My thoughts on mix shows...a DJ's perspective of what is lacking

[Mixmaster Tony Rocca]

Was listening to this last night and I realized that I should shared this mix with you to listen and download if you like.

I want you to listen to see what a solid CORRECT mix should really sound like. It should contain all elements of dance music, freestyle, house, classic, commercial..etc and then be put together by a competent DJ who has the experience and musical knowledge to make all the genres of dance come together into a continuous energy laden mix.

Not tooting my horn because I mixed this, but the shows ratings said a lot about the way I put these mixes together, the listeners liked them because everyone got to hear what kind of dance music they liked, simple as that....and to me when your audience likes it then you are on target. Ask yourself when was the last time you heard all elements of dance mixed in...because we are usually forced either to listen to ALL freestyle or ALL house etc...

Another reason I want the mix to be here is so DJ's that are on this forum have an opportunity to learn from it. I remember back in the good old days I listened to the Disco 92 mix shows and took note of what tracks were played and how they were presented, that is how we learn...we learn from people who demonstrated excellence in their craft and this skill is passed on down to the "new guys" so they can get better.

I do this not because I have an ego, but I want new DJs to get better so at least I can listen to one who is good...can't say that about these DJs today since many are just button pushers and not turntable jocks.

Just for the record I used my setup for all of the 102.7 radio mixes I did which consisted of 4 Technics 1200's and a dual cd deck. I used the cd deck almost never, but sometimes I had to burn a track to cd just to play it on cd so I can bleep the curse words out of it because these mixes are done in real time live. I am proud to say that my stuff is ALWAYS live, because most CANNOT do what I do live running 4 turntable, and my DJ reputation is being on point perfect while I mix live. That is the level I have always strived for and so can anyone else as well if they really want it that bad.

Anyway enjoy the mix and also let you know that this is the version that went on the air, meaning that is a first gen digital copy off my master so it should sound really good through your speakers.

If you guys want more of the radio MIX 102.7 mixes let me know, they are all an hour long.

Click the link below to listen or download and burn to cd to play in your car..

http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/1/12/630398/Rocca1027FM.mp3

Thanks for listening to my ranting... ;D

 

[cisco_d]

I love it, too bad they don't do any live/local mix-shows in my tired ass market--Allentown. =/

 

[BJSteigner]

You want to see lacking.....WKTU is lacking it big time.

Clear Channel needs to sell the station and have another owner bring back the "REAL" WKTU and not this fake station that plays music targeting demos.

 

[DJ Mo]

I agree about staying with one single genre in one mix. However, I wouldn't say any mix would be the CORRECT way. The CORRECT way as a DJ would to keep their integrity of their own style. I wouldn't want to be known spinning an all Lil' Wayne/T-Pain/Plies/Akon set!

I myself have found myself to skew left & right sometimes. There's quite a few DJ's around that spin ANYTHING in clubs, but not in radio. In radio, I hear a DJ probably has to stick with the playlist of the MD. Even one stray song will get you into trouble.

I am lucky to have the EXTREMELY RARE freedom to choose my own music I spin LIVE that includes everything from Hiphop, Freestyle, House, Dance, & sometimes Trance, Breaks, Rock & Roll Oldies, & even a little Classic Rock every 3rd Sundays on "The Perimeter" mixshow on WYKS Kiss 105.3 in Gainesville, FL @ 8pm. (I only volunteer, but hey, I'm on the radio!) Just 2 turntables & a mixer here, battle style. No CD's or MP3's here!

Not sure about my own ratings, but they kept me on for over 3 years, so I must be doing something right! Feel free to view my set lists for the past 6 months & listen to a clips of a few of my MP3 mixes on my website: http://www.djmoradio.com. Looking for my REAL break like most of you prospectives. You can look, but don't bite.

 

[Mixmaster Tony Rocca]

The CORRECT way as a DJ would to keep their integrity of their own style. I wouldn't want to be known spinning an all Lil' Wayne/T-Pain/Plies/Akon set!

Bravo my friend..you get it !!! A DJ is an artist who paints with records, his colors. If a MD only allows black and white on the palate what kind of paiting do you think you will get???....9 out of 10 times you will get a mix set that sucks and boring to listen to..THAT IS WHY PEOPLE STATION HOP, BECAUSE THE MIX SUCKS ! People it is just that simple.

On top of it most MD's and PD's for that matter in the dance market DO NOT KNOW DANCE MUSIC AT ALL GOOD ENOUGH TO PROGRAM A DANCE STATION. I will give specific examples if you want

Just for the record, I have NEVER been told what to play by a PD or MD. I play what I WANT to play and give my audience what they want to hear, good sets that they listen to and demand actually. If a radio DJ can's deliver that then he/she has NO BUSINESS being on the radio.

I have a tough stance yes, but people get real, are we going to stroke each other off every day and not address the problem at hand?

I have and always will address these issues first hand, maybe more need to step to the plate and grow a pair and participate in making things better like Tony Santiago of the Dance Coalition instead of sitting back and doing nothing while you get fed constantly crap day after day.

 

[TonySantiago]

I have and always will address these issues first hand, maybe more need to step to the plate and grow a pair and participate in making things better like Tony Santiago of the Dance Coalition instead of sitting back and doing nothing while you get fed constantly crap day after day.

God knows I am trying as best as I possibly could but I can't do it alone but I do thank you Tony (and everyone) for your support. I'll be at the DJ Expo Tuesday to get some more "education". My first!

And I wholeheartedly agree with DJ Mo as well as your assessment Tony. Anyone can "spin" tracks. But every DJ has their own "personna" in their mixes and that what differentiates those that have skills versus those that "can't" and can't accept the fact that some people have skills and others just don't. Heck, that's why I work in TV instead of having a sports career...LOL.

Great mix Tony! Funny enough, just from the order of the tracks, I think I remember hearing it live! Was it in 2006???

 

[andreajesus]

I'll be at the DJ Expo Tuesday to get some more "education". My first!
[/quote]
YOU'RE attending the DJ Expo, Tony? ??? You could give a speech or two about HOW you got it, because as far as I'm concerned, YOU GOT THE RIGHT STUFF, BABY!!

Andrea

 

[Mixmaster Tony Rocca]

I have and always will address these issues first hand, maybe more need to step to the plate and grow a pair and participate in making things better like Tony Santiago of the Dance Coalition instead of sitting back and doing nothing while you get fed constantly crap day after day.

God knows I am trying as best as I possibly could but I can't do it alone but I do thank you Tony (and everyone) for your support. I'll be at the DJ Expo Tuesday to get some more "education". My first!

And I wholeheartedly agree with DJ Mo as well as your assessment Tony. Anyone can "spin" tracks. But every DJ has their own "personna" in their mixes and that what differentiates those that have skills versus those that "can't" and can't accept the fact that some people have skills and others just don't. Heck, that's why I work in TV instead of having a sports career...LOL.

Great mix Tony! Funny enough, just from the order of the tracks, I think I remember hearing it live! Was it in 2006???

Tony..I spun this particular mix in early 2005. what I was trying to say in particular is that a GOOD dj can play ALL types of music is a set and make them sound CORRECT. I have spun a Charlie Daniels country track over a hard hitting house track and you know the thing worked because it sounds once again CORRECT.

People need to trust their instinct and their ears when listening to a mix, as I have always said about myself is that I am a traditional big room club dj and not a radio dj. I mix on the radio to bring the club to the radio and it's listeners.

Because believe it or not there are young people that are not of club age who like club music and giving them the correct outlet is what I try to do....and that is only one part of the proper equation.