What would I need to start DJ'ing?
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blackoutbill
Active member
I'm gonna hop in here and say that this is not the greatest idea if you are trying to DJ. Now, personally, I pirate a lot of music but I never play out music that I haven't paid for or downloaded via legal means on soundcloud. This is really because of sound quality issues rather than moral. When I buy a track from beatport, I know that it is guaranteed to be 320kbps not just some upripped track from johnny nobodys blog.
Alright now to the OP's question. If you really want to do this right, get yourself a small controller (I'll talk about these in a bit), a soundcard (if the controller doesn't have one), some headphones and a computer. Now, get some music. As a student at your school, it is easy to know what your peers are listening to so get those tracks. When you play out, make sure the girls are dancing because that means the guys will dance too and everyone goes home happy.
I'm a real stickler for sound quality. I absolutely and automatically hate any song that has been ripped from youtube. If you have any of these songs, throw them out. Low bitrate songs were meant to be played on your shitty iPod headphones and not a big PA system. I wouldn't settle for anything lower than 256kbps and that's if it is some obscure track that I can't find anywhere. This above all else is the most important thing that you can do
Equipment wise, go with a small controller. Unfortunately, I have always used turntables so I don't have any experience with small midi controllers. Look on djtechtools for good midpriced controllers and then get yourself a Traktor Audio 2. The Audio 2 will cover the soundcard and the DJ software for about $99 I think. Traktor is really cool software, and start learning that shit from the inside out.
Then once you've got all of this stuff, start learning some basic music theory. Pick out phrases and listen to what songs will go well together. Learn what "Beats Per Minute" means and live it. Then start to mix. If you want to do it right, learn to beat match by ear but don't let that hinder you too much. That is mostly just to make sure you won't fuck up cause you know your music so well
tl;dr
Don't settle for low quality bitrate music. Get yourself a proper controller. Learn to use said controller
Alright now to the OP's question. If you really want to do this right, get yourself a small controller (I'll talk about these in a bit), a soundcard (if the controller doesn't have one), some headphones and a computer. Now, get some music. As a student at your school, it is easy to know what your peers are listening to so get those tracks. When you play out, make sure the girls are dancing because that means the guys will dance too and everyone goes home happy.
I'm a real stickler for sound quality. I absolutely and automatically hate any song that has been ripped from youtube. If you have any of these songs, throw them out. Low bitrate songs were meant to be played on your shitty iPod headphones and not a big PA system. I wouldn't settle for anything lower than 256kbps and that's if it is some obscure track that I can't find anywhere. This above all else is the most important thing that you can do
Equipment wise, go with a small controller. Unfortunately, I have always used turntables so I don't have any experience with small midi controllers. Look on djtechtools for good midpriced controllers and then get yourself a Traktor Audio 2. The Audio 2 will cover the soundcard and the DJ software for about $99 I think. Traktor is really cool software, and start learning that shit from the inside out.
Then once you've got all of this stuff, start learning some basic music theory. Pick out phrases and listen to what songs will go well together. Learn what "Beats Per Minute" means and live it. Then start to mix. If you want to do it right, learn to beat match by ear but don't let that hinder you too much. That is mostly just to make sure you won't fuck up cause you know your music so well
tl;dr
Don't settle for low quality bitrate music. Get yourself a proper controller. Learn to use said controller
blackoutbill
Active member
Oh I forgot one thing.
If you learn to dj right, you will be the coolest motherfucker on campus. So get learned and then get laid
You're welcome
If you learn to dj right, you will be the coolest motherfucker on campus. So get learned and then get laid
You're welcome
sweatshirt
Active member
a neat haircut
nagger
Active member
or you could try playing original beats that don't suck dick.
I don't dj, but sometimes I used to bring my ipod to highschool parties and throw on a playlist I'd made. (so I guess I kinda was a dj lol) but I'd get props for putting on music that wasn't radio garbage that was still fun hyphy music to get drunk to.
don't play shitty radio mixes/hits and don't play weird obscure shit that may sound sick but won't attract a lot of appeal
I don't dj, but sometimes I used to bring my ipod to highschool parties and throw on a playlist I'd made. (so I guess I kinda was a dj lol) but I'd get props for putting on music that wasn't radio garbage that was still fun hyphy music to get drunk to.
don't play shitty radio mixes/hits and don't play weird obscure shit that may sound sick but won't attract a lot of appeal
blackoutbill
Active member
Usually it's just small time producers. If you can swing it, try and get some money from your school/student council to join a record pool. They are usually $30 a month for unlimited downloads and the tracks you download are accessible for like 9 months or something. It might be worth getting a subscription the month preceding a dance, download a ton of tracks and then just let the subscription run out.
Just for the sake of legality and avoiding getting your school into trouble (probably unlikely, but it could happen) it's best to acquire tracks that you play via legal means.
Just for the sake of legality and avoiding getting your school into trouble (probably unlikely, but it could happen) it's best to acquire tracks that you play via legal means.
blackoutbill
Active member
This is a valid point as well. If you don't want to invest time and money into gear and music, just bring your laptop and hook it up to the soundboard and play good music.
In the end, as long as your friends have fun, all is well
In the end, as long as your friends have fun, all is well
blackoutbill
Active member
Fire away man
Technically, a controller is a MIDI device that sends a signal to a computer program allowing you to manipulate the software. In other words, a controller is like an xbox controller that has certain functions that allow you to "control" music. Basic controllers usually have 2 jogwheels, a few knobs, and a few buttons.
If you've ever touched a record player and moved the record back and forth, that is essentially what a jogwheel does. It allows you to "shift" the music foward, backwards, and scratch. The knobs on a controller are there to adjust effects and equalizers (equalizers cut out certain frequencies). Buttons turn on and off different functions like effects and also playing the track and pausing the track.
Soundcards are either built into the controller or they are external. A sound card allows you to "cue" up the next track by listening to it in your headphones before it goes out to the audience. I recommend the Traktor Audio 2 (http://www.native-instruments.com/#/en/products/dj/traktor-audio-2/) as it is relatively inexpensive and also includes the Traktor software.
If you were to buy one thing first, I would recommend buying the controller and then if it needed a soundcard buy that. Unfortunately I've never used a controller so I can't give an honest recommendation
Here is a good video of a controller in use. The jogwheels are the big circular things on the left and the right. Ean Golden has a lot going on in his routines so don't worry too much if it looks really complicated, because it is haha.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4DUUDw3mww
This is the traktor s2, it is about $500, which is probably too much to spend unless you really want to get into DJ'ing but it has a really clear and basic layout of what most controllers look like on the surface. On top there are the effects knobs and then in the middle there is a mixer which allows you to cross between two (or more!) songs.
Feel free to ask more/ask for clarification
Technically, a controller is a MIDI device that sends a signal to a computer program allowing you to manipulate the software. In other words, a controller is like an xbox controller that has certain functions that allow you to "control" music. Basic controllers usually have 2 jogwheels, a few knobs, and a few buttons.
If you've ever touched a record player and moved the record back and forth, that is essentially what a jogwheel does. It allows you to "shift" the music foward, backwards, and scratch. The knobs on a controller are there to adjust effects and equalizers (equalizers cut out certain frequencies). Buttons turn on and off different functions like effects and also playing the track and pausing the track.
Soundcards are either built into the controller or they are external. A sound card allows you to "cue" up the next track by listening to it in your headphones before it goes out to the audience. I recommend the Traktor Audio 2 (http://www.native-instruments.com/#/en/products/dj/traktor-audio-2/) as it is relatively inexpensive and also includes the Traktor software.
If you were to buy one thing first, I would recommend buying the controller and then if it needed a soundcard buy that. Unfortunately I've never used a controller so I can't give an honest recommendation
Here is a good video of a controller in use. The jogwheels are the big circular things on the left and the right. Ean Golden has a lot going on in his routines so don't worry too much if it looks really complicated, because it is haha.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4DUUDw3mww
This is the traktor s2, it is about $500, which is probably too much to spend unless you really want to get into DJ'ing but it has a really clear and basic layout of what most controllers look like on the surface. On top there are the effects knobs and then in the middle there is a mixer which allows you to cross between two (or more!) songs.
Feel free to ask more/ask for clarification
blackoutbill
Active member
While I'm at it, I'll try and get to the nitty gritty of what a DJ essentially does. There is a nearly unlimited amount of ways to mix but I'll just go over one of the quintessential methods for mixing two songs.
Lets say you have Song "A" and Song "B" and for ease of explanation we will say that both are electro-housey type tracks. Say "A" is 128bpm and "B" is 130bpm (Beats Per Minute-this will be important later) and both tracks have basic electo structure with the intro lasting 32 beats and the outro lasting another 32 beats.
First off, load up track A into the software. Let it play through until you want to mix in song B. Keeping in mind that the intro to track B is 32 beats long, listen for a good phrase change in song A, lets say right after the second breakdown. Cut out the bass (using your eq knobs) of track B and drop it in. Now, either using the handy-dandy sync button or if you want to gain cool points adjust track B's tempo to match track A. Then slowly cut out the eq's of track A and bump up and fade in Track B. Now there is a solid mix happening and track B is slowly taking charge.
Obviously that is a lot of information to get around and I'm sure I missed something but that is one good way to mix in music. Like I said before, there is an infinite way of mixing two songs and it is up to the DJ to decide how to do it best
Also, I know there are some really good DJ's on here (vegas level- crazyfuck/wambat and comicstrips are two that I can think of) so they can definitely guide you better than I as I can't claim to be more than a bedroom hobbiest
Lets say you have Song "A" and Song "B" and for ease of explanation we will say that both are electro-housey type tracks. Say "A" is 128bpm and "B" is 130bpm (Beats Per Minute-this will be important later) and both tracks have basic electo structure with the intro lasting 32 beats and the outro lasting another 32 beats.
First off, load up track A into the software. Let it play through until you want to mix in song B. Keeping in mind that the intro to track B is 32 beats long, listen for a good phrase change in song A, lets say right after the second breakdown. Cut out the bass (using your eq knobs) of track B and drop it in. Now, either using the handy-dandy sync button or if you want to gain cool points adjust track B's tempo to match track A. Then slowly cut out the eq's of track A and bump up and fade in Track B. Now there is a solid mix happening and track B is slowly taking charge.
Obviously that is a lot of information to get around and I'm sure I missed something but that is one good way to mix in music. Like I said before, there is an infinite way of mixing two songs and it is up to the DJ to decide how to do it best
Also, I know there are some really good DJ's on here (vegas level- crazyfuck/wambat and comicstrips are two that I can think of) so they can definitely guide you better than I as I can't claim to be more than a bedroom hobbiest
Watch juice a bunch of times.
Don't spend a fuck ton of money on gear before you find out if you like it. Honestly with a decent library of shitty songs that high schoolers like you'll be fine. Does your school have a pa? If not see if you can borrow or rent one to try it out. If you like it and want to do it buying your own shit is something you need to do.
You can make some decent money for not doing shit for work. Idk what the going rate is but you can get a couple hundred bucks for sitting at some lame dance and pressing play on songs. I say go for it.
Just don't spend a ton of money on shit. You could buy a whole settup, get the nicest everything and then hate it, suck at it, or not get hired anywhere.
Good luck
Don't spend a fuck ton of money on gear before you find out if you like it. Honestly with a decent library of shitty songs that high schoolers like you'll be fine. Does your school have a pa? If not see if you can borrow or rent one to try it out. If you like it and want to do it buying your own shit is something you need to do.
You can make some decent money for not doing shit for work. Idk what the going rate is but you can get a couple hundred bucks for sitting at some lame dance and pressing play on songs. I say go for it.
Just don't spend a ton of money on shit. You could buy a whole settup, get the nicest everything and then hate it, suck at it, or not get hired anywhere.
Good luck
Moosen
Active member
another good example of the s2 in action!
I use traktor pro 2, akai apc 40 with collision mapping, and a Traktor audio 2 by native instruments.
It's such a simple program to start using and very versatile. That's the program i recommend starting with. I recommend the numark mixtrack pro (you do not need an i/o if you get this) and or a kontrol s2 if you can afford it.
HAVE FUN!
I use traktor pro 2, akai apc 40 with collision mapping, and a Traktor audio 2 by native instruments.
It's such a simple program to start using and very versatile. That's the program i recommend starting with. I recommend the numark mixtrack pro (you do not need an i/o if you get this) and or a kontrol s2 if you can afford it.
HAVE FUN!
Kitzrow
Member
Christ..mixing is was distinguishes djing from merely playing successive songs in a playlist. It's blending two songs completely to make a unique, original piece of music, or just phrasing two songs properly so there's no awkward gap of silence/awkward changes in energy between tracks. I wouldn't even start learning anything until you have an extensive library and know what you wanna spin--no one wants to hear you spin Beatport top 100 or radio hits..but then again, maybe that is what highschool's all about..they'll probably sound like fresh tunes anyways. And, uh..soundcloud only having "small beat producers"..I don't know if that's the actual quote..but. wut? Troll soundcloud. Troll blogs. Make use of Youtube's suggestions. Listen to mixes. Music selection > Technical Skill
blackoutbill
Active member
I'll clarify on that because you are right, everyone is soundcloud. I guess I should have been more specific and say that usually smaller (relative term here) artists release tracks and bootlegs onto soundcloud for free. A lot of bigger, label artists will link you directly to juno, beatport, itunes, amazon, whatever it is. Obviously there are exceptions to this
I think that with technical skill comes good music selection because of experience. Obviously one could have good music selection and no technical skill and just stand up there and slam two tracks together but I have a hard time imagining someone that had really good technical skills would at least be aware of the fact of the kind of music they should be playing. I would hope that someone wouldn't go into a deep house club and play Top 40 I dunno, maybe I just don't go to enough concerts.
But yeah, I think I sort of half agree that music selection is more important than technical skill, but either way, a DJ with bomb music selection and skill to match is better than anything
I think that with technical skill comes good music selection because of experience. Obviously one could have good music selection and no technical skill and just stand up there and slam two tracks together but I have a hard time imagining someone that had really good technical skills would at least be aware of the fact of the kind of music they should be playing. I would hope that someone wouldn't go into a deep house club and play Top 40 I dunno, maybe I just don't go to enough concerts.
But yeah, I think I sort of half agree that music selection is more important than technical skill, but either way, a DJ with bomb music selection and skill to match is better than anything