James Haidak

Among the most important gear pieces a music producer or DJ must have is an excellent pair of headphones. Without these, it would be difficult to create, mix, and edit sound as one intends. The past years have seen newer and cheaper technologies dominate the market. Here are 2021’s best bets for professional headphones.  Image source: medium.com The Sony WH-1000XM3 carries the brand’s state-of-the-art noise-cancelling technology while being one of the world’s best wireless headphones, perfect for DJs and producers on the road. The Grado SR60e is a well-designed pair of headphones that does not compromise sound for comfort. Its open acoustic design delivers great sound for its price range. The SR60es are recommended for both professional DJ-producers and hobbyists, says DJ-producer James Haidak.  The Bose QC 35 II is considered by many as the best all-around headphones in the market. With impeccable noise-cancellation, it comes with a 10-hour battery life. However,...

  As a European-based DJ, James Haidak has always had an affinity for music. He has admired and studied many aspects of music, including the many mediums. And while James, as a DJ, prefers handling vinyl, he still believes that other forms of recording and playing such as CDs and 8-Track tapes deserve everyone's respect and appreciation.  Image source: Digitaltrends.com For today's blog, James Haidak pays tribute to one of the most popular music mediums in one of the most beloved eras. Today, he talks about the cassette tape, which was king during the analog era's final days. A wave of pop culture nostalgia has been washing over millions of people over the past decade. Classic objects such as the cassette tape have been making a limited comeback. While many of us who experienced rewinding, fast-forwarding, and recording on cassette tapes back in the '80s and early '90s gleefully welcome this return to tangible analog memories, for the younger generation, the ...

  One of the allures of being a DJ is traveling all around the world to make crowds sway and dance to your beat. Performing at various EDM festivals allows you to surf through the crowd's vibe while journeying through the best cities in the world, explains DJ James Haidak. Here are some of the best festivals you should target once you get your name out there as a DJ.  Image source: everfest.com If you enjoy blue ocean views and hearing the waves crackle against the shore as you switch from track to track while working the crowds, the Ostend Beach Festival is the one. You should go to Ostend, which is held in Belgium every summer. While you're at it, why don't you schedule a nice getaway in Bruges, which is just a few train stations away.  Since you're already in Belgium, you should definitely stay around for Tomorrowland. Tomorrowland fetes more than 1,000 DJs to make around half a million festival attendees on their feet for two weekends. And as James Haidak poi...

Image source: extraspace.com As with any hobby or profession, music production does not have to be expensive at the beginning. Over time, one might need to invest in a few equipment pieces to up their skills and output. For a great start in music production, here are six gear pieces essential for a home studio.  Image source: openmicuk.co.uk Image source: extraspace.com A laptop or a PC equipped with at least a Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM will be capable of doing most editing, mixing, and mastering. For DJ and music producer James Haidak, a laptop will be perfect for DJ-ing and producing on-the-go, while a desktop would be perfect for all-nighters at the studio. One should choose the right digital audio workspace according to their skill level. While easy to navigate, GarageBand and Logic Pro X are exclusive for Macs. Ableton is the most efficient workstation for Windows-powered computers. Be sure to have a MIDI or musical instrument digital interface in order to ...

 Having a signature sound as a DJ sets one apart from the pack. DJs have different sets of skills to produce the music they want their audiences to hear. DJ-producer James Haidak shares a few tips on how DJs can find their own sound.  Image source: musicradar.com Image source: musiccritic.com    When it comes to developing a sound that stands out, DJs have to let creative juices flow while they experiment. Listening to a wide variety of music helps DJ find their musical identity. Beginner DJs often take skills improvement for granted. Brush up on the basics of beatmatching and cueing , which should be instinctive to every DJ. Mastery in these two areas of mixing helps a DJ to find their own sound without compromising quality. For inspiration, listen to live mixes of other DJs . Observe the atmosphere shift throughout the set to know which songs work together and which mixes get audiences excited and dancing. Listening and understanding other DJs’ mixes is ...

With many staying home due to the coronavirus, more people have rediscovered their love for making music. While smartphones and laptops have the capacity to record audio to some degree, it’s definitely far from the best. Image source: bhphotovideo.com Image source: audioexpress.com Most—if not all—recording studio require a laptop or a desktop as the workstation. Recording at home means having little space for equipment. USB mixers and audio interface are top choices for a home studio setup. However, the two work differently, says James Haidak. A USB mixer, when plugged into a computer, mixes multiple signals before sending it to the digital audio workstation. Much like how a usual sound mixer works, a USB mixer can have a built-in reverb, gain, and echo controls apart from the usual volume knob. Depending on the mixer, one can plug a microphone and an instrument at the same time. The mixer then sends the audio from the microphone and the instrument as a ...

Music production is a great creative outlet for singers, musicians, and producers in the making. For those who dream of giving this creative outlet a go do not realize the amount of thought that is needed when getting started. Image source: YouTube.com Image source: logicalincrements.com Before purchasing any kind of sound equipment, it’s best to maintain a proper approach to music production. It’s integral to keep an open mind and carry a positive attitude toward production. This will prepare one for long nights and grueling hours of recording tracks. Sound equipment pieces do not have to be expensive. An aspiring producer can get started with just a computer and a digital audio workstation. James Haidak shares that a producer can purchase upgrades as they go and grow in their craft. YouTube offers a plethora of music production lessons and techniques one can learn from. Study music theory and apply what you’ve learned in creating your first music. With new ...