Tagged in this Facebook discussion: Peter Merry  Randy Bartlett Mark Ferrell Jim Cerone Anthony Rizzotti Chuck Amstone Arnoldo Offermann Stacy Zemon Ronald Michel Scott Faver Robb Smith Doug Shaw Robert Starkey Rob Snyder Chuck Weirich John Haskins Mitch Taylor DjKen Heath Jeff Richards Brian Redd Jay Brannan Tim Huck Esque DjDollar There Are TWO Types Of DJs (In The Extreme Sense) by Jeffrey Evan Mufson on Friday, November 5, 2010 at 4:31pm Based upon related discussion thread at DJ Chat. To view, click here: http://www.djchat.com/showthread.php?t=109290%EF%BB%BF Dig it: We are all familiar with great Club-Style DJs who have a great talent for also doing Weddings, Mitzvahs, etc (Anthony Rizzotti). We also are all quite familiar with Mobile MCs (Hosts) who have excellent mixing skills, and may actually prefer to beat-mix in their work (Arnoldo Offerman, Chuck Amstone, Ron Michel). Due to the many variations on the concept of the term "DJ", causing some confusion in today's layman society, I would like to once-and-for-all differentiate the two MAIN distinctions wrangled about in this great industry, keeping in mind in NO way do I MEAN or INTEND to convey EITHER genre is BETTER or SUPERIOR to or than the other...It's merely a preference for everyone.   There are TWO types of LIVE (non-air) DJs (in the VERY extreme generalized sense)... 1) One that generally beat-mixes; Typically (but not limited to) a CLUB DJ; Stereotypically younger (25 and younger), urban-ish, "cap-to-da-back" hip-hop, artistic, "wiki-wiki" scratchers, twin-turntable or "left-to-right" based driven equipment...Talent tends to be MUSIC focused...May perform more in clubs or club-type settings, Frat, Sorority, College or Grade-school (prom) functions; More Bar/Bat Mitzvahs than Weddings (if any)...Most tend to go by "DJ Something"...Have no problem referring to themselves as "DJs" (as opposed to "MC" , Wedding Entertainment Director or some creative alternative). This type is 99.9% of the time portrayed on TV shows, movies, etc...wherever "DJs" are seen in situation comedies or dramas, whether the affair is club OR private (Wedding, Mitzvah)...also a stereotype most Mobiles are trying to distance themselves away from. 2) One that generally does NOT beat-mix; Typically (but not limited to) a MOBILE DJ / MC / PARTY-HOST (the majority of ADJA and/or NAME membership); Tux or suit-clad, tend to be "Podium-type" console driven...May tend to be older (25 and up)...more likely to be dramatically or improvisationally inclined...Talent tends to be PERSONALITY / ORATORICALLY focused...May do mainly Wedding Receptions, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Corporate functions, etc...May refer to themselves as a "DJ", but prefer NOT if it can be helped because of the limitation the single term denotes. This would be the type that most unfamiliar people are unaware of because of the portrayal mentioned above AND due to the lack of mass public exposure necessary to adequately represent this genre of the industry. Peter Merry & Stacy Zemon can only do so much. ?) Can one be BOTH at the same time? (Both may utilize the same equipment and/or programming, whether it may be turntables to DAT, vinyl, CD to mp3, etc.) Can one "master" both? Be a master beat-mixer while also proficiently skilled as a Master of Ceremonies? Of course, but there's a difference between the two types of persona described above; Many have no problem mastering both worlds...Many will claim, "Damn straight you can!"...But another school of thought exists that will also argue that attempting to do so is pointless, that one should FOCUS their talents rather than diversifying into a meticulous mush...Be good at hosting, MCing if that's your thing...Don't worry about Beat-Mixing if you find difficulty doing so...One's talent may not allow it...However (AGAIN), it's naturally a VERY BIG PLUS to be able to allow it into your repertoire. THE POINT now is: WHEN is it (or is it NOT) appropriate to employ Beat-Mixing? The question here actually may be: Are you a "Beat-Mixing" DJ? OR one who merely uses Beat-Mixing as only ONE of the many tools used, or as PART of the process in your vocation? CASE IN POINT: In a MOBILE DJ's LIFE, there will be MANY cases where BEAT-MIXING will literally get you...how can I say this...yelled at? Commented upon? Told to STOP and "just play the dang song"? One will sooner or later find that it is impossible to allow beat-mixing 100% of the time for every situation. CASE IN POINT: It is common knowledge that the Mobile DJ Industry's top leaders, affectionately known as the "Four Horsemen" (Peter Merry, Mark Ferrell, Jim Cerone and Randy Bartlett) all never emphasize beat-mixing in their work (let alone know how to...though I'm sure they all likely "do"). They certainly never seem to make it a focus in ANY way upon what they do or teach. Perhaps it shouldn't be? [* Read the comments all the way down to the bottom to see Mark's "take".] The "Four Horsemen" of the Mobile DJ World: Mark Ferrell, Jim Cerone, Randy Bartlett & Peter Merry I "beat-mix" at every event as well...because I love it, and it's neat & fun...but when the age-group performed for is obviously not "right" for this practice (Come on...Are you actually going to tell me that you're going to keep a floor of SENIOR CITIZENS full via BEAT-MIXING? Will NEVER happen!). I'm confident that many of you can come up with a ton of party (non-ceremonial) situations where beat-mixing may be useless or unnecessary. Yes...Beat-mixing is a great addition to one's usefulness (personally, I prefer MixMeister Fusion for my beat-mixing enjoyment because it's LINEAR as opposed to "left-to-right", etc...This is necessary due to personal physical limitations I've been diagnosed to possess), but the point is that it is totally NOT necessary to the success of ones goals... Better, but not necessary. Otherwise, take it from the great Scott Faver (who I also have never caught emphasizing "beat-mixing") when it comes to how you keep a dance floor full: Always have (and practice) great ways to transition between events and songs; Each one having a purpose and meaning within the affair performed...It's not always going to be about the MUSIC my friends...It will many times be about the "intangible"...The celebration of the occasion. I'll tell you this: After tangling with my boy Arnoldo, I've found that perhaps we all need to perhaps FORGET about BEAT-MIXING and instead get some work on our TYPING skills! MAN! He's QUICK! See related discussion thread at DJ Chat here: http://www.djchat.com/showthread.php?t=109290 Jim Cerone Actually, I do and I do (wedding humor). November 1 at 4:40pm Jeffrey Evan Mufson Well there you go...He "do". November 1 at 4:45pm Arnoldo Offermann Umm.. what? Last time I checked, Jim beatmixes... we had a discussion on that. Peter Merry beatmixes as well... and so does Randy Bartlett... it was even a point of discussion in the 1% series! Here's where many DJs hate my opinion: If you don't beatmix... learn, or you're not a DJ. You're an MC/host with programming abilities. The art of "Disc Jockery" includes skilled programming and creative mixing. If you don't mix, you're just a skilled music programmer, not a DJ. But let's say a high caliber entertainer, like Jim Cerone, didn't beatmix. He's still a fantastic MC and host, and obviously a great music programmer at that. Is he a DJ in the real sense of the word? Not if there's no mixing.... but with his talents.. would the client care? I understand the points you were trying to make, but the names you mentioned all beatmix. November 1 at 5:05pm John Haskins Nice article and certainly one to create discussion. I'm 40 and enjoy doing club work. Coming from a music background I enjoy beatmixing, scratching, cutting and backspinning to create excitement and drama on a dance floor and I enjoy playing the newest of the new music. Also i will go by my company initials (FNDJ) to help stand out from typical DJ Blah Blah Blah. My mic skills help me engage my crowds in a way that most club dj's cannot or will not. At the same time I'm very passionate about performing at wedding receptions. I enjoy the pressure of utilizing all my talents for a once in a lifetime moment for my couples. I am proud ADJA member who emphasizes the importance of a Master of Ceremonies at a wedding as opposed to someone who simply "pushes buttons". I frequently attend Toastmasters, take acting classes and am always looking to improve these skills. I'm generally tux clad and use my radio and theatrical backgrounds to keep my receptions moving in a professional and entertaining fashion. But when the dance floor is open and an opportunity is created for a good beatmixing moment I'll use that skill as well. Never have I been told to "Just Play the Dang Song", music sense tells me what's appropriate and what's not. Both club and wedding DJ's share a need to educate people that more than playing music is necessary for success in either venue (All club DJ's DO NOT beatmix). I tell people that first and foremost I'm an entertainer. Those that don't understand the difference between this and being a "button pusher" probably are not my clients, wedding or club. I have great admiration of the Four Horsemen and I have learned a great deal from all of them. If they want to learn how to how to beatmix (though I don't believe they don't know how) I'll be glad to teach them! Again, nice article Jeffrey. November 1 at 5:06pm Mitch Taylor I beat-mix at pretty much all of my weddings and have for several years. I promote that fact and display different style of mixing on my website. A bride just this year asked me if she could upgrade her package to include that and I told ...her it was already included. I second pretty much everything that John and Arnoldo has said in this thread. I'll be speaking on Creative Mixing at the MAPDJ 1 Day Event upcoming on Sunday. The key is your mixing should MOVE people to the floor not pull them from it. If your next choice of song doesn't change over the floor and add people to it, then you shouldn't play that song...regardless if it's the "perfect" beatmix or your latest favorite. The bottom line is to use all of your skills as an entertainer to entertain the crowd you are in front of and send them home happy....regardless of the venue you are in. November 1 at 5:13pm DjKen Heath ‎...The term "Disc Jockey" was coined back in the 40's when radio programming was changing from live orchestras to pre-recorded music on lacquer discs, roughly forty-plus years before the style of beatmixing you refer to came into being... just sayin' ;) November 1 at 5:17pm Arnoldo Offermann Sure... and that was coined from the radio. Fine, be a Radio DJ. :) November 1 at 5:18pm DjKen Heath Yours wouldn't exist without mine. Not all DJs beatmix, because all absolute statements are not! November 1 at 5:20pm Arnoldo Offermann Sure... let's make a bet... you post a non-beatmixing set and I'll do the same set of songs beatmixes. Let's send it to a focus group of brides and see whom they'd hire, assuming all other talents (MC, host, lighting) were the same. November 1 at 5:23pm Jeffrey Evan Mufson It depends on what the host cares about. There is NO WAY that beat-mixing will appease EVERY CLIENT. November 1 at 5:25pm Jeffrey Evan Mufson All in all....Beat-Mixing should be used by all that love and are passionate about it...Otherwise, it is no more necessary than the use of MP3s versus CDs (or vice versa). November 1 at 5:29pm Arnoldo Offermann I've yet to meet a client who preferred someone pushing AUTOSEGUE on a computer/crossfade CDs VS someone who creatively mixes (using beatmixing, slams, transitions, chops, layovers, etc) November 1 at 5:29pm Jim Cerone My new name, thanks to John H. Call me DJ Blah Blah Blah November 1 at 5:31pm Jeffrey Evan Mufson Give it time Arnoldo...You're young. Have you ever needed to beat-mix for Senior Citizens? I have yet to play for any that preferred beat-mixing. November 1 at 5:32pm Arnoldo Offermann Actually yeah.... I did a 70s party and got may compliments from said senior citizens. Many raved how they got to experience their favorite hits in a whole new way. Then again, that's one of the many reasons they paid 3x for me VS their previous non-mixing DJs.   And what does age have to do with anything? Careful where you tread there, Jeff... I won't hold back on my EXPERIENCE VS AGE opinions. November 1 at 5:32pm DjKen Heath I knew a guy who could beatmix so seamlessly that he put me to sleep more than once at 128db... The nights I played = dance floor packed, nights he played = ghost-town after about 20 minutes of non-stop hypnotic BOOM, BOOM, BOOM... funny thing, we both worked for the same club and the same broadcast company (different stations though)... ;) November 1 at 5:38pm Jeffrey Evan Mufson Perhaps I should define 'Senior Citizens': Show me a set of folks who want to "Fox Trot", "Rumba" (or other over 70 types) who will allow you to "Beat-Mix" without bodily tossing you and your equipment out the door, and I (and many others apparently) will "Flip Da Script". Forgive the "age" thing...I'm just saying, until you've done as many parties for the "over 70" set as much as I have, I can't imagine you knowing. Geez...I need to learn to TYPE faster! November 1 at 5:42pm Arnoldo Offermann ‎1) Fox Trots and Rumbas aren't supposed to be beatmixed. However there's still ways to creative mix VS just an AMATEUR SEGUE. 2) I don't care how many you, or anyone else, has done. A Solid Gold Sound has collectively done more weddings than APE and I guarantee you they're nowhere near our caliber. November 1 at 5:44pm DjKen Heath Quite simply, it's unnecessary at most of the events I do, not your average "club crowds" so they don't expect mixing and will look at you funny and walk off the floor if songs aren't as they remember them. November 1 at 5:46pm Arnoldo Offermann Sounds like poor programming Ken. I beatmix at every event and I do and get constant compliments on it... or maybe other DJs suck at beatmixing. November 1 at 5:47pm Jeffrey Evan Mufson I'm about to post pictures from a 70's theme house party I just did that I beat-mixed the entire event...In NO WAY do I consider this folks "Senior Citizens" (Forgive me...I'm not referring to NARP's definition). November 1 at 5:48pm Arnoldo Offermann Nope.. but the 70s theme party I mentioned about was literally a 70s theme.. as in 70 years of age celebrating the 1970s. November 1 at 5:49pm   Jeffrey Evan Mufson Arnoldo...Slow down...We're not contending that you and your talent for beat-mixing in away is or isn't preferred among brides today! November 1 at 5:54pm Jeff Richards Who started a war? I've been a "Disc Jockey" since 1981. I owned my own full time company for thirteen years. I have never learned or have "beat mixed" an even in my life. I'm not saying I'm better or worse than a person who does beat m...ix, I'm just saying it has worked for me. I do enjoy a DJ who does "beat mix" as long as it doesn't detract from the song (s) or the dancing by adding beats/changing the timing or altering the song to where it is not recognizable. In my area (Upper Midwest) Our wedding/corporate clients want a DJ who plays the song exactly like they hear on the radio. They want a simple beat and tune they know and can dance to. In my 30 years no one as ever asked me if I "beat mix" I've even tried playing a few extended mixes of great common wedding songs or mash-ups and the guests look at me like "What the HELL are you playing" There are ways to transition from song to song without "beat mixing" that will work just fine and still keep the dance floor full. In fact most of the bigger "Multi-ops" in MN tell their DJs NOT TO beat mix at all. I can certainly see where "beat mixing" is a must: Schools, college events & younger party groups... but here in my area if you "beat mix" at a wedding or corporate event, you may anger your clients and their guests. I'm guessing this subject is a regional as well as age group decided thing. November 1 at 5:55pm Jeffrey Evan Mufson What HE said! November 1 at 5:56pm Jeffrey Evan Mufson This is why I actually LUV Arnoldo! November 1 at 5:58pm DjKen Heath Funny that the article mentions Scott Faver...I accompany him on many events to musically support his antics and perform exclusively during the dancing portion. November 1 at 6:03pm Mitch Taylor Jeff....looking forward to hopefully seeing you in MSP this weekend. Beatmixing is just one of the tools in your arsenal of entertainment. Use it when it's most appropriate for the situation you are performing in. BTW..."younger party groups" for me does include weddings. YMMV. November 1 at 6:08pm ‎Brian Redd "The Perfect Beat Mix"... Not sure a book could cover it. Beat Mixing is a concept that maybe about half of the DJs out there CAN do and very few can do effectively. Good effective Beat Mixing is a bit like a great sales presentation: ...The best sales people are those where customers don't even realize they are being pitched to. The mix not only is technically accurate, but relevant to the crowd (regardless of age). When people ask me where to start, I say Programming is the place to be. MASTER programming THEN see what you can do about beat mixing. This combo will set you apart from the show-offs and wannabes no matter where you spin. November 1 at 6:18pm Jeffrey Evan Mufson Folks...Please read the article again above...and refer to the instigating DJ Chat thread: http://www.djchat.com/show thread.php?t=109290 The point is, The "Four Horsemen" mentioned above have never made it a popular "point" as to any affinity of theirs for "beat-mixing" because it was never about that... If it were, then Peter Merry's book would have an entire chapter devoted to it! Randy Bartlet would have released his third installment called, "The 1% Beat-Mixer"...Mark Farrell would lead the "Beat-Worth Tour"...and Jim? The "Perfect Beat-Mix"? Can you imagine! And NO...Of course a BOOK could never cover it...but I don't remember ANY of these guys espousing, "OH...And by the way...You BETTER be able to know how to BEAT MIX!" November 1 at 6:26pm Brian Redd I'm not a follower of the Suits, although I do know Peter and we have had some good conversations lately. I'm thinking they are simply sharing the knowledge they have gathered in an effort to help others improve things like emcee skills and ...presentation. It's not ALL you need to know to be a DJ. In fact, it's not for beginners. It's to help existing DJs improve on what they already know or perhaps to help break bad habits developed over time. Something like being an effective programmer & beat mixer is a talent that requires one not only to have the technical aptitude, but the psychology and sociology skills to know what motivates people. Hardly something to try to cover in a book, series of videos, etc. You either got it or you don't. November 1 at 6:32pm Jeffrey Evan Mufson By Jove...I think he's got it! November 1 at 6:43pm Jeff Richards Bon Jovi... He's got it? LOL November 1 at 7:26pm Chuck Amstone Not every gig or crowd requires beatmixing. However...there are many times when "the crowd" needs it. Having the ability to do so makes you a better talent. Here's a True story. I did a wedding in July for 350 people. I was more of a high energy club dj playing the hits of today and yesteryear back to back. Over the weekend...I met a bride to be from that wedding wants me to DJ her wedding in another state because of my beatmixing or what she referred to club DJ style. November 1 at 7:38pm Chuck Amstone As Ken stated earlier....just because you can BM doesn't mean you wont yawn your audience. Programming the right songs to keep the crowd interested is the first step...the next of course is keeping them on the floor with a tight mix. November 1 at 7:43pm Chuck Amstone Now my wedding this past Saturday didn't even want beat mixing. Although I tried a few short sets...they were more into hearing "John Denver followed up by Mike Posner followed by Frank Sinatra. November 1 at 7:46pm Chuck Amstone IMO...those in the "We don't or care about beatmix camp" should seriously consider learning it. I used to be on the other side and was jealous when i saw someone doing something I couldn't. You will see an increase in your dance floor being... filled...plus the creativity you can muster up is endless. More of today's younger brides are requiring it. November 1 at 7:52pm Chuck Amstone Try this mix.... Usher - Yeah Jackson 5 - I want you back Beyonce - Single Ladies ...tightly mixed will keep and add people to the floor versus just playing the songs. November 1 at 7:54pm Chuck Amstone Jeff, There is also a third type of DJ.... The one who can master both! ...Which one is more likely to be more coveted? November 1 at 7:56pm Esque DjDollar Very Interesting... All comments have some validity. With technology coming out constantly and making it easier for anyone to get some music and stay playing the lines between being a DJ with "traditional skills" & a DJ who just plays music... are skewed. Especially because lots of DJ's play prerecorded mixes and trick their listeners into thinking they are actually working that hard. Personally i say do what works for you. Make your money how you can. However, I think to stay true to the "Art of DJing," if you are going to call yourself a DJ, please be able to do more than press sync on a computer based DJing program, or slide the fader from the left to the right. Actually get some skills. November 1 at 8:00pm Tim Huck i challenge the ADJA have a beat mixing contest (world series style)- i will run FireText to make sure the votes are accurate (one vote per phone) you have mentioned a lot of names here but the one who i predict would school all of you... Doug Shaw November 2 at 1:46pm Jeffrey Evan Mufson OH NO YOU DIT - ANT! GREAT...Now here comes ARNOLDO back again (like KING KONG out of the JUNGLE)...Can you hear him? He's coming, dammit...and he's gonna eat ALL of you ALIVE! He will or Amstone will fer SURE! You can't expect THAT challenge... to go unheeded! Great GOING, HUCK...NOW you've DONE IT! November 2 at 1:50pm Jeffrey Evan Mufson TAG TEAM...YOU AND SHAW VS ARNOLDO & CHUCK! November 2 at 1:51pm Tim Huck oh no - no teams "mano a mano". anyone wanna man up and take on Doug? let's do this. I'm just a radio dj focusing on text-to-screen, i wouldn't be as foolish as others that attempt this challenge. November 2 at 2:02pm Jeffrey Evan Mufson Arnoldo....heeee's comiiiiing! November 2 at 2:10pm Arnoldo Offermann I'll be happy to participate any challenge. Then again, a Flip only costs $100... yet our company is the only on that actually posts current videos for clients to view our work. I know Doug is doing this eventually.. what's everyone else's excuse? November 2 at 2:32pm Jeffrey Evan Mufson Arnoldo...For the benefit of those who missed your Seminar covering the subject: Would you recommend EVERYONE posting video of ourselves beat-mixing, no matter which kind of DJ image we wish to portray (even if one is an excellent beat-mixer, but doesn't WANT to focus on such)? November 2 at 3:01pm Arnoldo Offermann A proper gig log would cover everything: setup, MC style, mixing, and crowd reaction. I tell my clients any DJ who can't even post a short video has something to hide. November 2 at 3:20pm Jeffrey Evan Mufson Do any of the "Four Horsemen" post video of themselves Beat-Mixing? November 2 at 3:34pm Arnoldo Offermann They post current event logs. Peter has a YouTube acct, Jim has videos on his site... Mark doesn't DJ anymore, and Randy has videos as well. November 2 at 3:37pm Jeffrey Evan Mufson Beat-Mixing? November 2 at 3:50pm Arnoldo Offermann I don't watch their clips..... why don't you ask them. SO Jeff, why don't you beatmix? November 2 at 4:04pm John Haskins Put me in the mix for a tag team I'll take Mitch and save it for Vegas or even better...ARMS!! November 2 at 4:09pm Mitch Taylor I have never professed to be the world's best beat-mixer. Far from it. I'm sure many of you, John Haskins included, are far better than me. I'm just standing up for those of us who DO believe it makes a difference at our parties. November 2 at 4:14pm Mitch Taylor Beatmixing at weddings should be kept SIMPLE otherwise the audience does get confused, at least imo. Arnoldo my videos are online for all the world to see. November 2 at 4:16pm Jeffrey Evan Mufson Arnoldo...You don't appear to be reading this entire page. What gives you the assumption that I don't Beat-Mix? November 2 at 4:41pm Jeffrey Evan Mufson Thank you Mitch...Now you have no excuse needed for Arnoldo...But what about Peter, Randy, Mark & Jim?...It would appear Arnoldo requires an excuse from THEM, unless he would like to take the time to locate video samples of these icons Beat-Mixing. November 2 at 4:45pm Mitch Taylor Jeffrey, With all due respect, the only people any of us have anything to prove to is our clientele. November 2 at 5:05pm Jeffrey Evan Mufson Mitch...I agree with you...That is part of the point I'm attempting to convey (to Arnoldo)...Arnoldo contends (or implying) that all great so-called "DJs" are required to post visual examples of their "Beat-Mixing". If this is true, then I w...as challenging Arnoldo to locate this visual proof from our industry's greatest said icons (forgive the omission of you and Jeff Richards in THAT regard...Perhaps I could include YOU guys in another echelon...but for argument sake, I'm keeping it to the "you-know-who" four guys). November 2 at 5:18pm Mitch Taylor I would suggest to NOT put people on a pedestal. Last time I checked we all put on our pants the same exact way. November 2 at 5:20pm Jeffrey Evan Mufson Normally, I would agree...I'm only doing so here to convey my point...and thank you for admitting you put your pants on the same way that I do...I was a little worried for a while. :) Do you agree with Arnoldo's assessment that "any DJ who can't post a short video has something to hide"? If this were true, then wouldn't that mean that some of our industry's leaders have "something to hide"? I'm pretty sure that there are still many TOP icons in Mobile DJing who still contend that Video can become "Landmines", thus continuing to stray away from their use November 2 at 5:34pm Jeffrey Evan Mufson ‎...but this may be considered digression from the original point. November 2 at 5:39pm Doug Shaw The client is always the final judge as to who is the best DJ. Just as there are many different types of DJs, there are many different ways to beatmix (scratch, echo, phase, cut&paste or "cheat" with a cool computer program that mixes for you). Make the dance floor happy! The best DJs are the ones who work on a regular basis and get paid for what they do. Energy can be created by both types of DJs. November 2 at 5:51pm Mitch Taylor Totally agreed Doug. Jeffrey, No I don't believe that our industry leaders have "something to hide" by not posting video. On the contrary I know Mr. Cerone has been espousing the validity of clients viewing video of dj performances as the "p...roof" of their abilities for quite some time. November 2 at 6:36pm Jeffrey Evan Mufson OK...So far, using Arnoldo's logic, we now have established that YOU and Jim are in the "clear" because you post video of your performances, thus allowing you "nothing to hide"...again, according to Arnoldo's logic. This leaves Mark, Randy &... Peter remaining. I'm not asking if YOU believe they have "something to hide". Understand, Mitch...I have many videos posted as well...and booked quite a few from them... And I consider myself a "Beat-Mixing Enthusiast" (although, as Doug points out above, in a "cheater's sense" because I employ MixMeister...which in Beat-Mixing is like stealing candy from a baby)... This question (a digression to the original topic) is not about that. I'm just trying to understand Arnoldo's logic ["any DJ who can't post a short video has something to hide"], and asking whether you (one I would consider to be an industry authority) concur. Think about the "math" before you answer: Based upon that, IF (and ONLY if) Mark, Randy & Peter do not have a performance video posted, would you agree with Arnoldo that they must have "something to hide"? Arnoldo, would you like to re-state your assessment if I'm not understanding correctly? Are you saying that Mark, Randy & Peter have something to hide because they (as far as we have established so far) do not post video performances of themselves? November 2 at 7:27pm Jim Cerone Hide? No. Protect? Possibly. November 2 at 11:14pm Arnoldo Offermann Nope. That's exactly what I mean.... because that's how brides view it. I've large focus group of brides, corporate clients, and schools that all wonder "why don't DJs have videos." Jeff, judging by your Fan Page, you must agree. November 3 at 1:27am Arnoldo Offermann Mitch, I've seen some of your videos.. I enjoy what I watched! Jeffrey, why do I assume you don't beatmix? Because MixMeister can only mix songs with an even drum pattern... disco, not so well. It's a great program, but limited on control, s...o I can see why you're so indifferent on beatmixing. Do it manually, or even on a DAC system, and you'd see things differently. November 3 at 2:53am Mark Ferrell I was beatmixing back when we had to use hamsters to turn our Technics. Call me grandpa. November 3 at 3:06am Arnoldo Offermann But Mark.... beatmixing is not important! lol Isn't it sad? How can DJs get what they're worth then they don't even use their potential to its full worth? :( November 3 at 12:56pm Jeffrey Evan Mufson I don't remember seeing anyone say "beat-mixing isn't important"...I'm just saying it's not "necessary". Read above...Any skill you can add to your skill-set will always raise your odds of success. Which is why I was using Mark, Peter & Randy... as examples...Whether they have Beat-Mixing talent or not, do you ever recall any of THEM emphasizing it as a requirement? For THEIR clients? I'm just saying that I have not, and can't imagine them doing so...If I'm wrong, I'd certainly like to know...not speculate. I invite them to answer, AND to opine as to whether THEY agree on your statement... November 3 at 1:06pm Jeffrey Evan Mufson Arnoldo...You know I luv ya (everyone see above) and tend to agree with everything you say. It's just that I knew that the "hiding something" statement is not something I would ever utter to prospects, clients etc...You would...Fine. That's ...you...It works. I just can't condone using it...true statement or not. Forgive my tact, but I was just trying to get you to do my homework for me (lazy-ass I am) and find out whether Mark, Randy or Peter readily have video available for all to see (without a "gate-keeper", as what I believe Jim was suggesting by "protect"). Then...If you couldn't find video, I was next going to suggest, "If-so-facto, you are inadvertently saying that these Industry Icons 'must have something to hide'"...That's all. As for manually beat-mixing...I am not ashamed to admit that for YEARS (call me "Grandpa", too) I've tried mixing with the old 1200's, CD's, PCDJ (watched, but haven't put hands onto Virtual DJ yet)...I've tried them ALL...and my brain just couldn't get it. And then, about two years ago, my jaw dropped when my son's psychiatrist told me why: I was diagnosed with Adult Attention Deficit Disorder (AADD)...I couldn't believe my eyes when I read a synopsis he handed me that explained EVERY unexplainable horrible memory I've had from my past. I won't go into too much detail, here...but it also explained that my brain can't easily determine left-ear response from right-ear; ANY noise or sound cancels out the other (which is a requirement to audibly beat-mix). So, I can only VISIBLY do so using MixMeister... November 3 at 1:07pm Arnoldo Offermann I've a son whom one of his symptoms is ADHD. I also know a few DJs with ADD and full-blown ADHD (club DJs, too). That's a cop-out, Jeff. I like you, so I'll be blunt: if you blame ANY limitation on a disability of any kind, you're only hurting yourself. I've seen amputees run marathons... what say ye? November 3 at 1:09pm Jeffrey Evan Mufson You're right...I'm also a firm believer that we are the "Captain of Our Own Ship", and that if there's anything we want to do, we can do it. I've always wanted to be that someone who can overcome any limitations in whatever he wanted to do. Perhaps, in that sense, you're right...In the traditional sense, I don't audibly "Beat-Mix" because it's too difficult for me, and (I guess) at my age, I'd rather concentrate on the dance floor and my client than to struggle at something that is harder for me to do than the average DJ November 3 at 1:15pm Arnoldo Offermann AHh, but see, a program like VDJ allows you to visually beatmix as well, the audio just lets you know "hey! This doesn't sound like ass!" November 3 at 1:18pm Chuck Amstone One thing I learned after 26 years in this biz...it's 90% business - 10% talent. November 3 at 3:48pm Mark Ferrell Anything you can do to increase your value (like beatmixing), do it. Just remember to charge accordingly. (That would be my couple o' pennies.) And video? I wish. They didn't have camcorders in 1979. http://www.facebook.com/ph oto.php?fbid=1702412802935 :^) November 3 at 4:01pm Arnoldo Offermann So Mark, if you were still in the DJ biz... would you have a video of your services to show clients? Would it show your mixing capabilities and how it enhances the event? November 3 at 4:02pm Mark Ferrell ‎@Arnoldo ~ No, I wouldn't. But that's just me. I do/did a lot of things that most people don't/wouldn't do. Sorry I can't answer more completely. Maybe I'll blog about it. :) November 3 at 4:24pm Arnoldo Offermann Why not? November 3 at 4:40pm Mark Ferrell ‎@Arnoldo ~ There's not enough room to write about it here. For me, it's a very, very big subject - better explained in an article, workshop, or in person. But, thanks for asking. I think it'll make a great blog post. November 3 at 6:29pm Jeffrey Evan Mufson I think my work is done here. November 3 at 6:43pm Jay Brannan Some valid points, but I think in today's times you need to welcome the changing DJ and DJ market or you'll just alienate the new DJs. There is the "old boy network" mentality to the modern DJ and regardless of what you do and how it works..., you need to embrace the new and old. I think a DJ that relies on software to mix needs to always have a back-up plan, where as the DJ that can mix is limited only by their music. You are either a specialist selling the entertainment to a client dressed up as a DJ or you are a DJ that can do weddings and other events. Don't feel that one is better or superior to the other. We can and should all get along and learn from one another, especially in today's times. That is certainly the attitude that I feel I bring to my company and to Pioneer DJ as their mobile demonstrator... November 4 at 6:53pm Click here to go to actual Facebook discussion. 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