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ESTABLISHED 1988 s PROFESSIONAL DJ AMERICA’S FIRST MAGAZINE FOR

WINTER 2020 ISSUE VOLUME 33 NUMBER 8

Plus: Omid 16B Robert Babicz The Vision Pioneer DJ CDJ-3000 Numark Mixtrack Controllers AKG K371-BT Headphones 5 Live-Streaming Tips MOBILES ON READING THE CROWD

HOLIDAY EVENT REPORT

STEVE BUG’S

P A N D E M I C R E S P O N S E

This is Feedback, a monthly feature that fields questions from you, our readers, and funnels them out to in‑ dustry professionals. If you have any questions about DJing – marketing, mixing, equipment or insurance, any at all – drop us a letter at DJ Times, 25 Willowdale Ave, Port Washington, NY 11050, fax us at (516) 944‑8372 or e‑mail us at djtimes@testa.com. If we do use your question, you’ll receive a free DJ Times T‑shirt. And remember, the only dumb question is the ques‑ tion that is not asked.

DJX – Back to The Boardwalk

For many, 2021 is about fresh, new starts… and such is certainly the case with DJ Times and its long‑running trade show/exhibition, DJ Expo. As DJ Times and its publisher, Testa Communications, prepare to take the 2021 version of the show to an excit‑ ing, new venue, the show will be re‑ branded with a new logo – DJX. Set for Aug. 9‑12 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City in Atlantic City, N.J., the 2021 Expo will forge a new, long‑term alliance with the popular Boardwalk property and it promises to offer the DJX community unique synergies that will increase business for all future attendees and exhibitors. “We are excited to host and partner with the long‑standing DJX event here,” says Shelley Williams, Vice President of Sales, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City. “While the syner‑ gies in the music and talent space are obvious, DJX’s management team’s progressive, forward‑thinking ap‑ proach is very much aligned with our views regarding the event industry’s future in Atlantic City. The opportunity to leverage both the energy and com‑ mercial initiatives that DJX brings to this market are limitless. We look for‑ ward to a long‑standing, collaborative and mutually beneficial relationship.” Now in its 32nd year, the show will retain its vital mission of presenting an exhibit hall full of the latest tech‑ nologies, seminar sessions offering inspirational ideas, and sponsored events brimming with networking op‑ portunities – but the 2021 Expo will mark the start of a new era. This year will begin the pivot with new floor plans, imagery, ideas, energy, product drops and collabs that will bring us forward into the future. “As the DJ industry evolves, we have to evolve with it,” says DJ Times Edi‑ tor Jim Tremayne. “That’s true for all our platforms and especially so with our new moves with the show. So, a re‑branding was in order for us to move forward.” Testa Communications’ General Man‑ ager Robin Hazan concurs: “Since its inception more than 30 years ago, DJ Times and DJ Expo have always maintained a deep connection to the DJ world and we’ve always looked to broaden its reach. We believe the re‑branding, which coincides with the show’s exciting move to the Hard Rock, will help in that endeavor. So, to borrow our New York motto… Excel‑ sior – ever upward! “To that end, the show has brought on Shawn Hazan, an industry veteran with over 25 years of experience in large‑scale trade shows and events.” Says Hazan, the CEO of HAZCOMM: “In nearly 30 years of event‑manage‑ ment experience, it is rare to find an event producer with such passion, depth and relationships within the market they serve. Their enviable mar‑ ket reach, content creation and data capabilities are the perfect mix to lead a re‑imagined DJX into the next 30 years. I am humbled to work with such talent and provide guidance on execut‑ ing their future‑thinking strategy.” Repping a new, optimistic spirit with fresh opportunities for a DJ industry looking to experience a renewal… DJX.

As The Magician, Stephen Fasano has been an electronic-music tastemaker for a decade now. With his “Magic Tapes” – a monthly digital mixtape that includes exclusive tracks and original productions – the Belgian DJ/producer has maintained a high profile since its 2010 debut.

And now, after a pandemic-related halt, The Magician has hit the century mark with his influential series. Accordingly, he’s released The Magic Tape 100, a full-length comp (available in a variety of formats) that includes 15 exclusive cuts. Upbeat, funky and fun with tracks like The Magician’s thumping “One Vibration” (feat. CALYPSO), The Magic Tape 100 (Potion Records) offers a variety of house-leaning genres and it will get the party started right. We recently connected with The Magician from his home in Brussels.

DJ Times: How did you spend most of your pandemic time?

Magician: During the first lockdown in March-April-May, I spent most of my time classifying my record collection and listening again to some old music from the ’80s and ’90s, doing streaming DJ set with vinyls, composing, producing music, and cooking two or three times a day. June, July and August were months of great reflection – and then September and October were months of freedom. I became also very creative. The second lockdown in Belgium started late October. I’ve been making a lot of music since then – I have never been as productive.

DJ Times: Like everyone, I’m sure you lost some income-produc-

ing work, right?

Magician: Yes, some tours and festivals have been cancelled, but nothing very important, though. This past year was supposed to be a transition year, more focused on production and playing less shows – and that happened. This year also marked the 10 years of The Magician project, 10 years of “The Magic Tapes,” and the 100th was supposed to be released in May/June, followed by a world tour. We delayed as much as we could – you can’t cheat with numbers [laughs].

DJ Times: Did you learn anything in the downtime?

Magician: What I learned and what will be ultimately constructive for my life/career is that work and organization always pays.

DJ Times: So what’s your main project in early 2021?

Magician: For now, The Magic Tape 100. It’s an album compilation released in digital and double-vinyl plus a cassette, with 15 exclusive tracks created by 15 artists, including me. Also, I make a new track or remix per week – 2021 is planned and full of releases. A recent one is “One Vibration” featuring CLYPSO.

DJ Times: What’s in your studio?

Magician: I work on Logic Pro with a UAD soundcard and plug-ins. I like the API 2500 compressor on my drum bus, the EMI Chandler limiter on my master bus. I use also the Soundtoys, as well as Valhalla plate reverb. At the moment, I use a lot the Juno 106, Moog One and Korg Monopoly. I love the LinnDrum and Roland TR-707 drum machines. As hardware, I have a Moog One, ARP 2600, Korg DW-6000 and Roland MC 707.

DJ Times: What’s your creation process in the studio?

Magician: I usually try to find a melody/chords progression on a kick drum, then add a bassline. Then I work on a structure and add drums, pad and effects. I always leave some space for a vocal unless I’m with a vocalist when I compose – then, we work on a topline on chords before adding any drums.

DJ Times: What’s your typical DJ set-up and why do you choose that route?

Magician: I made my skills on Technics SL-1200 turntables… then CDs and now USB sticks. I still have a vinyl-only set-up in my studio, and I’ve done some live-stream sets that I call Supervision. It was just a way for me to play and re-discover some vinyl records of my collection. But it’s true – I like the ease of Pioneer CDJs and also because you can test demos, promos, etc.

DJ Times: Have you seen any other live-streams that impressed you?

Magician: Yes, I watched Disclosure producing music on Twitch. I also enjoyed A-Trak and Armand Van Helden’s interviews, Chromeo’s live music, and Moscoman A&R Sessions.

DJ Times: Any theme tunes recommended for this very strange moment in history?

Magician: Yeah, Fleetwood Mac’s “That’s All for Everyone,” O.M.D.’s “Extended Souvenir” and Ph.D’s “I Won’t Let You Down.”

DJ Times: What’s the most surprising thing you’ve realized during this period of social distancing?

Magician: That I’m a crazy maniac of cleanness.

DJ Times: Any advice on staying sane and relatively positive through this situation?

Magician: Enjoy the mornings in the kitchen, cooking, making coffee and listening to music loudly. – Brian Bonavoglia

Magic Tapes: The Magician (aka Stephen Fasano).

THE MAGICIAN HITS CENTURY MARK

CONTINUING TO SET THE STANDARD FOR DJ TURNTABLES Building off of the legacy of the Technics SL-1200 from the 1970’s, the Technics SL-1200MK7 is made for the new DJ generation. The new model inherits the traditional design of the previous series and maintains the same operating ease, reliability and durability, while adding a coreless direct drive motor and other sound-enhancing technologies.

www.technics.com

MY STYLE, MY CUE: INTRODUCING THE HDJ-CUE1 HEADPHONES STYLED DJ HEADPHONES WITH DNA FROM PIONEER DJ’S PRO LINE THAT LET YOU ADD AN EXTRA PERSONALIZED TOUCH

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IRX SERIES POWERED LOUDSPEAKERS WITH BLUETOOTH

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