| When learning to DJ, you should try to practice on | | | | DJ headphones can also be used to check the sound |
| someone else's DJ equipment to start off. Before you | | | | levels. A good DJ tip is to use a DJ mixer with a split |
| go out and buy all that expensive DJ equipment | | | | cue setting. This way, the DJ can learn to listen to one |
| yourself, you want to make sure you know it's | | | | song in one ear, and the other song in the other ear. |
| something you really want to do. The learning curve | | | | Listening to them both play at the same time will help |
| with DJing is much steeper on cheap, bad DJ | | | | determine if the sound levels match. |
| equipment. So use a friend's equipment first, and if you | | | | Beat Matching |
| like it, then invest in some quality DJ equipment. You'll | | | | The second part of learning how to mix is to match |
| learn to DJ faster with good equipment. | | | | the Beats Per Minute of the songs. Also called the |
| How to Mix | | | | "BPM", this is how many beats the song has in one |
| DJ mixing is the act of smoothly transitioning from one | | | | minute. It measures the speed of the song. If the BPM |
| track into another. This is the first step to learn how to | | | | of both songs are not matched, the mix will turn into |
| DJ. While the DJ has one song playing out to the | | | | what is called a trainwreck. DJ Tip: It sounds pretty |
| crowd, he has to "mix" a second song into the first | | | | bad, and people will run for the door! |
| without stopping. This serves two purposes. | | | | As with matching the volume, beat matching can be |
| - It sounds better | | | | done with both the LED level lights on the mixer |
| - Keeps more people on the dance floor if the music | | | | (watch the beat), and the DJ headphones (listen to the |
| never stops | | | | beat). The DJ must cue up the next record he plans to |
| There are two main parts to correctly mastering a | | | | play, by playing it in his headphones only. So the current |
| basic DJ mix. | | | | song can be heard by the crowd, but not the next |
| Match the Volume | | | | song he plans to play. The DJ must then attempt to |
| The first part of learning how to mix is matching up the | | | | match the BPM of the new song with the one that is |
| volume of the two songs. You don't want to mix the | | | | already playing to the crowd. This is done by listening |
| second song into the first if it's too loud or not loud | | | | to the song that is playing out loud with one ear out in |
| enough. It won't sound good. So a DJ can use the LED | | | | the open, and using his headphones on the other ear |
| level indicator lights on his DJ mixer, as well as his | | | | to preview his cued up song. |
| headphones to check the sound level of the new song | | | | The DJ then uses the pitch adjustments on his |
| he plans to mix. | | | | turntables or CD players to speed up or slow down |
| The lights are a visual representation of the sound | | | | the new track until it matches the one that is already |
| coming from each music source (turntables, CD | | | | playing. Once it is matched up, he can slowly fade in |
| players, etc.) The lights should peak at around the | | | | the new song while simultaneously fading out the old |
| same spot for each side if the sound levels are | | | | song. If done properly, the mix should sound great. |
| matched up correctly. | | | | These are just basic tips & tricks to learn to DJ. |