Beginner DJ for SL

I went to http://secondlife.com/community/music.php, and read to the bottom, where it provided two links to some documentation. One, being a SL knowledge base article that didn't load when I clicked it, and the other being a link to a blog.

I went to the blog, and at one point he talked about using a mixer, and that it was hardware plugged in via usb, and that he paid around $200 for it.

The blog also assumes that you are already a musician in RL.

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I have three questions.

Is there a DJ in SL that learned how to DJ in SL without any prior music experience?

If yes, then what resources did he use?

Can a person DJ in SL without any external hardware (using all software) ?

I'm guessing the link wasn't removed when LL decided to hide the Knowledge Base inside the Support Portal. If you go to the Support page, log into the Portal and search 'DJ,' the article entitled 'Overview of Music in Second Life' might give you some pointers.

I personally know nothing about the topic.

1. Define "music experience" - there are tons of amateur DJs in SL. Can't answer 2 without knowing what you mean by 1.

3. Yes.

What I did:

I went to a couple of different very popular clubs in SL and asked a few DJ's about how to DJ on sl, what programs to use and their price range, ect... I didn't have DJ experience when I first started, but I did have a plan.

What music I wanted to play and the type of club I wanted to work for. I guess you could say I had minimal experience when I started, my sl bf was renting land and could change the media options so I downloaded winamp and shoutcast (free) and had a little bit of experience DJ'ing on his land first.

But many SL DJ's in world are nice and helpful, just have to ask one... preferrably when their not working, but sometimes that's the only time to get a hold of one.

Yes you can DJ with just software, but it's better to have microphone in some cases.

You can learn to stream your own mp3 music collection in to SL without any external hardware using Shoutcast, Winamp and the shoutcast plugin. You have to download winamp and the plugin. You have to find a stream to connect to SL if you don't have a mega, mega fast internet connection with a high upload rate (many streams are available for rent in SL for varying prices). There is some (but not a lot) explanation of this on the Shoutcast website http://www.shoutcast.com/download/ Under "Be a DJ". There is also one called Icecast although I've never looked into it.

In my opinion, there is a skill to being a DJ. Learning which songs go together, when to speed things up, when to slow things down, how to read your audience and change things up if you need to, when to talk, when to shut up, what to say or whether to talk at all, etc.

I'm sure there are classes in RL, websites, workshops, etc, but it depends on whether your goal is to make a living as professional DJ that works bigger events and, eventually, in the real world vs. doing it for fun or picking up some extra $L by working here and there in clubs and at events or private parties. If you goal is to work in SL in clubs, then you just need a good music collection and practice. I constantly see adds for clubs looking for DJ's with their own streams and, of course, their own music. So, there's work out there.

I'm sure some DJ's would be happy to answer questions for you if you ask when they are not busy (before or after their set). Most that I've encountered are pretty friendly.

I've only heard a few DJ's in SL that were obviously professional DJ's who probably do it for a living in real life. Most DJ's I've encountered in SL have been people who stream their own music collection in to SL, sometimes for pay, sometimes for fun, and learn as they go along. 95% of the time, non-pro DJ's do just as well for general club purposes as any professional although some have more of a feel for it than others. I even did it for a while although I can't claim I was really any good at it. It's pretty easy to set up, fairly easy to use and it can be real fun.

Musicians who are performing live and people who remix music may have to have external hardware but I don't know anything about that side of things.

I started a venue in SL in 2005 and hunted around until I learned how to DJ in SL. Now I train players in my school. You can contact me and I can take you through my process.

Having taken Lias's course I do highly recommend it if you are looking to DJ in a club. Learning to DJ is more IT skills at first and learning the program interface. Then it is knowing what you are playing, for this it is best to at least start with a genre of music you enjoy, for me this is Goth Rock. There is also a social aspect for Voice Overs as this takes you up a to a whole new level when you can be heard.

I personally started before taking Lias's course with WinAmp and the ShoutCast plug in. I had no prior novice of professional music experience except for how to play my MP3s with WinAmp so that was a natural staring place for me. I played a few set at a little whole in the wall beach bar, then took Lias's course and I can say it took what I knew to a whole new level without being mind spinningly complicated. Actually the hardest part for me was getting used to the interface and the Library and Playlist system of the new program.

Personally I still use WinAmp for the major creation of my playlists as I can loop my playlist and get a general idea of how it will sound and get it generally where I want it. Then I save it and put it into SAM and make any final adjustments.

Amen on the IT stuff.

DJing was the easy part! (Still is sometimes )

I learned from a good DJ who was very willing and helped me test. I don't have the patience to teach others simply because when I've tried, people refused to listen, or I heard "where, where, where" all the time because they wouldn't read what I would write or say to them.

I've DJed in SL for the 2 most popular traffic clubs over the last 18 months. Wouldn't recommend either of them personally - but that's because I hate drama. Some people like it, some can stand it, I do neither.

That aside - I wished some of these clubs would stop putting up so much crap because now that I want to move on and DJ again, I can't get in and rez the damn app givers and half these people don't answer their own ads (some show not logging on in weeks).

As a newbie, be prepared to NOT get paid right off (aside from tips - never work at a club that takes any percent of your tips). You've never done any of this before, so likely you'll have a bit of proving grounds to fight through before you get that.

Do you charge for your class? I would be interested in taking it as well

It is 500 L$ for the DJ class and more than pays for it's self, you'll see.

one bit of advice, pick a genre and stick with it for each set... if you bounce around alot, you'll kill the mood, and people will lose interest in returning. it's ok to change moods, but do it gradually.

Not for me. I've had more people love a real mix as opposed to slamming one style in their faces. Well, unless the event was techno (which I've done) or 50's (which I've done). I wouldn't suggest going from Jewel to Avenged Sevenfold, but I have done them in the same 2 hour set, with some alternative to bridge. But that's my style and I happen to have 30k songs to be able to back up what I play. I have played a remix for Britney Spears next to System of a Down though.

If you have 2k and they are mostly rock - you probably don't want to throw in the 2 tracks you have of pop and all the rest rock.

Just remember, you're personal style will dictate what music you play almost all the time. I hate techno, but hey, the host scheduled it and I'm not going to walk off over it. But I always played a mix otherwise. Some DJ's are known for the best rock collection ever. I think it's a personal preference on the type of music you play, when, and where and how you want to be perceived.

This is true, if you are going to get into DJing either self taught, or taking a class or workshop, make sure you look for jobs where you can play music you know and enjoy. Honestly your audience will not get into your music if you are not.

I'd also make sure you have a large music library, and if possible your own streams. I Dj for a variety of clubs in SL - ranging from sock hop to classic rock to 70s-80s to my least favorite... today's music. Classic Rock and 70s - 80s is where I thrive, and where people seem to have the most with and are very receptive (and generous).

As Seola wrote before - don't expect to get anything but tips when you start. Once you gain the experience and are well known, you can expect to make your own rates.

Depending on the software you use, I would recommend NOT using the same computer to broadcast AND play in SL at the same time. SL is resources intensive, and broadcasting softwares such as SAM are also resource intensive. Using both can result in buffering issues. Pick up a cheap PC to do your broadcasting with - and make sure your broadband connection can handle the bit rate the club expects you to broadcast at.

there is a exception to this, If you have dual core you'll be fine.

You can also, if only one PC is available, give SAM higher priority than SL. This WILL make SL sluggish but allow you to DJ successfully.

Cool, thanks Ann.

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Not sure how else to to phrase it, or if it's necessary for me to get that specific. It looks like other people here were able to comprehend my message, so, thanks anyways Cristalle.

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Good advice--I'll ask a couple more, because the first one I asked(that was off duty), told me to check the secondlife website, heh.

Yeah, perhaps I asked the wrong person, that one time.


Good point on the microphone, I have a nice one too--thanks for the advice Dementia.

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Good advice, EREBUS. Thanks.

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Cool, I'll definately check it out, thanks Lias.

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Good to know what you went through, and a couple tips, thanks.


Cool, I feel better already.


Interesting, I think I know what your goal is for doing that, however I'm going to do a search on what SAM is.

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Heh, I can just imagine what that'd be like. Drama is for immature kids--I'm going mature adult.


I guess I'd have to play SL a little longer for me to understand what you're saying there.