GARTH TRINIDAD
(Garth Trinidad Sound, KCRW “Chocolate City”)

What made you become a DJ?

When my radio show “Chocolate City” gained notoriety, people began to call for DJ bookings. I couldn’t say no.

What was your most exciting DJ gig to date, and why?

Detroit Electronic Music Festival, in 2000-something. I was booked to play a one-hour set on a large stage, opening for the Platinum Pied Pipers. Instead, I was left on stage for over three hours with minimal information about last-minute schedule changes. In that time, Amp Fiddler visited and decided to freestyle over some instrumentals. People filled the amphitheater and I worked the crowd into full frenzied participation mode, setting it up real nice for Peanut Butter Wolf, Madlib, and J-Rocc to take over when the sun set.

What projects / albums do you have coming out in 08?

Fader Mag’s Suite 903 #15, Sweeterlife Mix Series with Vikter Duplaix, and some other stuff that’s still cookin’.

How do you like the Mackie d.4 pro?

It sounds good, is easy to use, and just the right size for a 4-channel mixer.

How much do you use computers for making music (recording or spinning)?

I’m pretty new to the game. I usually mix live and work with an engineer to add peripheral elements like drops and what not. The Mackie d.2 / d.4, along with the FireWire capability, will allow me to finally set up a proper digital studio.

Have you used -- or do you plan to use -- the FireWire capability?

With the Mackie mixer, I’ll be setting up a digital studio where all components work together smoothly. This will allow me to improve the quality of my radio programming, mix CD work, and help me accomplish some of my own personal DJ/production goals, like re-editing songs to create exclusive tracks, etc.

What do you think separates Mackie gear from the rest in the game?

Mackie just seems to have very high standards for sound quality and output. That’s why I’ve long requested Mackie monitors when I DJ events. I only align myself with quality.

Any shout outs?

Garth Trinidad Sound, Trinidad & Duplaix, Powered by Mackie!