DJ Spooky - Frequently Asked Questions

I get asked a zillion questions about various things after the lectures and concerts I've been doing over the years, and I just want to make sure everyone has some info about various follow up issues. Hopefully this will answer your questions.


1) I've looked for your CD's in some stores, and I live in a country outside of the U.S. I can't find the CD's or I can't find your book "Rhythm Science". What should I do? GO>>

2) What kind of software do you use? GO>>

3) I'm a student using your music for an academic project. Is that OK? GO>>

4) I just saw a lecture of yours, and wanted more info on the video and audio clips you
used to highlight various points in your discussion. GO>>

5) Why are you into talking about dj culture and it's relationship to contemporary art? GO>>

6) I'd like to invite you to my school or conference. How do I do that? Or I'd like to make an inquiry into booking you to do a Dj show. How should I proceed? GO>>

7) Syllabus for Media Sounds Class GO>>



1) I've looked for your CD's in some stores, and I live in a country outside of the U.S. I can't find the CD's or I can't find your book "Rhythm Science". What should I do?

International sales for my stuff has been uneven, but with a tiny bit of additional effort, you should be able to find my stuff pretty much throughout the world. I always like to suggest that if you can't find my records or the book, buy the material online through iTunes and the book can be found at Amazon.com and MIT Press. Also, there are some good international websites for folks buying my material (Amazon for instance). If you are having trouble finding the book, drop us a line HERE.


2) What kind of software do you use?

I like to keep things minimal and direct. Alot of my older album projects were done in Digital Performer and Sound Designer for Mac. My current stuff is done with software that's PC oriented 'cause I'm in the middle of switching platforms.

I edit my drum sounds using Recycle, a software plug-in for the Reason software out of Sweden. The main editing environment I make tracks in these days is Sonar, which is made by Cakewalk in Boston. I also dabble (especially when I make my dj tools and scratch tools/edits) with Ableton Live. Sonar has alot of plug-in modules that let me make up drum machine sounds and whatnot. There's also MAX/MSP that I use to come up with my some of the "strange" sounds that I use to mix in and out of ambient projects. MAX/MSP let's you make up alot of your own plug-ins, so it's more personalized.


3) I'm a student using your music for an academic project. Is that OK?

Basically, as long as you give credit, it's OK. The basic idea is that for non-commercial purposes, I consider it kind of like a mix tape. If it's a commercial project, things are flexible. Don't be scared to get in touch. Just drop us a line here at the website. We always try to work things out!


4) I just saw a lecture of yours, and wanted more info on the video and audio clips you used to highlight various points in your discussion.

Most of the video material and audio material for the lectures is taken from the DVD that will be out in my second book Sound Unbound. The other stuff is in the audio or multi-media sections of this website. Check it out!


5) Why are you into talking about dj culture and it's relationship to contemporary art?

To me, sampling is an artform that's inherited alot of issues from collage. If you look at the progression of what was the avant garde of the 20th century, there's alot of connections between what was going on then, and what's going on now with digital media. My book Rhythm Science (MIT Press) focuses on this kind of thing. The CD that goes with the book has really rare recordings of material from a wide variety of artists and writers like James Joyce, Antonin Artaud, Gerrude Stein, Marcel Duchamp, Tristan Tzara and many others. The basic idea is to link sound to art, and vice versa. It sure makes art alot more fun!


6) I'd like to invite you to my school or conference. How do I do that? Or I'd like to make an inquiry into booking you to do a Dj show. How should I proceed?

This website is the easiest way to reach me. My team over at Music and Art Managment check this site alot, and they forward various queries to me. The basic idea is this: give us the parameters of what you're up to, and we can figure out something. I'm open to do shows and lectures, I just have a really busy schedule, so we try to figure out things months in advance. If you have other questions, drop us a line at djspooky@musicandart.net

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