We’re a diverse bunch of DJs at DJWORX. But none of us quite push the technology envelope like Ray aka Arkaei. I honestly believe that he would incorporate a smartphone-linked domestic appliance into his setup if he thought it was musically valid. And to further underline that he mocks your DJ battle sensibilities and laughs in the face of your conventions, here is his complete show category set from the IDA World Final 2016.
This is Ray’s Nerd Edit of his set. While conventional turntable based battling is relatively easy to work out from a tech perspective, Ray’s setup and methodology does require a little explanation. Thus he’s added nerd subtitles to assist in your understanding of exactly what’s going on. And this isn’t even his full setup either.
Enjoy. And if you need to know more, Ray is always around to share his mad scientist knowledge.
Cover image courtesy of http://staronphoto.com
Wow…that was cool …..love the midi sequencing with the Vestax PDX 3k ..
I use my Vestax PDX 3k the same way …I record a midi sequence with my Roland my 8000 sampler and play the midi sequence on the turntable…
And the leap motion….I only use my leap for video EFXs …but after seeing that …maybe I with give it a go for a VST plugin …cool …
True! If you go wild with the mapping and use both hands, you can “sculpt” your basslines live, that’s pretty cool. There are really good examples of that on YouTube – for the IDA set, I had to keep it simple for the crowd to get the idea. The best thing about the Leap is that you can get them for like $20-$30 on eBay, and the GECO app is $10. Pretty cheap for a badass version of what the AirFX did.
Sick.
This mans understanding and use of modern dj technology is mind boggling to say the least, great job Ray!
Not too shabby yourself, Dubba Dutch – enjoyed your routine a lot!
Thanks dude :)
@paulhollanddoubledutchdj:disqus Dude – I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that you didn’t make it onto the podium. In my case, it was clear from the beginning because I can’t scratch – but your set was by FAR the best overall solo performance, in my opinion.
Cheers Ray :) Ultimately I didn’t hit elements of my set as tightly as I should of so only got myself to blame considering there was jus 3 points between me and 3rd. Adrenaline definitely got the better of me!
That was slick.
that was crazy awesome! especially that Tron acid-line :D
Thanks! Most people were freaking out over “Derezzed”, but to me the End Titles were by far the best part of the soundtrack… I’ll surely make a proper remix some day, but the orchestral parts aren’t easy to cover (and I want to keep them in there).
i had started making a remix years ago when there was a remix contest on Indaba for some songs from the Tron Legacy soundtrack. i had started a DnB remix of the main theme and included the End Titles lead synth melody and it was pretty epic. i didn’t fee lconfident enough in my abilities back then to put it out, but hearing your routine makes me want to rework it :)
As they say on the internet, collab bro?
Show me yours, I’ll show you mine. Deadline March 1st?
yes! most definitely! i have the orchestral stems if you need them
and i’m currently trying to replicate the strings by ear… so far so good!
This is a so good use of the DJ/Music technology !
More musical that usual stuff we can ear with only turntables… (I don’t say turntablism is bad, I can ear you coming, “purists”… I say I’m a little bored of the same sounds and techniques we can ear since decades…)
You really turn your setup into an instrument, experiencing a way to play that let you make improvisation on stage, and not a “perfect gestures repeated” routine. (like a guitar player).
This is how DJing should be : a pleasure to play for the DJ, a pleasure to ear for the crowd.
Hope I’ll meet you at Namm ! It should be interesting to talk about Controllerism and technology. (I love the Leapmotion ^^ )
Very good job Ray !
Thank you! Precisely my idea. This is how I perform when I play a proper, long live set – lay down the foundation of each track and improvise the rest on the fly… not always perfect, but at least it’s live.
As to the “perfect gestured repeated” thing… I respect it a lot, because it requires tremendous discipline which I just can’t muster – but it doesn’t excite me anymore as a spectator.
Unfortunately, I won’t be at NAMM because I’m performing at DreamHack – but we live in those awesome times when long-distance realtime communication is possible… ;)
The “perfect gestures repeated” was not a bad comment, it’s just the more i DJ, use controllers, pads, keys or now learning guitar to make music, the less i’m focusing on my “pure” technique.
Perfect technique doesn’t allow “happy accidents” happen.
And I’m thinking the same about the excitement as a spectator…
Performing at DreamHack as a player ? :)
DJ/VJ, it will be interesting to play a 5 hour cross-genre set with selected game soundtracks :) I could join one of the LAN battles, maybe, but compared to the DreamHack audience I’m a casual gamer at best. I could probably hold my own in UT3, but I doubt there’ll be time for that…
i don’t know if you’ve done it already, but it would really interesting if you did a video showing your how your live rig is set up. i’m especially interested in hybrid software setups (i.e. Serato + Ableton). and it’s getting easier to combine the two with Link
I haven’t. But I most definitely will – and soon, too.
Awesome sound respect dj
That was an awesome job in Krakow, definitely worth the trip. Sadly (well, not sadly but virtually)
IDA is still a TT-domain, so no option for a title there like you’ve
already mentioned. Maybe I’ll be there again next year, hopefully
there’s more nerdism to enter the stage then. ;-)