DJs, your practice session?

[project.one]

Do you record any of your practice session, and listen to them later to see where you need improvments?

Any different tricks you do to practice or work on your skills? Like playing really slow or really fast? Any tips youve found over the years that have helped out?

[G3N3R4L]

i always do.. after recording a practice sesh thats what i listen to most times at work.. just listen to it a few times over.. i think it really helps actually

its really hard to tell if tracks just arent meant to go together in the middle of a mix..

listening later on headphones really pinpoints problem areas

[.bhodiie.]

I record all my mixes. Im still pretty ghetto right now cause I still record all my mixes on tape. But when you listen to your set you can eliminate tracks that you think dont fit or add a track that you think fits more proper. And of course you can hear where theres is a good spot to add scratching elements or samples, etc.

I got into dj'in from my older cousin who told me to practice as much as possible and youll discover tricks of your own. He also told me to read and learn about all different genres of music and different aspects of Djing. Including the history.

[Chewy]

record 80 mins in one shot, all new tracks and all that youve never played before. Then listen afterwards, keep doing this until your mixes are flawless.

[G3N3R4L]

Originally Posted by .bhodiie.

And of course you can hear where theres is a good spot to add scratching elements or samples, etc.

also if a breakdown just goes on too long you'll notice it.

i also really like watching and listening to what other djs do with tracks i own. gives me a different perspective on how to tackle it

[mapleleaf4ever]

Just moved my setup around so I can actually record now.

Going to start recording everytime I practice.

[Toxxin Ephekt]

My beatmatching is already on lock ( after about 3 years ) I freestyle and never record, only remembering a really sick Double Drop that I come up with. Then I try to save up about another 30 sick DD's. Then I put them together all in a Final Mixdown. This process takes a long time... Especially good CD worthy mixes.

[Mr Ektion]

As long as you're taking the time to practice for a solid hour or more a couple of times a week you're bound to improve. But the idea is to challenge yourself rather than practice safe mixes.

I'll... mix without headphones, practice for 20 minutes with just 2 or 3 tracks and try to be creative, try to mix in as fast as possible, try out different mixers, try out different mixing techniques (like using the equalizer nobs rather than the level sliders or crossfader- or beatmatching using just the tempo slider on the turntable), or you can mix in heavy on your hi's and slowly meld in your lo's or vice versa... I'm not able to record my sets, so as long as I log the hours and try to challenge myself I find that I'm always improving. And it keeps practicing fresh and you won't get so bored of your records so quickly.

[ebbomega]

Yeah, I have a whole slew of files I've deleted over the years of just me playing around on turntables. Best advice I can give for the practice session is EMULATE THE EXPERIENCE AS BEST YOU CAN. As much as you might think that working on a lesser table will make you play that much better on tech12s, and while that does work while you're starting out, if you really want to fine-tune your skills you need to work with the same kind of platter you'll be playing in the club.

Another tip is, unless you're doing some kind of a studio recording, don't get too comfortable with the effects and bells & whistles on your mixer, unless you plan on lugging your board all over the place. Typically, a club/rave/houseparty turntable set up will have volume faders, EQ knobs and a crossfader. Get as comfortable with that setup as you can. Any extras on the show that you have are appreciated, but don't go into a set expecting that a flanger sweep will be available to you unless you brought your own mixer.

[Digital Over]

Originally Posted by Chewy

record 80 mins in one shot, all new tracks and all that youve never played before. Then listen afterwards, keep doing this until your mixes are flawless.

That's what I do. =) Lately I've been nailing them first take...with that in mind. I should have a new mix up pretty quick. :)

[atbell]

Originally Posted by Mr Ektion

I'll... mix without headphones, practice for 20 minutes with just 2 or 3 tracks and try to be creative, try to mix in as fast as possible, try out different mixers, try out different mixing techniques (like using the equalizer nobs rather than the level sliders or crossfader- or beatmatching using just the tempo slider on the turntable), or you can mix in heavy on your hi's and slowly meld in your lo's or vice versa... I'm not able to record my sets, so as long as I log the hours and try to challenge myself I find that I'm always improving. And it keeps practicing fresh and you won't get so bored of your records so quickly.

That's such a great effect, I wish more dj's would put the time into picking track selections and developing the skills to do it well.

It just makes the tracks flow together so much better.

[kir mokum]

Originally Posted by Toxxin Ephekt

My beatmatching is already on lock ( after about 3 years ) I freestyle and never record, only remembering a really sick Double Drop that I come up with. Then I try to save up about another 30 sick DD's. Then I put them together all in a Final Mixdown. This process takes a long time... Especially good CD worthy mixes.

are you saying you record a double drop, stop, record a double drop, stop, etc. and then splice them together to make a mix?