Make sure you’ve got the latest drivers,
firmware and software – The stuff on the
CD in your DJ controller’s box may be
months old. Visit the support website for
your controller and check to see if there are
more up to date versions of audio drivers,
controller firmware and DJ software. This
will help to ensure your system runs
smoothly
You never know what could go wrong at the club
or event where you’ll be performing. For this
reason it’s always a good idea to bring backup
music in different formats. If you play vinyl, bring
CDs. If you play CDs, bring records or a couple
flash drives of MP3s. If you use a laptop, bring
CDs and/or vinyl as backup. An iPod full of your
latest tunes is another option for emergency
situations where one of your sources dies mid-
performance.
While the use of effects is an artistic choice, and
in some cases the basis of a DJ’s sound, I’d
recommend that you don’t OVERdo it with effects.
Many DJs use effects to help transitions from one
record to another and to enhance their DJ
performance. Neither of these things are bad — but
they become a problem if you rely on them .
Audiences have become familiar with Pioneer’s
echo, Allen & Heath’s filter and Traktor’s stutter
effects. Use your levels and EQ to create interest
before turning to the effects, and then when you
do drop that echo it will be something special
instead of redundant or annoying.
