Disc jockey Totally Explained

Everything about Disk Jockey totally explained

A disc jockey (also known as DJ or deejay) is a person who selects and plays prerecorded music for an audience.
There are several types of disc jockey. Radio DJs introduce and play music that's broadcast on AM, FM, shortwave or digital radio stations. Club DJs select and play music in a bar, club, disco, a rave, or even a stadium. Hip hop disc jockeys select, play and create music with multiple turntables, often to back up one or more MCs. In reggae, the disc jockey (deejay) is a vocalist who raps, toasts or chats over pre-recorded rhythm tracks while the individual choosing and playing them is referred to as a selector. Mobile disc jockeys travel with portable sound systems and play at a variety of events.

Equipment and techniques

DJ equipment consists of:

Sound recordings in a DJs preferred medium (eg. vinyl records, compact discs, computer media files)
A combination of two devices, or sometimes one if playback is digital, to play sound recordings, for alternating back and forth to create a continuous playback of music (for example record players, compact disc players, computer media players such as an MP3 player)
A sound system for amplification or broadcasting of the recordings (for example portable audio system, PA system) or a radio broadcasting system.
A DJ mixer, an electronic, usually two-four channel, mixer with a crossfader used to smoothly go from one song to another (using two or more playback devices)
Headphones, used to listen to one recording while the other recording is being played to the audience, and
Optionally, a microphone, so that the DJ can introduce songs and speak to the audience. Other equipment could or can be added to the basic DJ set-up (above) providing unique sound manipulations. Such devices include, but are not limited to:
Electronic effects units (delay, reverb, octave, equalizer, chorus, etc). Some club DJs use a suboctave effect which creates a very low bass sound and adds it to the mix.
A computerised performance system, which can be used with timecode encoded vinyl/CD content to manipulate digital files on the computer in real time.
Multi-stylus headshells, which allow a DJ to play different grooves of the same record at the same time.
Special DJ digital controller hardware can manipulate digital files on a PC or laptop, by using midi signals
Samplers, sequencers, electronic musical keyboards (synthesizers), or drum machines.

Several techniques are used by DJs as a means to better mix and blend prerecorded music. These techniques primarily include the cueing, equalization and audio mixing of two or more sound sources., complexity, and frequency of special techniques depends largely on the setting in which a DJ is working. Radio DJs are less likely to focus on music-mixing technique than club DJs, who rely on a smooth transition between songs using a range of techniques.
Club DJ turntable techniques include beatmatching, phrasing, and slip-cueing) to preserve energy on a dancefloor. Turntablism embodies the art of cutting, beat juggling, scratching, needle drops, phase shifting, back spinning, and more to perform the transitions and overdubs of samples in a more creative manner (though turntablism is often considered a use of the turntable as a musical instrument, rather than a tool for blending prerecorded music). Professional DJs may use harmonic mixing to choose songs that are in compatible musical keys.

Types

The role of selecting and playing prerecorded music for an intended audience is the same for every disc jockey. The selected music, the audience, the setting, the preferred medium, and the level of sophistication of sound manipulation are factors that diffentiate different DJ types.

Radio disc jockeys

A radio disc jockey plays music that's broadcast across radio waves, AM and FM bands or worldwide on shortwave radio stations. Radio DJs are notable for their personalities. Because terrestrial radio usually uses program directors/music directors to generate the playlist, present-day radio DJs don't typically pick the music to play at stations. Emceeing and answering the phone is their primary duty.

Reggae deejays

In reggae music (specifically dancehall), the deejay is traditionally a vocalist who raps, toasts or chats to a "riddim". The term "selector" is reserved for the person who performs the traditional function of a DJ, though he doesn't always play the music. He often just selects the record and passes it to the mixer who plays it over the sound system.

Club disc jockeys

Using several turntables, CD players or a hard drive source, a club disc jockey selects and plays music in a club setting. The setting can range anywhere from a neighborhood party or a small club to a disco, a rave, or even a stadium. The main focus of club DJs is on the music they play and how they remix tracks in and out of each other or also just to add a bit of energy to a track.They build their sets by choosing tracks to control the energy level of the crowd and use beatmixing (or "beatmatching") technique for seamless transition between tracks. For more information, see Notable Club DJs.

Hip hop disc jockeys

A hip-hop disc jockey is a DJ that selects, plays and creates music as a hip-hop artist and/or performer, often backing up one or more MCs.

Notable hip hop disc jockeys

Jamaican-born DJ Kool Herc (born 1955), inventor of the breakbeat technique; he's considered to be "the father of hip hop culture". Grand Wizard Theodore created the distinctive "scratching" sound made by moving a record back and forth whilst the needle is still in the groove. Grandmaster Flash (born 1958), also one of the early pioneers of hip-hop DJing, created the Quick Mix Technique, which allowed a DJ to extend a break using two copies of the same record; essentially invented modern Turntablism. Afrika Bambaataa (born 1957), was instrumental in the development of hip-hop from its birth in the South Bronx to its international success. He also created the first hip-hop track to feature synthesizers; "The godfather of hip-hop" Jazzy Jay (born 1961) was pioneering DJ, who helped Rick Rubin lay the foundation for what would become Def Jam Recordings. DJ Jazzy Jeff (born 1965), of DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince (also backed Will Smith on his solo efforts). Jam Master Jay (1965-2002), founder and DJ of Run-DMC, one of the most innovative hip-hop groups of all time. DJ Clue (born Ernesto Shaw on January 8, 1975 in Queens, New York City) is a mix DJ known for his involvement in the mix tape circuit. He signed as an artist on Roc-A-Fella Records. Eric B. (born 1965), one half of duo Eric B. & Rakim, popularized the James Brown-sampled funky hip-hop of the late 1980s. Terminator X (born 1966), DJ of the highly influential hip-hop group Public Enemy. Before Redman put out albums as an MC, he DJed for several New York City groups and solo artists and even was the official DJ for a New York night club under the name DJ Red Dott. DJ Lethal, the DJ for Irish hip-hop group House of Pain who subsequently became the DJ for Limp Bizkit. DJ Qbert (born 1969), founding member of the turntablism group the Invisibl Skratch Piklz and three-time winner of the International DMC Award. Mix Master Mike (born 1970), skilled DJ of hip-hop group Beastie Boys, three-time winner of the International DMC Turntablism Award. The X-Ecutioners, a turntablist band with several collaborations with groups and artists, including Linkin Park and Xzibit. DJ Premier (born 1966), one of the duo Gang Starr. He also featured with many famous Hip-Hop artists like Nas, LL Cool J, Rakim and many others. See also:

Mobile disc jockeys

Mobile Disc Jockeys are an extension of the original Radio disc jockeys.They travel with or go on tour with mobile sound systems and play from an extensive collection of pre-recorded content for a specific audience. In the 2000s, mobile DJs need a large selection of music, professional-grade equipment, good organizational skills, vocal talent as an MC, mixing skills, quality lighting, insurance for liability, and on-site back-up equipment. In the 2000s, the role of the Mobile DJ has expanded. Many Mobile DJs have assumed additional responsibilities to ensure an event's success. These responsibilities include the roles of MC, event organizer and coordinator, lighting director, and/or sound engineer.
In the past, Mobile DJs utilized vinyl records or cassettes. During the Disco era of the 1970s, demand for Mobile DJs (called Mobile Discos in the UK) soared, and top Disc Jockeys travelled with hundreds of vinyl records and cassette tapes. In the 1990s, Compact Disc became the standard. Mobile Disc Jockey trade publications such as DJ Times magazine and Mobile Beat magazine were founded in this era.Mobile DJs have formed professional associations such as the Canadian Disc Jockey Association (CDJA), the Canadian Online Disc Jockey Association (CODJA), the American Disc Jockey Association (ADJA), and the National Association of Mobile Entertainers In the UK, associations include the National Association of Disc Jockeys (NADJ), and the South Eastern Discotheque Association (SEDA).

Timeline

Mid-1800s to 1910s

In 1857, Leon Scott invented the phonoautograph in France, the first device to record sound. In 1877, Thomas Alva Edison invented the phonograph cylinder, the first device to play back recorded sound, in the United States. In 1892, Emile Berliner began commercial production of his gramophone records, the first disc record to be offered to the public. In 1906, Reginald Fessenden transmitted the first audio radio broadcast in history also playing the first record, a contralto singing Handel's Largo from Xerxes.
   The world's first radio disc jockey was Ray Newby of Stockton California. In 1909, At 16 years of age, Newby began regularly playing records on a small spark transmitter while a student at Herrold College of Engineering and Wireless located in San Jose, California, under the authority of radio pioneer, Charles "Doc" Herrold. By the 2000s, play lists became tightly regulated, and new technologies such as voice tracking, allowed single DJs to send announcements across many stations. Some music aficionados seek out freeform stations that put the DJs back in control, or end up dumping terrestrial radio in favor of satellite radio services or portable music players. College radio stations and other public radio outlets are the most common places for freeform play lists in the U.S.
   In 2001, Apple Computer's iPod was introduced and quickly became the highest selling brand of portable digital mp3 audio player. The convenience and popularity of the iPod spawns a new type of DJ, the self-penned "MP3J". First appearing in certain East London clubs, and spreading to other music scenes, including New York City, this new DJ scene allowed the average music fan to bring two iPods to an "iPod Night", plug in to the mixer, and program a play list without the skill and equipment demanded by a more traditional DJ setup, and without needing to bring a heavy case of CDs.
   In 2006 Rane introduced its own version of the digital vinyl DJ system Serato Scratch Live making improvements in overall system stability and more closely emulating the feel of true vinyl. Soon after many nightclub deejays that had remained true vinyl record aficionados began the transition to becoming digital vinyl users. In 2006, the concept of DJ had its 100 year anniversary. In 2006, Mobile Beat Magazine and ProDJ.Com merged, creating a new resource for mobile disc jockeys.

Bibliography

Poschardt, Ulf (1998). DJ Culture. London: Quartet Books. ISBN 0-7043-8098-6

Brewster, Bill & Broughton, Frank (2000). Last Night a DJ Saved My Life: The History of the Disc Jockey. New York: Grove Press. ISBN 0-8021-3688-5 (North American edition). London: Headline. ISBN 0-7472-6230-6 (UK edition).

Lawrence, Tim (2004). Love Saves the Day: A History of American Dance Music Culture, 1970-1979 . Duke University Press. ISBN 0-8223-3198-5.

Assef, Claudia (2000). Todo DJ Já Sambou: A História do Disc-Jóquei no Brasil. São Paulo: Conrad Editora do Brasil. ISBN 85-87193-94-5.

Graudins, Charles A. How to Be a DJ. Boston: Course Technology PTR, 2004.

Zemon, Stacy. The Mobile DJ Handbook: How to Start & Run a Profitable Mobile Disc Jockey Service, Second Edition. St. Louis: Focal Press, 2002.

Broughton, Frank and Bill Brewster. How to DJ Right: The Art and Science of Playing Records. New York: Grove Press, 2003.Further Information

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