Nerdy Stuff
Hey, are you nerdy too? I’m nerdy about some stuff: anime, guitars, the Bengals… but you’re here for music, right? Well this is the spot. Let’s nerd out!
Top 5 Current Favorite DJ Tacks
-Bad Bunny – DtMF
-Jelly Roll – Run It
-Megan Thee Stallion ft. Flo Milli – Roc Steady
-Jack Harlow – Hello Miss Johnson
-Louis Tomlinson – Silver Tounges
-Throwback Bonus: Sam and Dave – Hold On, I’m Coming
DJ Equipment
Being a bit of an old soul, I still use turntables for most gigs. I’ll play real vinyl records sometimes, but most of the time, I’m using a DJ software called Serato. Serato takes a digital time code from specially pressed records and plays MP3 music from my laptop in synch with that time code. This system lets me scratch, spin, and manipulate my digital music collection just like it was all on record. (It also saves my back and brings you a more versatile and adaptable dj experience). With this as my foundation, for most gigs, I’m rolling out with a system like this:
-Technics 1200 turntables (mk2 and mk3)
-Pioneer DJM 600 mixer
-Sony DJ headphones
-Ortophon OM q.bert needles
-Mackie loudspeakers (SRM450v3, and DLM12)
-HP Envy laptop
Non-dj music stuff
I try to spend as much time as I can find in my little study with my music collection. I use software called Ableton for home recording and music production/remixing in conjunction with an AKAI keyboard, an APC20, a little Alesis mixer and a Scarlett 2i2. I’m a big Fender fanboy, and I have a collection of guitars, basses, amplifiers, and effects pedals. Sometimes, ideas for lyrics come to mind and I have a little notebook of original songs. I’m reading Rick Rubin’s book, The Creative Act, and I’m carving out time to record musical ideas or jamming on my instruments whenever possible.
Current Music Nerd Features
-Fender Jazzmaster. This one was made between 1984-88 in the famous Fujigen plant in Nagano Japan. It’s a reissue of the classic Jazzmasters of 1966 and it’s old-school Fender charm really appeals to my taste. I bought it at a vintage music store in 1999, and it’s the oldest and best-playing guitar in my collection. Along with my Jazz Bass, this instrument came on all of my gigs with my college rock/hip-hop band. I’m in love with its collection of nicks, dings, and gouges. It’s got all kinds of wabi sabi charm and is one of the pieces I’m the most bonded with.
-Electro Harmonix Q Tron. This thing is funk in a box. Think Bootsy Collins with Parliament or Flea on Sir Psycho Sexy. This is the latest in my guitar and bass effects phase, and I’m thrilled it’s on my board.
Album I’m Currently Loving
Madison Cunningham - Revealer
This one is brand new to me. I heard about it on the JHS Pedals youtube channel. I’m loving the complex rhythms and mixed meter and excellent guitar work and arranging on this album. Check it out!