DJing is a fun and rewarding hobby that people of all ages can enjoy. This blog post will discuss the different aspects of DJing and provide actionable steps that anyone can follow to get started as a DJ.
You need to know three main aspects of DJing: mixing, beatmatching, and EQing. We’ll discuss each of these topics in detail below.
But first, you need to understand your software and hardware options.
The best way to get started with learning to DJ is by choosing the right gear for your budget; however, you don’t need to invest anything to get started.
For the newbie who’s looking for an immediate way to get started – without investing money on physical equipment, downloading DJ software might be the fastest way to get started.
DJ Software
Serato DJ Lite
Serato DJ Lite is a stripped-back version of Serato DJ that allows you to mix and scratch your digital music files. It’s free to download and use, making it perfect for those just starting out in the world of DJing.
Rekordbox DJ
Rekordbox DJ is a free download from the Pioneer website. It gives you access to all of the features found in Rekordbox, a paid software package for professional DJs with advanced effects and more control over your music library.
Traktor DJ
Traktor DJ is a free DJ software from Native Instruments. It’s designed for both beginner and professional DJs, with features such as Remix Decks (for live remixing), Stems support, and advanced beat detection.
Virtual DJ
Virtual DJ is a free software download from Atomix Productions. It’s designed for both beginner and professional DJs, with features such as Remix Decks (for live remixing), Stems support, and advanced beat detection.
DJ Hardware
There are many different types of Dj controllers today, ranging in price from $100 to $500. The best DJ controllers for beginners include the Numark Party Mix, Hercules DJControl Inpulse 200, and Pioneer DDJ-400. These are all great options that come with everything you need to get started at an affordable price point.
DJ Turntables
If vinyl records or CDs are your preferred music consumption format, you’ll want to get some turntables. The most popular options are Technics SL-1200 and Audio Technica AT-LP120USB, which both come with built-in preamps so they can be hooked up directly to speakers or an amplifier without any additional equipment needed.
Digital Controllers
A digital controller is a hardware device that allows you to control your DJ software with physical knobs and buttons. They come in all shapes and sizes, but the most popular option for a newbie is the Pioneer DDJ 400. It’s a great starter controller with everything you need to start mixing your digital music files. Read our guide on which beginner DJ controllers might be right for you.
DJ Mixer
A mixer allows you to alter the EQ and volume of each channel. If your budget is limited, getting an all-in-one controller is an excellent option, if you still want to get high-quality gear to play with.
Headphones
When you’re starting out, any pair of headphones will do. However, as you progress in your skillset and want to start doing more complex mixes, you’ll want to invest in a good pair of DJ headphones with better sound quality and isolation. The most popular options are the Pioneer HDJ-2000MKII or the Sennheiser HD25-II.
Speakers
If you want to play your DJ mixes for a crowd, you’ll need some good speakers. The most popular option is the Behringer Eurolive B212D which gives you great sound quality at an affordable price point. However, you can also check out some of the other brands like JBL or Mackie which will give you similar performance at a higher price tag.
Mixing
Mixing is the process of blending two or more songs together to create a cohesive listening experience. Good mixing requires skill, practice, and intuition.
There are many different ways to mix music. There is no right or wrong way, but there are some common practices that most DJs follow when they’re learning how to DJ for the first time.
The main ones are:
- Beatmatching.
- Creating a smooth transition between songs by using EQs and effects such as reverb or delay on your mixer.
- Controlling the tempo of both tracks so they move at similar speeds.
Beatmatching
Beatmatching is one of the most difficult skills for a new DJ to learn, but it’s also one of the most important ones. It requires patience and practice before you can master this technique. The best way to start learning how to beatmatch effectively is by using a metronome or software like Virtual DJ which will help you keep track of the beats per minute (BPM) of both songs.
Once you have a basic understanding of beatmatch, you can start practicing by mixing two tracks within the same tempo range. This will make your life a lot easier and prevent you from having to make too many adjustments to the EQ and effects when you’re mixing.
EQs and Effects
Equalization, or EQ for short, is the process of shaping the sound of a track by boosting or cutting certain frequencies. This can be used to correct any mix imbalances or create a specific sonic aesthetic.
For example, if you have a vocal track that’s too high in pitch and needs to be brought down so it doesn’t overshadow other instruments like the bassline or guitar riff of your song, this would be where an EQ might come into play. You could use either manual adjustments on your mixer (if available) or pre-programmed EQ curves that are specific to the track you’re mixing.
Effects, such as reverb and delay, can also be used to create a more cohesive mix. These effects help to smooth out transitions between songs and make them sound more polished. They can also be used to add extra interest or excitement to a mix.
Transitions
Transitions are the bridge that connects one song to another. They’re what make a mix sound seamless and professional.
There are many different ways to create transitions, but the most common ones are by using EQs and effects, beatmatching, and tempo matching.
Each method has its own set of benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to understand what they are before you decide which one is right for your mixing style.
Mastering
This is a little bit more advanced, but I thought I’d include it anyway.
Mastering is the process of taking a mix and making it sound louder, brighter, and more balanced. It’s usually done in a professional studio by a mastering engineer who has years of experience working with music mixes.
However, there are some things you can do to help make your mixes sound better before you send them off for mastering. One thing is to use a limiter plugin like Waves L-series. This will help prevent distortion from occurring when you’re playing your songs at loud volumes as well as making them sound louder overall without having any noticeable compression artifacts in the mixdown.
Another thing that many people do is export their mixes into MP files instead of WAV or FLAC format so they can be played on different devices such as smartphones or tablets. This helps because MP files are compressed and lossy while WAV/FLAC are uncompressed lossless formats, which makes them much larger in size and better quality (usually).
The last thing you’ll want to do before sending your mix off for mastering is checking the levels in your DAW. You’ll want to make sure that these aren’t clipping or peaking at all times during playback because this will cause distortion which can be very difficult (if not impossible) for a mastering engineer to fix later on after they’ve processed it with their equipment.
Conclusion
Now I hope you better understand how to take your first steps into DJing and what it entails. Of course there’s more than just mixing songs together, but these are some things that will help get started as a beginner.
So, what are you waiting for? Go out there and start mixing!