For example… did you know that you can actually create a build up in the middle of a track without a build up just by looping? Try it… Set your loop in and loop out points on your CDJ or digital djing system for 4 or so bars. The music will be looping over and over and over. The same four bars… All you have to do to create a build up is to turn a little “echo” or “delay” effects up on your mixer and then start to turn the jog wheel on your pioneer CDJ.
The result? The loop starts to get shorter… and shorter until it is almost a static noise similar to what can be heard at the climax of a build up!
Then you just hit the exit button to exit the loop and pick up right from where you left off in the track!
I get a lot of emails asking How To DJ with Serato and weather DJing with Serato and Traktor is different from learning how to dj on DJ CD Players or vinyl turntables. (For more advice on DJ Gear like Serato, Beatmatching, Mixing and Getting Gigs make sure you sign up for our dj training newsletter by CLICKING HERE NOW!)
Now for those of you that don’t know, Serato and Traktor are digital mixing systems that let you mix just off of your laptop or the conventional CDJs or turntables while still being able to play the MP3s off of your laptop.
So instead of explaining the differences myself I found a great walk through of the serato dj software and dj mixing system online.
You will also quickly realize after watching this video that DJs are really just technology nerds that somehow get mis-placed as cool…
This past week I had a chance to rock it out on Pioneer CDJ 2000s. And to be honest I LOVE them!
If the CDJ 1000s weren’t good enough (they’re the nightclub and music industry standard) These new CDJs take traditional DJ Mixing and digital djing with dj software to the next level. (To take your DJing to the next level sign up for our Dj training newsletter by clicking HERE now!)
This awesome piece of dj gear will store all of your music, it can play all of your music from USBs, SD cards, MP3 CDS and even DVDS. The 2000 works VERY well with ableton live and has built in controls to work smoothly with traktor and serato scratch live!
I just found this awesome dj video featuring the best piece of dj equipment on the market right now:
Lets be honest, nobody likes to see a DJ with his head stuck in a laptop up in the DJ booth. He might as well be checking his email or writing up his grocery list for after the gig!
You have to give programs like Ableton Live and Traktor DJ Studio credit. They are kickass pieces of DJ software that can do some pretty incredible stuff. Even just the ability to get the Dj Software to beatmatch for you opens up so many doors for your DJing. If you want to learn more about digital DJing, sign up for free DJ Lesson Videos by clicking HERE right now!
But the obvious downside was that all of this computer based software did not do well with the performance aspect of DJing…. until now.
Over the past few days I have seem some really cool pieces of software that really get the DJ involved. Take the video above for example.
A dj from Uruguay, Gustavo Bravetti, does an awesome job of demonstrating how creative you can get. He shows how you can use ableton live and Nintendo Wii controllers for your DJing. Read the rest of this entry »
“What dj equipment do you recommend I start with?”
This is a question I get asked daily from my Dj students. Its usually proceeded with “I have a budged of $xx and I’ve been told I should buy turntables or CDJs…”
While I have a FREE DVD coming out that will teach you everything you need to know about DJ Gear, let me give you the answer to this in a few words. In the meantime, you can learn a lot about DJ Gear through our Free video DJ Lessons. Get yours now by clicking HERE!
Don’t buy turntables if you are just starting out.
Don’t buy expensive CDJs (Pioneer CDJ 1000s – dj cd players).
Don’t buy a $2000.00 laptop
Most DJs that start out want to get the coolest pro DJ gear possible. This is a waste of money at the start because you will just be learning basic mixing techniques to begin with (cue & throw, beatmatching, pitch riding etc).
Instead of throwing away thousands on gear when you start, buy some cheap CDJs and a cheap mixer, or even better a DJ Software and digital controller package. These will be low cost solutions that you can learn mixing on quickly and easily.
The best part is that you will have tons of cash left over. Use this cash to build your music collection (which is most important) and to learn more about DJing by getting dj lessons or buying some programs (DVDs) to get you mixing better, to learn to promote yourself and to learn how to get big gigs!
1) How To DJ. Advice To Help You Learn How To DJ: How To DJ 2) Advice On DJ Lessons For Beginners: DJ Lessons 3) How To Be A DJ. Advice On How To Become A DJ: How To Be A DJ 4) A Review Of The Best Dj Games: DJ Games
