Turntable DJs are always in. People just love seeing a DJ whip a record out of a bag. And now, with the rise of automated AI DJs, knowing how to DJ using turntables is a good way to niche down. In the coming days, all DJs are gonna need to double down on their in-person and branding skills to keep ahead of AI. One way to do that is by spinning vinyl, or by using Scratch Live to DJ with the best of both vinyl and software. So let’s take a trip into the basics of how to spin vinyl and create a killer mix that will get the crowd moving.  Turntable and mixer setup Make sure your turntables a ..read more

Streaming services are kinda starting to eat the lunch of many would-be DJs. Spotify’s AI-powered DJ service will build a custom playlist and even talk about the metadata over the top of it. Sure, nobody wants a robot blabbing over their favorite song, but event organizers always want one thing: a cheaper option. Fully automated DJs now have a foothold in the industry. As a professional DJ, here’s how you can stay ahead of the game.  Embrace the changes Artists, musicians, writers and now DJs have to make a choice. Stand their ground and compete with AI solutions, or start using them to ..read more

We all know that the days of carrying CDs or vinyls around are gone. But now, so are the days of carrying flash drives. Theoretically. Streaming services like Soundcloud, Deezer and Tidal allow DJs to download and stream music in most DJ software on demand. But streaming services still have a lot to prove before you can trust them with your DJ career. Here’s some stuff to chew on while you decide whether you’re gonna continue with the old school way of DJing (with flash drives or CDs).  The newcomer mentality What do you look for in a streaming service? Cost is the major factor, of cours ..read more

If music festivals were DJs, Ultra Music Festival would be headlining. The popularity of UMF has resulted in controversy, stamped its name onto EDM culture and expanded globally into countries like South Korea, Brazil and Japan. Maybe the mainstream stuff isn’t for everyone - we’ve all had a taste of how cool the smaller festivals can be - but you gotta admit, Ultra is an experience! Here are a few other things you might not know about UMF. Ultra showcases visual arts The festival has won multiple awards and has been recognized for its production value and innovative use of technology in its s ..read more

When it comes to music, video is king. No doubt about it. But DJs have a problem. We play copyrighted music. This makes it difficult for us to share our lives with followers on social media, where the copyright police are always ready to knock down your door with a warrant. So here are a few ideas for video content that doesn’t get you flagged.  DJs get to be in swish places When it comes to entertainment, there’s a lot of spare money flowing around. As a DJ, you get to be in places that have fancy production value which looks good on video. Own it. Next time you’re standing next to a ch ..read more

Many DJs start their journey on a laptop, but there was a time when you needed a pair of decks to get going. Now that all DJs are at least a little computer savvy, new software is constantly flooding our field of vision. Next time you find yourself getting pestered for the update, take a step back and remind yourself what DJ software is actually for. DJ software helps you prepare your set As they are, music files stored on a computer or thumb drive aren’t immediately suitable for DJing. DJs have to analyze and organize their music before a set so they can add necessary info, prepare hotcue po ..read more

Yikes! 2023 already? Holy smokes, dust off the decks. A new year of exciting developments awaits. Seriously tho, now is a good time to get into DJing. You’re not limited by actually collecting MP3 files. There’s an audience waiting for anyone who has a decent camera and free time in the evenings. Things are looking good! Here are three things to expect this year.  VR and virtual entertainment VR concerts are here. In January 2023, the Calvin Harris Experience premiered on TikTok, streaming a dance music experience for Pico VR headsets backed by one of the biggest names in the industry. W ..read more

Thinking of making the switch from laptop to CDJs? After all, your favorite festival videos generally show DJs using a set of decks instead of just a laptop on its own. It’s a big moment for upcomers on their path to professional DJing. But the two styles do have a few differences. Here’s what to expect when making the switch. CDJs are more expensive CDJs are generally more expensive than DJ controllers. While there are some budget-friendly CDJ options available, most professional models will set you back a few hundred dollars more than their controller counterparts. DJing gigs generally pay ..read more

Whoa. Lots to unpack here. But without getting too philosophical, there are a few basic questions every DJ needs to ask themselves at some point. As a professional DJ, it's important to have clear agreements with clients in place. But it’s even more important to have your own goals in place. Here are a few questions you can ask yourself to help narrow them down.  What is my target audience?  Who do I want to play for, and where do they typically go to hear music? Knowing this is essential to tailoring your set and image to get into your audience’s social feeds. Think about the genre ..read more

Mistakes, mistakes, mistakes. When they happen to you - and they will - don’t beat yourself up too hard. Just learn from ‘em. Everyone’s been there. Wanna avoid them before you make them? While you’re an Advanced DJ in training, read on for a few of the most tragic DJ fails that can be avoided.  Poor music selection Yep. Wrong song. Or right song at the wrong time, which is the same thing. This one is the easiest to forgive, because you’re basically being asked to be a Jedi by reading the crowd’s mind. But if a DJ doesn't take the time to research the event and the crowd, they may end up ..read more