DJ Deep
Encyclopedia
DJ Deep is a German remixer and DJ from Schermbeck
. From there, he started his career as one a megamixer. Since 1996, he has created megamixes with his friend Uwe Jagusch using the pseudonym "Studio 33".
megamix
es. Starting at the end of the 1980s up to halfway through 2000, DJ Deep was responsible for 66 episodes of the CDs that ranked high on popularity within the European remixing scene, and which likewise were popular on flea markets and record fairs. The in part illegally produced mixes contained around 70 songs per CD (sometimes even over 100). The Deep Dance volume 50 mix alone, distributed in a minted silver sheet metal can as an enclosure for the discs (see picture), was sold over one million times. On this two-disc, most successful sampler of all the Deep mixes, over 400 titles from the 1980s and 1990s have been used. Released in 1997, this Deep mix is sort of a "Best of Deep" (1987–1997). Due to its success, the mix has been rereleased in 2004 as a Video CD with sequences from Japanese anime (Deep Animix). Also very successful was the "Studio 33, 23rd Story, Single Top 100 1998", a hybrid of all songs that were in the charts at that time. This one still counts as one of the best megamixes of all time today, and is a milestone in the history of pop.
The illegality of the mixes was a result of the actual artists not receiving any royalties, for example by means of the GEMA fees in Germany. The Deep Dance is on record with the GEMA since 1993. Proponents argue that many of the individual songs only received public attention because of the popular mixes. By now, DJ Deep only produces legal mixes, see below. The successful series of mixes however attracted a number of illegal copycats that continue them. DJ Deep was decisively influenced by Dutch remixer Ben Liebrand
. An important characteristic feature of all Deep Dance and Studio 33 episodes was to integrate new unreleased tracks (mostly from the Dance genre) into the mix. Many of these tracks subsequently acquired high rankings in the charts. This also applies to the illegal fake releases from the Deep Dance/Studio 33 series from 2000 onwards. Furthermore, additional secondary series, such as Deep Fox (Schlager
and Disco genre), and Studio 33 "Party Compilation" were released, albeit these series were continued by other DJs.
That which started as a hobby with a double-deck for DJ Deep in a party cellar/garage at the end of the 1980s, grew into a very big commercial success for the scene in the 1990s. Peine already had prior experience with mixing through his DJ activity in the now-closed discothèque "Glaspalast" ("Glas Palace") in Dinslaken
. With the financial plus, it was possible for DJ Deep to steadily improve his recording studio. The double-deck, and later octo-deck Revox
audio tape machine was soon replaced by digital equipment, which then made the for Deep mixes characteristic keysampling possible.
As DJ Deep however continued to reuse copyrighted material without paying the GEMA fees, he came to attention to the federal/state prosecution authorities. Primarily, they suspected tax evasion
rather than copyright violation. The same also applied to his colleague Studio 33. The GEMA assumed a yearly loss of 150,000 Deutsche Mark solely for the Deep Dance series.
and commercial production of illegal records, and sentenced them to delicate paroles. Some of the distributors received prison sentences. Andreas Peine and Uwe Jagusch received a financial fine (amercement
).
Schermbeck
Schermbeck is a municipality in the district of Wesel, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.-Geography:Schermbeck is situated near the river Lippe, approx. 20 km east of Wesel, and 8 km north-west of Dorsten. Its maximum dilatation from north to south is about 12,90 km, from west to...
. From there, he started his career as one a megamixer. Since 1996, he has created megamixes with his friend Uwe Jagusch using the pseudonym "Studio 33".
Deep Dance
His Deep Dance mixes (also called Deep Mixes) are bootlegBootleg recording
A bootleg recording is an audio or video recording of a performance that was not officially released by the artist or under other legal authority. The process of making and distributing such recordings is known as bootlegging...
megamix
Megamix
A megamix is a medley remix containing multiple songs in rapid succession. There may be only one verse or even just a brief chorus of each song used, sometimes in addition to samples of the same or other songs. There may also be some elements of bastard pop in some, though not as much as a mashup...
es. Starting at the end of the 1980s up to halfway through 2000, DJ Deep was responsible for 66 episodes of the CDs that ranked high on popularity within the European remixing scene, and which likewise were popular on flea markets and record fairs. The in part illegally produced mixes contained around 70 songs per CD (sometimes even over 100). The Deep Dance volume 50 mix alone, distributed in a minted silver sheet metal can as an enclosure for the discs (see picture), was sold over one million times. On this two-disc, most successful sampler of all the Deep mixes, over 400 titles from the 1980s and 1990s have been used. Released in 1997, this Deep mix is sort of a "Best of Deep" (1987–1997). Due to its success, the mix has been rereleased in 2004 as a Video CD with sequences from Japanese anime (Deep Animix). Also very successful was the "Studio 33, 23rd Story, Single Top 100 1998", a hybrid of all songs that were in the charts at that time. This one still counts as one of the best megamixes of all time today, and is a milestone in the history of pop.
The illegality of the mixes was a result of the actual artists not receiving any royalties, for example by means of the GEMA fees in Germany. The Deep Dance is on record with the GEMA since 1993. Proponents argue that many of the individual songs only received public attention because of the popular mixes. By now, DJ Deep only produces legal mixes, see below. The successful series of mixes however attracted a number of illegal copycats that continue them. DJ Deep was decisively influenced by Dutch remixer Ben Liebrand
Ben Liebrand
Ben Liebrand is a dance music DJ. He has produced artists such as Forrest and MC Miker G & DJ Sven and remixed tracks by artists such as Salt N Pepa, Sting, TLC, Fun Fun, Tavares, Bill Withers, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, Rick Astley, SWV and Phil Collins...
. An important characteristic feature of all Deep Dance and Studio 33 episodes was to integrate new unreleased tracks (mostly from the Dance genre) into the mix. Many of these tracks subsequently acquired high rankings in the charts. This also applies to the illegal fake releases from the Deep Dance/Studio 33 series from 2000 onwards. Furthermore, additional secondary series, such as Deep Fox (Schlager
Schlager
Schlager music is a style of popular music prevalent in Central and Northern Europe and the Balkans and also in France and Poland. In Portugal, it was adapted and became pimba music...
and Disco genre), and Studio 33 "Party Compilation" were released, albeit these series were continued by other DJs.
Illegality
By the end of the 1980s, Deep's first cassette tapes reached a CD manufacturing plant by unknown means. An enthusiastic acquaintance took on the part of marketing. DJ Deep created the mixes in return for a professional fee and only sent in the master tape. As a result of the higher production count, the Deep Dance music found a greater audience. Since 1992, the CDs were sold on flea markets and in special record shops "below the counter" for roughly 30–50 Deutsche Mark, like pirated printed copies before. "Direct sales" to DJs in discos was also commonplace. The Düsseldorf Customs Authority estimates that the real price of these mixes — which were preferably produced within in East Europe — was between 3 and 5 Deutsche Mark.That which started as a hobby with a double-deck for DJ Deep in a party cellar/garage at the end of the 1980s, grew into a very big commercial success for the scene in the 1990s. Peine already had prior experience with mixing through his DJ activity in the now-closed discothèque "Glaspalast" ("Glas Palace") in Dinslaken
Dinslaken
Dinslaken is a city in the district of Wesel, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is known for its harness horse race track, its now closed coal mine in Lohberg and its wealthy neighborhoods Hiesfeld and Eppinghoven.- Geography :...
. With the financial plus, it was possible for DJ Deep to steadily improve his recording studio. The double-deck, and later octo-deck Revox
Revox
ReVox is a brand name of Swiss audio equipment created by Studer on March 27, 1951.The ReVox brand name was spun off into Studer Revox AG in 1990. During Studer's acquisition by Harman International Industries, Revox was sold separately to a group of private investors...
audio tape machine was soon replaced by digital equipment, which then made the for Deep mixes characteristic keysampling possible.
As DJ Deep however continued to reuse copyrighted material without paying the GEMA fees, he came to attention to the federal/state prosecution authorities. Primarily, they suspected tax evasion
Tax evasion
Tax evasion is the general term for efforts by individuals, corporations, trusts and other entities to evade taxes by illegal means. Tax evasion usually entails taxpayers deliberately misrepresenting or concealing the true state of their affairs to the tax authorities to reduce their tax liability,...
rather than copyright violation. The same also applied to his colleague Studio 33. The GEMA assumed a yearly loss of 150,000 Deutsche Mark solely for the Deep Dance series.
Conviction
The Landgericht (state court) of Essen convicted all participants of tax avoidanceTax avoidance
Tax avoidance is the legal utilization of the tax regime to one's own advantage, to reduce the amount of tax that is payable by means that are within the law. The term tax mitigation is a synonym for tax avoidance. Its original use was by tax advisors as an alternative to the pejorative term tax...
and commercial production of illegal records, and sentenced them to delicate paroles. Some of the distributors received prison sentences. Andreas Peine and Uwe Jagusch received a financial fine (amercement
Amercement
An amercement is a financial penalty in English law, common during the Middle Ages, imposed either by the court or by peers. The term is of Anglo-Norman origin , and literally means "being at the mercy of": a-merce-ment .While it is often synonymous with a fine, it differs in that a fine is a fixed...
).