Category: <span>Music</span>

Published Aug 10th, 2014 by

DJing Essentials – The External Sound Card

Epiphany e-DAC
Epiphany e-DAC

Welcome to another of the bees in my bonnet – the use of an external sound card while DJing from a laptop.

First question: what is an external sound card?

Very simply: it’s a gadget, usually USB-powered. You plug one end into your laptop. You plug the other into a mixing desk, some kind of speaker, headphones, you name it. Sound comes out.

Second question: I have a perfectly good headphone socket on my laptop – why on earth should I spend money on something like this?

Well – there’s a host of answers to this.

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DJing

Published Jul 10th, 2014 by

More Lionel Hampton

Lionel Hampton was chiefly known for his vibraphone playing and his drumming skills, which were phenomenal. What’s a little less known is that he was a a very impressive pianist… but what’s a little bizarre is that he generally played with a two-finger style – a little akin to his vibes playing. And it was still amazing.

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General rambles Live Music

Published Jun 27th, 2014 by

Swing Dancing Without Swing Music is like…

… champagne without bubbles.

Louis Armstrong
Swing that Music

Time to return to this particular fray. I’ve been DJing swing a while now, and like many swing DJs, my ideas on what is, and isn’t acceptable to play for swing dancers have taken something of a journey.

Like many swing DJs, I’ve slowly become more and more of an advocate of old-school swing for swing dancing. Many would brand me a purist. Many do, and perhaps I am – but I know others who’d say I’m not (yet?) enough of a purist. We all have different tastes and ideas, and your mileage may vary.

In the past, when I’ve talked about this issue, I’ve been a little more laissez faire – a little more inclined to say: “Well – what I do is this, but what you do is up to you.” Right now, I’m feeling a little more forthright – in fact I’ve feeling like ranting on this subject for quite some time now – so hang on to your hats – this could get ugly. But in a fun way.

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General rambles Music

Published Jun 15th, 2014 by

Friday’s Surreal Moment…

Blues General rambles Music

Published Apr 27th, 2014 by

Album Recommendation: Chick Webb 1939

Chick Webb is one of my favourite swing musicians. Battling through health problems and spinal deformities caused by childhood tuberculosis of the spine, Considered by many to be the best swing drummer…

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Albums Music

Published Feb 2nd, 2014 by

DJam 2014 Set Lists

DJing General rambles Music Set Lists

Published Dec 11th, 2013 by

Equipment I Never Expected to Use While DJing

It’s a little disconcerting when something starts raining on you mid-set, especially when you’re inside. My first response was able to turn off the air-conditioning double-quick. My second was to…

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DJing General rambles

Published Dec 7th, 2013 by

Some Favourite Music Videos

Live Music