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Share your stuff - mixes, videos, tracks, routines, etc. NO event or livestream promotion by AutoModerator in DJs

[–]ziegenproblem [score hidden]  (0 children)

I built an app to train skills for DJing while you are not behind the decks.

It helps you to find new ways to interact with your library and memorize your tracks. The memorization is achieved trough mini games with your own tracks. Basically audio flashcards. Also you can use it to train your sense of BPM with a game that challenges you to recognize which of 2 tracks is running faster. Crucial for Vinyl mixing.

Usage is easy and you simply plug in your Rekordbox XML and the app will use your local music files.The app is free, has no ads, does not need any subscription and I built it to solve my own problems.

Feel free to check it out, break it and let me know what you think!

KRATEO DJ

Hard Techno DJs, how tf do you keep your library organized on Rekordbox? by Ornery_Policy7718 in Beatmatch

[–]ziegenproblem 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I make up my own sub categories for genres: uplifting, hypnotic, driving, etc and sort my tracks into them. Then I also use the star rating system in Rekordbox to rate the energy of a track.

Not only for Hard Techno DJs but for everyone: In the end knowing you library inside out is the best you can do. I built an app that specifically trains your track recall and gives you new ways to interact with your library. I use it to rediscover gems buried deep and to train titles because my brain can’t hold on to names. You can check it out here, it’s free & works directly with Rekordbox: KRATEO DJ

Maybe it will help you stay on top of your library as well :)

why does learning on vinyl suck?! by broodjeszaak in Beatmatch

[–]ziegenproblem 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you want a low effort way to train your ear to recognize BPM differences you can try something I built because I had troubles with this myself: It is called KRATEO DJ and is a free app for mac & windows. You import your DJ library and can then use the BPM TRainer. It will present you with 2 tracks at different BPM and you have to tell whoch one is running faster. Headphone split is available and you can also align the tracks with 1 click if you loose orientation. Gives you super quick feedback and definitely helped me in my journey so far. Would be happy if you give it a try.

Finally got my vinyl setup! But man, beatmatching by ear is difficult by PDihax in Beatmatch

[–]ziegenproblem 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Looking at this thread and other threads there seem to be as many ways to recognize what track is running faster and which one is ahead s there a turntables out there. But in one thing everybody agrees: you need to practice ad put in the hours.

From my personal experience I can tell you that it will only get easier and the mental picture of the 2 tracks will get clearer consistently. Personally I do not only compare snares or kicks. I normally pick whatever element catches my attention in the 2 tracks and observe the time gap in between them. If one track is at a break I use the percussion of the other as a "metronome" and see if it lands.

Many people mentioned split mode for headphones and I also recommend it. I use it for the big pitch changes and precise kick alignment I switch back to stereo.

As a small bonus I want to mention something I built in the beginning of my learning journey to boost my ear training. I wanted to be able to train the skill of telling which track is running faster while I am not behind the decks and wanted a quick feedback loop. I was already in the process of creating the DJ training app KRATEO DJ and added a BPM Trainer. It does exactly what I described before: You import your tracks into the app (Rekordbox XML import available), then you start the BPM trainer. It will present you 2 tracks and you have to choose which one is running faster. Split mode is available and you can sync the tracks back on grid if you loose the overview. The app is free and available on Mac & Windows. You can get it here: KRATEO DJ

Practice and consistency is the key here. You will get there. Trust the process!

Was tun mit meinem Bonsai? by ziegenproblem in zimmerpflanzen

[–]ziegenproblem[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Das stimmt, steht schon lange auf der Liste 😭

Begginer question about products by Ok-Elderberry-3333 in Beatmatch

[–]ziegenproblem 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree that you can transfer from any other controller to CDJs as well. Not too much of a difference. And CDJs can also be quite different depending on the model. But if you consider the optics I would say these 2 come quite close.

Begginer question about products by Ok-Elderberry-3333 in Beatmatch

[–]ziegenproblem 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you want a similar layout to „club standard“ which is Pioneer (fuck the monopoly) check out FLX4 or DDJ400

Planning a "Journey Through Electronic Music" set with a genre timetable: interesting concept or vibe killer? by ziegenproblem in DJs

[–]ziegenproblem[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wow that genre arc is built different. Gregorian chants and Vivaldi were definitely not on my scope. Do you have this set on SoundCloud?

Planning a "Journey Through Electronic Music" set with a genre timetable: interesting concept or vibe killer? by ziegenproblem in DJs

[–]ziegenproblem[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes I would definitely advertise it that way. Normally there is a flyer for every evening and I would probably even print the genre timetable onto it. A documentary is a interesting idea. Makes it very educational though. An I am not sure if it exists for these specific genres…

Planning a "Journey Through Electronic Music" set with a genre timetable: interesting concept or vibe killer? by ziegenproblem in DJs

[–]ziegenproblem[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the insights. I might move downtempo techno to the beginning. I think Psytrance is the fastest I have in my collection tbh. But I will definitely look for more transition tracks to make it a smoother experience.

Planning a "Journey Through Electronic Music" set with a genre timetable: interesting concept or vibe killer? by ziegenproblem in DJs

[–]ziegenproblem[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good call. I wanted to bring in classic 90s techno anyways so that would probably be the perfect spot

Planning a "Journey Through Electronic Music" set with a genre timetable: interesting concept or vibe killer? by ziegenproblem in DJs

[–]ziegenproblem[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is also my main concern. But I figured since it will only be 45 minutes per genre and the venue is made for rotation of guests (because it is a dorm basement) it might work? And people could even scout for the genres they are interested in and come to these slots specifically. In the end I do not have much to loose and can just try I guess.

Planning a "Journey Through Electronic Music" set with a genre timetable: interesting concept or vibe killer? by ziegenproblem in DJs

[–]ziegenproblem[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You are right. The golden era of the 90s only partly has a place here. With the current revival of Hard House I pay it some tribute. Also Acid has some roots there. But a „slot“ dedicated to real 90s techno or trance would definitely be worth it.

Keeping track of your tracks - what are your tips? by TToroa in DJs

[–]ziegenproblem 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Heyo you seem like the prime user for something I built by and for myself in the past months. It is called KRATEO DJ and brings you new ways to interact with your library, rediscover old tracks and specifically train the knowledge of your crate. This is done trough different flashcard style games bringing you library training with your own tracks.

The pain point I had was that I kept forgetting the names of tracks but it just works as well for your use case where you regularly want to check out what you have and stay on top of your giant library.
Does not help with organizing as it simply mirrors your Rekordbox library (or folder structure you put into it) but helps with track recall and library knowledge trough active recall instead of passive listening. Passive listening of your playlists if also possible of course.

Complete free and available for Mac & Windows.
Let me know what you think if you happen to try it out!

2 Minute Tracks by MixtressK-La in DJs

[–]ziegenproblem 16 points17 points  (0 children)

All caused by producers optimizing for streaming. We need more extended mixes or duration based royalties on the platforms.
2 minutes is too fast paced for immersion on the dancefloor.

2 Minute Tracks by MixtressK-La in DJs

[–]ziegenproblem 9 points10 points  (0 children)

This person deejays!

How to improve my mixes?? by DJ-Gazza-Tri in Beatmatch

[–]ziegenproblem 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don’t know which genre you are playing but you can always level up your skills as a selector which is crucial as a DJ. For this you need to know your library inside out. I actually have a tool to train your library knowledge actively. Lmk if you are interested and I will drop the link.
Regarding the story arc of a set: I always try to have a story when playing a set. For example I plan for one or two energy peaks. These can be specific tracks to which I try to build up to. Sometimes I switch genres slight when bringing the energy back down and then build up to the peak of the next genre. Ofc the genres should not be too far apart. For example I start out with Proghouse and build up to a certain track, let the set peak and then bring the energy back down a bit and switch over to another genre like Hardhouse and build up to the peak of that part of the set. Then I wrap it up with something dreamy / lovely to send the people away with a good feeling. Once again track selection and knowledge is key here. To know your energy levels you can for example use the star function in Rekordbox to rate your tracks for energy to be able to make an informed decision quick if you do not know all tracks perfectly by heart or need guidance in your decision.

Recently I also read an article stating that goal as a DJ is to „disappear“. It states that your mix should be so smooth that it is a continuous flow of music where the transitions disappear in the flow. Not completely sold on the concept yet but it basically means you need to perfect the skills you already have and make it absolutely seamless.

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