Weather is ugly. Boring humpday ahead.

Middle of the week, and the weather is simply not co-operating with the idea of going out and hitting up a lil Wok Box take out. I haven't been there yet, but from my perspective this place basically sells itself as the new wave of asian fast food. I've been hearing about a place in the States called "Panda Express" or something that sounds like a similar concept (having only heard some of the dishes available).

I am a sucker for that crispy batter chicken, either Orange or Teriyaki preferred.

I went to their website recently, but was disappointed they didnt have the FULL menu up. Luckily, they take out menu came in the weekly flyers so I can scout out my choice in advance.

Their website is www.wokbox.ca for u fellow canucks. They started in Edmonton and are fast spreading. I will let you all know what I thought of it in another post.

NEW MIX!!! Eclectic Grooves

Didn't quite turn out the way I had planned. Ended up playing a random selection of tracks from the compilation I mentioned in the post from earlier today.

Feedback always welcomed, and I believe if you access my mixcloud page, it can be downloaded for future head nodding.


Cheers for now, and OBV Enjoy!

Eclectic Grooves by Dj_Chaps on Mixcloud

In the Mood to Mix

  First things first, I am back in the habit of paying for music.  Especially since I have decided to take DJing seriously again, and maybe get my name out there a lil more then back when I used to gig (roughly 2001-2007).


 Fortunately I am gifted at being cheap, and am able to seek out kick ass deals on beats.  My latest purchase was via iTunes, and was like a diamond in the rough sorta find.  Generally when I see these cheap compilations, with lots of tracks for a cheap price, it is all euro fluff trashy trance, even if it says techno or tech house etc.

  I went in search of deep groovy tech house, and found a 50 track pack for 10 bucks.  Now Im not gonna act like all 50 tracks are grade A for what I am into, but in fairness I was looking for a particular sound and expecting a precise sound for 50 tracks is silly.  I will say, that all 50 tracks will have a place in my sets for sure.

  The first half or so of the tracks is rather diverse, but the second half is where my favorites of the bunch will be found.  Deep n heavy, mmm mmm good.

  It will be these selections that I use to put together a lil mix tonight.  Hopefully I can get it uploaded and posted into the player on the right tonight as well.  Still no mixer, but the music must go on in the meantime. :)

UPDATE: Mix available in side bar

Nothing special to say (maybe after poker tournys tonight), but wanted to update quickly.  Finally added a widget on the right, that will feature a random DJ mix by me, rotating as I upload more.  Currently I have one of the mixes I mentioned in my last post, which comes with a handy tracklisting, for the spotters.


That's all for now, enjoy!

A few mixes

Here are a few random mixes that I remembered putting online not long ago.  These are mixed decently, about as good as I could do simply pointing and clicking on VirtualDJ.  They will get a lot more creative once I am using an actual mixer with the program.

This is pretty random, spanning a few genres.

http://www.mixcloud.com/DJ_Chaps/allovertheplace/


This one is a mixdown of one of Marco V's latest albums......

http://soundcloud.com/dj_chaps/chapsdoesmarcov

Getting back into DJing

   It's been about 4 years+ since my last gig.  That last gig was a make-up gig for a show I had to cut short due to receiving horrific news mid-set.  My whole gigging vibe was thrown off, and I basically quit mixing altogether for a few years. 


  But over the last 2 years or so, I've really gotten an ear and mind for it again.  I have mostly been mixing digitally on the laptop, but that is not cutting it anymore.  I have begun to get out a lil more, at the same time getting an idea of what is moving dancefloors in Halifax these days.  Needless to say, there is still a great energy in this city; an energy I have definitely missed.  But being so rusty, especially when it comes to playing out on larger sound, is not an option for me.  So I have decided to kit up a bit, to work of the rust mixing live as opposed to with my mouse on the coach, heh.


  Not going to go all out, just going to start with a USB mixer/interface to get back to real hands on mixing.  Have been taking a serious look at 2 models, with one featuring jog wheels for more of a hands on experience.



The first is the M-Audio X-Session Pro.  Fairly simple layout, lots of function knobs (3band eq+3fx/channel).  Every button and fader is assignable to any function as midi controller, but many are laid out to be used as they are (standard mixer funct's).  This is the cheaper of my options @ roughly $100cdn.

Also looking at the Hercules DJ Console MK4

This comes in a lil pricier ($179cdn), but is def worth it.  Many more functions/controls on this one, including jog wheels, which in the right setting, offers a very solid scratch ability.  This piece works with Virtual DJ, and the buttons are all what you find as features in the software.  Judging by review videos I have seen, it is very easy to use if you are already a virtualdj user (that's me!).

Also, there is a bypass option, and inputs for vinyl turntables.  So if you prefer a larger hands on the record feel vs the smaller jog wheels, you can hook  your time coded vinyl  up thru the software.

So I don't know which one I will decide on.  Got one helluva tax return coming, but don't expect it for at least 3-4 more weeks.  So I got time to really decide.   I don't mind being cheap here, cuz even the smaller $100 option will allow me to step my game back up greatly.  I will update for sure.  May even update this entry with a few of the demo videos I have watched. 


Peace for now guys.

Thanks for reading and supporting.

Brief 5am update

  Played some poker today.  Long evening/night of grinding, with little to show for it.  Cashed in 2/5 but net loser for the day.  Got my chips all in deep in 2 4.40s with the best hand and got donked out by retards.  In game #2 the same guy snapped my stronger hand b2b and I was sudddenly out 9th, as opposed to having a huge lead with 8 remaining and a clear shot at the 220+ 1st prize.  Could have easily had two wins today and a nice payday, but Jokerstars hates me.

Just as I predicted, the Dow Jones Ind Avg, jumped up from the 12,000 level nicely today, right off the open.  Marks the beginning of what I think will be a strong week on Wall St.


5:20am now, time to hit the hay.  4:20 for all you ESTers.  :3


PZ