The Digital DJ Tips Podcast

Swiss Army DJ App, Gig Catastrophe + More

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 9 Apr 2026 18:50:30 +0000

From a "Swiss Army Knife" DJ app to a student who saved a high-profile gig when his controller died mid-event - we've got questions, stories, and answers from the world of DJing in this Your Questions edition of the podcast.

As ever, this pod is supported 100% by the students of Digital DJ Tips, and it was recorded in a live webinar with lots of real-time feedback. If you enjoy it and you can, please do give us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts. It really does make a difference.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:15 Episode overview

01:20 What is DJ.Studio and is it worth using?

11:00 Tips for organising and remembering cue points?

16:49 How one student saved a gig when his controller died...

20:36 How do gain controls work, and why should DJs use them?

25:01 Best way to fix an incomplete DJ set recording?

Want to get your question answered on an episode of this podcast? Digital DJ Tips course owners get to ask questions in their student-only group. Your first step to getting involved is to buy a DJ course, so come and join our community at https://www.digitaldjtips.com.

Is tech making DJing HARDER?

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 20:30:35 +0000

In this edition of our Inside Track podcast, we answer three questions that have been coming up among our students this month. First up: "Is technology actually making DJing harder, not easier?" Recently, some high-profile DJ software failures have left DJs unable to play gigs, but is that the whole picture? We look at how far DJing has really come, what is and isn't more technically complex today, and why the things that matter most for DJs haven't changed at all.

Next, we answer, "How do you create viral DJ moments in your sets without selling your soul?" We'll break down what those flashy transitions you see on TikTok and Instagram actually require, why you shouldn't feel intimidated by them, and how to prepare just two or three of them to drop into your sets for maximum effect.

And finally, we cover a question that comes up consistently: "Is it okay to copy other DJs?" The short answer is yes, and we explain exactly why here...

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:14 Episode overview

02:20 Has tech actually made DJing harder?

14:49 How to create viral DJ set moments?

25:26 Is it really so bad to copy other DJs?

Tips for starting a DJ music show

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 21:23:54 +0000

In this edition of our Your Questions podcast, we tackle how to start a DJ podcast, figure out whether to stream music or buy it, and get to the bottom of how DJs really get booked.

We also cover the controller vs. standalone debate, how relaxation is the secret to better scratching, and the best set-up for DJs who also run quizzes and karaoke nights. It's the usual mixed bag of absorbing questions from our wonderful community. I hope you enjoy what we've got for you this month!

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:15 Episode overview

00:58 How do you start a DJ podcast on Spotify?

05:55 Why does my DJ software keep cutting out mid-set?

08:49 Why is my scratching better sitting down than standing up?

14:03 How do you get past the fear of DJing in public?

20:43 Should I buy a standalone unit or a laptop and controller?

24:30 Streaming vs. owning: Is buying DJ music in bulk a good idea?

30:33 How do you get booked when no one's calling you back?

35:20 What's the best set-up for quiz and karaoke DJing?

Every DJ's Secret Weapon (It's Not What You Think)

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 18:59:31 +0000

In this edition of our Inside Track podcast, we explore how the best DJs use volume as a secret weapon. Among all the advanced techniques of modern DJing, it's easy for newer DJs to overlook just how fundamental volume control is to a great performance. We'll look at why it matters so much and share some simple ways to improve your use of it.

Next, we dig into where DJs actually keep their music and data. Emails, photos, documents - most of us store everything in the cloud these days. But what about DJ music libraries and performance data? We share the results of our recent community survey, which reveals some interesting thinking from our students and the wider DJ world.

Finally, we ask, "How necessary is beatgridding, really?" Preparing your tracks for DJing is something that only became a thing with digital music - after all, you can't beatgrid a vinyl record. But does every DJ need to do it, and what happens if you don't? We explore the arguments for and against beatgridding your tracks.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:15 Episode overview

02:23 How the best DJs use volume as a secret weapon

20:04 What DJs REALLY think about keeping their music online

32:47 How important are beatgrids for DJing?

"Help! I've fallen OUT OF LOVE with DJing!"

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 22:35:22 +0000

In this Your Questions edition of the podcast, we help a poor soul with DJ burnout, discuss the best standalone DJ software, dive deep into stems DJing, and even talk about how to keep your gear clean.

As ever, this pod is supported 100% by the students of Digital DJ Tips, and it was recorded in a live webinar with lots of student feedback. If you enjoy it and you can, please do give us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts. It really does make a difference.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:14 Episode overview

00:58 Is there a major Engine DJ update coming?

05:14 I'm falling out of love with DJing - help?

10:04 Should I use MP3s or WAV files for stems?

13:56 Can you split tracks into 16 stems?

18:33 How do I create mix CDs with track markers?

24:40 How do you clean your DJ gear?

27:30 What Apple laptop should I buy for DJing?

Why do some DJs HAMMER their effects?

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 20:07:37 +0000

In this edition of our Inside Track podcast, we explore whether DJing can actually be taught, or if you either have "it" or you don't. Some argue that if you need training to be a DJ, you'll never make it because "real DJ skills" simply can't be taught. We'll dig into this debate and what it means for aspiring DJs.

Next, we discuss how important effects really are for DJs. In the rush to make gear more powerful and attractive, manufacturers seem to love adding effects - standalone effects units, hardware effects, software effects, effects across different mixer sections, and so on. But are they actually essential, or just nice-to-have features?

Finally, we tackle the controversial topic of crossfader-less mixers. Every now and then, someone releases a mixer without a crossfader, and certain corners of the DJ world throw their hands up. But many DJ mixers over the years haven't had one. We'll look at where the crossfader is important and where it isn't, so you can form a better opinion on mixer designs that ditch it.

As ever, this was a really fun discussion, made more so by our wonderful live student audience here at Digital DJ Tips, who joined us for the recording. Thank you to them, thank you for listening, and we hope you enjoy the show.

If you enjoy this podcast and you can, please do give us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts. It really does make a difference.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:15 Episode overview

01:23 Can DJing really be taught?

20:52 How important are DJ effects?

35:51 They killed the crossfader!

How to structure your 2026 DJ goals (and actually hit them!)

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Fri, 9 Jan 2026 00:14:29 +0000

From breaking down the brand-new Apple Music integration on CDJ-3000X players, to helping a student structure their entire DJ year using 90-day goals, to tackling impostor syndrome when other DJs copy what you do - it's a bumper first edition of 2026 with an hour of questions from real DJs.

We also cover booking live artists for your club night, choosing the right speakers for home DJing, learning to repair your own gear, and why you should wait before upgrading your operating system. It's all here on this Your Questions edition of our podcast.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:14 Episode overview

01:21 What's Apple Music like on the CDJ-3000X?

04:47 How should I structure my DJ year to hit my goals?

17:39 How do I book live artists for my club night?

24:53 How much time do you spend fixing software errors?

39:04 How to deal with impostor syndrome and copycat DJs?

44:37 What speakers should I buy for home DJing?

49:15 How do I learn to repair my own DJ equipment?

55:01 When should I upgrade my operating system?

How to protect your hearing as a DJ

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 22:34:50 +0000

In this edition of our Your Questions podcast, we tackle hearing protection for DJs and whether in-ear monitors are the answer. We also cover building flexible DJ sets that don't lock you into rigid playlists, the right microphone for streaming, how to upload your mixes to Mixcloud (properly), and the debate over whether 90s hip-hop still works for today's crowds.

It's the usual mixed bag of absorbing questions from our wonderful community. I hope you enjoy what we've got for you this month!

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:15 Episode overview

01:15 How to protect your hearing as a DJ (earplugs, in-ear monitors)

08:04 Best practices for building DJ playlists

13:40 Should you plan your entire DJ set in advance?

22:01 How to upload DJ mixes to Mixcloud

26:34 Best microphone for DJ livestreams?

31:48 When does "old school" hip-hop become outdated?

37:50 Closing thoughts

How to DJ Christmas parties

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Sun, 30 Nov 2025 20:16:00 +0000

In this edition of our Inside Track podcast, we first discuss five tips for DJing Christmas parties. For DJs, it's one of the busiest times of year but also one of the most challenging. Whether you're just playing music at home or booked for the office party (or something bigger), here is how to survive and thrive behind the decks this Christmas.

Next, we explore why 1990s Eurodance is suddenly cool. I mean, it was never really that cool in the first place, right? But it's certainly having a moment, and we know exactly why: it's a numbers thing.

Finally, we chat about the one thing all good DJs have in common. It suddenly dawned on me the other day that I've been DJing for 40 years - played all kinds of gigs, all kinds of music, all kinds of styles, and seen countless DJs doing the same. And I think I've discovered what it is that unites us all...

If you enjoy this podcast and you can, please do give us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts. It really does make a difference.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:15 Episode overview

01:45 Five tips for DJing Christmas parties

17:55 Why 1990s Eurodance is suddenly cool

25:45 The one thing all good DJs have in common

Why are Pioneer DJ playlists disappearing?

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 21:32:44 +0000

From a quick explanation of why Pioneer DJ has got a storm on its hands with disappearing playlists, to helping a student who is dealing with a severe case of imposter syndrome, to keeping tidy cables at the back of your DJ gear, we've got a varied and fun mailbag this week. It's all here on this Your Questions edition of our podcast.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:14 Episode overview

01:47 Why are DJ playlists disappearing on CDJ-3000s?

05:07 Do you need a subwoofer for mobile DJing?

06:52 How to deal with knee pain when DJing?

09:12 Tips for overcoming performance anxiety and imposter syndrome?

14:33 Advice for reading a crowd without pre-prepared playlists?

18:42 How to mix songs you don't know?

25:32 How best to hide cables behind DJ gear?

28:25 Where to find dance remixes of pop songs?

33:58 What music should you play at Christmas parties?

35:32 Can you use one music library on multiple computers?

39:57 Will old CDJs read modern USB exports?

Are Beatport & Beatsource about to merge?

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 19:52:12 +0000

In this edition of our Inside Track podcast, we tackled the big question: is there finally one true DJ library coming that works across all DJ software and hardware? With AlphaTheta's recent OneLibrary launch, we're getting closer, but there's still some way to go before the dream becomes reality.

Next, we explored whether headphones and speakers are no longer enough on their own. With new digital correction devices, plugins, and circuitry emerging everywhere, simply plugging your gear straight in is starting to look a bit old-fashioned. But as a DJ or producer, do you really need all this correction tech to hear your music properly?

Finally, we discussed whether DJing just got the streaming service to beat them all. With the apparent imminent merger of Beatport and Beatsource, serious DJs could have a fantastic new resource for streaming music that beats Spotify, Apple Music, and the rest hands down.

If you enjoy this podcast and you can, please do give us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts. It really does make a difference.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:15 Episode overview

01:41 Is one true DJ library for all DJ software & hardware coming?

10:45 When did headphones and speakers stop being enough?

23:36 Did DJing just get a streaming service to beat them all?

Escaping Spotify, Halloween DJ tips, hospital bed livestreaming!

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 9 Oct 2025 21:10:41 +0000

From Spotify music streaming alternatives for DJs to livestreaming from your hospital bed...we've got answers to all types of questions to help you become a better DJ or DJ/producer in this edition of our Your Questions podcast.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:15 Episode overview

01:31 Ferry Corsten trance course nostalgia

06:33 Escaping Spotify: Alternative streaming options for DJs

13:09 Networking tips for breaking into the club scene

20:18 DJing tips for hospital recovery

28:29 Creative sampling + Halloween DJ set tips

33:15 Upgrading your DJ controller: What to buy

40:06 Adding waveforms to Twitch livestreams

Biggest excuses for NOT DJing...debunked!

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 21:12:30 +0000

We've heard them all, and in this special "excuses" edition of our Inside Track podcast, we show you why the things you're telling yourself about what's holding you back in your DJing are nothing more than you getting in your own way.

From equipment to social media to nerves and performing, this is a thorough debunk of all the whoppers DJs tell themselves (and yes, that includes you...) and what to tell yourself instead.

If you enjoy this podcast and you can, please do give us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts. It really does make a difference.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:15 Episode overview

01:48 DJ excuses - we've been there!

03:13 The "gear" excuses

15:06 The "knowledge & skill" excuses

24:12 The "social" excuses

32:38 The "preparation" excuses

36:46 The "fear" excuses

48:52 Advice & closing thoughts

Why has DJing gone so wrong in 2025?

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 17:53:23 +0000

Why is DJing all about TikTok, 5-second transitions, and kids dancing on vertical video nowadays? We tackle this conception head-on in the first of a new series on the podcast. We also cover a whole host of other questions from our students about all things DJing - from music to mixing, performing to just-released DJ gear, and more.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:15 Episode overview

01:10 Why has DJing gone so wrong in 2025?

11:18 Is audio engineering knowledge important for mobile DJs?

13:56 Should DJs use wired or Bluetooth for playing requests from a phone?

16:10 Will Wi-Fi and streaming become standard in DJ booths?

19:00 Can I use an iPad instead of a laptop with my DJ controller?

21:28 Should DJs return songs to their original tempo after beatmatching?

24:42 How do you mix tracks that don't have proper outros?

30:13 What's the secret to recording professional DJ mixes?

DJing on 7" vinyl with special guest Mojaxx

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 18:20:15 +0000

For this episode, we asked show favourite Mojaxx⁩ to return and to talk about a subject that might surprise some listeners: DJing with 45s. It's something that a surprising number of DJs still like to do, especially those who remember the 7" single the first time around.

It's a subculture within a subculture that might be a bit geeky, but it's undeniably cool. As DJing on 7" vinyl is something we both enjoy, we thought this topic would make a good twist on the "then and now" angle that these 15th birthday podcasts have followed.

If you enjoy this podcast and you can, please do give us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts. It really does make a difference.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:14 Episode overview

02:21 What's special about 7" records?

05:38 Creativity through restriction

07:06 Why digital DJs love the challenge of 45s

09:23 "You've taken it too far, Phil!"

12:11 The hip-hop origins of 45s culture

14:15 Do people actually care about the medium?

16:03 Mojaxx's "gateway drug": DJ Shadow & Kenny Dope

20:12 Building a collection: from £1 bargains to Discogs

23:15 "Music was just a tool for me"

29:24 Tips for finding and buying 7" records

35:26 45 adapters: the technical deep dive

41:05 Dr. Suzuki Donuts aka "the greatest invention ever"

44:19 Organising music: from obsessive to practical

49:16 Which genres work best on 45s?

53:42 Who's keeping the 45 culture alive?

58:59 Desert island 45s: Mojaxx's top five

Ferry Corsten's secrets for a long music career

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 20:25:06 +0000

Ahead of his course on how to DJ trance with Digital DJ Tips, Dutch superstar DJ/producer Ferry Corsten shares his secrets for having a long, fruitful career in the music industry and looks back on what's changed over the decades that he's been right at the top of his game. We talked music, tech, culture, and life philosophy in a wide-ranging and fun chat.

If you enjoy this podcast and you can, please do give us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts. It really does make a difference.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:15 Episode overview

02:12 Ferry's journey: from bedroom hobby to trance pioneer

05:53 Cut & paste culture: making mixes before turntables

08:55 When simple tracks ruled

12:52 "My poor attempt at Italo disco"

17:06 The trance explosion & Ministry of Sound era

22:29 What Ferry misses (and doesn't) about vinyl days

27:35 The secret to 30 years of music industry survival

34:11 Reinvention: why you must follow your heart

38:57 "DJs taking journeys": trance gets it right

45:31 Advice to young Ferry: grow thick skin

48:28 Why every DJ sounds the same now

53:37 Message to older aspiring DJs

55:19 Rapid-fire questions

58:39 What's next for Ferry Corsten?

Real skills vs technology with Laidback Luke

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Fri, 1 Aug 2025 00:23:38 +0000

In this episode, Laidback Luke joins us to talk about his 30-year career and how he's stayed at the forefront of DJ technology throughout this time, championing new features and systems when no-one else believed in them and always looking for ways to push the culture forward. He talks about more than gear, though, covering music, mental health, how the scene has changed, and what the future holds.

If you enjoy this podcast and you can, please do give us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts. It really does make a difference.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:14 Episode overview

02:15 - Luke's artistic reinvention & Dimmak Records

04:40 - "Dance music hit age 7 and never grew up"

06:19 - Then vs now: from dancing crowds to phones

07:36 - Why this generation feels so alone

08:33 - DJ gear evolution: producer to tech pioneer

12:48 - Can a CDJ-4000 keep up with AI?

15:16 - Most pro DJs want familiarity, not innovation

19:08 - The truth about DJing on vinyl

22:16 - Mentoring legends: Avicii, Afrojack & changing times

26:19 - Mental health & escaping hustle culture

29:04 - "Lockdown made me appreciate touring again"

30:51 - What drugs & phones did to dancefloors

35:32 - Teaching evolution: from forums to structured courses

38:37 - The DJing fundamentals that never change

45:55 - Luke's one piece of timeless advice...

DJ Gear: Then & Now with special guest Mojaxx

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 13:39:03 +0000

In this episode, DJ reviewer extraordinaire Mojaxx (whose gear reviews have informed generations of DJs) joins us to chat about all the changes in DJ gear since vinyl was replaced by CDs, and to reminisce about long-forgotten kit that still has a place in our hearts, while also looking to the future.

If you enjoy this podcast and you can, please do give us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts. It really does make a difference.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:14 Episode overview

02:05 - Meet Mojaxx: From Hi-Fi systems to DJ gear obsession

05:16 - The digital revolution: DVS, controllers & the last 15 years

09:18 - The two parallel worlds of DJing converge

12:09 - Simplicity vs complexity: Have we lost something important?

15:10 - Gear Acquisition Syndrome (G.A.S): Want vs need

20:56 - Stop chasing the perfect gear - it doesn't exist!

25:07 - Pioneer DJ's secret: 25 years of consistency

32:06 - Failed innovations: The Red Sound triple crossfader

35:19 - When DJ technology gets too complex

40:00 - The truth about using more than two decks

42:53 - AI and DJing: Art vs craft

46:40 - Preserving DJ culture in the tech age

52:33 - The backwards DJ journey: From apps to vinyl

56:16 - Closing thoughts + vinyl episode teaser

DJ Jazzy Jeff On The Timelessness Of DJing

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Fri, 4 Jul 2025 01:47:37 +0000

If you've been wondering whether you're too old to start DJing, DJ Jazzy Jeff has news for you: mature music lovers are driving the biggest DJ renaissance in decades, and it's the young crowd that's missing out.

Fresh from a European tour that saw him playing everything from Wembley Stadium to intimate beach parties in Portugal, Jeff observed something remarkable happening in dance music...and we chat all about it with him on today's special podcast episode. Enjoy!

If you enjoy this podcast and you can, please do give us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts. It really does make a difference.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:14 Episode overview

01:02 Why the OGs are getting booked everywhere

03:54 The first hip hop cruise: Rock The Bells success

06:00 The thing that keeps DJs in the game for 40+ years

11:04 Curating from more new music than ever

13:46 The right conditions for listening to music

17:41 What it was like playing with Will in front of 80,000 at Wembley

23:19 MagMob VIP origins & where to catch Jeff's livestreams

27:45 The purpose & evolution of Playlist Retreat

32:12 What Jeff has learned from hosting a creative DJ retreat

35:03 How AI will change DJing (and what will stay the same)

39:04 Making music for the FIFA 2026 World Cup

40:58 What it was like filming two DJ courses with us

DJs: Fix those messed up music libraries!

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 22:59:51 +0000

In this edition of our Inside Track podcast, we help you fix your messed-up music libraries, explain why yes, it is still important to use headphones as a DJ despite what some "young cats" might tell you, and help a new DJ who is feeling completely overwhelmed by all the possibilities that modern DJing presents.

If you enjoy this podcast and you can, please do give us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts. It really does make a difference.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:14 Episode overview

02:08 How to keep on top of your DJ music library

16:46 Why headphones are still important for DJs

26:24 How to conquer overwhelm when you're returning to DJing

Can I "James Hype" At A Wedding?!

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 19:26:36 +0000

In this edition of our Your Questions podcast, we have a mobile DJ asking if it's even possible to play like James Hype for 5-6 hours...and whether he should...

We then tackle the classic gain staging issue of not going "into the red" before discussing harmonic mixing and whether DJ gear should always be horizontal! (Yep, you heard me right.) It’s the usual mixed bag of absorbing questions from our wonderful community. I hope you enjoy what we’ve got for you this month!

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:15 Episode overview

00:53 Should mobile DJs mix like James Hype?

08:53 Mixed In Key, DJ software analysis, or both?

17:27 Advice for setting the gain on DJ gear?

23:35 Pros & cons to bringing your own booth monitor?

27:52 Why do DJs mix "flat" (aka horizontally)?

31:54 How long does it take to complete your online DJ training?

36:30 What's the audio quality like on standalone DJ gear?

Calvin's Chicanery + What makes a REAL DJ?

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 22 May 2025 19:37:55 +0000

In this edition of our Inside Track podcast, we explored whether Calvin Harris ripped off Chicane for his latest single, diving into the ongoing debate around the derivative nature of pop music sampling versus simply copying the feel or essence of a track.

Next, we discussed the importance of DJs learning to use all different types of DJ gear. With so many formats and technologies out there, versatility remains a crucial skill for any serious DJ.

Finally, we wrapped up with a conversation about the three key things that need to happen for someone to truly get hooked on DJing for life.

As ever, this was a really fun discussion, made more so by our wonderful live student audience here at Digital DJ Tips, who joined us for the recording. Thank you to them, thank you for listening, and we hope you enjoy the show.

If you enjoy this podcast and you can, please do give us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts. It really does make a difference.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:17 Episode overview

00:59 Does Calvin Harris' new song copy Chicane?

17:25 Why DJs should be able to play on all gear

30:05 The three things that make you a DJ for life

Tricky requests, playing festivals, DJ challenges

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Fri, 9 May 2025 03:49:01 +0000

From how to deal with inappropriate music requests to the biggest challenges facing DJs in 2025, we answered a whole range of student questions here at Digital DJ Tips this week. Enjoy!

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:14 Episode overview

01:16 How should DJs handle tricky requests?

08:09 What do you think about DJing with the Rekordbox iOS app?

16:57 Will Apple Music streaming work on my older DJ gear?

24:29 What are the biggest challenges facing DJs in 2025?

42:02 Tips for DJing festivals when you're used to open-format sets?

DJ behaviour, dissing VirtualDJ, recording sets

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 19:50:17 +0000

In this edition of our Inside Track podcast, we kick things off with the question, "Why are DJs always expected to be doing something? Is looking busy really that important?"

We also dive into why popular software platform VirtualDJ sometimes gets a bad rep among the wider DJing community. And finally, we look at the importance of recording DJ sets, alongside some of the challenges that come with it.

As always, this pod is supported 100% by the students of Digital DJ Tips, and it was recorded in a live webinar with lots of valuable student feedback. If you enjoy the podcast and you can, please do give us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts. It really does make a difference.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:15 Episode overview

01:32 Should DJs always be "doing something"?

14:41 Why VirtualDJ software is so divisive

23:13 The challenges of recording DJ sets

My First Vinyl Gig In 22 Years!

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 01:20:37 +0000

By combining the best of the old way of DJing with modern technology, Phil feels he has an opportunity to entertain and educate a new generation of DJs about some of the most important fundamentals - and as you'll hear, he's taking it to a massive stage this summer. All is revealed in this special episode...

Read the full article here: https://www.digitaldjtips.com/first-gig-on-vinyl-in-22-years/

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:14 Episode overview

01:02 How it started

02:40 Creating a custom system

04:15 Sourcing DJ gear

06:20 Building the booth

07:35 SKAA speakers

08:37 Digging for records

11:00 Practice sessions

12:41 Finding a "test site"

14:50 Gig takeaways

20:18 Next steps...

When's the "right time" for DJs to hang up their headphones?

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 3 Apr 2025 18:57:25 +0000

We get all philosophical right at the beginning this week, with a question about when (if ever) DJs should finally hang their headphones up. We also talk about music curation vs. creativity, what to do when the gear in venues is unreliable, and we try to answer the question, "Why does no one make separates in the DJ world anymore?"

These and other queries asked by our wonderful DJ community are all answered in this wide-ranging April edition of our Your Questions podcast.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:15 Episode overview

01:07 When is it time to quit DJing?

12:39 Where's the new modular DJ gear for consumers?

18:36 Any tips for balancing music curation with creativity?

29:19 Should DJs pre-plan transitions or mix on the fly?

34:47 How do you deal with unreliable equipment at a DJ gig?

Apple for DJs, essential software, standalone vs laptop

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 22:13:10 +0000

The big news this week, of course, was the arrival of Apple Music as a streaming platform on all major DJ hardware and software. We then looked at the absolutely essential software that all DJs need before finishing up with a discussion on using laptop-free gear in 2025.

As ever, this pod is supported 100% by the students of Digital DJ Tips, and it was recorded in a live webinar with lots of valuable student feedback. We'd like to extend a special thank you to everyone who participated in this very busy show!

If you enjoy the podcast and you can, please do give us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts. It really does make a difference.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:15 Episode overview

01:30 Apple Music arrives for DJs

13:54 What software do you REALLY need as a digital DJ?

33:21 All-in-one/standalone vs laptop DJing 2025

Mobile DJ growth, mixtape tips, volume levels...

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 19:09:43 +0000

In this show, recorded live to an audience of Digital DJ Tips students, we tackle some of the big questions our community has asked our tutors in the last few weeks.

We cover how to record great mixtapes effortlessly, what to do when you've established a mobile DJ business but want to grow further, how to set all the different volume controls on DJ gear (so that your mixes sound loud and clear), and more!

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:15 Episode overview

01:09 Advice for growing an established mobile DJ business?

10:58 Any tips for improving "poor quality" DJ mixes?

16:32 Which music prep software do you recommend for DJs?

23:38 How do DJs pick which songs to include in their mixtapes?

26:06 When releasing mixtapes, should DJs focus on quality or quantity?

30:36 What's the process for setting volume controls on DJ gear?

Real cost of DJing, lossy vs compressed music, Rekordbox woes

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 19:42:54 +0000

On the Digital DJ Tips DJ school Inside Track podcast this month, we're looking at three topics that the DJ community is talking about at the moment. This month we've got:

1. The real price of DJing - What does it really cost to take up DJing as a hobby? Not only getting the equipment but keeping up with subscriptions and so on. We do the numbers for you.

2. Lossy versus compressed music - What's the difference between a lossless and a lossy file, and an uncompressed and a compressed file, and do DJs need to know? We dive deeper..

3. Rekordbox subscriptions still down - They've been down for a while now, meaning people can't subscribe, cancel, upgrade, or downgrade their subs. What's going on? And what issues for DJs using software does this highlight?

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:15 Episode overview

02:05 The real price of DJing

14:25 Lossy versus compressed music

27:31 Rekordbox subscriptions still down

Are DJs artists, DJing on phones, hobby vs pro DJs

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 19:58:03 +0000

An unusually busy podcast today with lots of questions so varied that I had to scattergun through them to a certain extent, but that made it more vibrant, and there was an awful lot of feedback from the community as well.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:14 Episode overview

01:12 Is a DJ considered an artist?

06:21 How does songwriting fit into music production?

11:00 Best way to mix house music into drum & bass?

14:00 What separates hobby and pro DJs?

21:50 I'm ready to upgrade - which DJ controller should I get?

27:29 Do you have training for DJ.Studio software?

31:12 For DJing with stems, should I use Mp3 or WAV files?

36:29 Should I DJ with streaming services on my phone?

39:35 Tips for getting more DJ gigs?

Should DJs scratch?, have you got G.A.S.?, marketing for DJs

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 19:31:41 +0000

Should DJs scratch? - Some love it, some hate it, some can do it, some think they'll never be able to - but at the end of the day, how important is scratching for DJs?

Have you got G.A.S.? - Gear Acquisition Syndrome is a trait that for some reason particularly affects hobby DJs. What is it? Is it a problem? And if so, how should you deal with it?

The 3 ways to market yourself as a DJ - None of these promo strategies are wrong, but knowing what you are (and aren't) prepared to do will make it easier for you to decide which route is right for you.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:15 Episode overview

01:13 Should DJs scratch?

16:46 Have you got G.A.S.?

29:30 Three promo strategies for DJs

Laptops for DJing, playing for charities, record pools

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 9 Jan 2025 20:53:53 +0000

In this first edition of our Your Questions podcast for 2025, Digital DJ Tips students ask questions ranging from how to play charity events, to what laptop is right for DJing, to whether record pools are a good way of building a music collection, and many more.

If you would like your question to be featured in one of these shows, become a Digital DJ Tips student - just head to the website and pick the course for you.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:14 Episode overview

01:21 Best laptop specs for DJing?

11:49 Any tips for playing charity gigs?

21:04 How good are record pools for music discovery?

27:43 Is modular DJing the way forward?

31:13 Advice for playing to crowds that won't dance?

2024 wrapped - all the big changes from the world of DJing

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 19:28:09 +0000

In this final Inside Track podcast of 2024, we're looking back at the year. All the big stories, the culture changes, the software, the hardware, shifts in how DJing is done, AI of course, and some trends that we think will carry forward into 2025. It's all covered in this final end-of-year wrap.

Let us just take this opportunity to thank everyone for being part of this podcast, whether you're a subscriber or a student, and I look forward to seeing you as we continue in the new year.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Intro

00:15 Episode overview

00:56 DJing is broader than ever

04:44 Software innovation & accessibility

10:39 Advancements in real-time stems

14:52 Cloud library acceptance

18:43 Wireless tech improvements

25:02 AI tool adoption

30:52 Our DJ school roundup

5 killer XDJ-AZ features, mono vs stereo, imposter syndrome

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 21:12:29 +0000

In the final Your Questions podcast of 2024 from the Digital DJ Tips DJ school, our students asked a whole range of questions, making it - as ever - a great listen for those learning to DJ.

Tune in to find out why learning to DJ sometimes feels so difficult when modern gear is designed to make it feel so easy. We also cover how to improve the sound quality of DJ gear when DJing in clubs, and whether producers should mix in mono or stereo.

Plus, one of the school's students convinces host Phil to reveal some of his favourite features on the new AlphaTheta XDJ-AZ. This question comes at the perfect time, as we're about to release our much-anticipated feature-length video training tutorial for this popular standalone unit.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:15 Episode overview

00:49 What are your favourite XDJ-AZ features?

10:25 Why doesn't Algoriddim prioritise non-Apple platforms?

17:02 Do beginner DJs need to use every feature on their gear?

25:10 Tips for improving the sound quality in clubs?

29:11 Should I produce tracks in mono or stereo?

The 3 types of DJ, lessons from DJ Jazzy Jeff, the problem with USB drives

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Mon, 2 Dec 2024 21:39:50 +0000

We kick off this episode discussing the three main types of DJ, because when you boil it down, DJs usually fall into these categories - and one of these types often makes a big mistake. We reveal what that mistake is (and why it happens) here.

Next we cover the five big things I learned working with DJ Jazzy Jeff for a week. Jeff is one of the world's most respected DJs, and I got to work and stay with him recently to film a new course. Here we discuss some invaluable lessons he taught me.

And lastly, have you ever waited WAY too long for your DJ music to export to a USB drive? In the final topic of this Inside Track episode, we tell you why this is a problem and offer three possible solutions.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Intro

0:14 Episode overview

01:13 The three main types of DJ

13:51 Five things I learned from DJ Jazzy Jeff

31:54 The problem with USB drives for DJing

"All the gear, no idea?", residencies & dealing with requests

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 20:44:54 +0000

We start our podcast this time around with a question from a student who's bought an awful lot of gear but is stuck knowing what to do next!

We move on to talk about licences, insurance, dealing with requests, four channels versus two channels, whether it's wise to play five times a week, and many other topics all chosen by our fantastic students.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:14 Episode overview

01:03 I own too much DJ gear! What's next?

09:48 How can I access exclusive DJ promos?

15:41 Tips for organising house music events?

20:08 Best way to manage gig requests?

26:23 Which DJ gear features are worth the upgrade?

32:17 Do I need insurance and licensing as a mobile DJ?

38:49 What should I expect from my first DJ residency?

Mobile DJ tips, gear gimmicks, the future of jogwheels

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 20:07:00 +0000

Mobile DJing has changed in recent years, and so there are simple things any DJ can do to keep up with the times and do a great job. We kick off this episode with the five most popular tips as voted for by our students.

Our second topic tackles whether we've reached "peak features" on DJ gear or not. With nearly every new DJ gear release, there seems to be some gimmicky new feature or other. But how important are these really? Or instead, how much should our DJ gear simply do a job and stay out of our way?

With sync, AI beatgrids, and modern quick mixing techniques, do we even need jogwheels to DJ any more? After all, our very own Laidback Luke has moved away from this type of DJing. So for our final topic in this episode, we examine the arguments for and against.

Mixing For Mobile & Wedding DJs: https://djtips.co/mixing-mobile

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Intro

0:15 Episode overview

1:43 5 surprising tips for modern mobile DJs

24:07 Have we reached "peak features" on DJ gear?

33:52 The importance (and future) of jogwheels

New XDJ-AZ & stems, imposter syndrome, using FX in mixing

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 21:38:59 +0000

With AlphaTheta having just launched the XDJ-AZ, it's not surprising that we had questions about that in this week's show.

But we also had a wide range of questions from our students covering everything from how to transition with effects, to the height of DJ gear, to dealing with imposter syndrome.

HELPFUL RESOURCES

Transition videos: https://djtips.co/transitions

Explanation of "cue drift" issues: https://youtu.be/7YUHXQO0TKs

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Intro

0:14 Episode overview

1:09 Does the XDJ-AZ have stems?

5:50 Best way to smooth out transitions with FX?

11:33 Any advice for DJs with "imposter syndrome"?

17:51 How can I delete an entire genre from my DJ library?

20:28 What's needed to be a successful karaoke DJ?

21:25 For beginner DJ mixes, should I play multiple genres or focus on just one?

25:43 Easiest way to manage cue points across different set-ups?

30:27 Best DJ desk for equipment?

34:24 What advanced DJ skills do you recommend learning?

AlphaTheta criticism, 4-channel mixing, how to DJ livestream

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 18:15:39 +0000

As Pioneer DJ slowly fades from view and AlphaTheta takes over, we start this episode highlighting what we see as the five big issues the brand has to address to continue its success.

Most DJs opt for gear with four-channel mixing capability - but how important is this? We look at what those extra channels are for, and share the real numbers on how many DJs actually use them.

It really does make sense to dabble with livestreaming in this day and age, and it needn't be difficult or expensive, so we finish off the episode discussing the three easiest ways to do it and what you'll need.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Intro

0:15 Episode overview

1:23 Five issues AlphaTheta needs to deal with

20:10 DJing with four channels (demystified)

30:38 Three simple ways to DJ livestream

DJ lighting tips, using headphones only, trance/techno mixing

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 21:21:28 +0000

Welcome to our podcast answering another batch of questions asked by real students in our DJ school. This time around we started with a question about the best way to mix in just your headphones (out of the two most common methods), before moving on to talking about something that comes up again and again and doesn’t get any easier as our lives get busier – finding a way to fit DJing into your life!

With the cost and capabilities of modern DJ lighting both moving in the right direction nowadays, it’s no surprise many DJs are dabbling. We talked through your options as a DJ when it comes to adding lights to your set-up, especially if you really feel you want to concentrate on the music when DJing. And finally, we talked about how to keep techno/trance sets exciting, with the added twist of performing online with no visible audience.

WATCH ON YOUTUBE

https://youtu.be/iGvQQmGl2Lg

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Intro

0:15 Episode overview

1:21 What's the best way to mix in headphones?

5:29 How can I start adding lights to my DJ set-up?

12:37 Any advice on having more time for DJing?

21:49 As a trance DJ, should I mix quickly or play the full track?

Your 5 Proven Steps To DJing Like a Pro, Part 5: Success

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 21:25:55 +0000

So you want to be able to DJ like a pro, but it's hard to know where to start, it's hard to know what to practise, and it's hard to know if you're getting better.

This proven five-step formula, first popularised in our book Rock The Dancefloor! (which has now reached its second edition and is a global bestseller), is your answer.

Each of the five steps in this teaching method identifies an area to work on. When you work in all areas, it has a "multiplier effect". By approaching your DJing hobby this way, you’ll get noticeably better – fast – and you’ll have more fun doing so. You’ll find you’re never stuck for something to do, and your progress will be obvious, not least to you!

Here we’re going to look at step five, which is success. We covered the previous four steps – gear, music, mixing, and performing – in earlier episodes.

Success is all about where you go with your DJing skills. Once you’ve mastered the other four steps – you understand how DJ gear works and you’re comfortable on different types of gear, you have a functional music collection that you’re highly familiar with and happy to DJ with, you’ve got a well-chosen and practised selection of skills that you can use in front of any crowd, and you have enough experience of playing DJ sets like a pro – I promise you, you’re going to want more and more!

But while this is an enviable position to find yourself in, it pays to make the most of it once you get there.

This episode covers five tips that will help you master this area of DJing. Enjoy the show!

As ever, this pod is supported 100% by the students of Digital DJ Tips. If you enjoy it and you can, please do give us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts. It really does make a difference.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Intro

0:14 Episode overview

2:12 Tip #1 - Make the time

3:42 Tip #2 - Find your community

5:05 Tip #3 - Celebrate your wins

6:04 Tip #4 - Know your next steps

8:33 Tip #5 - Don't wait to help others

Your 5 Proven Steps To DJing Like a Pro, Part 4: Performing

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 8 Aug 2024 10:00:00 +0000

So you want to be able to DJ like a pro, but it's hard to know where to start, it's hard to know what to practise, and it's hard to know if you're getting better.

This proven five-step formula, first popularised in our book Rock The Dancefloor! (which has now reached its second edition and is a global bestseller), is your answer.

Here we're going to look at step four, which is performing, before moving on to look at the final step, success - we've already covered steps one to three in previous episodes.

Nowadays, we define performing in a very broad way. What we're talking about here is delivering the finished product of DJing. In other words, creating something that others can enjoy. It's one thing to have mastered one or two transitions that you do over and over again in private, but that's not really DJing - they're just tricks. Delivering the finished product is what makes you a DJ.

This episode covers three ideas that will help you understand this area of DJing. Enjoy the show!

As ever, this pod is supported 100% by the students of Digital DJ Tips. If you enjoy it and you can, please do give us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts. It really does make a difference.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Intro

0:14 Episode overview

2:44 Idea #1 - Livestreaming

4:31 Idea #2 -Mixtapes

6:32 Idea #3 - Just for fun

9:49 Next steps..

Your 5 Proven Steps To DJing Like a Pro, Part 3: Mixing

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 1 Aug 2024 21:15:17 +0000

So you want to be able to DJ like a pro, but it's hard to know where to start, it's hard to know what to practise, and it's hard to know if you're getting better.

This proven five-step formula, first popularised in our book Rock The Dancefloor! (which has now reached its second edition and is a global bestseller), is your answer.

Here we’re going to look at step three, which is mixing, before moving on to look at the next two steps in order (the order is important). We’ve already covered the first two steps, gear and music.

Mixing is what you do with the music you worked on in step two, using the gear we covered in step one.

A big mistake beginner DJs make when they want to learn to DJ is try to start here, at step three. As we’ve already seen, without a solid grounding in the first two steps, you’re going to come unstuck quite quickly, because either you’ll get frustrated with the gear and it will hold you back unnecessarily, or you’ll find you haven’t got the music you want (or you can’t find the music you want quickly enough) to make the mixing part fruitful.

However, if you understand and are also working on the first two steps, you’re ready for this one. And of course, it is this one that often ultimately draws DJs to the hobby, because we all see DJs doing a great job and want to emulate them.

This episode covers three tips that will help you master this area of DJing. Enjoy the show!

As ever, this pod is supported 100% by the students of Digital DJ Tips. If you enjoy it and you can, please do give us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts. It really does make a difference.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Intro

0:15 Episode overview

1:09 Where beginner DJs get stuck..

2:41 Tip #1 - Get the volume right

4:30 Tip #2 - Noticeable mixing is OK

7:33 Tip #3 - There's no "correct" way to DJ

11:09 Bonus tip - Record your sets

Your 5 Proven Steps To DJing Like a Pro, Part 2: Music

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 25 Jul 2024 21:53:34 +0000

So you want to be able to DJ like a pro, but it's hard to know where to start, it's hard to know what to practise, and it's hard to know if you're getting better.

This proven five-step formula, first popularised in our book Rock The Dancefloor! (which has now reached its second edition and is a global bestseller), is your answer.

Here we're going to look at step two, which is the music, before moving on to look at the next three steps in order (the order is important).

Hopefully, this is why you got into this. Finding, choosing, buying, organising, and learning the tracks and songs you'll be dealing with is obviously an integral part of DJing. But that doesn't mean it's easy. And indeed, with today's abundance of digital music and the necessity to use computers to organise that music, this is a huge pain point for many DJs.

This episode covers three big steps that will help you master this area of DJing. Enjoy the show!

As ever, this pod is supported 100% by the students of Digital DJ Tips. If you enjoy it and you can, please do give us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts. It really does make a difference.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Intro

0:14 Episode overview

1:35 Tip #1 - Develop a weekly routine

4:11 Tip #2 - Discover old gems

6:25 Tip #3 - Learn about your music

Your 5 Proven Steps To DJing Like a Pro, Part 1: Gear

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 20:58:05 +0000

So you want to be able to DJ like a pro, but it's hard to know where to start, it's hard to know what to practise, and it's hard to know if you're getting better.

This proven five-step formula, first popularised in our book Rock The Dancefloor! (which has now reached its second edition and is a global bestseller), is your answer.

Here we're going to look at step one, which is the gear, before moving on to look at the next four steps in order (the order is important).

This is the "geeky stuff". It's no surprise that DJing attracts its fair share of nerds, and I do mean that in a nice way. Here at the school, we have a disproportionately high number of IT workers and technology fans among our students.

However, this isn't everyone. And the gear (which also includes the software nowadays) can be a very scary area if it's not something you're naturally drawn to or feel you easily understand. Especially nowadays, this can be a real obstacle. And yet without basic knowledge here, you're in trouble before you've even begun, because basic competence, understanding and confidence in this area is necessary to progress as a DJ.

Enjoy the show!

As ever, this pod is supported 100% by the students of Digital DJ Tips. If you enjoy it and you can, please do give us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts. It really does make a difference.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Intro

0:14 Episode overview

0:55 Why this step matters

3:11 Tip #1 - Read the manual

5:46 Tip #2 - DJ on something new

7:44 Tip #3 - Switch off DJing "aides"

9:30 Bonus tip - Move past the gear

Parties & DJ speakers, "tune up" gigs, how to promote right

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 19:27:39 +0000

This one was recorded on 4 July, but despite the date, we still had a busy show answering questions from students about a wide range of topics.

We covered the fallout from Pioneer DJ deciding not to support older controllers in the latest version of Rekordbox.

We talked about the right way to promote events and why, despite loads of advertising and hard work, most of the people at one student's event were just people they already knew.

We talked about whether it's ever okay to play parties with DJ monitor speakers, or whether you should always use speakers that are correct for the job.

And, we covered the idea of playing tune-up gigs to get you ready for playing important shows, and many more questions, including lots of valuable live feedback from our student community.

As ever, this pod is supported 100% by the students of Digital DJ Tips, and it was recorded in a live webinar with lots of student feedback. If you enjoy it and you can, please do give us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts - it really does make a difference.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Intro

0:15 Episode overview

1:31 Why doesn't older Pioneer DJ gear unlock Rekordbox 7?

10:57 Can I use studio monitors to DJ parties?

23:26 How can beginner DJs prep for a big gig?

32:10 Tips to feel more comfortable on DJ livestreams?

34:58 What's the best way to get DJ gear repaired?

38:10 How to use stems on standalone DJ gear?

42:15 Advice for promoting new DJ events?

The DJ software problem, DJing success 2.0, DJing with 45s

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 21:12:29 +0000

Is it time to redefine DJ success? Drugs, groupies, private jets, insomnia, amnesia, hearing loss, mental breakdown: Say you're a DJ without saying you're a DJ, right? Well, we say no! It's time for a grown-up definition of DJing success - and I had one to propose to start the three topics we covered in this month's Inside Track.

We moved on to "The strange world of DJ software". "Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold" said poet WB Yeats (over a far more important subject), but that's how it feels with DJ software nowadays, as the market matures, takeovers loom, and DJs get perhaps understandably more and more confused. We shared what we think the problem is and where it all might lead.

Finally, I talked about things I've learned returning to DJing (with 7" singles!). As a fun side hobby, I've been building a collection of 7" records to DJ with on cheap, portable, battery-powered record decks. What I'm learning has lessons for any DJ who feels trapped rather than freed by technology.

Here's a link to the equipment mentioned in the show:
https://www.stokyoworld.com/collections/stokyo-record-mate-set

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Intro

0:15 Episode overview

1:38 Redefining DJ "success"

23:52 The strange world of DJ software

41:22 Key takeaways from DJing with 45s

Why no new DJ gear, back after 40 years, too shy to promote!

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 18:31:40 +0000

We started with a question that a lot of people resonated with, which is the lack of exciting new DJ gear recently, and we looked into some of the reasons why new equipment might have slowed down. Also this week, we had lots of DJs working on their first gigs, but one in particular who's returning to DJing after 40 years wanting to know what might have changed.

And we had a reticent British guy who felt that not only was he too humble to ask people to listen to his work, but also that as an artist, somehow the work should find the audience, and it's below DJs to go hawking their mixes and mashups around to the world. We gave him some home truths - plus answered loads of other questions from our awesome community. Hope you enjoy this episode!

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Intro

0:14 Episode overview

1:21 Why is there less DJ gear being released?

7:24 At more relaxed gigs, should I quick mix or play the full song?

14:37 How is the upcoming DJ Jazzy Jeff scratch course different from Scratching For Controller DJs?

18:22 What should I prioritise when returning to DJing after a break?

23:01 Should I use a music streaming service when DJing a house party?

25:37 How do I prepare to use a venue's DJ set-up?

29:09 What DJ apps do you recommend for Android users?

32:33 How can I gain a fan base when I don't like promoting myself?

38:33 As a new DJ, how can I impress everyone at my next gig?

Death of beatgrids, audio engineering for DJs, motorised jogs

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 23 May 2024 18:41:30 +0000

Beatgridding your music has been a necessary evil for digital DJs who want to use features like sync, loop, beat-tied effects, accurate hotcues, and so on, for many years. However, while beatgridding 2.0 improved on beatgridding 1.0 by handling songs with slightly varying BPMs a little bit better, not much has changed over the years – until now, that is – because new software is now able to use AI to basically kill manual beatgridding entirely. People, beatgridding 3.0 is here – and we talked about it in this pod, and what it might mean for DJs.

We moved on to talk about audio engineering for DJs and why it’s important for DJs to have at least a basic grasp of what audio engineering is, and how they can use it in their hobby. Whether it’s simply tidying up individual songs or making DJ mixes sound better, or going further and extracting audio from bigger pieces of work for use as a DJ, knowing your way around audio editors, audio repair software, and even audio routing software is a surefire way to improve what you’re capable of doing… way before you get to your decks.

And finally, this month we looked at motorised platters, spinning jogwheels, and asked the question: Why? They haven’t gone away, which you might expect to have happened since turntables stopped appearing in DJ booths, and – lo and behold – now even turntables are on the way back. What is the enduring appeal of having something spinning on your DJ gear? We came up with some answers.

As ever, this pod is supported 100% by the students of Digital DJ Tips and it was recorded in a live webinar with lots of student feedback. If you enjoy it, and you can, please do give us a five star rating on Apple Podcasts. It really does make a difference.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Intro

0:15 Episode overview

1:43 The death of beatgridding

16:05 Audio engineering for DJs

28:24 Motorised jogwheels

Quick mixing, getting gigs, why old songs sound bad

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 9 May 2024 18:36:39 +0000

A really busy Your Questions show this month with hundreds of questions from our students, the best of which feature here.

We talk in some depth about quick mixing, what it is, when to do it, and - more importantly - how to do it. We talk to a head teacher who's started to get the DJ bug and land himself some gigs, but now wants to know how to get more and more. And a student wants to know why older songs sound so bad when played directly against modern music, and what can be done about it when you're a DJ wanting to play both types.

There are many more questions featured in this packed edition of the show, so we'd like to extend a huge thank you to all of our students for asking them.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Intro

0:15 Episode overview

1:25 Tips for "quick mixing" on the fly?

9:52 How to branch out from single-genre mixing?

13:19 Advice for building confidence as a DJ?

20:48 Tips for improving the sound of older tracks?

27:58 Best way to approach a DJ set playing background music?

32:19 How do DJs pick which transition techniques they use during a set?

39:17 Any DJ apps that help with preparing mixes?

42:16 Ways to get DJ gigs in a small town?

45:13 How to book more DJ gigs?

47:14 What's the best way to EQ tracks in a DJ mix?

Recovering from DJ fails, best place to livestream, turntable love

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 17:58:12 +0000

Following the epic DJ fail at Coachella by Grimes, rather than piling in and criticising her, we thought we would use that as a springboard to talk about ways that DJs can avoid the inevitable errors that happen in any DJ set. The conversation on this podcast quickly underlined the fact that these things do happen, but that there are things that you can do to make it less likely, and to recover quicker should it happen. I also shared a classic story from my own past that still has me cringing now.

We moved on to talk about the best place to livestream your DJ sets in 2024, which is a discussion that came out of Twitch saying this week that they are planning to fully legalise DJing with other people's music on their platform, which will be the final feather in the cap of a platform that is overwhelmingly the place DJs choose to do this stuff. We looked at what you need to DJ livestream, why you might want to, and all the other platforms you could use as well as the obvious here.

And finally, following Record Store Day 2024, I presented an unashamedly one-sided argument as to why every DJ should own some kind of turntable, which developed with the help of our wonderful student community into a bit of a trip through old music formats and also a bit of a love letter to the turntable.

As ever, this pod is supported 100% by the students of Digital DJ Tips, and it was recorded in a live webinar with lots of student feedback. If you enjoy it and you can, please do give us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts. It really does make a difference.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Intro

0:14 Episode overview

3:32 How to recover from DJ set errors

18:28 The best place to livestream DJ sets

41:36 Why all DJs should own a turntable

Kids & DJing, DJing with disabilities, USB controllers

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 18:08:59 +0000

In this month's show we tackled a wide range of questions. We spoke about producing music when half deaf, worries about DJing when visually impaired, keeping children interested in DJing, why the hell your software needs to have a database (and whether that database looks after itself), and lots of other questions across our big areas of DJing, gear, music, mixing, performing, and success.

As ever, this pod is supported 100% by the students of Digital DJ Tips, and it was recorded in a live webinar with lots of student feedback. If you enjoy it and you can, please do give us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts - it really does make a difference.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Intro

0:15 Episode overview

1:35 How can I produce music with a hearing disability?

5:41 What's happening during a B2B (back-to-back) DJ set?

8:37 Is it OK to enable large fonts in DJ software?

10:13 Tips for programming a mobile DJ set around a specific artist?

14:22 Should I quick mix or play full tracks?

18:20 How to add more "producer-style" live remix transitions to a DJ set?

20:36 What's the best USB-powered DJ controller?

24:52 How do changes in my DJ library affect the DJ software database?

28:44 When is it safe for DJs to update their operating system?

32:08 Advice for keeping kids motivated while learning to DJ?

38:11 How to get your question answered

Bluetooth for DJs, rotary mixers, cheap DJ controllers

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Phil Morse) — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 19:31:54 +0000

A very tech-oriented edition of the show this time. We're looking at new Bluetooth features that have been added to DJ equipment and asking when DJs should be using these, and when they should not.

We're also looking at the whole subject of rotary mixers because AlphaTheta, formerly Pioneer DJ, has just launched a mixer called the Euphonia, which is an extremely high-end (and very expensive mixer), utterly different to anything they've ever made before, being a rotary mixer, isolator, and effects unit that looks like it belongs to a different age. Our discussion talks about the legacy of rotary mixers and how they ended up being the way they are.

Finally, we asked, have cheap DJ controllers had their day? To answer this question, we look back at the evolution of digital DJ equipment and how the equipment that you find in DJ booths and the equipment that you find in bedrooms has slowly been converging over the years, to the point where high-end gear of all types pretty much does everything nowadays. However, as you'll see, we do think there is still an important place for entry level DJ gear.

As ever, this pod is supported 100% by the students of Digital DJ Tips, and it was recorded in a live webinar with lots of student feedback. If you enjoy it and you can, please do give us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts. It really does make a difference.

Timestamps

0:00 Intro

0:15 Episode overview

1:29 The dos and don'ts of Bluetooth in DJing

20:58 What are rotary mixers all about?

34:03 Do simple DJ controllers still matter?

Sync button, DJ mix genres, duplicate files, DJ lighting...

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000

1:57 Why do some DJs judge others for using the sync button?
8:49 Does the Engine DJ 3.4 update include the Denon DJ Prime 4?
14:10 What's the best way to clean up a messy DJ library?
21:00 How many genres should DJs include in a mixtape?
27:37 Tips for improving EQ blending between tracks?
38:22 Any advice for upgrading DJ lights?
42:25 How our DJ training works

In this month's show, we start by looking at the perennial debating point among the wider DJing community of whether or not it's acceptable to use the sync button. It's one of those topics that certain people never seem to be able to get past. But we take a different view, looking at it from a few angles to get you thinking about not only how you're using the sync button, but how other things you do in your DJing may or may not help you to do a better job.

Other topics covered this month include removing duplicate files from your library: how they get there, what's the best way of getting rid of them, and how to stop it happening in the future, in which we also touch on the difference between being a music hoarder and being a DJ collecting songs to use as tools.

When it comes to making DJ mixes, one question people ask is how many different musical genres should be featured in any given mix? And so we help one student to figure out the best way of approaching this in his regular Mixcloud mix series.

We also have a question on transitioning using EQs, and we talk about the best way to objectively figure out how good your DJ transitions sound (or otherwise). There are also questions on DJ lighting and how to build a great light show, including the technology to use, and the thorny issue of when DJ software updates stop working on your gear because your gear is not the most current.

Rekordbox 7 news, music streaming '24, DJ studio set-up

phil@digitaldjtips.com (Digital DJ Tips) — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 12:00:00 +0000

In this month's three DJ topics, we start by looking at Recordbox 7 software which has just entered public beta. Does it deserve the jump from Recordbox 6? What new features are there? What has the community been wishing for in Recordbox and does it deliver this time? We take a deep dive under the hood with an exhaustive look at everything we found in this pre-release version of this major DJ package.

Next we move to looking at DJ stands and accessories. Once you've bought your DJ gear, where are you going to put it? How are you going to get it to the right height? What other accessories do you need for everything that you bought to make sure it all functions correctly and is looked after properly? And how are you going to look your best when you take your equipment to public venues to DJ? From gear stands to classic hacks to little tricks from our community, it's all here to help you set your DJ gear up like a pro.

And finally we look at the state of music streaming services in 2024 as far as DJs are concerned. Which ones work with DJ software nowadays? What are the limitations? Should you be DJing from DJ streaming services or should you be buying your music? Or is it a case of a bit of each? With at least one exciting new entrant in the market, we take a look at where we're at today.

As always this show was recorded in front of a live audience and so there are lots of questions and tips directly from our community as well as from your tutor Phil Morse. We hope you enjoy the show.