DJ's and producers are not the same 

Finally, someone who talks about the difference!

I hate when I say that I like to produce music and people look at me and go "So are you a DJ ??"

0:58 PLEASE do not ever play songs ripped straight from SoundCloud. The fact that it's stealing aside, it will sound terrible in a club set up. Only play mp3s that are 320 kbps!

DO NOT PLAY SOUNDCLOUD RIPS AT A GIG, I repeat, DO NOT PLAY SOUNDCLOUD RIPS AT A GIG. SoundCloud compresses audio that is uploaded and that audio loses the quality. If you rip from SoundCloud you are only getting 192kpbs mp3 quality which will sound horrible on most club and festival setups

In an industry where music is constantly evolving, how do you integrate new elements of new genres into your productions? For instance if someone specializes in dub step, or house, and all of a sudden their record label is selling future bass or future house how do you quickly learn and transition to that new genre? I'm sure you're familiar with this, Luke Cheers!

I started as a DJ and worked hard to become a producer as well. And I love doing both!

I was a professional drummer for 20 years, my wife and I have always loved clubbing. This year I started working with Ableton to produce electronic music. I also love to DJ. Your vlog has been hugely helpful! So glad you’re sharing the knowledge!

Would be really interresting if you would show, how you manage the lights and visuals at your shows, do you always take someone with you to do it, or someone from the location? Also the big shows, how much is done live and how much is preprogrammed? Would be very interesting I think.

Luke thank you!! For the video. 🙏 you’re amazing Dj & producer. The most important is. The fame and the money never change the way you are. 🙌🏼

I love your videos. Thank you for always keeping it real and for sharing your advice with us🙏🏻

Love these vLogs Luke, keep 'em coming!

Really good vid. Like the explanation given between the two and how they can be used together. Pretty cool to hear all of the mixmash tunes used on the vids as well

So true. I personally use the dual title of Dj and Producer. I was so fortunate having been raised in the circles my mother traveled in during my formative years. Thanks to her friendship with Sylvia and Joe Robinson of All Platinum Records I pretty much grew up in the studio developing a fascination with the tools of music production. The patience of the producers and artists taking the time to answer my questions and showing me how the boards worked, how to layer tracks, bend pitches, overdubbing, deciding where to introduce another layer as well as why various levels had to constantly change instilled in me the raw skills to pursue a career as a Dj later in life. Artists like Harry Ray from The Moments introducing me to the power held in a bass track to stimulate your every heartbeat and drive your body to move on a primal level. Watching and hearing as artists like the O'Jays would go back and forth with the engineers about how best to express the sound they were looking for would be something I would go back on as I built sets later. Not to mention the catalog of amazing material I had to choose from by simply digging through mom's records when I was looking for the right hook for a mix or transition from one point to the next in a set. The speed technology exploded from the 90's till now is staggering! I can do more on my laptop now with Soundforge and some midi's than they could do in the studio back then. I have always been a technophile so I have stayed pretty concurrent with technology as it evolved, sadly I crashed and burned in the mid 90's because of bad choices and legal issues and never really made it back to where I was once on a trajectory to be in the Dj business. I spent a few years doing promotions but it just wasn't what I was happy doing so now I occasionally gig as dj, more frequently help to produce for friends and help make demo's for artists I believe are worth the effort of putting myself out there for. Nothing makes me more mad than putting in weeks of effort to help an artist or Dj refine their work and get zero credit for your efforts! Real crab move, I won't drop names but they know who they are, lol.

Loving the editing and production on the latest VLOG! Looking forward to more experimentation!

One of the finest and most helpful DJ ever. Tons of love and respect #Laidback luke. Need more vlogs on production. 😊

Great advice Luke!!!

There’s very few actual dj/producers but one immediately springs to mind, Giuseppe Ottavaini. Perform live sets from stems on midi controller in front of a crowd. Unique.

It might be interesting to see a part 2 in crowd reading covering the difference between club mixing and festival mixing?

hes both . one of a kind .. much love from Sydney Australia

Well, I started only DJing and now I'm studying hard to become a producer too, I don't see any problem with that, since I play for real when I'm live. I think you forgot to mention that doing both things is a good way to increase your money income. You'll have difficult times like any other career, and if I'm both a DJ AND a producer, I'll have two different ways to "survive" those hard times. And last but not least, I fucking LOVE creating a track from scratch and having the possibility to see the faces of the people in the crowd listening to it is pure joy for me. Salute, master Luke :)

Such a Controversial topic. Super glad you touched base with this! Love these informative vlogs luke

Loving the drone work, sometimes I forget you're the one capturing all the beautiful air shots!

Amazing vlog thanks for sharing ur infos to all of us Luke, we need a vlog abt top tracks for this year Salut from Lebanon🇱🇧🙌

I love watching certain producers who perform live. Guys like Paul van Dyk and Giuseppe Ottaviani really do a great job at blending the art of DJ'ing with the performing aspect of a producer. More producers should learn to play live!

Thanks Laidback Luke, your tips helped me a lot. I'm "just" a DJ and needed a Vlog like this to get some new thoughts how to make me a name. Keep on going like that, you're great :)

You sir, are a true inspiration to the new/next generation of DJs and producers. Thanks for pointing this very essential difference out.

It was so good seeing you last night in Sacramento! You're definitely the dj we need in the edm scene.

God bless you man... I couldn't agree more!

I agree!

I really love the idea of a due like Bassjackers (one producer & one dj) however, there is no greater feeling than making people dance with the music you create, and the music you love

You have inspired me to dj I’ve wanted to do it for years but never did it until now!! Keep up the good music and videos!

i've been producing since middle school and over the years I built up the knowledge of how to use plug ins and certain producing techniques you learn as you keep practicing but this past year I fell in love with DJing and everyday I produce and work on my skills to become a better DJ

Loving the vlogs luke maybe you should do one about your tees haha or also about how you started the scene but really dive in to the music then us growing up what you call house or techno was different in our time and how it’s evolved currently I️ still listen to all the ditching warehouse party music reminds me why I️ feel in love with music and how it’s influenced my life in abit way. Keep spreading the knowledge man.

@LaidbackLuke thanks for the good tips for DJing!!!!

Jo Luke ! I would like a another Tutorial about your new Tune :) I’m in Love with your Tutorials and Vlogs!

Performing live by programming new beats and adding synths and samples in to make a show a unique auditory experience is cool. I admire people for it as it’s a new way of performing electronic music different to a DJ like myself.

I love what you had to say! I’ve been a DJ for almost 10 years now and production just isn’t my thing, but I love mixing and performing. I also wish more real DJs got to play mainstage at big events. I’m a HUGE fan of yours and I’ve been following you since 2007, you’re an awesome role model and I’ve always admired you. Keep making great music and thanks for sharing your knowledge with us! PLUR

Yo kuya luke u 🔪 it in SACRAMENTO yesterday! The energy in the beginning and middle was just insane! Bounce MUSIC! And the last 20 min was refreshing with your dark techno. Keep the groove alive breh breh and I what i always say "to begin a better world, we start with good music" salut!

Well said!

Luke, I would like to say that I hope you had a good time in my hometown of Miami. Your final thoughts about djs and producers is quite enlightening. I have been djing over 24 years and I recently tried producing. I did this thinking that I needed to do this to get to the festivals and stage shows. It's been slow learning but interesting. I have produced a few tracks but it no where your level of production. You have given me an idea that I can work with a producer that only produces. Now I will have to go hunting for a producer who has similar interest in music. Thank you Luke!

hey luke nice blogs as always, i hope you make a video about BEAT MATCHING i tend to do so and tips from your professional perspective are always welcome!!

First of all, so mad I missed you at Bijou and Hardvard, but awesome as always to see you in Boston and to see some local boys in your video! Second I’d love to see a vlog sometime on the trends in EDM especially since you’ve been in the industry so long. Like how it went from techno and trance to big room and trap. Now future bass, pop EDM and etc. I would love to see a video on your thoughts and maybe prediction of what’s next. Thanks for the video as always Luke!

I would love that one day your vision of producers and DJs collaborating becomes true!! So we would stop having producers on stage pretending they are mixing while they are actually trying to sync their jump off stage with the fire so they have a nice photo for instagram 😛 And we would have DJs getting more recognition!! Salute!

DJ: entertainer Producer: musician

"DJs, be DJs and producers, be producers" YES 100%

wowww, laidback luke doing a techno set... very curious about this one!! PLEASE UPLOAD!! i'm in nostalgic-mode right now! #ComeToTheDarkSideLuke

Thank you!!!!!!!!

I've been DeeJaying for many years now and the problem was to get to the next level without having my own tracks. So I started producing, learning the basic stuff. My thought was that I was DeeJaying a lot (sometimes 6 or 7 gigs a week) and developed my skills with that, there are also producers spending so much time in a studio, time I don't have. Why not combining those 2? I'm still working on my own producing skills but it's good to have someone to cooperate with. Great to hear that you also support this way of working!!

I personally love everything to do with music... i like mixing tunes and also making my own... plus once you learn to dj you never really loose the skill... but im always learning new things when producing...

Dope vlog Laidback! At the moment I'm learning producing but in some years i would like to perform as a DJ too, meanwhile I will keep learning about both worlds

Man it was around this time last year that i got interested in being a DJ i wish i had done my research first! I bought a SB2 not realizing that to get the full potential out of it i had to pay $100 (or $10 a month) for Serato. After doing a bit of research I got a Numark Party Mix in May and as a teen that does not have any source of income i had to work it off and do lots of chores around the house! As you probably can guess i'm still a Bedroom DJ perfecting my skills, and videos like these i really enjoy! They always pour very useful info into my head and make me want to keep on going, and i find it so impressive that a busy guy like you can spare some of his time to share your knowledge with everyone else thank you! (Oh and yeah i am hoping that the big guy in a red suit will bring me an upgrade! ;D)

Dj's should be encouraged to create their own mash ups and edits since they know which tracks will work together and for the crows. I've been djing for 15 years now and it definitely does make you unique from other Dj's

Your vlogs are amazing and very informative. Keep it up! Also, can you tell us your secret on how you manage to scratch so good?

Great to hear about this difference. Still waiting for new ''In My Mind'' videos.

Expert in DJ'ing, Production & making Vlogs!

You should show what and who you carry with you everyday, to every city you go!! (Including the vlogging gear) BTW Thanks for the shoutout

Hey Luke love ur videos

Thanks for the advice! Would love to see a video on whether there was any anxiety the first time u played a real gig and how djs can overcome the anxiety

This is a modern definition, historically Urban Music including Hip Hop, and House there was a DJ and MC who are now the Producer and Rapper/Vocalist. #EDMisUrban #HipHopHistory #HouseMusicHistory

Thank you Luke for going through the differences. Though I feel like the points where obvious it's good to hear the depth breakdown and perspective from someone like yourself. However I disagree with keeping DJ and producers separate. Coming from a guitar background the roles of dj+producer are one in the same on that instrument. You play songs live with a guitar (producer element) and the songs can be original or a cover (dj+producer). Likewise you can improve the songs that you playing live and add something that isn't recorded (dj). I think where dj and producers miss the ball is that neither of them take enough time to become musicians. From the conversations I've had / listened in on , that always seems be the last point of never mention. But being musicians I feel ties both of these together really anything music related the core and heart of it is the musician or musicality of the person.

Interesting the final conclusion and it is actually a really good idea. It can be insane to have a duo between a DJ and producer. First you can produce insane tracks and then your festivals sets will be mindblowing. Imagine Laidback Luke with Marteen Vorwerk. Just magic.

thanks

I know many people who started out as real Dj's and then later learned producing to be able to perform at festivals and so on. Same for producers, they started out producing and then later learned how to Dj. So it's vice-versa, I think its dope to see a person who is good at both skills like; A-Trak, Cashmere Cat, Craze, UZ, Z-Trip & of course Laidback Luke. But yeah you don' have to make a dj duo to be able to perform at festivals, just practice both of them until you become a beast!

Finally someone says, why does a DJ have to produce or a producer have to be a DJ? Why do not they form a team? a dj with a producer or several

one of the best things about this vlogs its the music ;)

I agree with you broh 👍🏾

Thanks for your vids man, always inspiring and sharing knowledge

Pleaaaassse just please do more producer Tutorials!!!!!!!

Amazing vlog, i didnt know the difference between dj and producers. Love your track "It was me"

I believe I have a good subject for you to talk about. Keeping your library in order. As you know, DJs are constantly getting new music but I have noticed they don’t know how to organize it in their library and you see them scrambling trying to find the right song for the right moment in their sets. BTW, I admire you and your passion for what you do tremendously! DJ Zaa!

That was great techno set at Bijou Boston. Started out as a dj for many yrs but wasnt going anywhere. Then started producing for the past 7 yrs trying to get signed so I can DJ more and DJ bigger shows. So i produce music so I can DJ. Producing music is ok but I love Djing.

Hey what's up Luke. Show us a producing tutorial on how to mix a track correctly when producing.

the industry is mostly 90% producers trying to be djs but just press play. 10% actual djs

I couldn't agree more. It bothers me when people confuse both terms or think that a guy will be a good dj just because his tracks are good. In mainstages most of the guys playing aren't making a good dj performance. They're playing only hits in a programmed way, pretty much the same way a spotify playlist would do. DJing is more than that. I also think that dj-producer duets should be a thing. The dj would add a 'dancefloor perspective' to the productions and both could learn from each other

I'm more of a producer than a dj but I still support and respect real djing. And I practice it myself :) tho lately i've gotten really interested in a different kind of performance like porter robinson and flume, with midis and drum pads and launchpads. I feel like I could express myself more creatively this way

All those Keanu Silva tracks throughout your latest vlogs sound amazing Luke!

Bro, honestly it is good that you put this video out because when people find out that I am a dj they automatically think that I make music. Its quite annoying because people do tend to put both producers and djs in the same category. Not saying that in a bad way at all but your everyday person does not know the difference between the 2 because they see a lot of producer/dj's at the festivals and stuff so I think that's where they get this notion from. But honestly, sometimes its questionable how many producer/dj's actually know how to dj because I noticed you do talk a lot about standing behind the decks and not on top of them and you honestly do see that a lot of that happens at the festivals and stuff so it makes you question, how many of these guys actually dj? cause I personally would love to dj for a producer at a festival or partner with a producer to get their music out there via djing all over.

hey luke, first of all its really great watching your vlogs and learning great stuff out of it! heres a request can you please teach how to mix non extended tracks or tracks which doesn't have kicks in starting or which have direct vocals I've been searching a lot of this but theres no tutorial of this. Thanks a lot :)

Laidback Luke, remember you can sign up for promo labels as a professional dj. Alternatively you can pay to join a promo site, and download remixes and tracks. However, I'd still say I buy 30-40% of the music I play out.

U r real Guru of music

loved the video luke! could you speak a bit of who are your best friends in the dj and producer scene? that would be interesting :)

I am a producer and now I want to play my tracks on stage. I would love to see if you do a vlog on "DJ Homework". How Djs prepare their content for stage, fill up their USB drives. In one of your videos I saw you throwing an Acapella on a beat, the Acapella was a loop of a sample, so I wanted to know was that sample on loop through CDJ? Or a long audio file of a single loop? Also throw some light on adding sounds on the fly instead of just beat matching and scale matching. Regards

You are The best Luke

Hey, Could you possibly make a video of how to send your demos to labels? (like what to say or how to approach them) Thanks!

The first time I ever heard the title DJ/Producer was in reference to LTJ Bukem back in 2001.

Love the Talent At Rest sign!

More Producer Tutorials Please!!!

Please do some video about organizing your music library

Good point. Djs shouldn't be pressing play and then just jumping on the decks the whole set. But unfortunately that's how it is these days. Watching those RU-vid videos of big festivals, people get the impression that Dj dont need a skill anymore as they just see their favourite producer jumping up and down, maybe using a filter in best ca;se scenario and thats it. Whilst the little skilled guys fight for their survival in little clubs, BUT, they actually have the best time :)

A producer makes the song. A DJ plays the song.

Can u talk about the pro's and con's of being on a big label like owsla, armada, maximize, big beat, and spinnin' records

Well said Luke!

Fair enough Luke, I prefer the art of DJing far more to producing as I quite enjoy telling a story through other people’s brilliant music. I’m finding that I’m producing for the sake of furthering my career even though I much prefer creating interesting mixes instead. So taking your advice, any producers out there fancy collaborating in London, UK?

Can you do a Producing Tutorial again? Maybe about shytesizer, and how to creat a sound with it?

Would love if you can include in a video of how you started your entire career :)

I think they should have a few different categories in the Dj mag like for example top 100 producers top 100 djs and maybe some other categories too

@LaidbackLuke tell us please how you using in ear headphones? It's different from classic dj headphones use. I'm just tired from high volumes from the monitors.

I like the idea of traktor's remix decks and (if used correctly) their stems. If you spend the time making all your samples and loops there's no reason you can't produce tracks on the fly in front of a crowd. As for the Producer vs DJ thing. I look at it as a slider/spectrum, not a coin. RU-vid has plenty of great mashup DJs as well as producers that can program an amazing set. Just my two cents as an amateur dj and an amateur producer.

I want some tips and tricks on transitioning that is starting with the build-up of a song and ending with the drop of another song. Cheers! Enjoying your vlogs! 😆

About where to get tracks without spending much, you can sign up on a DJ Pool or you can find tracks on Soundcloud where the producers or remixers let you download them for free. Check out LBL's "Ones to Watch" soundcloud page for some free trracks to download.