Dance DJ

[Nate F.]

Hey everyone!

So I've been dancing socially with the same group of people for about 3 years now and have been running the music for about a year and a half. I've always just played music from my ipod through speakers but I recently thought it was time to upgrade. So I got a mobile DJ program (PCDJ Red Mobile) on my laptop and am going to try running my music through there. SO I just have a couple questions for any experienced dance DJs. One of the things I want to be able to do is change the bpm of my music without making the vocals sounds like chipmunks or people singing in slow motion. Another thing that I want to do is say, add a waltz beat to a song that isn't usually a waltz. For example, at the last comp. I went to, I heard the song "Apologize" by One Republic, which usually has a Rumba beat, played with a waltz beat. What program would I need to do that? And any other info on DJing from a laptop would be appreciated! Thanks!!!
-Nathan

 

[Riplash]

Hello Nate,

I am in a similiar situation. I have been using Audacity to modify the tempo, trim the clips fade in or out. You can change the tempo without changing the pitch, and vice versa. Audacity is also open source so it is free, although donations are always appreciated. Be sure to download the associated libraries and plug ins to export your music back to a usable form.

I think the latest version is 1.3.12 (beta) which I have on my laptop, and 1.2.xx is what I have on my desktop.

There are probably plenty of other programs out there, and threads about them on DF, but I have had good luck with this program.

Good Luck,
Rip

 

[Nate F.]

Hey thanks Rip!

I'll have to try that out!
-Nathan

 

[old dog]

Hey everyone!

... have a couple questions for any experienced dance DJs. ... Another thing that I want to do is say, add a waltz beat to a song that isn't usually a waltz. For example, at the last comp. I went to, I heard the song "Apologize" by One Republic, which usually has a Rumba beat, played with a waltz beat. What program would I need to do that? And any other info on DJing from a laptop would be appreciated! Thanks!!!
-Nathan

Hi Nathan. I occasionally provide music for a social dance event or a wedding reception. I play the music out of iTunes on my MacBook Pro where I have over 1700 pieces of danceable music. iTunes has a simple built-in equalizer that is good enough for most venues and you don't have to lug one around or depend on the 'house' equipment.

Nice to be using the computer as it makes it easier to quickly obtain some of the music requests my library can't satisfy -- even 'on the fly' during an event (assuming there is a wireless network connection available).

As Larinda has suggested, it is not likely you will find software that can easily change the entire rhythmic structure of a song. You might be able to do this using something like "Garageband" but I'm not that familiar with the program. The latest version has some new features that might let you do this.

As to your hearing a familiar song performed in an unexpected rhythmic mode -- very unlikely it was done 'in house.' Much more likely the artist(s) have recorded the song with a different rhythm; and even more likely you were hearing a different performing group doing the song with a different rhythm (beat pattern). Popular music is often 'reinterpreted' or rearranged by the original as well as "cover" performers and sometimes what most listeners know as a 'waltz' will crop up as a 'foxtrot' or a rumba, etc.

Fly Me to the Moon (originally In Other Words) was written and first performed in 3/4-time (waltz). You don't often hear it done as a waltz now. I have a waltz version as well as a Latin and a foxtrot in my collection (there are others too).

For other examples and a related discussion, see my recent post (#21) in this thread:
Nontraditional time signatures

Good luck with your DJ efforts.

 

[tsb]

the more advanced DJ software packages available allow you to change pitch and tempo on the fly.

if you haven't already acquired one, i would recommend an external sound card to improve fidelity - the outlet designed for headphones has a limited frequency range.