THE DJ AESTHETICTHE DJ AESTHETIC::A LOOK INTO THE PHILOSOPHY A LOOK INTO THE PHILOSOPHY

AND TECHNOLOGY THAT ENABLE AND TECHNOLOGY THAT ENABLE THE DISC JOCKEYTHE DISC JOCKEY

ZACHARY HELLMANZACHARY HELLMAN

DESIGNING DJ AUTOMATADESIGNING DJ AUTOMATAPrinciples for Designing Computer Music

ControllersBy Perry Cook

Some Human/Artistic Principles

1. Programmability is a curse2. Smart instruments are often not smart3. Copying an instrument is dumb, leveraging

expert technique is smart4. Some players have spare bandwidth, some

do not5. Make a piece, not an instrument or controller6. Instant music, subtlety later

Some Technological Principles

7. MIDI = Miracle, Industry Designed, (In)adequate8. Batteries, Die (a command, not an observation)9. Wires are not that bad (compared to wireless)

Some Other Principles

10. New algorithms suggest new controllers11. New controllers suggest new algorithms12. Existing instruments suggest new controllers13. Everyday objects suggest amusing controllers

(Cook, NIME, 2001)

TRADITIONAL/SERATO TRADITIONAL/SERATO DJ SETUPDJ SETUP

FUNDAMENTAL REVIEWFUNDAMENTAL REVIEW

QUALITATIVE TEMPO TRAJECTORY (QTT)QUALITATIVE TEMPO TRAJECTORY (QTT)

hpDJ: THE AUTOMATED DJhpDJ: THE AUTOMATED DJ

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MONITORING CROWD AND MONITORING CROWD AND USER RESPONSEUSER RESPONSE

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THE VISUAL REPRESENTATION THE VISUAL REPRESENTATION OF AUDIO CONTENTOF AUDIO CONTENT

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CROSS FADE MIXING AND THE CROSS FADE MIXING AND THE AUTOMATED COMPILATION OF AUTOMATED COMPILATION OF

MUSICMUSIC

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EVOLUTIONARY COMPUTATION EVOLUTIONARY COMPUTATION & GENETIC PROGRAMMING& GENETIC PROGRAMMING

A genetic algorithm (GA) operates on a bunch of candidate solutions to some problem, revered to as a population of individuals.(see e.g. Goldberg, 1989; Mitchell, 1996)

A string of values represent the genes of a track

A GA requires a testing system to assign an individual a score known as its fitness. Individuals with higher fitness scores are more likely to be chosen for breeding.

This sequence of test-breed-replace is referred to as one generation.

THE AUTOMATED REMIXTHE AUTOMATED REMIX

www.leanbackproductions.com

RELATED DJ AUTOMATARELATED DJ AUTOMATA

Basu, Sumit. 2006: System and Method for Aligning and Mixing Songs of Arbitrary Genres. US patent number 7,081,582; issued on 25 July 2006; assignee: Microsoft Corporation.

Fujio, Tsuyoshi, Hisao Shiizuka. A System of Mixing Songs for Automatic DJ Performance using Genetic Programming, Graduate school of Kogakuin University, Tokyo, Japan, 2003

Shteyn, Eugene. Media Player with “DJ” Mode. US Patent 6,933,432, August 2005.

PRINCIPLES FOR DESIGNING PRINCIPLES FOR DESIGNING DJ AUTOMATADJ AUTOMATA

1. Automated systems require a great deal of user control

2. Unlike new instruments, DJ automata should be deeply rooted in traditional DJ technology

3. If it isn't broken, don't fix it. Unfamiliarity is unsettling for DJs

4. Interactivity increases your audience data, not aesthetic possibilities

5. Analog shortcomings should not be replicated in digital systems

6. Algorithms can simulate, not replicate

7. The DJ/system is the performer, not the audience

8. Machine sensibility is deceptive

9. Bad music can't be used to make good music (Good input = the likelihood of good output)

10. The turntable offers limitless possibilities for musical performance

Great DJ

Do it to share great music with people.

Be yourself.

Concentrate on finding great music.

Learn the history of the music you love and buy classic records.

Find floor fillers that no one else will ever get hold of.

Have fiercely individual taste and carve out a unique style that no one can easily describe.

Don’t restrict yourself to a narrow style of music.

Take risks with strange and unfamiliar records.

Have fun; imagine yourself on the dance floor.

Ruthless DJ

Do it to be famous, rich, and more sexually attractive.

Get an image.

Concentrate on getting in magazines.

Try to jump on the next big thing before anyone else.

Find floor fillers that everyone else will play, but get to them first.

Make sure your style can be pigeonholed so dumb promoters don’t have to think too hard.

Figure out upcoming trends and play lots of records from that genre.

Play only what you’re sure the crowd will approve of.

Take it seriously; imagine yourself in Urb.