Click To Download Abelton Live R&B Mix

Don't get me wrong, I love DJ'ing from my MK12's using vinyl but I have to say recently I've learned Abelton Live and it's pretty awesome. Triggering samples at the press of the keyboard it's so freaking easy to create a flawless mix. While I haven't mastered many of Abelton's features I have become somewhat proficient using the warp feature while mixing tracks.

Warping is essentially speeding up or slowing down the music to match a master tempo or the previous song. It's like placing a record on a turntable platter and being able to mix while rarely needing to touch the pitch adjust. So I've established you don't need to be a brain surgeon to use the software but what does that mean for the listener. Does it actually help to produce a better more dynamic mix and therefore a more exciting party? I think so.

I've done some field testing and I've learned and observed a couple things about using this software.

1. Once you import your music, you can literally cue each track on tempo, using just a keystroke. This can be pretty cool if you want to play just a short segment of a song. Or some DJ's / musicians like Girl Talk for instance, use this functionality to trigger multiple clips which play simultaneously over one another to create a new song (aka the remix or mash-up). Which might I add sound really cool.

2. Is a laptop DJ sexy? Has sitting at the keyboard replaced the treasure hunt in your record bin. I mean, I certainly think it looks cooler to command multiple pieces of hardware to create a cohesive mix. I asked my girlfriend and she seemed to agree. "The DJ should be moving around" she said. Moments later recoiling on her remark, "well I guess as long as the party is hopping does it matter". In my opinion, I think it does. More than ever, the DJ icon or role has become a sex symbol to some degree.

3. Broadcasting and remixing music has never been more accessible to the general public. Take one part laptop, one part mp3 collection, and Ableton Live or a similar sequencing software and bammmmm. You are in business! Speaking of business - more than ever I think the job of a DJ can be a very lucrative gig.

Alright Marc, so if it's that easy why don't you give it a try. Easy there bubkiss, alright I will! Tune in to judge for yourself. This 77minute mix contains a bunch of R&B and Hip-Hop. Can you dig it?

Merry X-mas to all,
Marc

Thanks - I appreciate your support

Thank YOU for taking the time to visit the Everlasting DJ's blog. The past six months have been truly rewarding to spin and share my music with you. I am honored and appreciative of those people who have continued to tune-in. If you have been on the side-lines silently observing, I encourage you to speak up and tell me what you want to hear.

While the site has continued to grow I have added a range of ways for people to tune-in. If you haven't already done so, I suggest subscribing via RSS Feed. If you do not have an RSS Reader, you can also subscribe by Email. To do that, use the little box in the right column of my blog. Of course, I never rent or sell your address and whenever you'd like you can click unsubscribe to be automatically removed.

You can also receive blog updates through your prized Facebook profile. Sign into your account, click Blogs and do a search for Everlasting DJ's and click "Join Blog Network".

Whatever format you choose, I really appreciate you tuning in!

Sincerely,
Marc

Whistle while you Work

I work for a company where a good portion of the staff listens to their own music in their headphones. Each individual has the internet at their beckoned call. With the click of the mouse anyone can tune-in to hear virtually anything you want without paying a cent or downloading anything to your machine.

Personally, I like Shoutcast.com, Pandora.com and a website I recently found called Jamendo.com. All of these services offer free streaming music.

Where do you go to your get your music fix? Please chime in!!

Pay Day

Pay day was today! Thanks god. What better than to enjoy a new cash infusion with an old throw-back jam. Click to hear Johnny Kemp - Just Got Paid.

Short posts are fun too. No?

Girl Talk :: the technology has changed not the DJ

Girl Talk is the stage name of remix master Gregg Gillis. Gillis specializes in mashup style remixes. What's unique about his performances is his ability to work almost entirely off his laptop computer as opposed to the traditional turntable setup. There is some debate however whether Girl Talk should be considered a DJ or musician

What is the definition of DJ? An individual that selects and plays music to create a mood or atmosphere during a predetermined period of time. There are many forms of DJ'ing. Jukebox DJ's that play out a full track then switch to the next. Mixing DJ's that intertwine the beat or kick of two songs at the same time. Scratching DJ's that manipulate the song to produce new sounds in sequence with the beat of a track. To some degree DJ's in the past have been able to use these techniques to create remix music. However with the change of equipment the operator now has an insurmountable number of ways to edit/change the music both in the studio and on the fly.

The 12" record has been replaced by the Mp3, the hard console mixing board has evolved into a piece of virtual software. In this new virtual environment, DJ's possess a slew of new and improved tools previously unavailable to re-broadcasters of yesteryear.

It is important to remember however that the tools have changed not the role of the DJ. The DJ still must possess a strong knowledge of music and the emotional quotient necessary to connect with all types of people through sound.

Although I haven't yet had the pleasure of attending a Girl Talk performance I have listened to his mixes. The dood is really talented in his ability to assemble old and new music in a fluent manner that keeps the tempo moving and makes you want to dance.

I recommend you checkout his recently released album, Feed the Animals. Amazingly Girl Talk used whopping 322 samples in this mix.

Everyone have a great weekend! Share your feedback about what you think of Girl Talk -

DJ Marc Elias - I Feel Loved (House Mix)

When I was eighteen years old I used to walk to a record store in midtown Manhattan called Downtown Records. The store was wide and spacious - every square inch of wall and floor space was cramped with 12" records.

Towards the back, past the stacks of creates on the floor and through one of the skinny isles was a small dimly lite room. Opening the door, I vividly remember smelling the intoxicating aroma of insents and feeling the base in my chest from the two club speakers hanging from the corners of the room.

Looking at the records on the walls you could grab whatever tracks you wanted to hear and have them played over the sound system. Frankie a regular staple of the place, always stood behind the DJ booth bobbing his head enthusiastically as he mixed the music. Interestingly enough Frankie never wore headphones - he just mixed on the fly which is not an easy task. If you liked the track you bought it, if not, you motioned that you were "not feeling it". Keep in mind the music was always bumping loud as hell in there! Communication more often that not was non-verbal.

I remember record shopping being an emotional experience that I enjoyed greatly. The sights, the sounds, the smells. How much money was I going to spend. What genre or sound should I add to the collection. What was that track I heard on the radio.

Unfortunately the record shops are a dying a breed since the birth of online commerce. Enter, DJDOWNLOAD.COM the 21st century version of record shopping. On the site you can conveniently preview new music, add it to your cart, purchase and download.

I grabbed up a bunch of imported dance music for about $2.00 a song, which back in the 90's would have cost upwards of $100 bucks. The music may be cheap, easy to find and even easier to buy but the experience is far less exciting.

It has been years since I have bought some proper underground sounds. Slightly reluctant, I gave in and bought a handful of new tracks. Without further delay, I invite you to TUNE-IN to hear the new mix.

This mix is comprised of Electro, Vocal and Deep House music. I welcome your feedback!!

DJ Kayper: 2080's Mixtape Rocks

Friends -

Meet DJ Kayper...cutting, mixing, song selection - this girl knows how to throw down! DJ Kayper puts together a great assortment of rock, 80's and hip-hop. Her cutting and mixing is real smooth. I think you'll really like her 2080's mix. Leave your feedback here or contact her directly via myspace.com.

Click To Download the "Material Girl Remix"

Enter... the world of remixed Madonna! After going through a bunch of DJ websites I came across this abundant resource of music. If you are a Madonna fan I'm sure you will enjoy this website. For you dance music lovers, your climax awaits...

To download any of these songs click the link below, type the three letter code into the megaupload screen and click the download button.

• Madonna - Jump (Axwell Club Mix)
  
• Madonna - Isaac (Confessions Tour Dress Rehearsal)
• Madonna - Get Together (Roger Sanchez Edit)

Click to download the DJ Marc Elias mix featuring the 'best of' Madonna remixes into one fluent set.

Regards,

Marcus

Viral Video Helps DJ Secure Record Deal

I found an interesting viral video I wanted to share with you.

While riding the subway to work yesterday I read about a guy by the name of DJ Keltech who was signed to Sony BMG in 2006 after someone saw his viral video. Hailing from the UK, Keltech is producing some really innovative sounds from his turntables.

In addition to being incredibly talented he wears these authentic customs in his videos such as the video I've posted here. The content is funny, entertaining somewhat odd. Either way it worked - his video has received over 50,000 views!

DJ Marc Elias :: Tribute To Grandmaster Flash

Thanks for tuning in!

Right now I am coming off this amazing high from this memoir I read - The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash: My Life, My Beats about Grandmaster Flash.

After finishing the book (in under a week) - mind you I never finish books in one week. I had to get on the decks and celebrate the "scratch" with some of my favorite old school jams.

While I am refining my skills and enjoying the art of scratching and cuing I would love to hear from you. Were you feeling this mix? What didn't you like?

Leave your comments on the blog http://marcelias.blogspot.com and receive a shot-out on the next mix tape. I hope you continue returning to the Everlasting DJ's and certainly if you dig this blog please share it with your friends.

Regards and best wishes,
Marc Elias

PS - You can view the first half of the mix being created at Youtube.

Updated: Bedroom Mix V2 (w/ video)

Friends,

Tune-in to hear the new Bedroom Mix V2. This DJ mix includes an assortment of classics and 90's hip-hop. Thanks to those listeners who requested another Bedroom Mix.

The video version of this mix is now available on Youtube. Enjoy and be sure to leave your comments. Your feedback is always welcome!

Marc

Scare Tactics

I am not going to perpetuate the already shocking news story today about this mad man on some Canadian bus. I will however scare you with three of the scariest tracks I have in my music collection. All three are from spooky films!

I dare you to listen to any one of these songs in the dark. Don't be surprised if you get a chill down your spine.

Which do you think is the scariest sound track?
a) The Exercist
b) The Omen
c) Poltergeist

Alright I changed my mind, watch the video interview with an on-looker whom witnessed this gruesome scene.