DJ Enferno
December 29, 2006 5:55 AM   Subscribe

DJ Inferno is a former world DMC champion, but he's taking turntablism to the next level. No longer content with 'two turntables and a microphone' he's added a whole suite of new gear to his sets, allowing him to remix songs on the fly. -- Crazy, With or without you, Another Brick in the Wall, ... More viceos...
posted by empath (55 comments total) 9 users marked this as a favorite
 
well, shit.. I added the word 'videos' on my last preview, and it was the one thing i didn't double check :(
posted by empath at 5:56 AM on December 29, 2006


corrected link for with or without you, which was my favorite of the bunch.
posted by empath at 5:58 AM on December 29, 2006


He's spinning Phil Collins? Ewwwwww... Is that like, ironic? Or is this guy just too young to know how uncool Phil Collins is? Or... has Phil Collins become, like, cool?

No. I refuse to belive that Phil Collins has become cool.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:21 AM on December 29, 2006


Say what you will about the rest of his shit, but "In the air tonight" is a great fucking song.
posted by empath at 6:24 AM on December 29, 2006 [1 favorite]


Droppin steamers in music threads will never go out of style.
posted by srboisvert at 6:35 AM on December 29, 2006


Enferno of Inferno?
posted by the cuban at 6:38 AM on December 29, 2006


Hiphop seems fascinated with phil collins.

O.D.B. covered Sussudio. 2pac covered In the Air Tonight, along with DMX and Lil' Kim. Bone Thugs N' Harmony covered Take me Home. Nas sampled "In the Air Tonight" for "One Mic"
posted by milarepa at 6:41 AM on December 29, 2006


My God! that's some amazing stuff right there
posted by cyphill at 6:57 AM on December 29, 2006


Enferno.

Man, I suck at fpp-ing
posted by empath at 7:05 AM on December 29, 2006


Wow. Just wow. What a badass. He should tour with Dosh (Youtube link).

Also, there's footage out there of Jon Brion building an entire 3-minute pop song one instrument at a time--as in, he lays down three minutes' worth of drums, then three minutes worth of bass, then keys, so on and so on. Live and (seemingly) in one take. Unfortunately, I don't have a link, but maybe someone else does.
posted by 2or3whiskeysodas at 7:10 AM on December 29, 2006


MetaFilter: Droppin steamers in music threads will never go out of style.
posted by cmicali at 7:20 AM on December 29, 2006 [1 favorite]


Don't ever let a DJ think they're taking anything "to a new level"--even if by some chance they are.

We just don't need to deal with the ego.
posted by sourwookie at 7:21 AM on December 29, 2006


which leads to one of the best dj jokes i ever heard:

Q: what's the difference between god and a dj?
A: god doesn't think he's a dj.
posted by phaedon at 7:23 AM on December 29, 2006


This is my church
This is where I heal my hurts

It's a natural grace
Of watching young life shape
It's in minor keys
Solutions and remedies
Enemies becoming friends
When bitterness ends

This is my church (2x)
This is where I heal my hurts
For tonight
"GOD IS A DJ."
posted by empath at 7:26 AM on December 29, 2006


Just for the record, srboisvert, since when does a comment which directly and specifically relates to the subject of the FPP qualify as a "steamer"? You may disagree with my assessment of Phil Collins, you may think this DJ is the greatest thing since sliced bread, whatever, but my comment was simply an expression of opinion about this FPP. That is to say, on-topic. Your comment, on the other hand, comes much closer to qualifying as a "steamer". But deep down in your heart, you know that, I'm sure.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 8:01 AM on December 29, 2006



Oh mah gawd.

I just enjoyed listening to Phil Collins. And U2. Back to back, no less.

Making them listenable would have been an accomplishment. But enjoyable?

He's a genius. A fucking GENIUS.
posted by jason's_planet at 8:02 AM on December 29, 2006


I liked that "With or Without You" remix, but not enough to click on all the rest of those links. Which one's the Phil Collins? None of the ones in the main post seem to be it.
posted by cgc373 at 8:23 AM on December 29, 2006


Yeah, he's really good. Really enjoyed the Pink Floyd remix.
posted by geekhorde at 8:26 AM on December 29, 2006


Further proof that Google is the eventual master of us all, it suggested that this was related.
posted by Skorgu at 8:36 AM on December 29, 2006


Wow, that's really fucking cool.

Also, your favorite sample sucks.
posted by delmoi at 8:38 AM on December 29, 2006


Another lazy, uninspiring method of "making music".
posted by wfc123 at 8:48 AM on December 29, 2006


Pretty cool, but I wish most of his stuff didn't sound so dance-y. A bit more of a true hip hop aesthetic would be nice, but that's just my taste.
posted by papakwanz at 9:23 AM on December 29, 2006


15 years earlier... DJ David, 2x world DMC champ - starts off slow, but then....
posted by forallmankind at 9:23 AM on December 29, 2006


Oh, and did anyone else get a little distracted by him constantly holding up his right hand doing the "just one second" gesture? (or maybe its the "waiter we'll take our check now" gesture).
posted by papakwanz at 9:26 AM on December 29, 2006


forallmankind, that shit was fucking awesome. "What about that, boy? I never seen anything like that in all my life!"
posted by cgc373 at 9:41 AM on December 29, 2006


He's pretty good, but Richie "Plastikman" Hawtin has been doing this for nearly a decade. He intergrated drum machines, keyboards, samplers and Final Scratch into his DJ rig at least 5-6 years ago and has been forever laying samples and drumtracks down with his DJ sets.

I see Enferno having issues with integrating all that gear, though. He could replace all that with a laptop and a copy of Ableton Live and get more control, but that wouldn't look as cool and rockstar-ey as a rack full of gear and making sure there were lots of mashable buttons out where the crowd can see you.

Except for the scratching (which I've just never been super good a) I can use just one copy of Traktor to do nearly everything he was doing, but I've been practicing with Traktor for a long time now, and DJing for over 10 years, and I have a few programmatic tricks up my sleeve. (hotkeys for everything important but especially loop points, loop lengths, cue sets and more. Makes cutting/mashing on the fly like butter.)

He looks like he's using the Rane and Serato Scratch Live, which means those white "records" on the turntables might just be "control-code" records for interfacing with Serato Scratch.

Anyway, decent stuff. Too much turntablism, which impinges on the flow a bit. Could be much worse but could be better.


Finally, a note to the camera man and all future camerapersons: DOOD. You're in the motherfucking DJ booth. It's really loud, and your microphone sounds like a tin can of boiled dog's ass in an industrial rock tumbler. PLEASE CARRY AND USE A FREAKIN' AUDIO PATCH CABLE OR I WILL HUNT YOU DOWN AND STRANGLE YOU WITH MINE.

Y'know, that video of "Crazy" could have actually sounded like something other than a mic bleeding profusely and a preamp just merrily clipping right along at +32db. Amazing technology, I know. We call it a "wire".
posted by loquacious at 9:43 AM on December 29, 2006


speaking of past dmc champions... what the fucks happened to dj craaaazzzze!!!!
posted by phaedon at 9:55 AM on December 29, 2006


that link quality was so crappy, here's dj david from 1990 to boot.
posted by phaedon at 9:59 AM on December 29, 2006


...motherfucker scratches with his toe at 3:45
posted by phaedon at 10:00 AM on December 29, 2006


papakwanz-- in his normal residencies in town(he's a DC-area local), he only plays straight hip-hop.

I think ableton being so strictly time coded lends itself more readily to techno-y stuff.
posted by empath at 10:10 AM on December 29, 2006


Thanks for posting dj craze. I was there in '99. Good times.
posted by milarepa at 10:26 AM on December 29, 2006


Ahh, Craze... Damn. Seeing him perform live was one of the most amazing things I've ever witnessed.

A couple of months ago saw Monk performing on what I assume was a set of the Pioneer DVD turntables. He did something similar with Crazy, mashing it up with old LL Cool J and some other old track I didnt recognize.

As a longtime vinyl purist I'm finally starting to see the light, and performances like this are just the start. Great post!
posted by kableh at 10:29 AM on December 29, 2006


I saw Thomas Dolby (yes, THE Thomas Dolby) live two weeks ago doing something very similar. I was across the room instead of behind his shoulder, but it was just as impressive live as it was watching Enferno on YouTube. TD's technique might not have the same "wow factor", but he built a song out of nothing. No samples to fall back on, just his own keyboarding skills. Hella cool.
posted by knowbuddy at 10:48 AM on December 29, 2006


he is really talented and it is cool to watch him going crazy on all that gear, but I really don't like the music. this guy blows him out of the water in my humble opinion. maybe I am just sick of people remixing pop tunes into bad dance music. (link is youtube)
posted by crawfishpopsicle at 11:06 AM on December 29, 2006


Another lazy, uninspiring method of "making music".
posted by wfc123 at 8:48 AM PST on December 29 [+] [!]


Ragging on DJs is so ten years ago. If you don't like it, don't whine about it, just turn it off.

And move over. Some of us are trying to dance!
posted by tantrumthecat at 11:30 AM on December 29, 2006


amazing work on "with or without you", but calling this a 'on the fly' remix is wrong, he obviously worked out his set before presenting it.
posted by nims at 11:31 AM on December 29, 2006


Right, but it's not pre-sequenced.
posted by empath at 11:40 AM on December 29, 2006


granted.
posted by nims at 11:42 AM on December 29, 2006


WHEN did Phil Collins ever become uncool???!?!?
posted by Addiction at 11:56 AM on December 29, 2006


'Oh, and did anyone else get a little distracted by him constantly holding up his right hand doing the "just one second" gesture? (or maybe its the "waiter we'll take our check now" gesture).'

from my experiences in the club scene, i'd have to say he's probably just trying to swat at all the hallucinations.
posted by jcterminal at 12:35 PM on December 29, 2006


Say what you will about the rest of his shit, but "In the air tonight" is a great fucking song.

Here's a cool 8-bit/electro cover of that song, by this guy. I wish they'd used it in the Miami Vice movie, instead of the crappy nu-metal version they settled on.

And of course, here is the Phil Collins version in the immortal sequence from the Miami Vice pilot.
posted by Artifice_Eternity at 12:43 PM on December 29, 2006


z trip does a "in the air tonight" w/ del the f.h. mashup on uneasy listening
posted by phaedon at 12:56 PM on December 29, 2006


Viceo killed the racio star.
posted by The Deej at 1:41 PM on December 29, 2006


Corny.
posted by speicus at 2:35 PM on December 29, 2006


Uhm somebody please explain me...is remixing

1. getting some song
2. putting a bunch of sfx over the song , echoing, fading, reverbeing some samples
3. claim victory ?

Maybe yousuck doesn't cut it for audio, maybemaybemaybe I am comparing apples to oranges , but

Chemical Bros - Elektrobank
Royksopp - Eple
Fatboy Slim - Weapon of Choice

they all seem sample/echo/fade/F(sound)=something to my untrained consumer ears. BUT a lot lot better..ok they are not live so it is a lot easier, but still.......

let's viral the guy with his really good stuff ?
posted by elpapacito at 4:07 PM on December 29, 2006


What does it mean to "viral the guy," elpapacito? You mean, push his popularity by linking to him? Or link away from him to other stuff that's supposed to be better? I don't get it.
posted by cgc373 at 4:22 PM on December 29, 2006


cgc: it's a "victory" for youtube anyway, but imho if a new (?) to the masses artist is to be linked on the Blue so that I pass on the link to a friend (hey look this cool artist I never heard about) and so on , I personall y would have choosed his best material.

Lacking any better knowledge about him, I think the material linked doesn't represent his best, as I perceive that as extremely "on the suck" side if you will.

As for linking other material, well why not ? Promoting doesn't necessarily mean not being compared to. Maybe his linked stuff is met by an audience opposite to me, maybe not.
posted by elpapacito at 4:33 PM on December 29, 2006


Ah, okay, I think I follow, elpapacito. Thanks for clarifying.
posted by cgc373 at 5:04 PM on December 29, 2006


I'm not gonna bash DJ's or challenge what they do as valid music creation. It's debatable whether this guy's stuff is technically impressive (kind of, but can be done more easily). However, I thought the actual music was pretty bad. FWIW I actually like electronic music, this just doesn't seem that unconventional or well done.
posted by subtle-t at 5:52 PM on December 29, 2006


Yes, the point is that he's doing it live. Of course you can do it with a laptop and cubase or ableton.

I guess it's more impressive if you're a dj and you've worked with the tools he's using and know how hard it is to just beatmatch, let alone keep track of 8 or 9 layers of instruments and scratch 2 records, and doing it all with some dancefloor sensibility and not descending into wankery.
posted by empath at 6:37 PM on December 29, 2006


Yes, my point was not about virtuosity or technical skill. I thought the music itself was bad and wanky. I have no doubt that the method can probably lead to good music.
posted by subtle-t at 6:39 PM on December 29, 2006


It is good to see people expanding the remit of the dj. Even if this guy isn't the first, best or most innovative.

In the U2 track clip; empath, he isn't beat matching much, just the initial matching of the beat to the U2 song (or more accurately matching WoWY to the beat which sounds wack and shows a flaw in his set-up) the rest of the beats are all bpm matched prior to the performance which is why he changes WoWY to match the beat and not the other way.
All the looping is auto synced, I think.

He can play the keys OK, although I think that the use of the weak piano sound is a mistake.

He seems to perform the same scratch pattern and effects in the Coming in the Air Tonight track as WoWY.

He can perform all tasks satisfactorially, B grade. I agree with subtle-t.
posted by asok at 3:47 AM on December 30, 2006


I'm just surprised there are TWO singles out at radio that are BOTH reworkings/covers of "She's Like The Wind".

Dirty Dancing is the new Scarface, yo.
posted by Rev. Syung Myung Me at 7:01 AM on December 31, 2006


<Vincent Vega>
"That's a bold statement."
</Vincent Vega>
posted by cgc373 at 7:25 AM on December 31, 2006


Nobody puts Baby a.k.a Birdman in a corner.

I can't claim credit for that one; that line was a friend of mine's from telling him about the whole She's Like The Wind thing on the phone last night.
posted by Rev. Syung Myung Me at 10:17 AM on January 1, 2007


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