at least at the beginning to intermediate level is taught at a soothing, slow pace. Naturally the music that goes along with it should have similar characteristics. But that doesn’t mean playing tracks that average 80 BPM. It means listening to your music and recalling certain tracks that have harmonic breakdowns. When listening, imagine doing yoga poses to the beat. Are the sounds, beats and vocals soothing or annoying? If it’s the latter, then it’s probably not right for your playlist.

What Genre Works Best
The practice of yoga prides itself on being open to all and so, naturally, the genre of music one might hear during a flow should be open too. It’s easy to get caught up in the cliche sounds of Enigma, Enya or downtempo lounge. But realize, if you fall into these cliches, you’re not setting yourself apart from the other yoga playlists people have heard.

Since super downtempo music is not exactly on the list of club bangers and dance floor fillers, this is a good opportunity to explore genres that you typically do not listen to or play.

When researching music I start with previewing dozens of downtempo tunes. Genres such as “Downtempo,” “Chill” and “Lounge"; and there are probably dozens of other sub-genres. I’ve also found the “Trap” genre to have many sound characteristics suitable for yoga

House music also has tracks that work. Artists like, Kygo, Purity Ring and Roger Shah have all found their way into my yoga DJ sessions.

San Diego based yoga teacher, Helen Cloots.

To Sing Or Not to Sing
You may think 45 minutes of instrumental tracks is the way to go. And it makes sense, especially realizing there is a yoga instructor who is, well, instructing. This means if you’re playing vocal tracks and the instructor is giving commands over that, things could get a bit messy. While this can be true, there is a way to mix in vocal tracks appropriately.

I generally start the first 7-10 minutes of a yoga set with non-vocal tracks. I then like to insert a vocal track, usually something Indie or unfamiliar to most. Remember the music, in this case, is supposed to create an atmosphere of calm. I don’t want someone to hear a song and think about the last party they were at and how they were jamming to it.

The reason for mixing in a vocal track is to change things up a bit. If the entire 45 minute yoga session was ambient, non-vocal music, it would just sound like white noise after a while.

Following up an “unfamiliar” vocal track, I like to put in another instrumental or play a more familiar vocal track. Recently I’ve been playing Adele’s “Hello” and Taylor Swift’s “Wildest Dreams,” however not the mainstream radio versions that EVERYONE has had enough of by now. The “Dustin Que” trap mix of “Hello” is pretty amazing. This is where research and finding remixes really benefits in setting yourself apart from the others.

I do like to play at least one recognizable track, generally at the peak of the flow when things are moving a bit faster. This could be anything, but I tend to play hip-hop or R&B, reggae would probably also work well. In this instance, I want those ears to perk up but I want people to also feel that they’ve come to the space to practice yoga and have some fun too.

Sweet Savasana
The final pose in every yoga flow is savasana, also called corpse pose. It’s when the entire class lays flat on their mats, like a corpse, taking their bodies to complete relaxation. Ironically, it’s been billed as the most difficult pose in yoga because many find it difficult to relax their body and free their mind of all thoughts.

As a music programmer, you can help by selecting the right piece of music. In this case, a vocal track is not recommended. The track should also not have a distinctive beat. This is when you need to find something that is ambient and non-descript. Beats, vocals and instruments can cause someone to focus on those sounds and they will have a difficult time relaxing.

Finding the perfect savasana track, is just like finding that perfect dance floor filling song. The best way to discover these tracks is to find a quiet space and listen to different pieces. Close your eyes and see if you can get lost in the sounds and venture into relaxation.

Conclusion
In summary, my recipe and sample playlist for a musically appealing, 45-minute yoga flow is this:

  • 0-10 minutes: Non-vocal, non descript ambient sounds; no dominating instruments or beats
  • 11-20: Start to introduce light beats, less familiar vocal songs
  • 21-35: A mix of familiar vocals, but not often heard remixes (think Trap or downtempo house versions of popular songs); introduce one or two, straight from the radio tracks; mellow hip-hop like a Tribe Called Quest or Tupac, even reggae sounds work well here.
  • 36-45: Begin to bring the tempo down, reverting back to the mix of sounds and non-vocals in the first 10 minutes of the flow, preparing the students for savasana
  • Savasana: Mellow sounds without any vocals, slowly fading the music to complete silence after about five minutes or at the discretion of the instructor.

Have you DJ’d a yoga session before? And for the instructors out there, who are some of your favorite artists or genres to teach to?

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Review of Chroma Caps from DJ Tech Tools

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Chroma Caps Bring Style and Life to Your DJ Mixer

NOTE: For my complete video review of Chroma Caps, scroll to the bottom of this article. 

Chroma Caps from DJ Tech Tools are a great way to dress up your mixer while also adding practical functionality to your DJ performance. 

Chroma Caps from DJ Tech Tools are a great way to dress up your mixer while also adding practical functionality to your DJ performance. 

A dimly lit DJ booth or dark corner of a ballroom is a scene quite familiar to DJs. Without proper lighting over a mixing board, those stock knobs and faders -- with their dark black and gray colors -- can be hard to see. Also, since they are mostly made of plastic, the tactile feels isn’t great, something that DJs underestimate. When you consider how much we grab these things, several times throughout a gig, comfort should be a concern.

If you want to view your mixer in better in low light situations, while also customizing it so it’s unique when compared to all the same mixers out there, look no further than Chroma Caps from DJ Tech Tools.

What are Chroma Caps?
Chroma Caps are replacements for the factory stock knobs and faders that are installed on DJ mixers. They are designed to be slightly larger to enhance grip, and in a multitude of colors with wider position markers to enhance visibility. They are also a great way to “pimp” out your mixer while adding some practical use to it as well.

Chroma Caps come in 12 different colors and multiple sizes:

  • Fader (channel and crossfader)
  • Super knob (typically the smaller knobs found in EQ or gain sections)
  • Fatty knob (slightly larger than the super knob, works well for filters
  • Encoder (same as the fatty knob, but without a marker position; works well on knobs that have an infinite turn such as browse or loop functions)

You may think swapping out perfectly good knobs and faders is waste of time and money. But overhauling your mixer this way can also improve your workflow and performance.

For example, the Rane 64, four-channel mixer that I “chroma capped” now has a better, more categorized layout. If you look at the stock layout, there are three types of knobs (three different colors) and the black faders. The gray knobs are primarily used for equalizer functions, but also for different volume controls.

I reorganized, using the Chroma Cap colors as a visual cue. Now, all of the volume functions on my mixer have a red knob or fader. Equalization or pan knobs are blue and filter knobs are gray, using the larger “fatty knob.”

My favorite modification I made to the mixer is using the Encoder as my new ‘browse’ knob while keeping the stock smaller ‘loop’ knob.

Those two knobs are spaced close together that often times I was grabbing/pressing the wrong one. I was looping when I meant to load; and loading when I meant to loop. Now I know which one I am touching based on feel.

By the way, if you’re looking to overhaul a Rane 64, there are 40 replaceable knobs and four faders. Unfortunately due to the construction of the crossfader, that is not replaceable. The breakdown on my mixer is as follows.

  • Faders: 4
  • Super knobs: 27
  • Fatty knobs: 5
  • Encoder knobs: 2

I did not replace the FlexFx browse knob, session in, session out or balance knobs.

Conclusion
I would highly recommend a swap of your knobs and faders. They are great way to improve performance and also stand out from the crowd -- not that that matters, but it’s kinda cool anyway.  

A look at Chroma Caps by djtechtools.com and how I applied them on a Rane 64 mixer.