I am more and more leaning to the edge and about to jump off the producing cliff, purely becoz of what most of you have already mentioned regarding to the stereotyped relationship between Djs, producers and punter.

Djs are not eager to learn new skills, I see a combination of 2 decks and a computer with millions mp3 samples (imagine how many old tunes you could have) would be great. You wouldnt have to spend money on a efx box or a 4 channel efx mixer as you could loop, flanger, sample and all the blah blah on the comp. Had I got some better needles, I would first to master the art of scratching too. Check out Dj Bam Bam, I hear his mixes (probably been doing that for ages anyway), he scratches and mixes like 40 tunes an hour, the only down point is the varity of his tune selection, but if he is into Chigaco, be it, but at least I am assure he is capable to play ANYTHING. Most Djs would qualified for a techno set should they able to beatmatch, and able to chop and cut here and there.... But I personally feel the ability to breakdown your records in your head, and pick the right tune is also very important... Then the next task is to move the crowd, even you have aqquired all the skills and efforts mentioned above, and you dont move a sodding soul on the dancefloor, you might as well stay home to play against 4 walls. Also bear in mind some punter DO NOT WISH to be experimenting with you when they just paid all those dallors for enrties, they might simply just want to go splastic -Then for a good dj, you should please them at the occasion along with as much innovative factors YOU feel they could bear, and if you really feel insulted, dont play for that party again.

But most techno or any other genre djs do not produce and only djing for either a laugh/ hobbie/ attetion.... Only those who are commited to techno and wish to hear innovated stuff for their own well being, but sadly they are the extreme minority.

Tunes wise, I cant teach a Dj to have good ears to sepreate the crappy chewed over identical craps, but listening to everything (including non-dance music) is defo the key, soon you would able to pick out the good elements from each song and stop you buying craps, mainly due to the lack of capital :) I myself discover so much joy with IDM and which I feel go hand in hand with Wonk techno, as crime mentioned, music cant be described with words, but I would like to ask all prroducers to really FEEL each sample before they enforce them, a more related tune with sounds interacting with each other, should it be loopy, trippy, distorted, wonky or anything... Sounds that connect always sound much more clever, and no more tunes I can basically predict the pattern the first time I listen to it "Oh, here is the fat hats coming in... Oh here is the sythny stabs... Oh, here is the breakdown". I cant disrespect simplicity, but there is a label and I am sure you know which one I am on about, that you can have 44 turntables and put the both sides of entire 22 releases on and play them at the same speed, you would hear the drop and breakdowns at the same freaking phrase. Talk about repetitive?

And I guess for labels and producers, using the same technique that had worked for you wouldn't elimulated the chance of failure, and that surely has to be taken out as so many labels died after 3 or 4 pretty much idenitcal releases. I guess you guys are probably limited with your equiments and inspirations, as well as influences from pass sucess would drive you back to the old fomulas. Is it so hard to take time off in between each release to ensure it doesnt sound anything like the last one? Or am I asking too much as it's risking your major income, if so, why not just produce music that sell 6000 copies rather than staying in this scene of minority?

Ya.

Eric.