| The first and most foremost decision you need to | | | | your music collection is a set type of music only, you |
| make is "do you like music"? Of course everyone | | | | may have to consider club immediately but the reality |
| does, sounds silly, but do you REALLY like music, and | | | | is not many clubs will let you onto there decks without |
| not just your own preference - can you listen to rock, | | | | some experience to show! A mobile rig will teach you |
| house, alternative, rap, 60's etc. You may not need to | | | | music why? - Consider the music you will be playing at |
| love other types, but you have to appreciate music! | | | | a 50 year birthday party versus an 18th birthday party. |
| Becoming a DJ can be a long process but also | | | | They are going to be completely different styles of |
| expensive. The rewards of succeeding will be worth it, | | | | music in general, more rock n' roll at the one and latest |
| but it will take hard work, lots of practice and strange | | | | charts at the other... but you never what is going to |
| hours! | | | | make people tick at the party, that's what makes it so |
| To get started with your new DJ'ing career you will | | | | interesting. When everyone goes home before you, |
| require access to audio equipment, preferably your | | | | you stuffed up! When you have to close and most of |
| own. When we started, I hijacked my dads stereo | | | | the people are still on the dance floor... you feel good |
| system and got my hands on a DJ mixer. Maybe its | | | | because you are! |
| not a great idea since I destroyed it and took a whole | | | | You need to learn to mix! Generally a good start is |
| world of trouble! The truth though is it was got us | | | | when mixing between 2 songs, do not try to drag the |
| started. So to get off the ground you will need a | | | | mix out for a minute, make it fairly quick smooth 5 - 15 |
| decent DJ mixer, a power amplifier and speakers to | | | | seconds or so. Don't have both songs playing at full |
| match the amplifier. I do not suggest that you spend | | | | level at all when learning, if its wrong it sounds awful! |
| your only money on the only system you can afford | | | | Practice the long beat for beat mixes at home first. |
| as it won't be long before you are looking at a new | | | | You will need to learn to count music in 8's, every beat |
| system. You need decent systems! People do not like | | | | count 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8... start again. Practice, practice, |
| distorted or top heavy sound, it will ruin your reputation | | | | practice makes perfect with DJ mixing. |
| before you even get going. You will also need a media | | | | Beat for beat mixing is not easy, but when you start to |
| source, if using CD's/MP3 then dual pitch control | | | | get it, it comes quickly. Whilst learning try not to use the |
| players, you can also get hard drive type players, PC | | | | pitch controls to much (don't adjust the speed of the |
| etc. There's generally a lot more control from vinyl or | | | | music) by selecting music with very similar beats. |
| CD though and it still the preferred. For vinyl, maybe a | | | | Changing pitch to the point the music sounds stupid is |
| couple SL1200 technic turntables, but they don't come | | | | easy, choosing the correct mix is the challenge! When |
| cheap! At the very least the turntables must have | | | | you want change beat from fast to slow, rather cut |
| pitch (speed) control. Concentrate on decent sound | | | | mix it, when one song ends, the other starts |
| before you invest in lights, sound will get you further | | | | immediately.. also takes practice but easy to get. |
| than lights! If you really are not sure what sound to get, | | | | Start off playing at friends party's for free. That way if |
| get help with experienced people. We have contact | | | | it goes wrong, then no expectations, no money... next! |
| information on our web that can assist with your | | | | As you start getting better, people will start asking for |
| selections | | | | you! When they start asking, you can start charging |
| What type of DJ are you going to become? Again, | | | | and making some money. Remember, this is no exact |
| sounds obvious... "A DJ"! It's not really just that simple, | | | | science or quick fix. It could take months to get here |
| mobile DJ's music selection will be very different to | | | | but persist and go for it and you might get into faster |
| club DJ selection of music. If you ONLY have RAP in | | | | than you know. |
| your music collection, you will have to broaden you | | | | DJ'ing is a rewarding career and at the very least |
| music base in order to do mobile DJ'ing. I thinks its fair | | | | certainly can make some decent pocket money. Many |
| to say in terms of music, you will learn the most as a | | | | end up in a full time career of music in one way or |
| mobile DJ and gain experience with everything from | | | | another. |
| 60's music to latest charts house/rap/modern etc. If | | | | |