November Mix - Long Trance
Discussion
Ugh. This started out as an exercise, and ended as complete ball-ache. For the poor souls that have been following me, I have been trying to get into the habit of Mixing In Key. This mix was more of a theoretical practice session to see if I could make it round the ‘wheel’ of the different keys, using mainly new tracks.
Well, I can, and this is the result. A few things stand out for me;
1)Stop using vinyl.
2)It’s a lot more difficult than it looks to go over 1hr 30 in thinking about a Trance set.
3)Mixing in Key doesn’t mean the tracks will go together.
4)My mp3 recorder only records around 1hr 25 mins – not great for this kind of length of mix.
5)You need an encyclopaedic knowledge of the music you are carrying to gigs etc.
6)(I can’t believe I am saying this) Pro DJ’s who deliver day in and day out, deserve their fee.
7)I have had to find out how to use music software, and I hate it.
But there we go. Overall I’d rate this a B+ of a mix – not bad, could do better, and needs to maintain concentration. I know now what I need to look at more being a DJ, and I think this exercise will really improve me as one.
Enjoy!
Gargantuan
Aled Mann – To The End
Oen Bearen – Unexpected Love
Sunny Lax – Reborn (Nitrous Oxide Rmx)
John O’Callaghan – Big Sky (Joint Operation Centre Deconstruction Rmx)
Sean Tyas & Simon Patterson – For The Most Part
Jose Amnesia – The Eternal (NU NRG Rmx)
Tiddey – Forgiven Lies
Carl B – Auxiliary Pt2
Oceanlab – Satellite (Aly & Fila Rmx)
Matt Hardwick – I Am DJ (Niklas Grosswald Rmx)
John OO Fleming - Nervous Breakdown
Amadeus Vs. Aly & Fila – Dream Of Peace
Kenny Hayes – Ibiza Sky (Alex M.O.R.P.H Rmx)
Simon Patterson – Always
Osmobi – How Long Is Forever?
Alex Blueman – Neverland
Airbase – Back
Trance Classics Reloaded – C-Sharp (Hodels 2009 Rmx)
Guiseppe Ottaviani ft Stephen Pickup – No More Alone (John O’Bir Rmx)
Lost Witness Vs. Sassot – Whatever (Aly & Fila Rmx)
Insigma – Open Our Eyes (Sean Tyas Piano Rmx)
Pierre Pienaar – Ibiza Sunset
The Prodigy – Voodoo People (Indecent Noise Rmx)
http://www.djschrism-don1.com
Facebook group - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=31316470255
Well, I can, and this is the result. A few things stand out for me;
1)Stop using vinyl.
2)It’s a lot more difficult than it looks to go over 1hr 30 in thinking about a Trance set.
3)Mixing in Key doesn’t mean the tracks will go together.
4)My mp3 recorder only records around 1hr 25 mins – not great for this kind of length of mix.
5)You need an encyclopaedic knowledge of the music you are carrying to gigs etc.
6)(I can’t believe I am saying this) Pro DJ’s who deliver day in and day out, deserve their fee.
7)I have had to find out how to use music software, and I hate it.
But there we go. Overall I’d rate this a B+ of a mix – not bad, could do better, and needs to maintain concentration. I know now what I need to look at more being a DJ, and I think this exercise will really improve me as one.
Enjoy!
Gargantuan
Aled Mann – To The End
Oen Bearen – Unexpected Love
Sunny Lax – Reborn (Nitrous Oxide Rmx)
John O’Callaghan – Big Sky (Joint Operation Centre Deconstruction Rmx)
Sean Tyas & Simon Patterson – For The Most Part
Jose Amnesia – The Eternal (NU NRG Rmx)
Tiddey – Forgiven Lies
Carl B – Auxiliary Pt2
Oceanlab – Satellite (Aly & Fila Rmx)
Matt Hardwick – I Am DJ (Niklas Grosswald Rmx)
John OO Fleming - Nervous Breakdown
Amadeus Vs. Aly & Fila – Dream Of Peace
Kenny Hayes – Ibiza Sky (Alex M.O.R.P.H Rmx)
Simon Patterson – Always
Osmobi – How Long Is Forever?
Alex Blueman – Neverland
Airbase – Back
Trance Classics Reloaded – C-Sharp (Hodels 2009 Rmx)
Guiseppe Ottaviani ft Stephen Pickup – No More Alone (John O’Bir Rmx)
Lost Witness Vs. Sassot – Whatever (Aly & Fila Rmx)
Insigma – Open Our Eyes (Sean Tyas Piano Rmx)
Pierre Pienaar – Ibiza Sunset
The Prodigy – Voodoo People (Indecent Noise Rmx)
http://www.djschrism-don1.com
Facebook group - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=31316470255
Nice one! 
I've always been an advocate of mixing in key (either by ear or by 'keying' tracks if it works for you)... It's not essential for house/ electro etc. but it sorts the men from the boys with trance of any style IMO, as the way the music's constructed makes it very limiting to keep the synths/ pads etc. of each track clear of each other (you can end up with too much 'space' between the tracks, sapping energy from the set) - not to mention the fact that even when clashing notes are kept at bay, key is a major factor in the mood of the music, so if you're building a set it really helps it to 'flow'!!...
I've always been an advocate of mixing in key (either by ear or by 'keying' tracks if it works for you)... It's not essential for house/ electro etc. but it sorts the men from the boys with trance of any style IMO, as the way the music's constructed makes it very limiting to keep the synths/ pads etc. of each track clear of each other (you can end up with too much 'space' between the tracks, sapping energy from the set) - not to mention the fact that even when clashing notes are kept at bay, key is a major factor in the mood of the music, so if you're building a set it really helps it to 'flow'!!...
TBH as a firm listener of (and occasional dancer to) trance (used to DJ but can't be arsed), I don't see the benefit of it being in key... or perhaps, I don't care if it's in key or not despite the reasons why it is "better". *shrugs*
BTW how do you maintain key when you change speed? Guess you're using electrickery?
BTW 2: just skipping 10 minutes back and forth is a weird experience. It's like one massively long song with different bits.
BTW how do you maintain key when you change speed? Guess you're using electrickery?
BTW 2: just skipping 10 minutes back and forth is a weird experience. It's like one massively long song with different bits.
Edited by ShadownINja on Thursday 5th November 19:37
Put it next to Si Patterson? Ah, well, you deserve the recognition.
For everyone else, I did forget to say that there is a PH'ers track in this mix. And it will be in my box for the next few confirmed gigs... (Maldives? Why yes!)
Darren, I tend to be very 'German' on my mixing, and don't leave a BPM unless I really need to bring the mix forward. I prefer to rely on the musical progression, rather than the BPM. Hence the comment about planning and layout of the tracks.
For everyone else, I did forget to say that there is a PH'ers track in this mix. And it will be in my box for the next few confirmed gigs... (Maldives? Why yes!)
Darren, I tend to be very 'German' on my mixing, and don't leave a BPM unless I really need to bring the mix forward. I prefer to rely on the musical progression, rather than the BPM. Hence the comment about planning and layout of the tracks.
Edited by Don1 on Thursday 5th November 21:50
As my personal friends include people such as Simon Patterson, you tend to compare yourself to your peers....
Yes, I know he is a pro DJ with amazing talents (including producing), but if you don't try to improve yourself, what can you do?
I realise that normal 'punters' won't notice the difference, but when I produce mixes that people question if they are programmed (rather than mixed raw, as I do), then I'm a happy man. No PC would make the mistakes I did in this mix, therefore I'm not happy with it. But for those that have seen me behind the decks, no PC can produce what I do!
Yes, I know he is a pro DJ with amazing talents (including producing), but if you don't try to improve yourself, what can you do?
I realise that normal 'punters' won't notice the difference, but when I produce mixes that people question if they are programmed (rather than mixed raw, as I do), then I'm a happy man. No PC would make the mistakes I did in this mix, therefore I'm not happy with it. But for those that have seen me behind the decks, no PC can produce what I do!
But is that improving your skills in the right direction? That's what I wonder. It's akin to trying to beatmix tunes in alphabetical order by title and producer. Only those who DJ might twig what you're doing.
Personally, it was about seamless mixing, and that was a tricky affair when I was mixing hardstep dnb.
Personally, it was about seamless mixing, and that was a tricky affair when I was mixing hardstep dnb.
Edited by ShadownINja on Thursday 5th November 22:26
kING WELL SHOULD BE!!
Fing is, it's the reason I got fed up DJing. When I recorded a mix, if it wasn't perfect, I'd start again. I also wanted to know each of the tracks inside out so that if you started playing anywhere in the track, I'd know exactly what the next segment was and how many bars there were left. I'd also have a piece of paper with each track listed and the time to enter and exit. It got far too anal and thus the enjoyment died.
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