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DJ With Apple Music launches to enable subscribers to mix their own sets

musicweek.com

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Re: DJ With Apple Music launches to enable subscribers to mix their own sets

#81

Post by Mashimo »

input_sh wrote: post #49
nanna wrote: post #45

I recently learned that DJs today just press a button to mix two tracks. Growing up mixing and beat matching used to be a skill to be proud of. Now it's just a button. So I was told.

There's no skill involved in pitching the two nearly-identical-in-BPM tracks and nudging them into rhythm. Put any sync button DJ in front of a proper CDJ setup, give them a couple of hours to practice and they will be able to pull off a set. Most importantly: it is the least important part of the job. Nobody in the crowd gives a shit about whether or not you're using the sync button, it makes no difference to them.…

I'm a hobby / Bedroom DJ for a few years, and I still struggle with beatmaching vinyl ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Re: DJ With Apple Music launches to enable subscribers to mix their own sets

#82

Post by fragmede »

Mashimo wrote: post #46
nanna wrote: post #45

I recently learned that DJs today just press a button to mix two tracks. Growing up mixing and beat matching used to be a skill to be proud of. Now it's just a button. So I was told.

There are even vinyl DJs around. You can use sync, but I don't think it's that widespread.

It depends on the age of the DJ's career. There's a lot of ego involved with being a DJ, and using sync is seen as somehow "lesser" because it takes no skill to hit sync, or even just visually match bpm numbers and the beat on the screen. Nevermind that there's a ton more to being a good DJ, for people that grew up with vinyl, the loss of the need to beat match by ear means you can become a DJ without having that particular skill. So older DJs with more established careers judge the younger newcomers for not having that skill, but for DJs that have only ever used digital and have never had to carry a milk crate of records around, they've never not had the sync button. And they don't feel any shame when using it.

Re: DJ With Apple Music launches to enable subscribers to mix their own sets

#83

Post by 6stringmerc »

c16 wrote: post #51
input_sh wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There's no skill involved in pitching the two nearly-identical-in-BPM tracks and nudging them into rhythm. Put any sync button DJ in front of a proper CDJ setup, give them a couple of hours to practice and they will be able to pull off a set. Most importantly: it is the least important part of the job. Nobody in the crowd gives a shit about whether or not you're using the sync button, it makes no difference to them.…

> Put any sync button DJ in front of a proper CDJ setup, give them a couple of hours to practice and they will be able to pull off a set. Please observe Grimes at Cochella: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E01QyNHBpcc

Grimes isn’t a DJ she’s a self-admitted meth user who diddles around with a lot of hardware most people can’t afford in the first place and the results appeal to a very minor market (as evidenced by being dropped by her label and no critically or market acclaimed releases in 10 years or so).

Grimes is a performance artist who dabbled in music. She’s not a musician. Imogen Heap is a musician.

Re: DJ With Apple Music launches to enable subscribers to mix their own sets

#84

Post by 6stringmerc »

Are these tracks high enough quality not to sound like shit on a club system? Legit question - it’s why I purchase 320 kbps mp3s via Beatport.

Also, does this mean the tracks are licensed for public performance? So I can get paid $500 a gig and put on these tracks and not need to be at an ASCAP paying venue or liable for the rights?

These things matter, especially in such a bullshit “you only bought a license” music world where often they don’t tell you about the license itself (not the consumer’s fault, only really interests musicians and copyright geeks like me).

Re: DJ With Apple Music launches to enable subscribers to mix their own sets

#85

Post by joshgachnang »

Dangit, from the title I was hoping this was like Spotify DJ for Apple Music, but with a bit more control. Like "Give me a Linkin Park mix, mostly older stuff, a good mix of hits and deep cuts" rather than whatever Spotify thinks I want at that moment. Anyone have a good suggestion for that?

Re: DJ With Apple Music launches to enable subscribers to mix their own sets

#86

Post by crtasm »

sowbug wrote: post #77
ThatMedicIsASpy wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Looks interesting - only to see I have to convert my whole flac library

It works with FLAC; in fact, that's preferred, because you want to start with the best available quality.

Could anyone comment on how its stems separation compares to VirtualDJ?

Re: DJ With Apple Music launches to enable subscribers to mix their own sets

#87

Post by crtasm »

6stringmerc wrote: post #84

Are these tracks high enough quality not to sound like shit on a club system? Legit question - it’s why I purchase 320 kbps mp3s via Beatport. Also, does this mean the tracks are licensed for public performance? So I can get paid $500 a gig and put on these tracks and not need to be at an ASCAP paying venue or liable for the rights? These things matter, especially in such a bullshit “you only bought a license” music…

My understanding is none of the streaming services integrated into DJ software cover licences for public performance. Just as you don't get that when buying a track from beatport etc.

Re: DJ With Apple Music launches to enable subscribers to mix their own sets

#88

Post by crtasm »

sollewitt wrote: post #16

Djay’s killer feature is algorithmic stem extraction. The streaming audio services that have integration (Tidal, now Apple Music) don’t allow this processing. It’s an arbitrary technical limitation that I suspect is rooted in a licensing agreement from the rights holders. tl;dr this is great for playing with sequencing, but a lot of modern djays will want to be able to do stem separation even when exploring, and live…

edit: I see there's a tier that does allow stems again now! https://tidal.com/DJs

--

Licensing indeed. For a time VirtualDJ allowed stems for Tidal streamed tracks but were required to disable it.

https://www.virtualdj.com/forums/254722/VirtualDJ_Technical_...

Re: DJ With Apple Music launches to enable subscribers to mix their own sets

#89

Post by m3kw9 »

ethagknight wrote: post #72

Im a little confused, if I wanted to create a mix with my favorite parts of songs, is this something I can do relatively easily from Apple Music? Or do I need to get additional hardware or buy some extra software? I love a lot of jam bands, but dont always want to listen to the uhhh lengthy preambles and wandering postludes, just want the gravy. Would love to mix together some highlights along with other non jam song…

This basically allows certain DJ apps to play 2 streams at the same time.

Re: DJ With Apple Music launches to enable subscribers to mix their own sets

#90

Post by basisword »

nanna wrote: post #45

I recently learned that DJs today just press a button to mix two tracks. Growing up mixing and beat matching used to be a skill to be proud of. Now it's just a button. So I was told.

If that person tells you things again, I wouldn't take their word for it.
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