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The DJ Handbook
Charles Slaney
£9.95; No VAT on books.
236 x 189 mm * 120 pages ISBN 1870775966
* For mobile and club DJs
* Audio basics - get the best possible sound
* Learn the art of DJ mixing
* Get to grips with DJ contracts
* Practical troubleshooting
This second edition has been updated to reflect recent developments in the technology of DJing and DJ equipment, and the section on the safety aspects of putting on a show have been updated.There's more on the musical aspects of DJing too. The book explores the way the way music works and explains how to mix musically and smoothly. It shows you how to build a mood and understand rhythm, and you'll learn how sound works, and the organic process involved in the mix.
You'll find advice on choosing equipment (microphones, decks, cartridges, headphones, speakers and the rest), as well as setting it all up and getting the best sound out of it - whatever the venue!
But there's more to being a successful DJ than just playing records - don't forget you're putting on a show. Charles Slaney gives some hands-on advice on transport, setting up your sound system at the gig, dealing with punters, looking after safety and troubleshooting your equipment.
And don't forget to take care of business - be organised. DJ contracts help avoid disputes - we show you how with some sample contracts you can use for your own gigs.
You'll also find a resources section to help you locate DJ master mixes, DJ magazines, websites and DJ information, as well as lists of equipment suppliers.
Charles Slaney has been involved with the DJ and club business since 1969. In that time he has been a mobile and a club DJ, he has worked on the design and installation of sound systems, and has managed a retail DJ outlet. He has enthusiastically embraced all the technical innovations that have brought DJing into the 21st century.
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Press reviews of first edition
'A valuable read ... there is knowledge here you won't get anywhere else.'
International DJ
'Packed with useful information ... required reading for all DJs'
DJ Magazine
'Loads of good advice.'
Future Music
'A first rate book ... plenty of excellent advice.'
Music Tech Magazine
Contents
1 What is a DJ?
In the beginning
2 Basics of DJing
General equipment. Other stuff. Basic toolkit for the mobile DJ. Basic toolkit for the club DJ.
3 The business of DJing
The Schmooze. The brief. Getting paid. Club DJ contract; mobile DJ confirmation letter and contract. Wanna be a great DJ? The future.
4 Equipment - what you need and how to use it
Microphones. Basic microphone technique. Headphones. Turntables. CD players. Setting up a turntable. Setting up a CD player. Club mixers. Mobile - mixers. Home use - mixers. Other equipment - mobile DJ. Graphic equalizers. Compressors. Crossovers. Speaker control systems. Amplifiers. Speakers. Impedance and resistance. Mobile - the venue. Equipment profile. Behringer Ultra Curve Pro DSP8024. Aphex Aural Exciter. DBX DriveRack. Lighting. Connections. Other equipment.
5 Sound basics
Dynamic range, noise, rumble and crosstalk. Gain structure. One last time. Equalization. Impedance. Impedance. Interference.
6 Mixing and how it's done
The mechanics of the mix. Main types of mixing. Mixing with vinyl. Mixing with CDs. Counting. In the mix (mixing beats and bars, counting time). Rhythm patterns.
7 The mobile DJ
Carting it about. Setting up, wiring and troubleshooting. Typical wiring setup basic rigs. Connector Wiring Standards (B) typically balanced (UB) unbalanced (D) digital. Troubleshooting. Mobile DJ/club sound vs. live sound.
8 Safety
Hazards to the DJ. Hazards to the public. Hearing. Security.
9 Career progression
Radio. Making an audition tape.
10 The art of being a DJ
Know your audience.
11 Doing it for real
Practice makes perfect. Mailing lists. Playing your first gig. Being a good DJ.
12 Copyright and licensing
13 DJ Products
DMC, Music Factory and CD Pool. Software.
14 DJ resources
