Most computer users don't think of their PC as a musical instrument. Sure, you can do word processing, surf the Web, and even file your taxes. But growing numbers of people in Milwaukee are turning their computers into home recording studios.

Dmitar Vuckovic, a local DJ by night and a bartender by day, is one such person. With a computer and his "American DJ Studio" software program, he's able to create music to play while he DJs.

"I work for Neon Nights Entertainment. I've been there for six months," he says. "I play at bars in Milwaukee and Waukesha. The crowd reaction is generally pretty positive. I try to mingle with the crowd before I do a set, to get a feel for what kind of music they will want to hear."

Getting a feel for the crowd is important, since Vuckovic has a collection of more than 1,000 songs. He wants to be sure to play music that will keep the crowd happy.

"I don't work with records -- yet," he adds. "They are very expensive, especially the beat records. Plus, they wear out faster."

A DJ has to have two records. One is a beat record that keeps time and two a record that matches time. Record two can be anything. A creative DJ, such as DJ Qbert, can find a way to mix a beat with a Peter, Paul and Mary song. And if they screw up, some audiences will let them know.

"There are clubs, and there are raves," explains Dmitar. "A club can have any ridiculous DJ spinning and morons will dance to it."

"A rave crowd will stop moving if the DJ is playing poorly or playing bad music."

There may be a reason for that, Dmitar explains. "There's a different mindset between a clubber and a raver. Clubbers are 'Sally Housecoat' and 'Eddie Punchclock.' They don't necessarily follow the music; they go out to have a good time. It's a fickle thing.

Ravers, on the other hand, are more in tune with the current music progression. If a DJ is missing time, or making any other obvious mistake, it creates utter displeasure.

But when creating his own CD, Dmitar keeps neither group in mind. "I never fit in with any group. You respect every group, then combine all the ideas you find to create your own. Inevitably, you'll find other like-minded people.

But considering that Dmitar is working on his own album, by himself, does he consider himself to be following the punk ethos of "Do It Yourself"? Not at all.

"I'm not a punk," he says. "I don't follow the punk beliefs. I really don't care where music comes from. Music is made for people to listen to, and every individual will have a different reaction."