Saturday, August 29, 2009

Day 240: Something special

Over the last few days, if you are a regular reader, you may have noticed that I have made some subtle hints about some (relatively) big news.

Close Friends will already know, but the rest of you will still have to wait until tomorrow, when I will post about it in entirety.

All I will say for now is, all going well, today I break my duck. For non UK peeps, basically that means that what I have been waiting for for 240 days, should happen today. And in relative style too. I'm nervous, and excited all at once.

All to be revealed, explained tomorrow, wish me luck!

10/365

p&&l

bang!

Friday, August 28, 2009

Day 239: More hints as to what Pioneer will be releasing next month

This is the third video in the 'new species' series. Basically teasers about the new pioneer 'Industry Standard' bit of kit they will be releasing.

You even get a cheeky glimpse of what looks like a platter in this one.

So far though we know that it has a large screen, allows for direct play from USB, and CDs. Also there is hints about it recording, though in what form this will take who knows. Live recording, or meta data for later exporting??

Also mentions of software imply there might be a software package that comes with it to enable tight integration with a laptop... Either way, all looks good.

10/365

p&&l

bang!

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Day 238: make music on youtube!

Bit of a busy day today so just a quick one for you.

Found this cool youtube project, basically enabling you to make music with youtube videos!

It's really quite clever, and really quite cool, best thing is to check it out for yourself here:

http://inbflat.net/

BONUS TREAT

As a bonus, check this pitiful promo video for Madonna, complete with 'dad dancing' Paul Oakenfold. Deary me...


10/365

p&&l

bang!

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Day 237: Practice makes perfect

Even though DJing occupies my mind at least once (but probably many more times) a day, some weeks I barely spend any actual time doing it. I don't really know why this is. My decks are comfortably reachable from the very keyboard that I am typing this (where I seem to spend a lot of my time).

However, every now and again something comes along that suddenly makes you determined to practise. An upcoming gig perhaps? Maybe some special event? maybe some new challenge you've not encountered before (all of these are big hints to something I will hopefully report on next week).

So yes, that big event of yours is just around the corner. All of a sudden you are head down and practising like mad. First of all it is frustrating, but hey what's this? Within just a short amount of time, suddenly things are getting better, tighter mixes, you are on fire...

Yes, it really does seem that practise makes perfect. If only I practised like this every day then I am sure the improvements weekly would be very tangible.

There is a lesson in there somewhere, sadly one that is all too easy to ignore.

Stick with it, it really does make a difference!

10/365

p&&l

bang!

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Day 236: Gotta Get Through - Bang the DJ remix

So I've actually been a fairly busy beaver on the old remixing front these days. This is the second one I have finished in the last week or so, and there is a third just waiting a mix down. Plus two more in the pipeline!!

Annnnyways. This one is for Born to Dance records who are holding a competition. Basically this is my entry. It's a lot more classically Electro House than I might normally make. Most of the parts are original in some way, with a few small original elements kept for feeling.

The lead Electro stab and bass sounds I created by manually keying in the midi till I got the tune right (as I only had the audio files) once I had basically converted it to midi, it meant I could really change the feel whilst keeping the tune. Quite pleased with how that came out.

Anyway, here it is, hope you like it:

Gotta Get through(Bang the DJ Remix) by Bang the DJ

10/365

p&&l

bang!

Monday, August 24, 2009

Day 235: 8x8x8

Bit of fun for a Monday...

We've talked about 8-bit (or chiptune, or SID) on here before. What about an 8 bit triple whammy though?

An 8-bit tune, with a video that is an homage to 8-bit computer games, made out of lego animation (which if you could have 8-bit animation, that would be it!)


10/365

p&&l

bang!

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Day 234: CDJ 1000 Tutorials/Basics

I have been kinda cramming like mad on CDJ tutorials. Basically because I have never used them, and might have to very publicly use them for the first time soon (more on this at a later date).

The basics are very simple, and I am sure that if put in front of me now I could get them to do what I needed them to do. However CDJs (and the 1000s in particular) have an amazing number of features, and also a few key differences between what I currently use (Numark iDJ2) and good old turntables.

If anything what I am more worried about is making sure I know about the features I don't want to use, and some of the finer points like using Auto cue (or importantly the implications of not using it).

In my search I came across a good set of tutorials here. Also this lead me on to recess.co.uk which is by the same guy who did the videos. It turns out he is also the author of 'DJing for Dummies' so clearly knows his stuff then!

I'm looking into reviewing that book in the not too distant future, but for now enjoy some of these videos.















10/365

p&&l

bang!