When I first had the idea of setting up a website for DJs to upload mixes,  swap ideas and opinions, and generally interact with like minded people around the world I had no idea how much work it was all going to be.  I can’t even remember the number of times we have had to revise, adapt and even completely remove parts of the site but I really believe we are getting closer and closer to my vision with every improvement!

I suppose it would be nice to be able to say that there wont be anymore changes or disruptions from here on in but we are determined for BeatsBase to evolve alongside you our users and the DJ industry at large, chances are then that we’ll be working just as hard for the next year!

I recently read an article which spoke of three main stages in the development of DJing begnining with its conception/invention, evolving through turntablism and now into visual turntablism.  I certainly can’t argue with the first two, but I must admit the relatively recent development of video turntablism doesn’t sit well with me.  Perhaps I need to embrace it a little more but I can’t help but feel it relies more upon technology than it does on skill.

Will it ultimately complement the art form, or simply cheapen it with ’smoke and mirrors’?  Perhaps it’s too early to say, but for now I’m happy to just listen to music.

That being said as strange as it may sound, I’m actually equally interested in your bad experiences of BeatsBase.  I really want to hear about the things that annoy you, the features you wish were included, and even any general dislikes you may have with the site.  It seems like I’ve been saying this in every post but it really is important to me that BeatsBase evolves to suit your needs.  Unfortunately that involves me taking the odd piece of criticism on the chin and doing something about it!

So feel free to ‘have at’, but lets avoid any personal jibes folks, yeah? I do have feelings you know.

It is my ultimate goal to build a community site for real DJs who appreciate what DJing and music is all about, and due largely to your help, thats starting to happen! 

My philosophy for the site is that it becomes a growing, thriving community of like minded DJs and for that to happen we need to respond to the needs and wants of you our users.  With that said feel free to Contact us about, well.. anything and we’ll do our best to sort you out.

Please take a look around the site and enjoy!

Losing patience? Believe me no-one is more eager than me to see BeatsBase.com available to the world but the perfectionist in me won’t let that happen until the site really is right and up to the high standards required by the DJ community. Don’t get me wrong, there will always be bits and pieces that need tweaking, but Chris and I are working hard to keep them to a minimum.

Ok so you’ve read through two paragraphs and still see no launch date! Sorry, but if I commit to a date now I risk letting you down before we’ve even started! Na… best to stay safe and say it will be live when its ready which rest assured will be weeks, not months!

Ok, so what exactly has been happening recently? Well, Chris has managed to compute the voting system for the site enabling users to vote and comment on uploaded tracks, play lists, events and even mixes! Mixes?! I hear you say!

Well, Yes! Developments are in an early stage but it’s looking positive that BeatsBase.com users will be able to upload their own mp3 mixes to the site for other users to listen to, comment and vote on, providing DJs with a global audience for their latest works. Watch this space!!

As you are well aware, one of the key features and indeed the original rationale behind BeatsBase.com is that of the BPM and song info database! I am therefore delighted to begin this post with the announcement that the first entries into the database have now been uploaded. Unfortunately, users will have to wait a little longer for the site to go live to be able to search, interact and add to the database, but with over 30,000 songs already in there it should be worth the wait!

Another exciting feature development worth mentioning is that of BeatBase.com’s events calendar. Through our determination to become a vital tool for DJs around the world, we have developed an events calendar that works very much like a personal organiser or diary.

Essentially it enables registered users to promote themselves by entering dates and venues etc… for their upcoming gigs into their own personal diary cleverly titled ‘My Events’. Viewers of the site can then search the entire BeatsBase.com global events calendar by area, city, DJ etc… to find out exactly what’s going on in their area. Cool eh!?

Anyways as development moves into a fairly technical phase, which I don’t pretend to fully understand, I thought discuss a question I’m often asked. What’s best? Vinyl, CD or Digital DJing?

Let me start this short discussion by declaring that I remain happily outside the debate of which of these three methods is ‘the best’. There are a number of advantages and disadvantages to each of these forms of DJing – to suggest one is superior in every way (as some DJs like to argue) is, in my opinion, ludicrous.

If you are new to DJing it’s perhaps best to focus on one format to begin with to keep things simple. An increasing number of people seem to be opting to begin DJing with CDs, as buying a lot of vinyl can become a costly exercise, but again, personal preference is all that really matters. Once you develop some experience I suggest you have a go with some other formats to broaden your skills a little. I’m not saying you must go out and buy yet more equipment (unless you want to of course) but if you can get access to something different give it a try.

Most clubs now offer an integration of these three formats and, in my opinion, DJs with higher ambitions would be wise to familiarise themselves with all formats. The music and DJing industry has a high degree of technological innovation and evolves very, very quickly. Keeping up to date with new formats, without neglecting older ones, should ensure your longevity as a DJ.

Take it easy!