No one seems to understand it. No one seems to respect it. And it might just be the most important part of the night. Here we explain why the warm-up DJ deserves perhaps even more credit than the headliner.

There are many variables in producing a proper electronic music event. Some things are obvious: a proper space with quality sound and engaging visuals are part of the physics that create a comfortable environment for the crowd. If, for instance, the sound system isn’t properly dialed in to the acoustics of the space, the performer,Read More…

With enough practice and getting to know your tunes inside and out, you will know which tunes go together and which ones don’t. To really master the craft of DJing, it is very important for you to put the time, patience, and effort into learning about harmonic mixing, because that will add a complete other dimension to your mixes.

Harmonic mixing is the art of mixing tunes together in perfect harmony, using the basic rules of key and chord compatibility. A lot of DJs are too lazy to take this next step,Read More…

Here is a method that may help you organize your music CDs. It’s fun, easy to use, and helps you get into Harmonic Mixing.

Overview

1. Detect the key of every song in your music collection

2. Burn separate CDs for each key. For example, put all your 8A tracks on one CD. Put 9A on another CD.

3. If you burn two copies of every CD, you can mix between songs in the same key. Added benefit: If one CDRead More…

In recent days I have had several emails asking me my take on mixing solely in headphones opposed to mixing the traditional way listening to the cued track in your headphones with one ear and the fold back monitor speaker with the other ear.

Traditionally listening to the cued track in your headphones with one ear and the fold back monitor speaker with the other ear is the correct way of mixing.  This traditional method is definitely more difficult to learn and I think overall it can give you a lot more control over your mix especially the mixRead More…

Learning how to prepare your DJ set will become easier with experience, in fact with the right amount of confidence and experience you will have to put less and less time into preparing your DJ sets. If you are organized enough it will become like second nature.

I want to make one thing clear from the beginning – you do NOT want to be preparing your DJ set to the point where you have the tracks in order ready to go, this is a very bad habit that you want to give a wide berth. Get organised yes, butRead More…

Learning how to read the dance floor when DJing isn’t something that can’t be taught, learning how to read a dance floor comes from experience.

When starting out it’s a matter of trying different things and making a mental note of how it’s affecting the dance floor. It almost becomes a process of elimination where you begin to make educated decisions based on the mental notes you have made on various things you have tried.

There is no tried and true way on keeping a dance floor entertained. All DJ’sRead More…

What is a DJ mentor?

A mentor is someone who has been and done what it is you are trying to achieve.

“Someone whose hindsight can become your foresight”

Commonsense would suggest that if you could pick the brain of someone that has already achieved what you desire and has already been down the track that you are about to embark on, it will fast track your own success.

A good mentor will be able to share invaluable advice on what to expect and exactly what you are suppose to be doing to achieve what it isRead More…

Once you feel you have mastered how to beat match and you begin to start working on polishing your mixes, one of the things you are going to need to start feeling more confident is knowing exactly which tracks to play when.

The best way to know which tracks to play when is by gaining as much experience as possible. Before you launch yourself into playing your first DJ Club gig it’s always a good idea to cut your teeth playing house parties, smallerRead More…