Mixing for 12-18 yr olds

[hyperzap]

Considering all the help Ive been recieving I think its time to give something back to the community. yu have every right to disaggree with what I say as it is only a guide; im just sharing what ive found as a 15 yr old dj.

##Mixing for 12-18 yr olds; parties, formals, school dances, (not so sure about U18 events)

Okay, mixing for this agegroup is actually really straightforward. There are two main relatively effective styles:

Mobydisc style (no skill) - Play the top 40 for the last three months in a random fashion. Take requests. Crossfade or run back to back.

Im not gonna lie - this style of mixing will keep your crowd moving. But its far too easy and its frankly shit. It just works for this agegroup. But the next style works better...

Party style (my fav) - Play a sequence of styles, dropping a top 40 in every 3-8 songs. Beat matching and working the eq is essential.

Im sure most of you do this already.

Now, to be more specific:

Start with R&B/Hip Hop. At the beginning of a dance everyone will be feeling a bit awkward and there won't be much vibe. Play the music that matches that tone. Maybe everyone is already fired up and you can skip this style completely. Anyway, When you think that the floor is ready to move on, then move to the next style. Good tracks that fit this are When I grow up - Pussycat dolls, Temperature - Sean Paul, I made it (by whoever made let it rock), you get the picture...

Move to something with more of a beat - Choose tracks with energy. remember the young generations have alot of energy and sugar to burn.

Don't play those shit ultra repetive traks that sound like shit and have no energy. Oh, and tracks with alot of bass go down well too. Things like Take over control, Weapon of Choice, Need me to stay, and Deadmau5. These things have alot of bass and alot of energy.

Remember to mix well. Younger generations will notice. Beatmatching, and Eq it at a minimun.

From then on in its pretty up to you. Just remember to keep the energy up. Rarely your crowd will start running out of steam, then I start playing something with a bit less energy, before quickly switching to a song with a long breakdown and then epic build. (like the original need me to stay).

If your out of ideas, I normally run Hiphop-Electro-Harderelectro-Rock (the stuff with alot of guitar, like Animals - Nickelback) -Top 40 (the ones with bass and energy, like Take it off - K$sha).

And if you get on the mic don't speak in a single tone. Get into it; "We gotta li''le special somthin commin up for you right here. Im gonna introduce you, to my main man up here, and let him do what he does best"

You get the picture...

Lastly, be professional. If you have trusses or moving heads, get them out. Strobes, lasers, moonflowers, magic gobos, professional subs, etc. Avoid the birthday party look; with wires going everywhere and no skirt, it ruins the vibe.

[eggssell]

damn dude that is pretty organised. maybe not until we were 18 did we ever get that organised. that was where we use to book houses in the blue mountains, move all the furniture to the backyard or garage and then turn the entire house into several different dance areas.

before that it was just rental equip in garages playing 12 inches and gettin on the mic and saying "waddup party people who wants to hear that two live crew track again" then play we want some pu**y for the fifth time in a row.

[JonnyB]

ok, tbh, i didnt read it all as it isnt really reletive to me, but it seems like you put the effort into it all, so ill give you some rep for it. good work dude

[crundyy]

im pretty keen to give you negative rep for even mentioning ke$ha..

[Buck_Choi]

had a bit of a read :] good stuff ay man. keep it coming.

[krsjuan]

red cordial.

that is all