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Ipod Xlr Cable
Ipod Xlr Cable
Learn To DJ the Digital DJ Music System Way
What is A DJ?
A DJ is a Disk Jockey is a professional who knows what music to play for a specific event, how to program (set-lists) good sets of songs one right after another, and knows how to transition smoothly from one song to another using crossfading or beat mixing. People playing iPods through computer speakers are calling themselves DJ’s nowadays. Unfortunately the industry is being saturated by wanna-be DJ’s trying to make a few bucks who are not investing in the proper training and equipment.
The Love Of Music.
If you are new to the industry but really love all types of music, you’re off to a great start. However appreciating music and knowing how to mix on decent equipment are two completely separate animals. Anyone can appreciate and play songs on an iPod but an effective DJ will have a wide variety of music, reliable equipment, and needs to have to have the ability to musically format a party. Many people who want to learn to DJ are unaware of other important components.
Where to Start.
If someone made the decision to learn to DJ, they probably have decent knowledge of music and already maintain a large database of music for their iPods/iPads or laptop hard drives There are basically 3 ways to play that music (in audio file format) that is already owed. The music can be burned onto a CD and played via a CD deck and CD deck controller, the music can be played directly through a laptop with DJ software, or the files can be played through DJ laptop software with the use of an external mixing controller to manipulate the files.
The Advantages of a Digital DJ Music System.
Any one of these options will be sufficient, but the digital DJ music system (no CD’s, a device that plays audio files like a laptop or physical media player) seems to be becoming most popular. Carrying a pocket sized 500gig external hard drive is much easier to carry than 2 heavy cases of CD’s. Another advantage of playing on a digital DJ music system is having the ability to find a song within seconds instead of manually sifting through CD’s to find specific songs.
Mixing and Cuing Songs
Once a DJ chooses the music system to play the audio files through, a mixer must be purchased. The music/media player will connect to the mixer. The mixer will allow the DJ to control the volume of the 2 channels from the player. Most DJ mixers will also have a slider to transition from one song to another. It is also important to have headphones and the ability to cue songs (listen to songs in headphones and while not going through the speakers).
Cuing a song is crucial to knowing the right song has been selected and is also important to use for beat mixing music. While beat mixing, a DJ will have one song playing through the speakers, will cue up a second song in the second channel, listen and match the beat of the new song in the headphones, and then raise the main volume on the track. There is nothing more exhilarating than pounding a great mix, even for the pros!
DJ Speakers Made For A DJ
Out of the mixer will generally run XLR cables into speakers. If an unpowered mixer is purchased, the DJ will have to run the cables through a powered amp to power passive speakers or the cables can be run directly into powered/active speakers. Most DJ’s use an unpowered mixer that runs cables to powered speakers. This allows for easier set-up and seem to punch better lower frequencies. When looking for speakers for your DJ system or digital DJ music system, purchase standard sizes like 10″, 12″ and 15″. If a DJ intends on DJ’ing smaller events, 12″ speakers would work just fine.
Mixing Techniques and Set List Resources
The DJ system or Digital DJ Music System that is chosen is only half of the learning curve when learning to be a DJ. The other half is being confident in mixing the right songs at the right times. One issue that DJ’s run into is trying to find set-lists of particular songs to play at events. DJ’s play at house parties, birthday parties, barbeque’s, kids parties, sweet 16′s, bar-bat mitzvahs, holiday parties, company parties, class reunions, clubs, and weddings. It becomes overwhelming trying to figure out what to play and when to play it when faced with DJ’ing different events. Searching online can also leave new DJs scratching their heads with the amount of overwhelming information searched. The key is finding a good DJ resource site that offers suggestions on set-lists for all types of parties.
Making Money as a DJ
DJ’ing is exciting especially when a client hands the DJ 4 hundred dollar bills after playing music for a few hours at a party. Sometimes it just doesn’t make sense to get paid. DJ’s get paid to do what they love to do. Most DJ’s have full time jobs during the week and can make hundreds if not thousands of dollars a weekend, even as a hobby. If making money is something a DJ wants to consider, the DJ’s skills and/or packages they offer will determine how much they can charge as a DJ. Learning the proper skills is important and there are resources available to teach even the novice DJ how to DJ like a pro. One site that offers training is DJ Masterminds and should be considered if serious about kickin some butt in the industry and impressing friends.
Time To Start DJ’ing
The most important thing a DJ must do is to keep learning. Learning about new songs, mixes, set-lists, and equipment give DJ’s the confidence necessary to kick some tail at all of their events. One huge mistake new DJ’s make is not getting their feet wet. The first few parties may have mistakes (the guests may not even notice). Making mistakes is all part of the learning curve.
Successful people in general got the point of success by failing a lot. Successful DJ’s are successful because they DJ’ed parties, got some good practicing done, and got better. Without getting out there and practicing at real parties, experience can’t be earned. Just do it. Some words of encouragement….. Who cares if a DJ messes up! If the DJ is DJ’ing for friends and family, messing up is fun. If the DJ is DJ’ing at an event, the DJ will most likely NEVER see these guests again. It’s a win-win.
Final Words on How to Learn To DJ
Develop a budget for equipment and songs, get ideas for DJ equipment from reputable sources, find websites that offer training and ideas for set -lists and mixes for different events, tell friends and family about the new business, and have a blast!
About the Author
www.MixesThatWork.com is our company created by DJ’s for DJ’s to provide DJ’s with resources for set-lists, great mixes, top songs, equipment prices and reviews, and so much more to ensure maximum success and quality for DJ’s at all levels.
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