Well, I’m recovering (not from Drunkeness!) after another NYE, this year in Weybridge. I spent all day yesterday sorting out music, and a DVD of Visuals to be broadcast around all the pub, on the Plasma Screens..
I used PulpMotion, with free VJ loops and some stock images from iStockPhoto to put together a really professional looking visual sequence, rendered it (it did take about 4 hrs on my ibook G4!), then imported the video into Toast, and set the sequence to repeat, on a loop before burning a bin/cue file, transferring it to my PC and burning it onto DVD (phew!)..
As to the night, 200+ people, dancing from 8.30pm to 1.30am, a real mix of music and and bar turnover that was up 400%vs last year!
I’m enjoying the whole digital DJ experience, with Traktor Pro working without any issues on a 4hr set, Platinum Notes and Mixed in Key, all help me prepare my music, and really help you get creative with your sets, finding new mixes, and making sure that key clashes and volume dropouts do not occur!!
The key here is none of my sets are pre-prepared, everything is created from the mood of the crowd in the venue. I’m constantly looking to see what people enjoy, what is working, and what doesn’t. Mixed in Key really gives me the edge here, if Electro doesn’t work, I can flick across to Funky or Classic House avoiding that key clash and seamlessly moving between musical genres.
I haven’t yet used Traktor for the whole 6hr set, there is just something inside me that needs to set DJ to manual and get onto the CD Decks, and actually work with the music.. Maybe this will change once I have a pair of CDJ400′s to control Traktor with!
As to switching between digital (laptop) and the Numark Axis CDJs, Ecler’s NUO 3 Mixer is a dream to use, with seamless transitions between the CDJ’s and Traktor, and the Numark DJ iO just works..
So today, is a traditional NewYears Day for me, relaxing,taking it easy and enjoying good food and wine..