As noted earlier, the DJ game has been messed up by "wannabe DJS". Just because they have the money to buy a laptop & download MP3's, they think they're a DJ. Now, don't get me wrong.... I've seen a handful of DJs come out in this digital age & actually turned out decent. But most the best DJs that I've seen using any of the newer digital stuff (Serato, Final Scratch, CDJs) originally started out on vinyl first.
I started out on vinyl. I've used (& mixed with PCDJ) when there were MP3s that I couldn't find on vinyl, but I still used turntables for everything else. DJing is first off, about knowing how to use what you have, whatever your equipment or music library is. I see DJs bragging about they have 800GB of music on their hard drive, yet sound worse than somebody that has only 500 songs in their library. It's about rocking the crowd with what you have, as long as you know you've got the hot ISH and can program (and I don't mean program a playlist) & mix for the type of crowd that you're playing for.
But you can't blame it all on the "wannabe's". You have to blame the club owners as well. One of your most important assets in a club is the DJ. Now owners shortchange on that. They don't look for quality DJs anymore, they look for whoever will work the cheapest. They get the new jack that will work for $50 & a bar tab as opposed to a DJ that wants $300 a night for a club gig (or whatever the going rate may be in your area). I've been doing this for 21 years now. I've rocked some of the best clubs in my area, done mixshows for a couple of Top40 radio stations in the area, so I know I've put in my time, acquired the skills of being a good DJ with or without Serato (which is what I use now). So when I go to a club, I expect to get paid. Like I tell owners, any GOOD DJ is gonna be fairly expensive, but it will be worth it in the end.
Unfortunately, our service is not a required service, like a doctor or a lawyer, where when you need one, you're gonna spit out some money.... or like someone earlier mentioned, gas if you own a car. So nowadays people treat us like a sale at Wal-Mart or Target or something, trying to get the best deal. And because of the "wannabe's" & this current recession, everyone's had to drop their prices a lil' bit, but still, if you're a true DJ go out & get yours. And learn all the tricks that Serato or whatever you use has to offer. They can only enhance your skill set if you learn how to use them properly, whether you started off with Serato or like me & started off with the real vinyl. BE TRUE TO THE DJ GAME!
M-Pressive Entertainment (M-Pressive Entertainment)
Derrty DJs (derrtydjs.com - WE RUN THESE STREETS!!!)
