PRETTY models who man the decks are a joke. That's what "real" DJs say about the influx of pretty-young-thing competitors, according to a report in USfashion magazine W last year.

They lack real deejaying skills,and their job is merely to pull in the crowd, claim the established male DJs. Among the "guilty" mentioned in the article are models Agyness Deynand Jessica Stam.

But German-born model-DJ Kristin Schrot says: Don't be so quick to judge.

Looks alone won'tdo in this cut-throat industry. "It's true that everyone likes a nice-looking girl behind the decks. But if she doesn't have the skills and cannot handle the equipment, there won't be a crowd.

It will be pointless," Schrot told The New Paper in a phone interview from Amsterdam where she's based.

The 26-year-old 1.8m-tall babe, who is also known as Miss Nine, will be debuting in Singapore at Stereolab onJuly 10.

Schrot, a progressive-house DJ, admitted she felt like she was "just another pretty face on the scene" whenshe started out in 2003.

Her DJ-manager boyfriend Alexander Bos had encouraged her to try it out when she said she wanted to diversify from her modelling gigs, which have included

clients like fashion label Armani and beauty brand Lancome. Schrot turned professional four years ago and has toured countries like Spain, Brazil and Japan.

"It's more difficult for a girl to be respected in the industry. I felt it was tough to get noticed.

"There have always been negative comments online. At first I was upset. But I've stopped reading them. If you believe in yourself and set a goal and reach it, you should leave the negativity behind."

Female DJs may try hard to crack the proverbial glass ceiling, but clubbers seem to favour their male counterparts, Schrot said matter-of-factly.

The only female jock to make it to the definitive DJ Mag's 2009 Top 100 DJs list was English hard dance DJ Lisa Lashes.

And she managed only No. 75.

Dutch trance DJ Armin Van Buuren has topped the list, which is determined by public votes, for the last three years.

Zouk's resident DJ Hong, an 18-year veteran, said people just "love to compare".

"The typical question is, 'Can you be as good as men?' It's probably the same for anything that involves skills like driving.

"Everyone is a DJ these days. But not everyone is a good DJ. Respect doesn'tcomefrom antics, gimmicks or the clothes you wear. What matters is what you can do andcreate."

So what has a female jock got to do?

Show that you have the skills and ability to handle the equipment, Schrot said.

She frowns upon those so-called hobbyist DJs who simply download tracks into their iPod and play music with the push of a few buttons.

US actress Kirsten Dunst's ex, Matt Creed, is known to alternate tracks between two iPods when he spins,W magazine reported.

Schrot said: "It's not the real thing. The sound that comes out isn't as good. Being a real DJ is like putting up a show. You can't do a show on an iPod."

Instead, she said she combines the sounds from vinyls and CDs and old school techniques like scratching. "It's all about (audio) mastering." Schrot and her female counterparts like New York-based Sky Nellor are proof that being hot with a mean ear can takeone far.

Since her debut four years ago, Schrot has played alongside the big boys like Tiesto and Dave Seaman.

Italian fashion duo Dolce&Gabbana have also asked Schrot to spin at their exclusive parties.

These days, Schrot said her fees start from 2,000 euros (S$3,400) a night.

She admits she will gain the same popularity as some of her male counterparts only when she has accumulated the same amount of experience.

"Some of these guys have been around forever. The longer you are in the business, the more familiar people are with you."

>> Putting a spin to the female touch

This article was first published in The New Paper.