Part 1: Ask a DJ

The Disc Jockey, or DJ for short, is a term that conjures images of records, turntables, speakers, and dancing parties. While seemingly mysterious and complex, DJing and the art of music for the masses isn’t as complicated as it may appear. To unravel some of the mystique surrounding this particular art form, DJ Cubed is opening himself up to any and all questions about DJing and the general scene. He’s been a doing it since 2004, and since then has been involved in nearly all aspects of the scene in one fashion or another.

What follows below are answers to actual questions asked by GUY.com readers in the forum. Please, visit the Ask a DJ thread to post any questions you would like an answer to.

DJ Cubed at work

1. What is the purpose of a modern DJ?

The purpose of a DJ in this day and age is to provide music for a group of people. The primary goal is to get people to have a good time, dance, rock out, tap their toes, all the while exposing them to cutting edge music coupled with classics so as to simultaneously tap into built in feelings, while crafting new ones.

2. Is your job to assemble play lists and then put them on using superior audio equipment you’ve brought with you?

Kind of. Basically different DJ’s for different events do different things. It all comes down to playing certain tracks, in certain ways, in a certain order to creative shifts in moods and tones of the listening group of people. Music has a powerful sway over people, especially in crowds designed for it (weddings, big bass parties, the radio…).

For weddings and the radio, usually the equipment isn’t top notch, and you have to lug it all around yourself; and as far as the radio goes, you aren’t really listening to yourself. Bigger parties, on the other hand, generally go for a much higher standard and quality in sound design.

3. Are you actively taking requests during the party?

That depends on what kind of party. Weddings and other smaller things like that, then yes, if available. Bigger shows — maybe from a friend or  something, but drunken patrons screaming for something completely different then whats going on are generally ignored.

4. Do you have a turn table and spin records and stuff?

Panasonic Technic 1200Mk5

I do. I have 2 Panasonic Technic 1200Mk5s at my house (they are a specific brand of a direct drive turntable that is considered the industry standard of turntable due to their tank-like design. Seriously, I dropped more then my fair share on the ground and they keep going.) I am also using an Allen and Heath Xone 64 5 channel mixer. This means I have 5 different channels to add inputs too (turntables, cdjays, my stereo, xbox, dvd player, tv etc..etc..) which gives me control of whatever inputs i happen to be using, usually my turntables. cdjays are just turntables for cds.

I also run a program called Serato Scratch Live through my mixer and turntables, which allows me to use 2 specific control records, hook up to my laptop, and play my mp3′s on these specific vinyl records as though they were actual store-bought vinyl.

Let’s keep the party going:

Have a question for Dave? Fire it off HERE.