Who's job is harder? DJ's or Producer's

[D_NeU]

Producing deff'y

[Picto]

No question production is much harder. I think it takes alot of talent to make wicked tune and to release one after another.

[DjPuesto]

well i am 18 years old, started djing 4 years ago, not very seriously till this year (with virtual dj and software at the beginnings) and producing since july 2009.

What i've found out is that EVERYONE can mix, of course it's not the same the dj who don't even known what it's beatmatching that the professional one, but even without beatmatching and only fading in/out at the end of the songs (like many djs do, sometimes i think they're using virtual dj with automix) the crowd can go nuts.

I don't find djing hard, the only hard part is that if you commit an error you'll need skills to repair it even without people noticeing it, but if you're good you shouldn't commit errors, and this is the only hard part, efficiency.

As for producing you have literally all the time on the world but still if you have no talent nor skills the track will be the same crap (or not) since the first minute.

I've found that i'm much better remixer than producer, i really look up some producers that are way far from me

[t r a n c e a h o l i c]

I'm with you people who voted for producers. Anyone can learn the basics of DJing through practice, but how many can put together a track that sounds nothing like what's been done already (especially now)?

I suppose they can go retro and use elements like the classic high-hat sounds from the 90's. If everyone else who's going old school, then why can't Trance producers do the same?

[samson smith]

hello all, just wanted some feedback on what you all think, who has a harder job, either being a DJ or having to Produce. Is there a choice? or are people just born with it?

all comments appreciated

The producer has the difficult job of making the live shows run smoothly, that the script is done and followed, without neglecting any sponsors. I explain this with taking an example of radio producer and DJ. They have a long and stressful job that is just as much work off the air, as it is on the air. The radio DJ is normally the person who plays all the music and reads only any sponsor promotions if needed, but they are the ones in the direct firing line. They have to use their voices to convey messages and sell products, but at the same time have to be understanding and sympathetic to the listeners, friendly and fun.

[PaulGibson]

It's a funny old thing to compare this one. In a lot of ways DJing and Producing are very co-dependent and that's why most DJ's are now producers and a lot of producers take to DJing. It's natural to need to promote your own music as a producer and it's natural to want to compose your own music as a DJ. If nothing else curiosity gets the best of you and you at least find yourself trying it. DJ's and producers can't really exist without each other, because somebody has to make the music for DJ's to play and someone has to promote the music for producers to sell.

I've been DJing a lot longer than I've been producing, so I still find producing a lot harder and a lot more time consuming. However there are people that can produce great tracks very quickly and there are people who agonise for hours or days over DJ sets. I've seen a lot of talk of "anyone can mix" and "software does it all for you" and although software is better now, that kind of talk I find completely misguided and misses the nuances.

Back when you were playing live on turntables, you could turn up at clubs with horrendous lag on their sound systems, technical issues and all kinds of things to deal with. Needles might skip on you, or even Tiesto as I've seen happen and your perfect mix is in ruins. That's not easy to deal with. Of course technology has made the basics easier in that way, but now you're thinking more of harmonics and progression. You might be thinking "How can I surprise this crowd or my listeners and bring the energy up?" If you're playing live you might see the crowd react badly to certain tracks and realise you need to change the direction of your set. It should always be about providing the best experience for everyone who is hearing what you're playing and it takes an intelligence, thoughtfulness and skill to do that. I think stuff like that is underestimated.

Also underestimated are the skills of the very best technical DJ's. A good DJ has the ear to break his track up and realise what the bass, mid and treble adjustments will do to the track in the mix, possibly what different effects and now different structural changes might do too. That way instead of getting a bit of a messy sounding, but beat matched mix, you can get a smooth flowing perfect mix as well. All of this can become automatic in time, but it takes time and practice to develop that subconscious level of working, especially in a live setting with different sound setups facing you at every venue.

I find that if I want to just mix, I can put something together that'll work, but to get something I'm perfectly happy with, that I still find difficult and I know I could personally improve so much. There's always room for improvement and if your skill ends with letting a computer beat match for you, then you're not really a DJ or somebody who understands the real process of DJing in the slightest. Look at someone like Zabiela and his skills level in a live setting. There aren't many DJ's, producers or anyone else that can do what he can and that's because of his talent for DJing and his years of practice.

As for producing, well I do find it harder, because my experience level isn't the same. You can never learn enough, never understand enough and never really feel like you've made the best track you can. It's always evolving and you know in six months you'll know more than you do now and you'll wish you could have re-done that previous track, because you can hear every horrible part you feel is a mistake, even if someone else doesn't notice it.

Apart from learning the skills of sound design, synth programming and how to put a mixdown together, you also have to have an idea of how to compose melodies and create harmonies with atmosphere. This might be where the infinite possibilities of music composition might make it trump DJing for skill, because the great producers can produce with not only tight production, but also the melodic flair you'd expect from a classical composer. You always need original ideas and you need to create your own sound.

I'm sure the guys at the top level of both DJing and producing will tell you that both are hard and that if you're not challenging yourself, you're probably failing. I've rambled on long enough now, but I suppose I find it difficult to see DJing trivialised down to throwing a few tunes on and beat matching. It's almost the same as saying anyone can run the 100m. Running is a pretty simple process and a lot of us can do it. It's funny though, none of the rest of us are quite Usain Bolt or ever will be, because we just don't have either the talent, attributes or dedication for it.

[aalina]

Keeping to the scenario, the music production business is indeed offering ample opportunities to make big money.

[Magdelayna]

Producing by far - it takes years to build up a reputation & your own 'sound' & 'style' as a producer - whereas i reckon it could take months to master DJing - espeically in trance,where its a lot more basic than other genres - of course there very talented DJ's out there who are capable of reading the mood of a crowd on a specific night and build the mood and atmosphere of a set - thats an art in itself.

But the bottom line is that producing requires a lot more creativity & hard work imo.

[Vod Kanockers]

Try to make something original then youll know

[Nostradamus]

Both jobs are difficult but in different ways. And the one cant live without the other.

[trancefan0883]

i think producer's work is harder

[shahbazpatel]

producing is harder , as u have to come up with something new and different all the time , to sooth the masses

[jenessawilson06]

As i think producer's job is harder.
Order flowers

[soundbarrier]

Both are done out of the love for music, but producing is much harder indeed. I just started producing (read attempting ) few months ago. All I can say is wow!! respect for the producers sometimes creating such beauties!

[Aurastream]

DJing is like doing the dishes.. but instead your doing the discs.. :D
Producing is like a forever long search for the perfect sounding synth, then it takes another forever to build a lead that is both never-heard before and groundbreaking, but when it all comes down to it: both are not hard if you love what you do. If you see it as a job then try a real job where you for example have to be on a phone all day or build some heavy buildings, or taking care of older people. Well, it can also depend on your personality, if you can take much responsibility you can deal with both having a job and doing some music while running the the clubs with the latest bought music. If that is your passion.

Much Love // Aurastream