DJing?

[Alice The Necrofox]

Thinking about picking up DJing... but not exactly sure where to start...

I love Techno/Rave and that is what I want to play a bunch of, but really, just don't know where to start.
Any tips?

[Moongaze]

You can download acoustica beatcraft.  It's a relatively simple drum machine.  It's not much, but it's a start at getting a feel for creating beats. 

There are various kits, and it's rather quite simple to use.

4/4 beat, select bpm, measures...  etc.

http://www.acoustica.com/Beatcraft/download.htm

Once you get a feel for that...  I think Guitar Center, Musiciansfriend.com, and or varying music shops sell DJ equipment and will be more than happy to help you out with the actual music creating.

[Alice The Necrofox]

((oops, ps to my post, tips for any good rave/electronic songs?))

thanks moon! I'll take a look into it.

[Moongaze]

Basshunter seems to have a pretty good name for techno.  Give them a listen.  And...

Np.  Music is my passion, I would be more than happy who wish to pursue the same.

[vancouversarah]

Well, when you say "techno", what do you mean? Do you mean any electronic music or the specific subcategory of electronic music we call techno?

Some software to muck around with: Ableton Live, Reason and ReBirth (same as previous link I think). Don't let the programs dictate what you write but playing with them helps.

Music theory is a good place to start. There are oodles of books and websites to help you out. Every good electronic musician I know is halfway decent on at least one "traditional" musical instrument.

Most decently sized cities will have electronic music clubs where gear heads can get together to swap info, techniques and show off their stuff to a receptive but critical audience.

Start going to parties. Real parties. Not club nights. Not gym dances. Parties where 20 guys showed up at a warehouse at 5 in the afternoon and made a rave happen. Lots of these parties rely on volunteers to happen, so get in there and start carrying speakers.

Ultimately the people you know will be the biggest influence on your music rather than the biggest name touring DJs. You might go to Daft Punk and blow your mind, but when you're putting a set together it's going to be the dudes hanging out in your basement/bedroom/studio showing you their tips and tricks that will help most.

[FaxingBerlin]

if you want a good program for djing start out with virtual dj.
also. not to sound like a nerd. but dont call all electronic music techno. here are some songs which fall into electronic music genres:
progressive house: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTcopp-mpmo (trance styled house. artists include:deadmau5, adam k and soha, glen morrison)
electro house: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gW05dvMg8Vw (hard to explain. just..electro. artists include: wolfgang gartner, deadmau5, adam k, sydney blu)
techno: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fwp7lsuMvkg (the most "techy" of the bunch. i cant name any artists other than richie hawtin though  :'( )
minimal : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EQFJqHpSd8 (minimal beats. again. dont know any artists aside from phil kerian.)
tech house : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbU2BxjoJRQ (house with elements of techno. again. dont know any artists aside from anton pieete and bart skills)

gabber: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YL3OC4S_2Q4 (Hard distorted kicks and drums. sometimes with voice samples. artists include: scott brown/plus system. the ADMA dogual and gammer.)

[Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy]

Well, if you want, try listening to DJ Maxx and DJ Atomic. They're two of my favorite techno artists. However, if you want, one of my closest friends DJ's and I can get you some contact information. PM me your email address and I'll send you a sample of his work.

[FaxingBerlin]

oh. also. if you want a good place for download legal dj music then my favorite place is beatport .

[KittKat chunky~]

I adore any techno, happy hardcore, trance... whatever... and if you wanna go in for dj'ing, then all i can say is good luck man! 

[vancouversarah]

If you want to listen to more music, I suggest BassDrive.com. All d&b, much of it good.

[Moongaze]

Yeah.  Your best bet is to listen to music, ask questions, reach out as much as you can.

[vancouversarah]

Yeah.  Your best bet is to listen to music, ask questions, reach out as much as you can.

Seconding Moongaze's reach out tip. As I mentioned before, parties are usually put on by volunteers and guys ponying up their own cash. Get to know these people; you're going to learn a lot by talking to them and will often be the first people to take a risk on having you play your first live set at one of their shows.

By the way Shiro Chan, what city are you in/near?

[Alice The Necrofox]

Eugene OR. Waaay on the west coast of the US of A. Meh...

sadly the place of no other furries as far as I can tell.

[vancouversarah]

Dang. I was hoping to find a group that could help you out in getting started, but the closest I could find was in Portland. I'll ask around though; I'm in Vancouver, BC and have friends scattered all up and down the coast who play electronic music.

[Kindran Ornitier]

((oops, ps to my post, tips for any good rave/electronic songs?))

thanks moon! I'll take a look into it.

I could send you like half my library if you wanted me to. I have been djing for about 6months now feels free to pm me