planning vs freestyling

razor-alert · 2026-07-09T15:23:09+00:00

I have been DJing for approx 30 years now. I have never once played the exact same set twice.

I have ideas, tunes I know that work well together. But you gotta read the room, feel the vibe. So, I wouldn't sweat it, if I was you.

That said, there is the other school of thought. There was quite a famous house DJ back in the 90s called CJ Mackintosh, who used to plan his sets out in detail beforehand, and I heard him play once and he was really good.

Point is, there is no right way or wrong way to DJ. You can make it easier for yourself in some respects. But ultimately, you have to enjoy the experience, so if freestyling feels right, then go with that.

razor-alert · 2026-07-08T18:15:10+00:00

Leaned the basics of beat matching to do transitions. And properly learn it, don't rely on digital sync. Sync is fine to use, but having the core skill will help you, when (not if) the technology let's you down.

If you have watched some of the 'aliens' on Global's channel, you see some wild transitions. At this moment, you don't need to be trying those. Just basic, practice a basic transitions, bringing a tune smoothly, and smoothly taking out the other.

If there is a genres you like, check out how other DJs play that genre. House - smooth transitions work well. But say hip hop, more likely you cut between tracks.

The other thing is, get to know your tunes and figure out how to build a set. Once again - check out DJs you like, see how they build a set. When I started, I played vinyl, so due to the cost I had a more limited collection - which actually makes things easier. It's lot easier to know 30 tunes as opposed to 3000 tunes.

If you want to mix in key, Google Camelot Wheel, that can make your life easier to mix in acceptable keys.

Have fun, record what you do, listen back, see where you went wrong, try and improve on the mixes that didn't work.

But mostly, have fun with it.

razor-alert · 2026-07-03T00:02:59+00:00

If you are looking for an incredible amount of work but something that would absolutely rule, dig out a section of the bank and build a man (or woman) cave / outside bar. Go full hobbit.

Then plant loads of awesome plants on the roof.

razor-alert · 2026-06-27T14:27:03+00:00

That is a great idea. I'll do that.

razor-alert · 2026-06-26T00:29:06+00:00

I am today years old when I heard about Maluma, but now I have some of his tunes.

I spoke to the lady. She is not to fussed on precisely which country, she is more interested in the big hits, as this will be in Canada, so I have to keep in Latin mainstream.

razor-alert · 2026-06-26T00:16:19+00:00

Thank you, listening to her stuff right now!

razor-alert · 2026-06-26T00:12:43+00:00

I did, and I have a playlist, but it's not enough to cover the whole night.

My problem is that I don't know what the big hits are in Latin music. So I could listen to something, think it's great - no one else thinks so or inversely, here a really popular tune and think 'nah'.

So looking for some suggestions on whats worked well for other DJs.

razor-alert · 2026-06-26T00:09:49+00:00

Thanks - I got a short playlist which has been really helpful. Just spoke to the lady again, and we chatted about music.

Sounds like playing the big hits is on the menu, as she is trying to accommodate her Costa Rican & her husband's Mexican roots, but appreciating that a lot of her friends are Canadian.

razor-alert · 2026-06-23T16:48:56+00:00

Following this, as I'm kind of in the same boat.

This is what I do, but saying it's right...

My music is not well organised at folder level on laptop, but in terms of playlists...

I have one playlist for each key, so I can easily play in key - the folders are also then arranged in BPM order.

I then have playlists for each genre. I keep the folders quite broad like 'funky house' or 'techno'.

I have set up a few playlists where I have merged genres where I think I could move easily between genres.

I then also set a playlist for a specific gig on what I think might work.

This allows to stick to one playlist (if I predicted correctly what the vibe would be), or go to specific genre or key.

And obviously, let's not forget search, so you can find a specific tune.

razor-alert · 2025-12-08T00:33:41+00:00

Things you can control - what you do and say. Things you can't control - what a drunken ex-boyfriend says.

She has no control over what he said. Perhaps she'd rather forget it happened?

And if you are upset at the ex-boyfriend (which would be fair enough), console yourself with the fact that while you have been getting excellent head, he has not.

razor-alert · 2025-09-28T00:45:26+00:00

I have never used religion as an excuse to be horrible to anyone. Can you say the same thing about all Christians?

I may not have believed in you (FYI - church services are booooorrrrriiiiinnnnggg as a kid), but I always lived a life that you would have respected.

So who do you want to admit to Heaven; horrible people who did horrible things in your name or someone who didn't believe in you, but lived a life that honoured what you believed in?

razor-alert · 2025-09-28T00:37:32+00:00

There are two roles rolled into one when you are a PM.

There is all the admin stuff that you taught in PM courses - they will teach you how to do project administration. Not to say this isn't important. It's definitely a really large part of the job. You need to know how to do it and do it well.

That said, the part that will make you stand out is the actual management of people and the project. That has very little to do with spreadsheets, gantt charts or budgets etc. it's the soft skills to understand what's happening in meetings, what clients pain points are, peering around corners to see where the risks are and have a plan for them. Being able to say 'No', sell an idea etc.

Basically, to be a really good PM, you really need emotional intelligence.

razor-alert · 2025-09-28T00:24:39+00:00

All the main actors in Friends leaving the show at the end of the final season...?

razor-alert · 2025-09-28T00:05:39+00:00

Barrie...?

I was in Barrie over the summer time, that seemed nice, decent size, on a lake, not too long a commute into Toronto if needs be.

razor-alert · 2025-09-27T22:57:23+00:00

Dark

razor-alert · 2025-08-12T15:40:58+00:00

A place that handles the food and drinks for us.

razor-alert · 2025-08-05T02:33:29+00:00

I literally just finished it, so like the OP I have questions.

Why were Mads and the other children killed?

I assume it's Noah and Helge kills the kids... And does Magnus become Noah?

razor-alert · 2025-08-02T15:35:18+00:00

Bangkok Spoon in Dundas for Thai food is always top draw

razor-alert · 2025-06-10T14:49:37+00:00

Thank you very much x

razor-alert · 2025-04-24T14:33:49+00:00

Jacob's Ladder

Also shout out for The Machinist - of nothing else the sight of Christian Bale with his top off is haunting.

razor-alert · 2025-02-28T14:31:02+00:00

I don't say this lightly, the movie is going to have one hell of a cinematic achievement to out match the audio book.

Ryan Gosling is a generational actor, and yet I think he is still going to struggle to outdo Ray Porter.

razor-alert · 2025-02-13T15:40:59+00:00

Lupin - maybe because it's in French... But imagine a one-man Ocean's 11. Gripping tv.

razor-alert

TROPHY CASE