Exclusive Interviews MCDave

On January 24, 2011, in DJ Portfolios, Featured, Professional DJs & Emcees, by MCDave@SoundKontrols

At Exclusive we believe in showcasing both established and up and coming talent in Malaysia and the surrounding region. Dave’s career so far, coupled with his drive and enthusiasm leaves us in no doubt that he will achieve the goals he puts in front of him. In this interview we talk to Dave about his past, the present and what he wants to achieve in the future.

About Dave
Dave Ramana or MCDave as he is also known, established SoundKontrols in 2008 in order to provide good quality sound to his customers. The brand SoundKontrols with the tag line “Always the Good Sound” was created in order to promote the right sound experience. Dave’s experience in audio and sound extends back for more than 15 years. He was formerly the resident DJ at Salem Power Station, Kuala Lumpur in the early 90s. He still DJs across South East Asia as Guess DJ primarily for exclusive events only.

Exclusive: Dave, thank you for taking the ime to talk to us. We would like to start off by talking to you about your early days as a top DJ. How did you get involved with DJ’ing and what was it that prompted you to do this?
Dave Ramana: Thank you for giving me the opportunity to do this interview. I started DJing in 1990 right after my high school. I have great interest in music especially New Wave since the early 80s and grew up my teenage years listening to it. Then came the 90s with modern hip hop with mix of old skool which gave me the inspiration to be a DJ. I started DJing under the guidance of DJ Macumba at the Royal Selangor Club there onwards moved to Sapphire Club. Back in the early 90s it is a requirement for a DJ to have good command of English and voice before we are even taught the basic mixing. I was fortunate to have both and with that I decided to try Broadcasting DJ besides just being a regular club DJ. I was under the guidance of Andrew Susay who trained on how to be a good broadcasting DJ. It’s a combination of good music knowledge, the ability to speak as a broadcasting DJ that landed me into Salem Power Station in 1992.

Exclusive: Are there any AV/Sound products new to the market or coming soon that are making you excited?
Dave Ramana: Yes, I am excited about some of the new products shown at NAMM 2011. These include the Serato SL 4, Emulator Multi Touch Midi Controller and the all new Traktor Scratch PRO. These products will be in the Malaysian market in 2nd Quarter 2011 and should transform the way DJ’s entertain the crowd. More than 9 companies (Pioneer, Denon, Numark, Pro Audio Star, American Audio, Gemini, Native- Instruments, Akai, Reloop) came out with new MIDI controllers at the NAMM 2011 and this will revolutionalise and transform the way DJs perform.

Exclusive: What’s the goal for SoundKontrols over the coming years?
Dave Ramana: We’d like to reach out to more Malaysians and provide them with good sound quality which will be in comparison to a professional home theatre room by installing SoundKontrols Acoustics panel in their very own sound or home theatre room. SoundKontrols DJ Academy will train and cultivate the new generation mind set by producing a different type of DJs in Malaysia, DJs who can spin vinyl, different kind of genres and most importantly a DJ who is Mic friendly. In the coming years, Shop@SoundKontrols will carry more manufacturers and give Malaysians the opportunity to save money by purchasing online.

Exclusive: Tell us about the SoundKontrols DJ Academy
Dave Ramana : SoundKontrols DJ Academy was established to train good quality and talented Professional DJs with the highest standards leading on to better job opportunities. The academy specializes in using ‘state of the art Digital Vinyl Systems’ to train all DJs with an emphasis in the studio and on the job training. The Academy ensures all students are trained on how to handle the crowd using the mic. When I first started the Academy we taught about doing it for the money. I wanted to train DJs and pass my knowledge which will enhance the student to become a good and successful DJ.

I also teach them every aspect of DJing from Club, Bistro and Mobile DJ and how to market themselves in the entertainment industry successfully. We have a structured curriculum which will provide the students with theoretical and practical knowledge. We emphasize in giving the entertainment industry in Malaysia quality DJs. Therefore, we only train 2 students maximum per week in order to maintain the quality of our courses.

All of our instructors are leaders within their own entertainment industry and students are taught on a one to one basis. We don’t leave the students in the studio alone by themselves because we give 100 percent of our time for each class. By doing this, we ensure quality time with every student and also allow the students to ask us questions that they may have.

Just as any other Education Academy, it is compulsory for students to sit for a written exam before they are awarded a certificate of completion. All courses are taught with highest standards within the entertainment industry. In addition, we also assist our graduates from the academy with job placement by placing them with the right entertainment outlet. All graduates of the academy are automatically registered to SoundKontrols DJ Academy Alumni. The Alumni encourages to share all forms of knowledge and other aspects of DJing among themselves which will foster good friendship. SoundKontrols DJ Academy Alumni also organizes quarterly gatherings and invites other PRO DJs to share their knowledge.

Exclusive: You obviously work out! How much time to you still spend in the gym and does working out get more difficult as you get older?!
Dave Ramana: Good question! Yes, I have been working out for the last 15 years and occasionally I also do part time personal training as I am a Certified Personal Trainer. Nevertheless, fitness has been part of my life style along with my daily healthy diet plan. I normally spend about 90 minutes in the gym, 4 times a week in total. As you get older, you tend to become more easy going and think good health is not a priority. It’s when you get older that we have to be more attentive about what we eat, alcohol consumption and routine exercise. My only advice is to keep healthy by exercising and eating the right food. A healthy body leads to a healthy mind!

Exclusive: What’s your favourite ‘hang out’ place in KL?
Dave Ramana: That’s a tough question to answer. I wish I could give you one place that comes to my mind immediately but unfortunately I can’t think of any. We have far more places to dine, wine and party today than 20 years ago. I hang out at bistros more than clubs simply because I can spend good time chatting. Probably one good place to hang out for good music and beer will be at Finnegans Irish Pub.

Exclusive: Thanks again Dave for taking time to talk to us, is there anything else you would like to add?
Dave Ramana: A Big Thank you to you for this Exclusive Interview. I hope to see more good places opening in KL. I guess, worst case scenario, it would be nice to own your own place at the end of the day. A Place that is different in every aspect, service, food, ambience and the most important MUSIC.

This interview was specially brought to you by www.exclusive.com.my