If you haven't heard the news, DJ Rocky Rock is Mackie's King of the d.pro! And unlike some rulers, who rise to power only with help from daddy, Rocky did it the old fashioned way—by crushing his opponents mano-a-mano at a string of battles, including the Guitar Center USA DJ Championships, DMC Philippines DJ Championships, and the WMC/DMC DJ Spinoff in Miami, where he's won two years running. These were battles so close, Rock could see the look in his victims' eyes. And if you think we're exaggerating, you should really go to one of these battles in person. These guys (and occasional girls) go head to head, elimination style, dissing their opponents, with tortured vinyl melodies and counterpoints, using nothing more than two turntables and heavily stickerd vinyl.
These battle DJs are the cats who would be playing killer jazz, had the schools not let their music programs go down the Crapper years ago. Instead, they had turntables and vinyl to get outside, not horns and basses and drums. So, what kind of Type-A, Ultimate Fighter after-a-breakfast-of Mini-Thins personality does a person have to posses to thrive in this business of scorched-earth battles? Let the interview begin.
Hey Rock, Mackie calling… again.
What Up?
Bright-eyed and ready to rap with the champ!
I woke up at 6:30, had a sandwich, and went back to sleep. (laughs hysterically)
Nice work if you can get it, eh? You’ve been using the d2 mixer for a while, what are your thoughts on the new d.2 pro and d.4 pro?
Yo yo, the d.2. That’s what I’ve been using for a few years, since it first came out. It's something else man—amazing! Now, with the d.2 and d.4 pro, with better FireWire and the Traktor Scratch software control built in, it's on! (laughs)
Actually, the new d.pros are like a combination of all the mixers and some of the studio gear I've been using for years... all in one! Because you get the computer connections and great-sounding EQ and effects built right in. I use the d.2 pro for everything now, and I just got the d.4 pro for my production studio. We're working on tracks for my band Dirty Heads on Warner Bros. and also on APL from black eyed peas' solo record for Interscope.
We know you've spent some time with the new d.2 pro over the past few months. What do you think?
As far as the basic mixer, it's like the next level of a Vestax 07 and a Rane, ya know what I’m saying? A lot of kids nowadays, they just love a Vestax 07 or a Rane just because of how buttery the fader is, ya know? But the d.2 pro with the adjustable Infinium fader makes it more butter—ya know what I’m sayin? You can take it back by tightening up the fader—you have that option—so you can bring it back to the old-school feel.
As far as having the FireWire built in, it has just been a blessing you know. I just plug the d.2 pro right into my Mac laptop and I start playing files, using [Native Instruments'] Traktor Scratch software and the vinyl code records right on my 1200s. Of course I was using Serato for a long time, like everyone, but I promise if DJs try Traktor they won't even wanna [expletive] wih Serato any more. Traktor just tracks so much better and sounds way better than Serato to my ears.
Good God, I think he likes it…
This is my secret weapon! Like I said, the adjustable fader cut is just there. I like the up-and-down faders—no doubt! And especially the phono switches man—they give that double-click. I don't normally battle with anything but vinyl, straight up. But the d.2 pro with Traktor performs so well, it's like I could use it for battle and it wouldn't miss or lag a second from regular vinyl.
As for the mixer itself, can you really tell the difference between the d.2 pro and the other mixers you’ve used?
Oh Yeah! Of course. I did a K-Swiss commercial and they had a Rane and a Pioneer, but the sound quality was so good with the d.2, they wanted to pay me extra to just to leave it for the rest of the shoot—because the thing was so clean! That was with the original d.2, without the FireWire option. With the d.2 pro, the y could have ran the FireWire right out of the mixer into their recorder digitally. They would have never given that mixer back. (laughs)
DARING HIM TO COMMIT…
Is the d.2 pro going to be your main mixer from now on?
Well, it’s my main mixer NOW! (laughs) The d.2 has been my main mixer since I won the WMC/DMC DJ Spinoff. I've just swapped up to the d.2 pro, just so I can get with Traktor scratch for my gigs.
Anything about the d.2 pro the World Champ doesn’t like?
Well, (he pauses) it’s a bit heavy…
Hey, it aint no charm bracelet Chuck, it’s a Mackie! We build em’ to last.
Oh yeah.. Exactly!
GOTTA KEEP THOSE ARTISTS IN LINE!
Rock, you seem like such a nice guy. How do you hype yourself at competitions to go out there and kill?
The way I see it, I’m gonna come out more musical than the other guy. When I do that—I don’t know—I just come out like a monster. When its over, I’m gonna love him like a home boy, but when its happening, I’m just there! Its in my blood.
How has the d.2 pro held up to your abuse so far?
Solid! You know what? I’m about to go on tour with my band, called the The Dirty Heads. Its new-style reggae with the positive turntable vibe—coming out in Aug of 07. We signed to Warner Brothers, and we’re goin’ out, man. I’m having a custom coffin built for the d.2 that fits it exactly, so I’m gonna up Mackie’s game worldwide!
Do you have any other Mackie gear?
You tell me man! (laughs) What’s in the mail?
Yeah, when I won the WMC/DMC DJ Spinoff I won ten grand in equipment. I got some 1530z’s, a couple of 1801 subs, and a bunch of mixers and some 450s.
Putting them to good use, I hope?
I put the SAz’s and 1801s in apl’s studios. We use when we want to hear the mix on a club system. As artists we want to hear the beats that we work with, in the world we work in—clubs, so I have the 1801’s under the desk and it gives us that “club feel”
Blown any fuses… or windows??
No, but I bet I we could (laughs)! The new Mackie speakers are like the next level in PA speakers—they’re clean! I used to be a big fan of Bose, but psshist, this is it right here man.
Tell me about Jeepney Music, your record label?
YEAHHH! That’s a record label that I run with apl.de.ap of the Black Eyed Peas. Jeepneys are like buses in the
Philippines, but they are all tricked out like shrines with all sorts of sculpture and lights. The Jeepney is
like a symbol for us—our slogan is “music that travels”. Jeepney Music ( Jeepney Music
Is there something in the water over there that makes great turntablists?
Yeah! (Laughs hard)
But I’m also on an International tip, working with the Black Eyed Peas. I scratched and DJ’ed and on Monkey Business. And I did "Gone Going" with Jack Johnson, and a track with APL from BEP called Bebot. That’s what its all about man… putting out some music—real music.
Any advice to the kids who want to come wipe the floor with ya someday?
Yeah man what it is, is that you gotta stay real with yourself—number one.
C’mon Rock, that’s what everybody says…
Ok, Ok. Practice everyday. I set a goal for myself in the morning where I’ll be like “Today I’m gonna practice a chirp-flair”. I’ll practice the chirp, then the flair. Next thing you know, I’ll combine it in the same day, and my goal will be reached. The thing is you keep doing it. I practice a move for the week, then for the month. By the end of the month I got it tight and I’m ready to show it in a battle.
Practice practice, practice. That’s how you make it—any thing less than that is just a hobby (laughs)