Funk get ready to roll (sez Cholly)

Where the magic happens...

Here she is, the center of my new world, the DJ table I put together from two Ikea sets (a white Kallax 2x4 shelf* (yay—nice big cubby-holes, boo—hollow particle board walls) and a black/brown Lack TV stand with the legs removed. I figured it would be easier to move in the future if the two parts were not connected, and so far they haven't slipped around too much. I'll try to sink some dowels in there if they do (something that can be pulled apart). My Technics SL-1200s go on top with my Vestax PMC05 Pro II mixer in between. The rack above the mixer is for my laptop to rest on. The lower shelf holds my Kenmore amp (purchased at a garage sale -- used as shit & tough as nails). I have baby speakers for now (my neighbors are probably happier about that)—maybe I'll try to find some tall, retro-style, wood cabinet ones later. On the left of the cabinet is a transportation case for my equipment, should I ever play out again. (Don't really love to do so, to be honest—but the case was free, so I took it anyways).

Right now my records are mostly on the lower shelf of the bookcase to the right, but there are lots of convenient holes for sorting and keeping other stuff. My 45s and my cartridge replacement is there now, but I often put records I want to use for my next show in there, or sort out the ones I want to hear soon.

While I'm home, those record players are running 24/7 — previewing tracks and working out transitions for when the station is better arranged for LP playing (there's only one turntable there now, and not terribly convenient for use while on the mike). I am blown away by how satisfying some of these records are. There is some amazing stuff in my collection so far — some real beauties, special cuts, and platters where every song could be played on my show.**

That's what I love about the radio show: my responsibility can be more educational and broadly experiential. DJ'ing live means everything has got to pop and move, and you can never let down. On the show, I can dig and experiment more without disappointing the crowd.*** I think you get a richer experience.

* Meant to get the black/brown model to match the top, but the box was mis-sorted. I sort of like the two-tone effect, kind of looks like a saddle shoe — something Bert would wear.

** Maybe after I get back from my vacation I might do a bit of exploring what's in the collection, maybe show off & discuss one each installment, take some photos of the jackets, give a track listing, and talk about the best features. That might be fun... We'll call it: "Diggin' Ain't EZ"!

*** People are not usually very tolerant of live DJs playing songs they don't recognize or know or that fits their preconceived notions of what a certain kind of music sounds like. But who knows — possibly you are out there listening to my radio show and are just as disappointed?