The Smooth DJ

For now, this will serve as the course blog. View the course description and register here.

Check out our syllabus here [pdf].

Hi Guys,

Thanks for a great first class. I think we're off to a good start. So, next class is next week, October 4th.

First week assignment - play around with importing your own music to Ableton, and "warp" those markers so the songs are lined up with the master tempo. Then look for interesting loops in that song, cut and paste that track down one vertical "Audio Track", and find other loops that you like (this is deconstructing the song into loops). Now you can trigger a bassline or vocals when you're DJing.

Remember, with Ableton we're always DJing with loops.

Next bring in another track (or 2 or 3) and do the same thing. Play with how and where you introduce these songs into your mix. That's it. If you like what you have, play it for the class. We'll talk more about mixing techniques and monitoring next class, as well as how to use physical controllers.

Also, don't forget our "Breakers" segment - that's where you break new tracks/artists that you have dug up, or your own music or compositions. This is part of your grade, so don't forget. Ideally, it's new stuff, but it doesn't have to be. If you've dug rare stuff, you can drop that too.

Just use the comment section of this post to post questions, and Al and I will respond to them.

-G

We had an exciting class 2, and you were able to control music with the iPhone and a game controller.

Next class: Oct. 18th. In two weeks.

Assignment: 5 track set, 3 loops per track, with controllers and effects.

Warping - some of us were still having trouble. Tips - your "1" doesn't have to be at the beginning, it can be anywhere. So if you're having trouble, drop that 1 down somewhere else you're comfortable.

Next, look at bar 2,3,4,5 and line those up. Then jump to bar 30 and check there. You can check the end of the track too and see if it's lined up there as well. You should be good to go.

Trouble shooting - if you're having trouble warping, you can just warp a loop that you want. Go to that area, and you can anchor down the markers and force them to the beats in the loop. That's the poor man's method, but hey, it works.

Also, I think Channa will post up a YouTube tutorial in the comment section. Just practice and you will get really comfortable.

MIDI controllers - we went in to how to plug in, have your computer recognize them and how to map them in Live. It's really a taste thing - what you choose to map where, like if you prefer knobs to faders for effects, etc. And remember, you can use more than one MIDI controller too [Channa - that's another answer to your question of running out of things to map too - you can always add another controller to your setup]. You just need USB ports. And MIDI and non-MIDI controllers come in all kinds of styles, from a simple standalone crossfader to a Wii controller. It takes some practice and experimentation to figure out what you like, and it's really fun.

PS - the website for that Just Add Music guy is here.

And if you get stuck or have questions, post them in the comments section on this blog so everyone can see. Emailing is so Gen X.

-G

Al and I will be DJing at the Getty for College Night on Thursday. Dan Savage is gonna be there! The theme is politics and humor with a special exhibition in the West Pavilion.

Hope you guys can make it. Bring friends. I'll be opening for Al and then helping him out with video during his performance. Here's the 411:

College Night at the Getty Center

Date: Thursday, October 16, 2008
Time: 6:30–9:30 p.m.
Location: Getty Center
Admission: FREE with student ID; reservations suggested, but not required. Call (310) 440-7300 or check out their site and use the "Make Reservation" link. It's probably gonna be chilly so dress warm. Although they will have warmers, they tell me.

Things we covered: some DJing tips, more about controllers, an intro to Quartz Composer and Video, and Effects in Ableton.

DJing Tips for Ableton we talked about:

1. Work Vertically. Al and I don't go more than 4 tracks wide, and we work our way down (and up) when we are performing sets. And Group stuff that sounds good together so you don't have to hunt around much.

2. You can drag your clips in the clip view back into your file browser, and Ableton will remember those clips as is - ie, specific loops, the stop/start marker, etc. That way you don't have to set it every time. You can save loops that work well and then recall them anytime. You can also drag and drop groups of clips that mix well together, and bring those in to any project in the future, or even during a live set on the fly.

3. Use meaningful names. It's easy to forget which clip is what, so useful naming helps. Name the intros, the choruses, and even use lyrics out of the song to remind you what the vocals say. You can use your own naming convention, such that D can mean drums, and B can mean Bassline, and C means chorus, etc.

4. More on warping - other tips: turn off that metronome once in a while and rock your body to the beat just like you're on the dance floor. Your body moves with the beat and you'll be able to pluck out that one in your head because you'll feel it. When you've located a "1", move any numbered marker there, right click and set it to your 1.1.1. If the marker doesn't move (because of anchors on either side), double click it to yellow and it will move. Next, right click again and say "warp from here straight". Adjust your next few bars, then hop to bar 30 or so and check there, and then check and align near the end.

With some hip-hop, it's easier to pick up the 2nd and 4th beats per bar. You can then use those markers (the X.2 and X.4) to line up those 2nd and 4th beats and it works just as well. So, what is the 2nd and 4th beat in hip-hop? Usually the beat you clap your hands to (a snare). Listen to the clip: Hip-hop hooray (clap) hooo (clap) heyyyyy (clap) Hoooo (clap). etc. It's easier to hear that sometimes.