| A demo CD with the right music is an essential part of | | | | times to see if you mix well. You'll find that your mix |
| your DJ promotion. Without it, you'll be lucky to get | | | | tends to get better each time you record and listening |
| anywhere. | | | | to it will help. |
| Of course, now many DJs just stream their mixes | | | | You may need to rest your ears until the next day |
| from the Internet and make them available for free | | | | before listening. I find I cannot stand listening to my mix |
| download. You should be doing this too, but having a | | | | right afterwards, it just doesn't sound good to me, so I |
| demo CD or several different promos are essential. | | | | wait a day. |
| Why? Many people can listen to it in their car, or put it | | | | The BPM beatmatching, EQ blending and harmonic |
| on easily at home when they have a spare minute. | | | | mixing have to be spot on for your promo CD. Any |
| They may not get the chance to look up your mix on | | | | mistakes and you'll have to do it all again. |
| the Internet and anyway, the sound quality will be | | | | See our site for some tips on how to mix better. |
| better on your demo CD than streamed through the | | | | 3. Produce it perfectly |
| Internet. | | | | By this I mean you'll have to record at optimal levels, |
| What do I need to display? | | | | make sure that the volume levels are consistent |
| What a good club/bar owner, or promoter will look for | | | | throughout the mix, check there is no distortion and |
| will essentially be your ability to fill their venue and keep | | | | burn the CD at optimal level. |
| people happy, so they come back next time. The | | | | Many people record with Sony Soundforge which is |
| punters have to enjoy themselves. The music is an | | | | perfect for almost any audio recording. Its wide range |
| essential part of a club's reputation and no club owner | | | | of attributes mean you can optimise what you've |
| wants to compromise that, unless they are clueless | | | | recorded very easily and apply effects where |
| and you don't want to work for clueless people. | | | | necessary during editing. |
| You'll need to adapt your demo CD's music to the | | | | For example, you may decide your sound needs |
| type of place you want to play at. However, this will | | | | sharpening up and the volume needs increasing: all this |
| come later. First of all, the best type of promo CD is | | | | plus more is possible using Soundforge. |
| one which displays your excellent choice of tune, your | | | | 4. Set up your recording properly |
| ability to follow tunes up with the right one, how you | | | | This part is easy of course, but many people still need |
| can build to a climax, how you mix and blend your | | | | it explained to them. Hook up your decks to your |
| tunes perfectly well, and how pro you are. | | | | mixer, and the main output of your mixer to both your |
| 1. The right choice of tracks | | | | PC and your amplifier. Your mixer should have a main |
| Assuming you've been practising being a DJ a lot, you'll | | | | output and a recording output. You'll need some RCA |
| have an idea of what tracks go with what. Program | | | | cables to hook them up to your amp and your PC. |
| your tracks carefully and remember to start off your | | | | Most likely, your soundcard 'in'. |
| CD strongly to catch the attention of the listener fast. | | | | This means you can hear your mix through the amp to |
| Use some fresh new tunes that you feel have | | | | mix properly and record yourself through the PC |
| potential but are as yet played by few people. Avoid | | | | simultaneously. |
| using tunes that are played by just any disc jockey | | | | 5. Make a great cover for your DJ promo |
| and have been out for 6 months. Drop in the odd | | | | The CD cover is important not only for the image of |
| remix of an older tune that fits, or even a classic | | | | your CD but also for your image as a disc jockey. |
| floorfiller from a while back. This showcases your | | | | Remember, you your demo could end up in the hands |
| knowledge and depth of taste. | | | | of someone fairly influential. |
| Start off with a catchy tune, then build up during the | | | | When you compare a bare promo CD without any |
| following tracks to peak about 70% through, once your | | | | cover or with a stylish, classy CD in a case with your |
| listener has opened out. Then bring it down in tempo | | | | logo name on it, I don't have to tell you which one |
| nearer to the end, with a couple of choice tracks that | | | | makes the best impression. |
| are less energetic but have depth of feeling, so the | | | | Use a CD printer to customise your CDs and send |
| listener is emotionally marked by the experience. | | | | them to you. It'll cost you a few $£EUR but will |
| Your mix should last at least 50 minutes long, but | | | | be worth it. |
| preferably no longer than 1 hour. | | | | You will need to design the cover yourself, or get a |
| 2. Mix it well | | | | friend who is skilled in graphics to help you. |
| Practice mixing your CD and record yourself several | | | | |