after DJing all these festivals for 15 years the closest thing i've ever seen to 'pre-recorded' would be a 5-10 minute mashup at the end of someones set for a firework show, never once caught anyone 'pretending' to dj, however I have no idea what people doing w laptops and ableton etc.

Not a fan of James's style or his tunes but i have respect for his craft, he uses modern dj equipment to their maximum potential and is a great figure head for the dj scene in general.

Just the fact that James is both talented and open minded is a great combo for a human being :)

I have never heard the same sets from James Hype anywhere in any of these YT videos. Some same songs, sure, but NEVER in the same order and always renewed, remixed and reimagined somehow. That's what makes him so amazing and this clip is such a testament to his love of DJing. Thank you James Hype! Looking forward to you coming to Los Angeles again soon!

An artist mixing the tracks live is such a beautiful thing to behold. I even like when occasionally the DJ messes up the mix, it just tells me “oh yeah they’re really doing this live, and they’re human, it happens”. I’m sure I’ve heard some pre recorded sets at some of the festivals I’ve been to, but if it’s a vibe and I can party to it, it is what it is. I just have more respect for the ones doing it live.

So glad to hear this. Thank you for breaking it down. People gotta do what they gotta do but there is something special about someone creating artistry live on stage.

THANK YOU for always playing live for your fans!!!!!! This is so important to me!!! People pay such expensive prices to go to shows!!! Would anyone want to go to a concert with an artist lip syncing the whole time???? Not me!!!! I have so much respect for your work!!! You will always be #1 in my heart!!! ❤

"not trying to give people perfection, I'm giving a live experience" Best line ever and how I always viewed my sets.

I thought that was the point of seeing a live performance, for it NOT to be perfect or the same..that's what the album or single, etc is for..I'm glad to see you bringing back what DJing is supposed to be about..you and the other real DJ's are the new standard and have set the bar...thank you for keeping the art form pure..

You’re are the best DJ James Hype , I was there in EDC Orlando 👏🏻👏🏻🔥

There's something about when you go to live music gigs and the imperfection perfections that happen that make it so memorable. If you know you know. But James Hype is a legend for being bold about making this normal in the electronic scene and staying true to it as he as grown a bigger audience. There's so many talented live electronic acts all around the world and the more appreciation listeners and festival goers have for it the better imo.

I love the feeling of playing songs together and creating something in the moment. You're literally reacting with the crowd.😍

Nice one. I don't even plan a set, nevermind prerecord. I don't even know what tune I'm gonna start with until I play it. It's just how i've always dj'd.

You are the man James, I'm with you on this! Every artist/DJ has their own unique way of performing :) and your way is super entertaining. Keep it up brotha

Hi James, First off I’d just like to say that I appreciate that you always come forth with a set that is live and not pre recorded. Obviously going into each set you are choosing songs for your setlist. A big part of why most popular producers at EDC and other events do pre recorded sets is just that.. they are producers. To me what makes pre recorded sets interesting is how you may hear for the first time ever 2-3 new tracks from the artist that you enjoy and the pacing is much smoother. Obviously because a pre recorded set is already all automated. But there is a certain charm to live sets and real live mixing that is lost when this occurs. Please keep doing what you do as I personally enjoy it very much! Thanks.

People’s opinions on how to DJ is all subjective. It truly shows in the performance itself, the energy it brings, and the crowd it draws. Your EDC Orlando set was so fun, brought a big crowd, and you’re doing things no other DJ’s are doing.

"I"m not trying to give people perfection, I'm trying to give people a true live performance. And that's something a robot could never do." 💯💯💯

Great Massage ! THANK YOU MAN ! Love the Energy you bring to the DJ Family ! Please rip apart some of those 3000's 😂

See you Dec 27th in Atlanta! I cant freakin wait! I am beyond excited. You are a big inspiration to me in my DJ career.

It was really fun to listen to what you had to say about this I think your style of mixing is my favorite, it’s not just about transitions and you play the dj equipment like a instrument You are my favorite DJ

All the respect and love for you and what youndo bro! #RealDJing

5:02 this. I respected you for how you manage live mixing, seen your skills live and it was fucking awesome. But the fact that you still can say this is in fact a prove that you really do it for the fans, for the people to have fun. Respect

Ok James...Your " Get Closer",New Castle set ..made me a James Hype Fan...That club vibe reminded me of the days we used to go see Josh Wink...except he had to spin records! ..Much Respect to you J! Keep killing it man!

There is a difference between a prepared and planned out set and a pre-recorded set. For consistency, a DJ just needs to prepare a playlist all the tracks they intend to play in their intended order with cue points set. But the most enjoyable sets tend to have that spontaneous unplanned "live" quality.

So personally I've never done a pre-recorded set, but I have a few times recorded something similar to what I'll play to give to the techs both so they can have a rough idea of what I plan to do and as a backup in case of major failure. I DO though know a couple of people who regularly do events where the first half of their set was always pre-recorded so that they could put 100% into the mic work which was more important than the music at that point of the night.

I love this! Thank you so much for clearing that up, James. I think Joel was talking in terms of production.

Thank you for shedding some light on this subject! For DJs who are not in your scene, statements like the one DeadMau5 made create the narrative that a lot of the big DJs are playing pre-recorded sets. Add the "viral" clips of DJs faking it on top of that, and now you have a lot of people who lack the actual knowledge claiming that DJs are faking it. The number of comments I've seen in the past year of people claiming that a DJ is playing a pre-recorded set (when he/she is just playing an edit or mashup) is staggering. I've even been accused of faking it because I was touching a knob on the mixer, but they didn't hear anything change. In actuality, I was making micro-adjustments to the volume ;) That being said, I have played at events where a lot of stuff has been pre-recorded. These were not festivals or normal DJ gigs but large music events with a live band, multiple artists, and a DJ act. At those events, the production crew wants to have full control. In that scenario, the live band was playing some parts live, but most of it was on a backing track. The DJs there were using a pre-recorded set and just hosting live. But whenever I've seen footage of the big DJs playing it looked legit.

As a lighting guy that has worked in a Hollywood night club that has brought some of the biggest names in the industry, I can say with 100% certain a LOT of djs bring in pre-mixed sets. I had to go on stage a lot to fix a lighting fixture.. Usually doing the old "turn it off and on" again thing, because they are like little computers. But, when standing in the back waiting for the light to reset, I'd catch glimpses of the djs cdjs/laptop.. If you see the waveform of the song moving, its a normal song file, if its moving incredibly slow, and nothing is happening elsewhere, its a telltale of a premixed set. I saw it more often than I could count with people you've all heard of. Also, if it seems like visuals/lighting seem "too on point", you know you're watching a pre-mixed set. There is nothing wrong with that, really. I appreciate someone that brought a full audio/visual experience every once in a while. But when I noticed I was doing an improvised light show for a pre-mixed set, I lost all respect and didn't put as much effort in. 🤷‍♂️ Sorry the lighting guy ruined it.

Really humble opinion buddy! Really open minded and grounded. Keep up the awesome work!

I love your short videos like this, the insight is incredibly helpful for me as I'm just learning how to DJ and it's been a ton of fun. The mindset of "as long as people are having a good time" is such a nice mindset to have.

I FREAKING LOVE YOU MAN! Your mentality and approach to life and your craft is amazing. I think being original is the best, it irritates me to see DJs who just stand there and smoke or just wave their arms up at the build up on pre recorded sets. Why pre record when you can do your set, list of songs you have, and add something to it in front of a live crowd to make the experience unique to that crowd. I feel also its important to be versatile on the go. how can you feel the crowd and what is moving them with a pre recorded set? If you do something awesome on the fly the crowd can get into it just as much as you are and feel your vibe. Its no fun if someone is in the crowd and they are like " o i love the next song song tho ,this one is alright" I love the surprise part like "OMG that was hard! I wonder what hes going to do next?" Keep them guessing you know! Praise you James Hype!

I was guilty of recording some stuff multiple times more than once on mixtapes to make it perfect (usually with scratching parts), that was an illness of sorts I learned you can never be totally perfect with DJing. I enjoy your way of mixing. It's not the most skillfull granted or cleanest but its honest and you're a great showman. Keep doing it 💪

It honestly depends how Artists feel and their confidence - I can sit and build a pre-recorded set and make no mistakes in a 1 hour mix when im in my booth on my own. But to go on stage and have people listening - Some people just think why make a live mistake when I can just play something I can make in a booth and have no pressure

Absolutely agree, thank you so much for sharing this!

Agreed with u! Playing live and taking risks is the way to go!

Last week i went to see Eliminate and Eptic. When Eliminate walked out, played the set, we felt something weird, something’s perfect. Then we looked up and saw him with a flash light trying to look for something. He said there is technical difficulties. After everything sorted he played for real, and it felt amazing. I think we audiences can feel when the dj is djing or not. Or it just me already am a producer, not sure.

Twice a week through the pandemic you played live for your hypefam. To be that creative, mixing it up differently week after week. That's what keeps us following you. Keep doing what you do James, big ❤ from all the HYPEFAM

Thank you for showcasing this, never have I ever performed with others where people were playing prerecorded sets.

When I went to London in 2000 and went clubbing on night, I was absolutely horrified to see DJs coming on stage, plugging in a laptop, and then pressing play while working the lights. The crowd didn't seem to mind but I was absolutely disgusted.

I’m so surprised ! I have never thought that some DJs could play some prerecorded sets ! Thanks a lot James for never doing this 🙏🏻. Mixing is just about playing with the sounds, the tracks, the intensity, the EQs… and tacking some risks because we are not perfect humans ! Risks and mistakes drive creativity and singularity. I don’t understand this world where everything has to be perfectly sync, tune and plastic made. If I love going on stage it’s because I can feel my heartbeat and because I come with my daily feelings and emotions. This is music for me and how I want to share it. Lot’s of love to all deeply alive ❤️

I absolutely agree with you, even though I'm just a bedroom DJ. If I were in a situation where I had fans coming specifically to enjoy themselves at my set, it would be a deception on my part. At least, that's how I would feel.

Yooo.... Can't wait to see you at lights all night. 🎉🎉🎉🎉 Ready for that once in a lifetime experience

I love how Show Controll is seen like the Sync Button in lighting. 🤣 I ll guess that this conflict will never end.

The real mixer Dj! #JamesHYpe🔥 #WhoDOTHis.?

There's a Armin's video explaining his DJ setup in 2012 using SMPTE signal / timecode. If was possible then, it's possible now. Great video James, real DJing and live performances don't need to be pre-recorded. Maybe Joel(deadmau5) was thinking of some kind of intros or something, I mean, he has a ton of experience doing live performances with abletonLive and being able to sync that with visuals. Probably he didn't know about the ShowKontrol software (I think Joel started using more often CDJs this year) because he just uses a different setup that is not the "Pioneer Standard". Anyway, enjoy the music and the performances guys, we are lucky to see this technology in big festivals!

Got to be the most humble and genuine Music Producer/DJ in the world! Totally agree with what your saying keep doing your thing bro!! I'll get in the studio with you one day putting it out there to the world!!

I dont know you and your music well but I do appreciate your honesty and direct communication. I believe you.

Nr 1 🎉🎉🎉 DJ in the world for me

Thank you, its a Choice. Real DJ here also, i have never recorded a set and never use Sync. Just because i enjoy to DJ my way. Back in 2019 i caught Oliver Heldens playing a recorded set at Creamfields. I was on the stage and spotted what was happening. I was actually shocked, but it turned out afterwards it was pretty much common knowledge.

I try and new music every weekend,And mash it up with old and new in my set. as i play in a bar every Friday/Sat night. big up to James love you bro 💥💥💯

Thanks for this James. I believe we should, as DJs, always mix live but I also see there are valid exceptions. Is this the new sync button debate? Separate point, but, love the way you keep adding to your setup and pushing what you do. Much respect!

That's why James is my favorite DJ, thank you for doing real live mixing for us!

As a DJ and a regular guy who goes to parties, I couldn't care one bit if someone pre-recorded a set. As long as the music and flow is great, that is all that matters.

We love you bro! And we all know you are up there mixing on the fly and doing it live! 👑

Love your openness and honesty. This is why I've followed you over the years. Glad you spoke on this. 🔥

What Deadmau5 really ment is: Sorting the tracks in Rekordbox before the show, setting the cue points means you are doing a pre-recorded set. Even though you are mixing separate audio files in the mixer with 2 or 3 decks, if your playlist is predetermined, it is more or less clear which track you are playing at what minute. So the lighting and visual team can anticipate the production in advance.

Yo JAMEEES

..OMG, I love you man...100 percent true!!! respect to the stars!!! it;s a shame in 2023 with this technology to play a pre recorded set...in my 35 years of pro deejay career I never did that...!!! but yes, sometimes it was so good that people were coming to me to see is it a pre recorded they could not believe...😅RESPECT and I hope that one day we will celebrate our birthday 26th november together with a big party!😄

Love you brother! From one DJ to another... THANK YOU!

I think Deadmau5 meant by pre-recorded set: having a list ready of the songs you are gonna play in the exact order to fill in the 1 hour performance. And live DJing is considered as choosing the songs spot on and improvising.

james these guys are just jelous that you can actually dj ive seen you many times and been in 2 of your video's ( which was totally amazing btw) and you totally smash it every time practice makes perfect and you and the stereohype crew work together like a hype team ps id love to be apart of that just saying big ups every one hypefam T-Gang love me and laura

James, your the man thank you for openig up about this it was really needed to be heard 🙏

good for you, well done. Hope to see you sometime

Hi James, I'm sure there are pre-recorded sets and I've seen a lot of djs to prove that but how you dj in particular, it would be easier to actually dj than it would to pretend to dj. To pretend to get the drops would take a lot of rehearsal. I think hats off to you for actually djing and being real.. Who does this

James this is what I love about live improvisational bands. And if you're a fan, you know the show just may have some major fuckups, but you may also- get lucky enough to witness the muse come out to play. Thanks for keeping this going in DJing

I saw you mix in Bucharest ( Romania ) at Stereohype and you were amazing .. cheers

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!! I saw that Deadmaus clip and blew my mind. Love your Philosophy. You are THE TRUTH

All it comes down to is people confusing "pre-recorded" with "pre-planned." Also, they think that because the visuals line up with the music, means it mus be pre-recorded. Which is kind of insulting to the visual team tbh. Thanks for speaking to this!

James, off-topic question: have you had personal experiences with psychedelics and if yes how did they impact you and your work?

Thank you for having our back as well (Lighting designer)

Love you James, you’re the best out there 🙌🏻❤️

I believe it's the DJ's job to give the audience a good time. Most won't even care if its pre recorded most will be there to see their favourite songs from their favourite producers. Some of you're favourite producers may not good DJ's that can give an amazing live performance and might chose to use a pre recorded set at a major event sometimes and that's okay, the only thing that matters is the audience is having a good time which is the most important thing at the end of the day.

Every DJ was a real DJ before your generation came along and used technology to make the whole thing incredibly easy. But to be good back then, was a skill, and not everyone could do it in clubs and at raves consistently. That's where the magic was, to witness someone going in deep and taking the crowd on a journey. Not just pushing coloured buttons to make live mashups of cheesy pop songs or playing prerecorded sets. The magic of DJing is being lost thanks to Pioneer and Gen Z.

Finally you’re coming to Zurich James . I’ll be there 🎉🎉

thank you for clearing this up ...and you are one of the Best live Djs out there

idk if i fr have listen to your music but i love these uploads watch like all of them

100 percent true , I've always wondered how a dj is djn'g at the festivals and when a mix is dropping and the dj is on a speaker saying get your hands up durung the mix... it's then i realized they were recorded mixes , as for me I prefer to Dj live because i like each of my sets to be differnt , but that's just me .,, I want to also give all DJ's a big shoutout for keeping music alive

I’ve watched you live at DAER a couple years back….You put on a hell of a show …as a DJ myself ….I absolutely enjoy the live you …the effort, skill, and enthusiasm…CHEERS 🥃

I pre-record pressing stop on the wrong deck halfway through to create an air of authenticity.

Big up for sharing your honest thoughts and feelings this is real talk we like it!! Your a legend Dj #sterohype x

Well done man ! Nice talking and keep this way 😉

Keep being awesome!

Good video, good format, more of these please❤

The facts legend lets goooo 🙏🏾🔥🔥🔥🦋

Respect James. Love your sets. Keep smashing it 🙌🏻

James, well said and I appreciate the honesty in your comments. I also can appreciate issues of playing live, but that's about being real even when something goes wrong. Shit happens and I rather hear it live.

Thank you for posting this James, I've been trying to get this word across ever since that DeadMau5 post appeared.

you are a fucking gem dude. keeping it real always, love it!

I’ve ran special effects for James at Marquee in Vegas and we use Show Kontrol for our shows to trigger effects and lasers and James is always live.

love you james. keep shredding

JUST FOUND YOU AND YOUR KILLING IT

Always respected James Hype as I’ve heard some fantastic transitions in his mixing. This bolsters my opinion of him. 🙏🏼, that mix between losin it and one more time was unreal👍👍

Nice and to the point! T You are apparently not prerecording... Watching You DJing is impressing. Reminds me of Carl Cox or Cristian Varela who where using 4 Turntables without any Sync Option and sweating their asses of.

Dang, I missed you at EDCO. Next festival I'll make it a point to see you knowing that you truly care about creating the best experience, and live mixing for the crowd

what a great post ,,Best i have heard in awhile . A real post.

Great message, James. Thanks for awaking others. In the end, we should all look in the same direction

Love this..honesty is king dude..

Movement is life. Gotta keep em moving bro. 🫡🤙🏻👏🏻🔥👍🏻💪🏻

James hype keeping it 100 ! artists will create art, some dis are just producers so they might need to do it and some just like to put on a crazy visual show so then those prerecord. if your not mixing live in my opinion it just takes the fun out of being a dj. if this is you chances are you really don't love the craft as much as your putting it out for the world to see.

this is why I like James Hype and his approach to performing.