Nexeus Fatale

There is one guarantee when DJing, there will be microphone problems.  Sometimes the microphone is very low or very loud, or the quality is just dreadful.  The quality and settings of your microphone will make or break your show in Second Life (and online). I have attended a lot of shows where the DJ was playing great music but their microphone quality was horrible immediately turning me off.  I myself have had microphone problems turning a potentially great show into a horrible experience. Before a gig, perform a simple microphone test, turn on your microphone, talk into it and monitor the levels.  This process takes as little as 5 minute or as long as 30.  While a microphone test does help you determine if something is wrong, or how ineffective your microphone is there are ways to improve your microphone quality.  The factors for better quality are: the quality of your microphone, your hardware and sound settings, and your software sound settings.

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This is a question I’m asked often concerning DJing in Second Life, and my answer is usually “practice and dedication.” I’m not attempting to be abrupt or callous; it is the short version of the longer answer. No piece of equipment, software, song or magic fairy dust makes one DJ better than another. It is the collection of how the equipment, software, songs, and ingredients of the magic fairy dust that makes a DJ better. The most expensive software, mixing boards and techniques don’t instantly make a person a good DJ, it really takes a lot of practice and dedication to become good. I feel that what a person really wants to know is “How Do I Begin to Become a Good DJ?” That’s a question I can answer in more detail. (more…)

Usually I DJ with two computer systems in Second Life, one system to run Second Life another to run my streaming software and play music. The system I used to DJ with was old, and I had to do the equivalent of euthanasia, sell it on craigslist. I’ve moved my operation to one system that would run both Second Life and Winamp at the same time, but an odd problem developed. When I first started to do this, my voice echoed and causing me to sound like Darth Vader (LUUUUKE *heavy breathing* I AM YOUR DEEEEJAAAAAY!) After I’ve exhausted all of my Star Wars jokes (Han Mono, Chewaac+aka, DJ Vader), the problem was quite annoying and but strangely only occurred when Second Life was running. I initially thought the problem lied with the fact that Second Life voice capabilities amplified the incoming sound, because only my voice was echoing, music played just fine. I was wrong. (more…)

SAM Broadcaster is a popular Internet broadcasting software. It’s pretty popular and has a lot of integrated functions for a “professional” feel. Winamp is a simple, easy to use music player that you can use to DJ with the Shoutcast plug-in. Also, the makers of Winamp, created Shoutcast. The problem with Winamp, is while it is free, it doesn’t include many of the features in SAM Broadcaster natively, you need to use plug-ins and get very creative. It is deemed the “unprofessional” option, but you’re highly mistaken. If you’re familiar with both programs you will understand the dilemma, pay for SAM Broadcaster or stick with the free Winamp? The answer really comes down to your preference in audio format. (more…)

SLNN recently ran an article concerning BMI and music Licensing in Second Life. SLNN reports that “Currently, DJs in Second Life are not required to pay performance rights organizations such as ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC, but that may change in the near future. The current legal climates for Second Life DJs is that they are providing a service and are being paid for that service; thus, are exempt from having to pay for licensing.”… We’re not? Wait a minute…

As a DJ, it is my understanding that in order to use licensed music, we HAVE to play licensing fees, that includes the fees to SoundExchange, BMI, ASCAP, and SESAC because we are still broadcasting music over shoutcast servers. With licensing you also should report any income that you make from your broadcasting services. Now while the article includes club owners into the mix (the possibility of club owners having to pay fees for playing licensed music) in most cases club owners will not have to worry about this (although I’m no lawyer!) Let me further explain: (more…)