The Official DJF Beginners MEGA Thread!

[KLH]

Welcome to DJF!

So you're interested in learning the secrets of being a DJ... We can help you grow regardless of your skill level because there's always something new to learn. Still, the hardest thing to do is start.

First there are the basic questions that everyone has: What is a decent setup? How much is needed to start? What are the basic? What's a great DJ name? Where do I get music? It's hard not to be overwhelmed.

Don't worry. We can help you cut through the crap and focus on what you need to know and do. But first, answer this question: Why do you want to become a DJ? If you can't answer that, then it'll be hard to put up with the many obstacles and frustrations between when you start and when you perform for 100,000+ crowds.

Have your answer? Good. Now let's begin.

There are concepts that you should know before you buy or do anything. Read these threads and learn these basic concepts:

* RTFM (http://www.djforums.com/forums/showthread.php?2721-The-Official-DJF-Beginners-MEGA-Thread!&p=519819&viewfull=1#post519819)
* DO NOT PIRATE! (http://www.djforums.com/forums/showthread.php?2552-RANT-on-Piracy)
* Copyrights - Know The Laws (US) (http://www.djforums.com/forums/showthread.php?3263-Copyright-Information-Thread-Know-the-Laws)
* The DJ Ethos (rules that DJs should live by) (http://www.djforums.com/forums/showthread.php?2557-DJ-Ethos-(rules-that-DJs-should-live-by))
* Everything you need to know about DJ Names (http://www.djforums.com/forums/showthread.php?844-The-Official-DJ-Name-Thread)
* Essential websites to know when starting out (http://www.djforums.com/forums/showthread.php?2559-Essential-sites-for-when-you-re-starting-out)
* MacOS or Windows - The Definitive Answer to Which is Better (http://www.djforums.com/forums/showthread.php?2583-Which-is-better-Windows-or-MacOS)
* What is the difference between a DJ and Producer? (http://www.djforums.com/forums/showthread.php?2587-DJing-versus-Producing)
* Gain staging (aka Stay Out of the RED) (http://www.djforums.com/forums/showthread.php?2938-Gain-Staging-(aka-Stay-out-of-the-RED!)&p=34141#post34141)
* MP3 versus [Insert Audio Format] (http://www.djforums.com/forums/showthread.php?2946-MP3-versus-WAV-FLAC-AIFF-or)
* Should you take a course or learn by yourself? (http://www.djforums.com/forums/showthread.php?21949-Which-is-better-Learning-by-yourself-or-taking-a-DJ-course)

So now you know basic concepts, right? Let's switch gears to truly starting out:

* Where should I get music? (http://www.djforums.com/forums/showthread.php?35-Online-record-shops-Digital-amp-Vinyl-Master-list&highlight=pools)
* What's the best music? What should I play? (http://www.djforums.com/forums/showthread.php?21844-What-should-I-play-quot-quot-what-would-you-play-quot-quot-give-me-music!-quot)
* Essential equipment (http://www.djforums.com/forums/showthread.php?2655-Essential-DJ-Equipment-when-starting-out)
* Best Headphones? (http://www.djforums.com/forums/showthread.php?17955-Best-DJ-headphones-to-buy)
* What's the Best Controller? (http://www.djforums.com/forums/showthread.php?14902-Before-you-ask-about-the-BEST-controller)
* Core Knowledge and Skills (aka How to Start Out) (http://www.djforums.com/forums/content.php?190-Sigma-s-basic-guide-to-DJing-right)
* Great videos (DJ tutor) (https://www.djtutor.com/)
* I'm tired of practicing, so what's next? (http://www.djforums.com/forums/showthread.php?2577-So-you-ve-quot-begun-quot-being-a-DJ-Now-what)

If you've done the above, congratulations! You're getting closer to performing for that 100,000+ crowd!

Practice and Enjoy!

-KLH

[Chay]

You should also add "Which DJ headphones" thread to your thread ;)

[epik1]

KLH has become a pillar to the beginner section of the forum lol

[cokaz]

This has came in ever so useful thank you KLH

[KLH]

You should also add "Which DJ headphones" thread to your thread ;)
Good suggestion. I'll look into this.

EDIT: Link added.

Any other suggestions of topics to add?

-KLH

[Krazy Grape]

I think a mixer topic would be good. As a beginner I would be very interested in that topic. Great thread by the way, it's very helpful.

[Meer]

Great thread man

[dj.warhol]

This is a nice compilation of useful information, I really appreciate this.
It is essential to know the laws, awesome you've included them, everything here seems so important, and it is posted in one place, great !
Great Job !

[LetsDemize]

I am looking up to this! THANK YOU! i am going to get a Traktor Krontrol S2 and will be using this to my best!

[diceallion]

Thank you.

[KLH]

FYI

* The topic "DJing 101" has been removed due to Sigma deleting content.
* "Great videos (DJ Tutor)" added.
* The "Core Knowledge and Skills (aka How to Start Out)" link has been updated to the article instead of the thread.

[oeyellow]

Also please you could add information on how DJs can protect their ears from hearing loss and Tinnitus

[KLH]

Also please you could add information on how DJs can protect their ears from hearing loss and Tinnitus
Hmmm... I'll give that some thought. Good suggestion. Rep :tup:

[DJSAMRAT]

Crossposts not allowed - Manu

[thatben08]

Hi I was wondering where I can go to have people listen to some dj mixes I have made. I would like to get some feedback from random people!

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

[Alex Murphy]

Hi I was wondering where I can go to have people listen to some dj mixes I have made. I would like to get some feedback from random people!

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

It goes like so:

http://www.djforums.com/forums/announcement.php?f=18




New requirements for posting in this section

As of October 2016, DJF has enacted a new policy. To post within the Mix Submissions or Track Submissions sections, members are expected to meet these requirements:

a) Accumulate 30 posts by participating in any area of the forum and,
b) Be a member in good standing for a minimum period of 30 days.

This includes posting links to your Soundcloud &/or Mixcloud accounts.

If you have any questions, please post your concerns within the Site Discussion section of DJF.

[Octopussy]

Very helpful, thanks.

[chuckjl]

good looking out for the ellaskins channel

[Alex Murphy]

"RTFM"

Needs to be added on the very first line. Since the Covid 19 episode, I noticed a massive amount of people asking questions because they did not read the manual and got stuck. Some even complained of ending up here on DjF, because someone did not tell them to RTFM somewhere else. Makes me glad I don't work with pioneerforums.

[KLH]

"RTFM" Needs to be added on the very first line.
Done.

[Alex Murphy]

Why thank you kid sir.

The next one who asks me a link to the manual gets a choice of a either a LMGTFY link, or a ban :toilet:

[zazame]

I can't get into the Core Knowledge and Skills (aka How to Start Out) thread. Says I dont have permission :/

[KLH]

I can't get into the Core Knowledge and Skills (aka How to Start Out) thread. Says I dont have permission :/
It's an older article. I'll get this moved so that everyone can see it.

Try it now and let me know.

[CHDJ]

Went through all the other parts being antsy to get into core knowledge only to find out it still doesn't work :(

edit: also for other meganoobs as me there could be some list of different abbreviations and their meanings and maybe some basic technics / concepts and short explanations. For example I have no idea what beatmatching even means and the subreddit for starting dj's is called /r/beatmatch... I know I will figure the stuff out while reading and learning and trying, but it could make starting learning process a bit more mellow.

[Alex Murphy]

For example I have no idea what beatmatching even means and the subreddit for starting dj's is called /r/beatmatch... I know I will figure the stuff out while reading and learning and trying, but it could make starting learning process a bit more mellow.

From the original post:

Core Knowledge and Skills (aka How to Start Out) (http://www.djforums.com/forums/content.php?190-Sigma-s-basic-guide-to-DJing-right)


2. Beat-matching. This is where you use the pitch controls on your equipment to get the 2 songs playing at the same BPM. It's vital in mixing music. Some DJ software will do this for you, but if you never learn to do it manually, you can never use gear that doesn't have auto-sync. Think of it like only being able to do basic maths by pulling out a calculator, rather than learning your times tables. Opinions on this differ, but if you can beat-match manually, you can use pretty much any piece of gear. If you can only use auto-sync, you can't.

[DJ Matt]

I have no idea what beatmatching even means

it means lining up the beats of two tracks, so that they are in time with one another, the kick drum , snare and so on are happening at the same time. as though it was the same track. its the bedrock of DJing

[CHDJ]

From the original post:

Core Knowledge and Skills (aka How to Start Out) (http://www.djforums.com/forums/content.php?190-Sigma-s-basic-guide-to-DJing-right)

Can't access that link. No permission it says.

[Alex Murphy]

No worries, I'll copy paste the basics of it:


The technical basics of mixing are these: -

1. Levels. You adjust the levels of tracks, usually using the gains on your mixer, in order to make sure that one song doesn't drown out another or is way too quiet. Use a combination of the LEDs on your mixer and your ears.

2. Beat-matching. This is where you use the pitch controls on your equipment to get the 2 songs playing at the same BPM. It's vital in mixing music. Some DJ software will do this for you, but if you never learn to do it manually, you can never use gear that doesn't have auto-sync. Think of it like only being able to do basic maths by pulling out a calculator, rather than learning your times tables. Opinions on this differ, but if you can beat-match manually, you can use pretty much any piece of gear. If you can only use auto-sync, you can't.

3. Phrase matching. A track is broken down into phrases. A phrase is where something about the music changes. For instance, a song may start with 8 bars of beat, then a bassline kicks in. The 8 bars of beat is your first phrase. When you mix, you're trying to line up phrases from 2 or more different tracks in a way that sounds pleasing to the ear. Good phrase matching skills are also vital.

4. EQing. Using the EQs on your mixer allows you to adjust the highs, mids and lows for individual tracks. For instance, you may want to lower the bass on an outgoing track to avoid bassline clashes with the incoming one. While I would concentrate on points 1-3 above more than EQing at first, it's still something you're going to need to learn. Don't just twist an EQ knob for the sake of it! Play around with the knobs on your mixer and listen to the effect they have on the music. Use EQs for a purpose, not cos you think "if I don't turn this knob, it'll look like I'm not doing much up in the booth!".

[DJKHZA]

OP this is a great thread

[KLH]

Whoa! This thread is over 10 years old! :eek:

This was not an individual effort; I thank everyone who posted and contributed over the years. DJF is a great place.

As my mentor said, "Practise and enjoy!" (Those UK guys just don't know how to spell.)

[radiogirl8]

very nice of you to post!!