As we close out another great year at DJTT, it’s important to look back and remember how much we’ve grown this year, and some of the great content that we’ve featured this year. First up, artist interviews! Here are the top interviews with DJs from this last year, along with an Editorial Favorite. Click through to watch them all.
#5: LOCO DICE | HOW I PLAY
Loco has great, crazy personality that matches his DJ name – and we love him for it! While on the CNTRL tour with Richie Hawtin, Ean and Loco got a chance to hang out onstage and chat about Loco’s live setup, and there’s some great gear shown off in this one!
#4 DATSIK | HOW I PLAY
Blame Canada-based producer and DJ Datsik for bringing dubstep and moombahton to the masses if you like, but it doesn’t change the fact that he’s one of the most prolific modern producers as a result of his work in those genres (among others). In this video, Datsik shared some of his production secrets, and even his favorite plugins for making epic sounds.
#3 ARAAB MUZIK | HOW I PLAY
This interview also apparently gets the award for “most controversial” in addition to being our number three most-watched interview of 2012. It’s interesting when held up against some of these other interviews – Araab Muzik is probably the most instrument-oriented performer we’ve interviewed, and with chops like his we’re glad to have had an interview with him.
#2 ARMIN VAN BUUREN | ARTIST INTERVIEW
It’s not a surprise that Armin’s back on top of the DJ Mag Top 100 DJs Poll, especially after we got a chance to meet and record this interview with him. I think there might even be more from this interview in the DJTT video vault – if you all are into it (let me know in the comments), I’ll dig through our harddrives and see about chopping up an extra segment!
#1 CHRIS LIEBING: HOW I PLAY
Without a doubt, you all loved this artist interview the most. Chris Liebing is a household name when it comes to techno, but we got to go behind the booth at soundcheck and have Chris walk us through his incredibly complex and powerful rig that features kit from Native Instruments, Allen & Heath, Ableton, Faderfox, RME and more.
EDITOR’S PICK: CLAUDE VONSTROKE + DIRTYBIRD
Without a doubt, we’re super-biased in choosing this interview as the Editor’s Pick / honorable mention. We love the Dirtybird crew, their parties, their music, and all that they do. In addition to featuring Claude VonStroke, it also stars J. Phlip, Justin Martin, Christian Martin and Worthy – and we think that this video has the perfect mix of behind-the-scenes, advice, and humor that really makes this entire crew shine.
Think that a different artist interview from 2012 deserves props? Let us know which in the comments and we can all debate it.
We are personally running 2 laptops,; 3 decks Tracktor , 1 deck Maschine but would like to use abelton for effects too. How does Chris synch abelton & tracktor to same clock with maschine(as a plug in)?? Our bmp synch went crazy when we tried that (so took out abelton as a result).
Some of the most interesting DJ info i’ve seen on the web. This beats watching festival sets in the dark on youtube looking for inspiration! Well done DJ tech tools!!
Some of the most interesting DJ info i’ve seen on the web. This beats watching festival sets in the dark on youtube looking for inspiration! Well done DJ tech tools!!
We are personally running 2 laptops,; 3 decks Tracktor , 1 deck Maschine but would like to use abelton for effects too. How does Chris synch abelton & tracktor to same clock with maschine(as a plug in)?? Our bmp synch went crazy when we tried that (so took out abelton as a result).
Can everyone please stop using the word “EDM” da fug is “EDM” anyway? Just say House! or Techno! or Breaks or Prog! etc..
I would love to hear Kevin Yosts thoughts about his live & improvised tour : http://youtu.be/kub1kyehHoM
Armin ftw
Nice set of interviews. Thanks for sharing!
more of armin!!!!!
Interview people without egos. Those are the ones worthy of interviewing. Conscious DJ’s who aren’t trapping peoples minds. Get at it DJTT!
I agree, I love DJTT but it does get a bit boring/repetitive, specially considering some of the DJs featured came from or do play other genres besides EDM…But then again, this is an EDM blog anyways…keep up the good work!
MAke How i PLay with Richie Hawtin, Troy Pirece or DubFire .!
Yeah on the real…how could you guys leave out MADEON
#frenchhouse #disco
God, Datsik is so dumb….
its more he may not be able to explain things very well and or hes never been interviewed
God, Datsik is so dumb….
WERE IS THE MADEON INTERVIEW ! 🙁
WERE IS THE MADEON INTERVIEW ! 🙁
C’mon Djtechtools! 🙁
C’mon Djtechtools! 🙁
If you’d like to see it, please hit him up on Twitter.
@madeon
Post it!
I like the Dirtybird crew interview.
Araab is such a douche.
Looking forward to interesting new articles and news;
im partial to von stroke
I’d like to see DJTT go farther than just EDM. There are a healthy amount of hip hop djs who dig what DJTTs does but there just is zero focus given to other genres. Personally, I’m no superstar producer but I do my own tracks and I get booked to perform. I’m no $40k Guetta but i think it is important to look beyond the mainstream and show people that there are others out living the dream. I always enjoy reading and watching the artist features…but could DJTT please spice it up a bit?
I second that motion…
3rd! lol
-1. So we’re back at second.
I think they are really passionate about EDM, they might like other genre’s but the music played, produced by the owners is all EDM. If you want hiphop or any other genre I am sure there are other websites.
Better yet might be a great time to do something like DJTT with a genre you are passionate about if no one else is doing it.
If there was, do you think those djs would be on here? I also spin EDM styles of music. But my heart and main shows are hiphop. I’m sure the owners of DJTT just intended this to be about controllerism and music. So why limit controllerism to EDM? i know plenty controllerists who are hiphop djs.
You’d call Loco Dice or Claude VonStoke EDM? Ignorance is bliss….
While Loco Dice surely has roots in hip hop..I’d say Claude Von Stroke certainly plays “electronic dance music”…
Since someone already knocked your pedestal over, i’ll just smile.
Back to 3. As much as I love my EDM, as a Dj I like a lot of different genres so it would be nice to see other genres being considered. Just my opinion because after all it’s your website. 🙂
good point – we will certainly take that into consideration
Thank you. I have produced some articles and reviews. I specialize in obscure gear to find gear worthy of djs but usually looked over.
What I’ve seen though I’m not very experienced on the subject yet but would like for you to see things from a different perspective. Is that hip hop DJs usually don’t go all out with it like EDM DJs have today these are just unbelievable setups and i do respect your statement about hip hop djs i would love to see more of it i just dont see many of the next generations to come including myself to get on the hip hop side of these spectacular setups
While I see your point there are many djs who have spectacular setups.
I run 2 technics 1200s, 2 Reloop midi mixers, 1 Maschine, and 2 traktor Kontrol X1s. Occasionally throw in an ipad if needed.
EDM style djs have all this gear but is that ALL this website is about? It’s great to see how DJs play. Why not a hip hop dj who uses a voice box or controllers with his/her turntables? How about turntablists like Craze and Shiftee? They use all sorts of vsts, controllers, and whatnot.
I know a guy who uses a 1980s sequencer, 1 mixer, a looper, and didgeridoo!! If music doesn’t limit you to what you can use or where….why would this website limit itself.