How do you make a battle rountine? Another question is how do you get your name programmed in your mixes. Like for example the intro to DJ 2nd Nature's set when he used the DVJ X-1. I am a ex Drill Sergeant and I want to incorperate that in my mixes. I am still at the beginning stages. I can blend from one record to another but I want to learn more and spice things up more. I just ordered a pair of the MK2's. I want learn how to use breakbeats and different techniques. Can someone help me out. Thanks

SSG Moore
Camp Doha Kuwait Fire Chief

Wow-- tall order to fill in one of those questions...



But, let's start with the simplest one. In MP3 files, when using Windows Media Player, you can use the Advanced Tag Editor and change different labels, etc. If using MPEGs, you can use Windows MovieMaker to add marquees and other effects across the screen, plus make the tag editing changes.



Now- the tough question. Battle sets are like cooking from scratch- no menu of ingredients or instuctions necessary [or available]. You have to use your imagination. To get an idea of what you are dealing with, watch ANYONE's battle set and you will see how diverse they are. You can order videos/DVDs online of competitions or surf websites for clips. We post clips in this forum all of the time. My website has a few. The information is all over the place.



One suggestion I would make before going any further, try getting the DJ QBert Do-It-Yourself Vol. 1 DVD. It will teach you how to scratch and give you and idea of how things get off the ground. If you are using vinyl, here is a link to a Turntablist Tutorial tool may be able to teach you the concept...

What up SSG Moore and welcome to the Pio DJ community. As you will learn there are many answers to the questions you have due to the vast options available to most DJ's today. Its probably best to learn to DJ one step at a time and going straight into attepmting battle routine is more than most new DJ's can handle (your eagerness and enthusiam is good however). A set like the one produced by 2nd Nature on the DVJ's takes many years of experience and know how, its not something anyone can easily pick up or even describe. A battle routine is artistically put together by a DJ's individual ideas, so creating your own is what its all about.

Your biggest need at this point is practice and more practice. Once you get your MK2's you will then have the capabilities to "spice things up". I would first learn how to use the loops and hot cues thoroughly and also order yourself some memory cards, just using those tools effectivly will greatly enhance your DJ skills. Assuming you have that covered and can blend as well as you say you can (which Im sure will get better with time) then you are ready to start to record mixes which is where "programming your name in the mix" comes in. Recording and editing is another world seperate from DJing but I wouldnt focus on that right now if I were you.

Analogy: you cant (shouldnt) go into battle without first going thru basic training, and that training for you is hours of practice and familiarizing yourself with your MK2's and its many functions. There are alott of other factors involved and many other questions you will ask later as well but...take it one step at a time. Again your enthusiasm is a positive thing. Good Luck and God bless you and all my Army bretheren!

Easiest way to do a "name drop" is to record one yourself - or have someone else record one for you. Granted, doing audio is easier than video, so why not start there?

Yeah I would start with audio.

Was up SSG Moore, its me SFC Fludd at Camp ArifJan, My DJ Equipment hasnt arrived yet, but I will come by Doha when it does, I go to Doha atleast twice a week. I will be stationed here in Kuwait for a year. Hopefully I can get a gig at the Zone 1 MWR center. My work number is DSN 430-3081, I work in Class V DOL. I have the Pioneer CDJ 800s and a Pioneer 300 mixer on the way. I can get with you on the routines and beat juggling, since I just transfered from vinyl. I also brought my laptop with PCDJ RED VRM on it, so I will have some versatility whehn I have to DJ something other than Hip Hop. Give me a call, or I will just come through the fire station and yell out ya name ....lol talk to you soon

DJM300? You're going to have troubles juggling and cutting properly - consider a DJM707 instead. It's also 2 channels, it's a better quality audio and it's <wait for it> CHEAPER!

OOPs I meant to say a Pioneer DJM3000, I am waiting on the price on the 909 to go down just a little, I have been searching Ebay for a while to get one. The 707 just doesnt attract me, If I can get all the features of my 3000 in the 909 then thats the one I want to get.