I want to become a DJ, but what do I need?

Hello, all. I'm looking to become a DJ, but I haven't the slightest clue what I need (besides music), what classes I would need to take, or anything. I would really appreciate any and all help from anyone.

Thank you,
Gay

you want to get a stream which there are places in sl you can get them..i think a good reliable stream with 100 listeners would be around 4k lindens a month

and a good supply of music variety and a mic and also a place that will give you a place to put it all together..

the places you get the streams come with note cards and can tell you how to set up what kind of stream software you will be running .if it's SAM or WINAMP or what not..

i'm not sure if there are dj classes in sl but there may be..just search in the *ALL* search and see if something pops up..
hope this helps some

Thanks for the reply. What do you mean by stream? Winamp has never on my computer, so what are the other options are there?

Thanks,
Gay

winamp is free to download..
and a stream is how you bring music into sl..
it's internet radio..
if you want information on some good streams just do a search for Jamie otis and look in his picks and click on teleport to his shoutcast server rental location..

there is a vender there that gives out note cards with all the information you need about streaming music on the net..

So would I have to buy music from winamp's store or can I use music that I download from other places? In my instance it's from limewire. Also, what is the average cost of streams and/or the best (in your opinion)?

Thanks for the help,
Gay

it plays music you have on your play list you make with your own music you have on your computer..
there are servers you can upload the music to if you like but those cost more i believe..
i just used jamies because i never had server problems or gurgling and never had a server crash when i used them..

Gay, If you have a PC you use SAM Broadcaster - that is the standard for basic internet DJing. On a MAC most use Nicecast.

I will show you for free. Just look me up in SL.

.

It's the standard, but it's also expensive. WinAmp is free, and so is the ShoutCast DSP plug-in. It's all you need. Gay, you can use any music files that you have donwnloaded or ripped, as long as WinAmp can see them. I would recommend .mp3s because they will let you embed metadata (song titles and artists) in each file which many inworld DJ display boards can read and display and/or broadcast in chat. If you're cadging files from Limewire or some such place, you'll want to make sure you get at least 128 kbps bitrate files, since that's usually the minimum stream quality you would want to use inworld. FWIW, yes, I do use DL'd files from Limewire and such, but the majority of my collection I have bought and paid for. That makes me feel a little less guilty about illegally broadcasting copyrighted music.

128 bit is the max you will get out of SL stream anyways but the higher bite rate file you have the more quality it was recorded at so a higher bitrate download depending on who did the file will sound better ..

also i have a question..now are you saying winamp will go straight into SL without a relay server from my computer with my shoutcast plugin?

in other words i would use my IP in the media stream url slot instead of say a server that relays my music?

and if so is there much of a delay like there would be from a relay?

If you do not use a server and just stream directly from your PC, the most listeners you might be able to handle would be 5 or so, then you would see it degrade.

(basically your PC and connection would be the server)

so where are people getting free server relay service ?i mean you have to pay for a server slot don't you?
i know some payed more to have their music uploaded to a server but i still had to pay if i wanted to use the server to relay from my winamp and get 100 listener service..

i don't think i would want to use my own ip on a clubs url slot anyways. hehehe

maybe they have a friend who gives them some space on a server to set up a relay

no clue other than they know someone giving it to them for free (I have not seen any free services, then again, I have not looked for any services in a long time)

ya me either..but i keep hearing in these threads that they are doing it for free..

i like the service i had when i had mine..if i get another i will probably still stick with that one anyways..i never had any problems and it was always smooth..

There is a free server out there.. I used it for maybe 2 hours.. the uptime is horrible.. So yea.. I pay for mine.. but it's around 2k per month 100 listeners at 128... Works great.

DJing with winamp can be daunting but done easy enough.. I'd reccomend Sam if it is in the budget if not.. Don't sweat it..

Just do it legal..

I do DJ in SL and use Sam4. It seems the only issue I have is the mic i bought will break up from time to time. Not sure how to fix that. I rent a stream with 50 listeners for about 1k per month. I have never had an issue with this stream and I DJ 5-6 days a week. I have used winamp before and it does work well... though there always is a gap in music when it switches from one song to the next. Sam has the nice feature of 2 decks that will mix when one ends and the next one begins.

To the OP, if you need a copy of Sam2, 3 or 4, let me know. I have a legal license I can help you out with and teach you how to use the software and what you need.

That wouldn't be a mic problem.. It would be a Plug in Problem.. Does it only do it in Sam? Could be clipping from being over modulated Try adjusting from the mic settings and run a Thomass Limiter and watch your noise gate and adjust accordingly.

Hey Taylor. great idea. The mic works fine everywhere else... except when talking on air. I know it's a software issue that I need to adjust. I'll give that a try. I have been using Sam2 for years on Vista... but one day the audio just cut out on my side. Music was playing fine over the stream, but I couldn't hear anything. If it wasn't for the delay, i could just go off of the in world music. I'll try your idea when i get home.

Thanks

...and don't go over the speed limit in your car.

all i do for the delay is que up the next song right away i want and start it about 3 to 5 seconds before the other file ends depending on what my delay test is at the start..
that helps with any big gap in songs..

i do like the sound of a mixer though..
i just don't dj that much so winamp good enough for my needs..
if i wasmore serious i would probably use sam..i'm sure it has a few nifty tools on it..

Ceka, if you really want Sam, i can give you a legal copy of Sam2 since i am not using it anymore. Let me know if you are interested

thank you for the offer..it's very kind of you..
I really do not DJ much anymore so it would probably go to waste on me..
but it was very nice of you to offer..thank you =)