trainspotting, gawking, hovering

[bonoboboogie]

I'm learning to mix and find it really helpful to watch other DJs. Everyone has their own style and technique and I always learn something. And I can't resist peeking at a particularly rockin' track.

But I'm first and foremost a dancer, and I find it really obnoxious when people stand directly in front of the DJ booth, not moving, staring at the decks.

I try to be unobtrusive, watching from the side when I'm taking a break from freakin on the dancefloor.

Some places make this easy (Ohm, with the mirror above the booth); some make it practically impossibe (Level, or anywhere with an elevated booth).

So what do the working DJs on the board think about bedroom DJ spectators?

Great! -you're flattered someone is taking that much interest in your skills.

OK, but stay out of the way! -Watch from a distance if you must.

Piss off! -You're stealing my secrets, go back to your bedroom and teach yourself!!

or something else??


Thanks.

[burnt]

I <3 Trainspotters. =)

[Dank Rag]

Great, go for it. That's how I learned, and still learn, many DJ technics. As far as record spotting goes, if someone wants to keep their tracks secret from the audience, they should be putting stickers on their labels or have label cover plates that can be placed over the lable to prevent people from spotting tracks.

[djowns]

Whatever works.

[corbettfields]

it's cool as long as a) they're not weirding you by drooling or something - masturbation is RIGHT OUT unless v.cute of opposite sex.. and b) please understand if conversation breaks off abrubtly or asked to wait a min while u mix or get a record or whatever...

and v.cool if u by the DJ a drink!

[Crisco]

I loves tha gruvers who are busting it hardcore out there on tha floor.. But also gotta giv props to tha kids who are jus chillin up front watchin ya.. I'm guilty of such... Usually jus takin a sec to catch my breath or giv props to tha dj.. Who doesn't like a nice compliment??

Now, if they're trainspotting a bedroom dj.. WtF is wrong wif yew? Bettah turn those decks off an get some booty!! ;) Private shows call for payment...

~Greazy Out!

[James Capricorn]

When I first started DJing, I was with a group of friends who were all, more or less, also starting. It would get quite competitive when we each got new music. I would put stickers on ALL my records so no one would know what they were. I only had a hundred records, so it was important for me to hide my bounty. As the years went on, I cared less and less, because I developed my own sound. I learned that having the music is only part of the equation. The other part is how you interpret the tracks that you have and creating a story with them. And no one will ever tell the same story as you, so I don't mind if people poach my tracks.

[James Crapicorn]

I play shitty records so I don't care if people trainspot me.

[Nicknack]

yea i never have had a problem with this issue-------could be due to the fact that i live on the second story of my apartment and it would be hard for the folks down there to see my labels.

haha that was so funny I know.......

anyhow I think it is absolutlye stupid for djs to try to hide there tracks from people----shit man music is for sharing...just because another dj plays some of the same records as you doesnt mean nuthin.Hell if anything it just shows you have good taste in music(well most the time)

and like said above no one will be able to play the same as you-----I am a bedroom dj trying to mentor myself into all this stuff-----i dont have it figured out or think i will ever completly figure it out....thats what I love about it---its always changin and you can always try new stuff.\

too many djs do what "there suppose to do" and dont try to step out of the box and be originall----in example of an original local----Flave---this guy brings so much energy and creativity to the shit it blows my mind----I get jeolous some times because the guy is so funkin talented its nutso.

anyhow I always try to play records in my room to what the mood im feelin or try and practice buildin a set as if there where people reactin a certain way to what i am playin---yea i have a big imagination.

but hey like I said music is to be shared not horded away ----besides you should give the producers the credit they deserve and help them out with record sales---most djs start producing anyhow---how would you like some newbies fuckin up your marketing........????

NickB

[petey pablo]

Some people don't just play new records though. Sometimes they are out of print records that aren't on shelves anymore. It can be frustrating if you spend a shit load of time trying to find the music that touches your soul and then somebody train spots it, goes out and finds it and then gets to play it out before you can. But, on the other hand, I think that music is for sharing, too. I can't count how many records I have found because of listening to sets online and asking djs what records were in their sets.

I could care less if somebody ASKED me what a record was. In fact this would be way better than having somebody just scope it while you are playing it.

This is a tough question really. But it did make me feel way better when I saw Francois Kevorkian (if you don't know who he is, check him out!) and he was letting people actually go through his records while he played. Now that is cool. And it made me care less about trying to have secret records and shit.

Matt

[dj jakub]

So you want to look like a HOOKED up SUPPA KEWLFRESH DOPE ass DJ, and you DON'T want other PeEPZ steeling yo Tracks. Well NOW you can for $6.99..

presenting:

1000 White Labels

that's right put these babies over all your wax, and say PHUCK, dis be a DUB biatch, to your to the competition!

glue not included.

[snoopy65]

I can remember when we use to have to spin in elevated booths or on stage and were not on the floor with the dancers like we are now. Personally I don't care either way, if people want to try and steal my tracks, no biggie, if kids want to watch me spin and learn a little something...cool, I mean after all they could just go out and buy a video and steal tricks from the DMC champs, right? The only thing that pisses me off is when some E-tard is yelling some stupid shit, trying to get my attention while I'm mixing. If dancers/on-lookers/trainspotters and the like just abide by the simple rule of "don't talk to the DJ when he has the headphones on" the world will be a much happier place.

[Sophistik]

I don't mind it at all unless their head is over the deck and spining in circles while they chant, "what record is that? what record is that? what record is that?" luckily most of my records are white or green label with no text and just a shitty sticker that peeled off and replaced with my very bad handwriting that looks like someone ate the pyrimids and shit out hyroglyphics on it... But it does upset me when they do that or if they try to talk to me or shake my hand while i'm obviously doing something that happens to demand my attention. Come talk when i'm done, or when you see me hit stop on one and am lighting a smoke, or when i'm digging for a record. Not while i've got a cup on my ear and I give you the hand sign for "just 1 second"

Other than that I don't care if they come up and say hey, shake my hand or whatever, just don't talk to me when my hand is on the pitch shifter or have freshly opened faders. And don't get all up in my grill.

If they can respect that I'm doing something, and just use common sence as to what i'm doing, body language, and my obvious actions they should be cool and I greatly appreciate them for being there, and/or finding me to be a valuable source to learn something or whatever.

[Soular]

I like to watch people spin. Me still being somewhat of a noob there are certain things I like to watch for. As far as asking about records, I usually wait until their set is over and hope that they can decipher what record I'm talking about.

"You know, that one you played about halfway thru your set? The one that went, waaw waaw waaw shoooosh bam."