Well said Armin, well said.

Totally inspiring, such a humble guy, the best interview video

One of the best interviews i have heard, and what he says is so true!

Great interview… One of the first times I’m proud to of our Dutch DJ(‘s). And a LOT better than his boohoo interview he gave here a year ago regarding downloading and how it hurts producers… (solution btw would be that each DJ gives an x amount of his show income to the producers of the record… But funnily enough if it impacts them, they suddenly are against)

claps claps

Great interview

Wow, didn’t expect such a good interview! Great job guys!

Great vid!

+1!!!

One thing I don’t agree on though is what he says about musicians vs DJ’s…. The difference being that a musician actually makes sound while a DJ plays/spins a sound. And unless you are a controllerist that’s a hell of a difference!

can someone explain his SMPTE decks in more detail? 

Great interview, some good tips in there

This is totally unexpected but what a great interview!  Personally, I really don’t like the style of music Armin plays but, after seeing this, I really do like him!  I like his work ethic and I like his approach to DJing.  I’d happily have a beer with him!

Good stuff. This dude is on another level! POWERFUL Armin Van Buuren!

Dan

 100% truth

SMPTE was the precursor to timecode….I think? lol

Armin looks like a genuinely nice guy whom I’d love to chill with.  Very humble and inspiring.  Way to go Armin.

He’s really someone I admire! (eventhough genre yadda yadda yadda… ;) )

Yeah, he’s somebody I can really dig as person, producer and DJ.
(Eventhough trance is not my genre as well. ;) )

Very equitable and straight to the heart of what matters most “what comes out of the speakers” should be something the crowd is pleased/impressed with, that could be implied as the ONLY RULE in being a great DJ.

ah man – When I saw an Armin video I was poised to attack but….what a cool grounded guy, love the tips etc. Despise his music though and he does appear to have his hands in the air for most of his sets but that about as much hate as I can muster… Nice one Armin http://www.facebook.com/1000cutts

Hands down. best interview you guys have hosted yet. Thanks for sharing this with us. Great advice.

Haha me neither! nice to see you here Julian ;)

Well this was a million times better than the AraabMuzik one.

Armin just seems to be such a nice person.
Love that guy!

well spoken and down to earth. i agree with almost everything he said.

Best interview yet! Armin seems like an all around great guy, and everything he said made perfect sense. 

It’s good to see how much a guy like this still keeps his passion about DJ’ing. Awesome interview!

Awesome interview. It’s interesting how an interview can make you really like or dislike a person. I think he’s a really cool dude. Great take on DJ’ing. I like his tempo strategy. Great work DJTT!

Probably the best interview I’ve seen on DJTT. Maybe it’s because he’s a down to earth, coherent, in-touch guy and no doubt because I agree with him on so many points. He’s not a hater and shows that no matter what style we play we are all in this together.

The best video you have ever done thanks,Can I suggest a follow up,Armin learned lots of stuff off another Dutch Dj called Ben Liebrand,Ben Plays off 4 cdjs fully using all 4 decks using loops and accapellas and plays about 30 tracks an hour the guy is an absolute master and is a nice guy as well just like Armin.Please can we have a Ben Liebrand Interview?

armin keeps it simple.  djing is about the love of the music, not the fame. 

 S.ociety of M.otion P.icture and T.elevision E.ngineers is the full acronym. It is a standard that all video makers use which includes timing, color coding, and aspect ratio. For the purposes of this article, SMPTE time coding was created to synchronize audio with video using “key frames” (which works like this: nevermind what played before, at this exact time, these files will play from this point forward… until the next key frame) because without time code synchronization, the video and audio would sometimes fall out of synch (giving you that Kung-Fu theater look).

I don’t think he’s using those CDJs as DVD players so Armin is effectively using them as a controller to interface with some form of real-time video and audio playback software. This technology has been around for at least 20 years, but until recently, it’s been prohibitively expensive (especially the projectors). The assumption is that Armin uses the CDJs for MIDI control of the playback software (this is my educated guess)… you can do this now with Serato Video and your controller (provided you have the video for your playback).

It’s the motion-picture timecode standard which includes audio in the video standard and it’s much more accurate than MIDI.

Armin was the first DJ that really grabbed my attention. He is the reason I DJ today. It’s nice to see those who don’t listen to his music finally understand the passion he has for DJing.

I love that he touches on opening DJs, because I hardly hear
a proper/great opening act. Hearing an opener build their set is almost nonexistent.

OK, *THIS* was well thought out, well produced and implemented professionally.  

That was a great interview, respect for him because he is really a nice guy, even when he’s famous and rich…

Best Artist Interview To Date, IMO!  Thanks

 Armin is on point. Only thing off was his comparison to bands that play a predetermined set..  that may be true for some bands but bands are also playing every musical note live and can change the way they play all those notes. I get what Armin is saying but I’m sure people that play in bands would laugh at the comparison. There is still a lot of room for art in DJing. I really like his 1 + 1 = 3 comment about playing two tracks in a particular order or in a particular venue is unique to that time and adds something. It’s just another way of saying the mix is greater than the sume of the parts.

 Armin is on point. Only thing off was his comparison to bands that play a
predetermined set.. that may be true for some bands but bands are also
playing every musical note live and can change the way they play all
those notes. I get what Armin is saying
but I’m sure people that play in bands would laugh at the comparison.
There is still a lot of room for art in DJing. I really like his 1 + 1 =
3 comment about playing two tracks in a particular order or in a
particular venue is unique to that time and adds something. It’s just
another way of saying the mix is greater than the sume of the parts.

Excellent interview.  Also explains a lot about a question I had before when I saw the video from UMF and about the synced visuals during his set.  I’m not even a huge trance fan… but I’ve seen Armin 3 times, and I’d go back for more… he is a great entertainer.

Def the best interview to date! Dude was informative and explained well, which made him easty to understand. Dude was humble and down to earth, which made him likable as well and to top it all off, he was inpsiring.

So not only do I understand what he was saying, but I like what he was saying aand what he said made me want to continue DJ’ing…

Probably the perfect interview….

Excellent!  This guy truly understands the craft.

Great interview, always loved Armin wen i played trance and despite moving away from that now still hav a lot of time for the guy and what he stands for, hasnt let the fame get to his head and is always listening to his fans and interacting with them online. Great guy

Armin You are the man … what a contrast with that Joel Zimmerman jerk

I moved away from Trance as well. It got stale around 2008-2009. Now Prog House is getting stale – Same tracks, same samples, same mash-ups, same sound, same same same! Check out some of the new Trance tunes. IMO Trance is killing it right now! You know how they say “it always comes back to House” well, for me, “it always comes back to Trance”!

This guy is intelligent.

It motivates me to keep doin’ what I’m doin’

“How is Joel Zimmerman a joke?” Everything he wrote is true and on point. Just becasue he did not sugar coat what he was saying so you can take it, doe snot make him a jerk. These are 2 very diffrent topics from 2 very diffrent people.. grom up man..

This is brilliant. I really appreciate his comments about the work we club DJs do to get a crowd moving. He’s hit the nail on the head.

this is really one of the best interviews i’ve seen in a while, it really explains every goal a DJ should have (and constantly be pursuing) whereas (no offense but) most of the other interviews were just DJs talking about how they like to play or what hardware they love, this was about how to be a successful DJ without having to do exactly what someone else does

100% true I do a small lical club and the women are the key to the dancefloor there are loads of diffrent ways to lose a crowd but only a a few to gain it my advise play wat the crowd want after all its
the crowd keeps u there

Sorry local I ment

We have to agree with everyone else here. Absolutely the best interview we’ve seen. What an inspiration.

Seems like he thinks very highly of himself..

Great great interview! Love his kudos to the opening and local DJs :)

 I agree with you, except I believe Armin was just saying that those bands are limited to the select songs they know how to play live. And, if you go beyond that, even if they are phenomenal musicians who love to improvise on stage they are still limited to the sounds that their particular instruments can make. His example of using audio from the interview is the best example of this. Even Jimi Hendrix couldn’t make a guitar produce a vocal of something.

AS most have said, this is a wonderful interview.  Thank you for sharing this and thank you Armin for your knowledge.  

Joel is a jerk*

He is more than a jerk in my opinion he is a pompous, pretentious, ass.
He loves himself and for his crimes against Dubstep along with his diva attitude I have no time for him. 

For me it all comes down to the Pint test, if you bumped into someone in a bar would you get the pints in. If I bumped into Armin I would buy the dude a beer and talk shit as he seems humble and down to earth. I wouldn’t pass Joel the free peanuts on the bar because the guy isn’t worth the effort. Thats if he could even fit his ego through the front door. Its almost like Joel hates dance music, like he despises the scene and things he is playing this big trick on everyone. Like he discovered that if he puts on a stupid hat and pushes some random buttons people throw money at him, and he hates them for it.   

Did we just watch AvB interview himself? lmao

Nice interview. Who cares if only he did the talking. The interview was informative and shows Armin’s character and knowledge very well. If ever I become a real DJ, I’d be very glad to be able to call him a DJ colleague.

scamo

Armin is fantastic I must admit and im digging his tone in this interview. But quite honestly I have refused to go by back to Ruby Skye until they clean the carpets or something.  That place has continued to get worse and worse over the years and smells like dirty socks when you walk in. 

Really great interview! So awesome to see someone who’s at the top of what has grown to a pretty big industry being so focused on his music! But “weird mouse head”? Come on….that thing is fricken epic :)))))

Don’t like his music, its just not for me. 

but well said, serious respect for him after this. 

4:41 is key

THIS is how dj’ing is going to die… Thanks, Tiesto -___-
http://cl.ly/3r3o2S343Q3f262y2136

and for good reason!

[...] One of the few DJs in the world who needs nearly no introduction, Armin Van Buuren is one of the most successful, highest praised, and experienced DJs on the planet. In our exclusive interview, he shared his thoughts on what the greatest skills that… Read more [...]

thanks for the tips! :) 

“If I was playing for Armin Van Buuren,  I’d play 9 hours of ambient and it would bore everyone to death…” lol

Nice interview DJTT, and Well said Armin. Thanks for the great words! :) 

he seems to be good guy, really professional and down to earth. but there is point i think we disagree  hence why i play underground music in shitty club and he play pop trance in stadium : a dj should entertain people and make them have a great time BUT he should ALSO push the limit of what people can dance to. His job is to understand deeply music and to know one thing or two about it. He should play banger and easy tune but also more complex one. He is both an entertainer and a professor.

does anyone else see his similarities with Kevin Bacon?  Especially in the scenes where he’s performing… Both top blokes!

Not a big fan of Armin’s music, but as a professional he’s truly admirable.

great Interview DJTT

Very nice interview, thanks for sharing.

when there is a great disturbance in the EDM scene you know you can count on armin van buuren to make everything better. such a fantastic interview. and i agree with almost everything he has said!

Thanks Ean for the awesome interview, have huge respect for him and love trance, but he did touch all bases and that is just spectacular. I would also like to see a follow up of this vid, say with Ean sharing his thoughts? adding commets? others comments? Thanks again.

Great Interview and so true !!!!

Amazing interview! Was very awesome to hear about his setup and his workflow through a set, in addition to his tidbits about reading a crowd! The part about every recorded sound being a tool really inspired me… damn, I wanna go spin right now, haha!

Great vid. Any chance we can get a more thorough explanation of how he uses a sync track on the outside CDJ’s to sync video with the two inside CDJ’s. And did he say he only uses his laptop to chat.

I totally agree when he said, Its not what you have backstage but what comes out of the speakers.

This is important because this world is filled haters who always put you down and say your set up is shit or the software you use is crap, it all comes down to your skills.

And for the people who are barely starting  to dj or produce dont think you need what the mau5 has or what daft punk uses, as long as you have the passion to create something that you and other people will love.

To the old saying: When there’s a will there’s a way 

one of the best interviews and one of the best views from one of the greatest DJ’s in the planet…good work DJTT.

thanks! glad you liked it :)

Just Awesome

So full of shit! nice to see what kind of people really go on this site!

fantastic!…love him!

Amazing interview!!!  Armin proves time and time again why he’s successful.

Amazing interview!!!  Armin proves time and time again why he’s successful.

Yes Armin is great, I’ve listened to another of his interview on Dutch and he’s very open, relaxed, down to earth guy! 
I have just say about real musicians and bands who play in some order their songs, I think it’s not that important the order but the performance itself which if we talk about good or great musicians they can perform that same song in different venues in different way. That’s why is important to know to play well the instrument to be able to express your emotions and make a connection with the audience.

Yes Armin is great, I’ve listened to another of his interview on Dutch and he’s very open, relaxed, down to earth guy! 
I have just say about real musicians and bands who play in some order their songs, I think it’s not that important the order but the performance itself which if we talk about good or great musicians they can perform that same song in different venues in different way. That’s why is important to know to play well the instrument to be able to express your emotions and make a connection with the audience.

Take note of Armins last few words in this interview; as a comment to the whole push-butan thingy.

“All that matters is what comes trough your speakers, and your perfomance on stage”

This guy can never retire from the scene. Such humbleness. Thanks for the great interview

Even though I really don’t like his music, this is a great/refreshing interview!!!

great interview very inspiring im not a huge fan of his style but he is a greeat performer obviously being #1 dj in the world doesnt just happen

“1+1=3″ i like that a lot, with all the negativity that joel started against dj’s, this quote alone put a big chip on my shoulder!

daca aveti ceva de dj de vanzare contactatima la catalin_cata6666@yahoo.com

this DJTT interview was inspiring; going to work harder on the next DJ set with all that advice.

i love this interview. i CAN’T STAND his music. but I love, agree, and identify with around 90% what he has to say here.

Hey Guys, great interview!! Whats the song at 7:52 ??

[...] ist der Mann grundsympathisch, auf dem Boden geblieben und hat in diesem Interview für DJTechtools ein paar grundlegend wahre und wichtige Dinge über DJs und ihre Arbeit zu sagen. Übers [...]

Excellent interview and great stuff from Armin. Very candid yet highly informative. I’m 41 and have closet DJ’d for years, but now will be upping my gear and heading out to do gigs. Worried I may be “too old” but my passion for music and sharing it with others will hopefully push me through. Great stuff though.

http://www.mixcloud.com/chris-yakubovsky

Seems like a very honest, down to earth guy. Not even a hint of ego in this video. It’s so awesome to see someone of his stature sharing his philosophy about music. I think even I have forgotten from time to time why I actually started producing/mixing. The shot where he’s in front of a huge crowd and says something along the lines of “I’ve done it out of passion for music”. I don’t mean to generalize, but I think every person on this forum can relate do that sentence. I know I can.

[...] list, the full results are in. Congrats to Armin for getting #1 – if you haven’t seen our interview with him_kmq.push(["trackClickOnOutboundLink","link_5081d6f85889a","Article link clicked",{"Title":"our [...]

Really cool dude, great DJ, but I dislike trance. (there seems to be a pattern..)

u guys heard of samplers? yeh they can be used live too, and are…

[...] DJ Tech Tools [...]

Armin’s music… it has ‘energy’.

” Trance music has a special effect on people. It unites them..in a way i”ve never seen with other types of music. It makes them ecstatic with an almost religious effect.Its extraordinary! I want people to go home feeling good. I want them to become emotional and feel liberated.” – Armin

I can’t help but feel sorry for those of you who ” just don’t get it”.

first of all he is not djing when having a programed usb stick plugged to the machines AND if he can only run a crowd cos has girls he proves how unprofesional not able to dj is, is not about your looks armin or winking the eye to girls what makes the party going, is actual talenT and musical comunication. thumbs down! boooooo