Sampler is good if you have one..  

Well, they probably use Laptops and Fat boys for live tweaking.

not many samplers have good sequencers really.

The RS7000 is pretty solid, but..a grand..so...

I use RM1X's... never a PC in my life on stage... I see a lot of guys bringin' em out lately. I also see a lot of PC users with BIG PHAT HEADACHES before, during and after their sets!

A little compression is nice live, but not really that important. On a live system it'll sound damn good without it! I use an aural exciter with big bottom instead when I'm out, just on the back-end of the mix! Makes the set stand out from the DJ's...

errata

Ok, erreta I get your point. But I think mastering is more important in some genres than in others.. i.e. on my ambient tracks I only apply a little touch or compression while on my more dancey stuff I'll add a whole bunch.. maybe too much  

You got me thinking... I'm posting more about this soon .. as soon as I've made up some decent thoughts about it.

All I've played out in 3 years now is Hard and Psychedlic Trance. If the mix is right at home it'll sound fine on a phumpin' system...

Compression is good, even live. Just not something IMO that is needed on stage.

errata

ok.. my mixes usually sounds terrible before mastering, I guess that's why I'm worried.

sounds like you need to do some work BEFORE considering going out live.

if your mixes truly do sound terrible, then youre simply not there yet.

yep, mixes should already sound damn good. mastering should be the icing on the proverbial cake.

Ok.. they don't sound terrible but they sound a hell lot better after mastering. It's especially my trance tunes.. the other ones are ok unmastered

the stuff you've posted sounds good, stop fishing for praise. it's high school, right?