[Guide] DJing

Guide to DJing

Experienced, new, or trying to become a DJ, I've written up this guide that will hopefully help you! This guide was written by myself, DJ-Kiks.

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Outline of What You'll Need

1. Microphone
2. Wide variety of songs
3. Program to DJ with

The Program
There are many different programs that can be used as a program to DJ with. Usually these programs have the SHOUTcast plugin built in, which enables these programs to connect to the radio, which is usually a SHOUTcast server. There are common programs, and then there are not-so common programs. Listed below are a few programs that you may be interested in using when DJing:

1. Winamp with Shoutcast

Winamp w/ Shoutcast is typically used for sites with lower amounts of listeners. Winamp tends to be laggy and could easily freeze up and disconnect the radio. Although Winamp isn't an awful program to DJ with, there are betters! You wouldn't want to risk loosing your fans because of Winamp or Shoutcast freezing. One typical error with Winamp is when you are switching between 'Soundcard Input' and 'Winamp (Recommended)' it will freeze.

I would give Winamp/Shoutcast a 7/10.

You can download the latest version of Winamp by going to http://www.winamp.com
The latest version of the Shoutcast plug-in can be found at http://www.winamp.com or http://www.shoutcast.com

2. Virtual DJ

Virtual DJ has great features including fading, music volume, special effects, and scratching the DJ turntable! Easy to configure settings, easy to plug in the radio details! Virtual DJ is phenomenal in my opinion! I personally use Virtual DJ as my DJing program and it can work to your benefit! Great interfaces, friendly to use, song search and more! Instead of looking for a song, you can just type it in and it will automatically pull up anything it can. Virtual DJ also has built in DJ music. Virtual DJ can also record your DJing show!

I'd rate Virtual DJ 10/10.

You can get a 20 day trial of Virtual DJ for free at http://www.virtualDJ.com
Once your 20 day trial is over, it costs $299 to buy.

3. SAM Broadcaster

SAM Broadcaster is the third and last program I'm going to talk about. There are many versions of SAM Broadcaster, including versions 2, 3 and 4. When DJing with SAM, if you are experienced as a DJ, it can be really easy! SAM Broadcaster has three 'desktops', and you can drag and move anything around, customizing SAM Broadcaster to your benefit. SAM Broadcaster can have very many listeners without crashing, unlike Winamp.

I would give SAM Broadcaster 9/10.

Where can you get SAM Broadcaster? You can find a 14 day trial version at http://www.spacialaudio.com/products/sambroadcaster/

You also have the choice to purchase SAM Broadcaster on the same page:
http://www.spacialaudio.com/products/sambroadcaster/

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Song Selection

When playing songs, don't tend to play songs only you're interested in. Play various different genres of music, but don't leave out those requests! Try not to play songs with offensive comments/languange in them either.

There are many different types (genres) of music, including:

- Rock
- Pop
- Hip Hop
- Rap
- Classical
- Country
- R & B
- Latin
- Alternative
- Heavy Metal
- Dance/Techno

Having music from the 80's, 90's and top charts can make a great addition to your music library. Below are some websites listing top music charts!

MuchMusic http://www.muchmusic.com/tv/countdown/
Billboard Music http://www.billboard.com

Making your DJ Show Fun

Making your show fun, getting the fans into it, that's what it's all about! You don't want your fans to get bored and tune out, you want to keep them excited! Here are some tips to making your show fun for everyone!

- Hide in a certain floor and make people search that floor for you, while saying, example: Tune into DJ Kiks on BlueBobble.com. While the fans are trying to find you to win the competition, they are also telling everyone that your DJing!

- Have dress-ups, where people dress up as whatever you choose! The best dressed, wins!

- Have special guests such as Habbo eXperts come onto your show, or double DJ with someone, if your station allows it!

- Unless your show is going to be straight music, talk! Don't just play songs throughout the whole show.

Act Professional

Act professional! When someone sends in a request for a song you don't want to play or don't have, don't play it! Either get the song and play it later on or just don't worry about it. Try to avoid studdering, or saying phrases like 'uh' or 'like'.

Certain people might try to put you down through the request line. They are just trying to make you sound bad, don't let it get to you! Instead, report the shoutout/request made and they won't be able to send anything in through the request line.

Getting the Listeners Up

Following these tips should help get you more listeners during your show!

- Have a competition where you need a certain amount of listeners.
- Mass your whole console and tell your fans to do the same.
- Party in a room and put the website title in the name of the room.
- Everyone goes to different public rooms telling everyone to tune in!
- Book your show on your websites timetable, so people are aware of it!
- Read requests and shoutouts; don't keep your fans waiting too long
- Log onto an instant messaging program where your name says 'Tune into (site name), I'm DJing!'

Your Slot

1. Don't be late for your shows, and if you can't make your show, unbook it before your show starts, or find a cover DJ! This shows that you are a responsible DJ.

2. During your show, if you do host a competition, you have to give the prize! If you say the prize is going to be an HC sofa, you have to give the winner an HC sofa. Lying about prizes just makes your listeners dislike you.

Tips

1. If this helps you, you can open up a program like Notepad or TextPad and jot down some points for your next show! You can make a list of songs that you want to play, ideas for what you'll talk about, and other things! It can keep you on track and organized, and it will help you from studdering or getting lost.

2. Made a mistake? Don't worry! Sometimes the listeners might not even catch your mistake, so just go on with your show, everyone makes mistakes.

3. While DJing, mute your Habbo Hotel! During shows, we don't want to hear your console beeping! To do this, right click anywhere on Habbo and you can adjust the volume. Check off 'Mute'.

4. Listen to a song before-hand, so that you don't have to take the risk of the song having offensive language. The site you DJ for might have a list of 'Banned Songs' aswell. Banned songs are songs that are strictly not allowed.

5. While a song is playing, this gives you time to think out what you're going to do next, it's also a good time to type anything, as sometimes the microphone can pick up typing.

Switching DJ's

If there is a DJ before you, or after you, you have to be prepared to do a switch over. There are many methods of doing switch-overs, but the most common method is over an instant messaging program. As a DJ, I would recommend getting MSN Messenger, AOL Messenger, Skype or another program where you can get in touch with other DJs.

There are many ways you can switch over, such as:

Countdown

Once the other DJ is ready, you give them a countdown to connect, such as 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Once '1' has been typed, the DJ connects right away.

Next Word = Connect

Once the other DJ is ready, you can say 'Next word = Connect', so when they see your next words, they connect right away. For example, I say 'Next word = connect' and 15 seconds later say 'Connect'.

The importance of the switch-over is so that the listeners don't hear blank air, and don't have to reload their radios! This might be difficult at first, so if the listeners do get disconnected, don't worry! Just tell them to refresh and they'll hear the radio again.

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How do I make a sound clip?

When sending in your DJ application, most sites require you to send them a 'sound clip' which is a recording of you talking, and can sometimes be a mix of music. To open up Sound Recorder, just read below. This guide is based on the Windows XP Operating System.

Start > All Programs > Accessories > Entertainment > Sound Recorder

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Once 'Sound Recorder' is open, if you're microphone is working properly, just press the recording button (Red) and talk into the microphone, and Sound Recorder will record your voice! Once your finished, save your sound clip, and Voila!

Feel free to post comments about this guide, and if you have any suggestions aswell. This guide will be updated often, so keep checking back!

I'm on a trial / I'm a trialist DJ, what does that mean? If you are on a trial, this means that different staff members might be tuning into you and giving you tips or pointers. If you book a slot during your trial, make sure you make it! Being a trialist DJ means your on your way to becoming an official DJ. You can still DJ on air, but the owners/staff might be seeing what you sound like and how you DJ. When they think you are ready / good enough, you'll be done your trial!

I hope this guide helped you! Feel free to ask any questions or post any comments!