DJ Course

What will be covered:

• How a DJ setup works: basic overview of turntable, CDJ, mixer, headphones, speakers & amplifiers

• Understanding audio quality

• Analog versus digital audio file types and sample rates

• The search for great music and understanding genres

• How to count beats

• Beat-matching by “pushing and pulling”

• How to perform a basic mix/blend

• How to count bars

• Common song structures in various genres

• DJ Set Construction

• More advanced beat-matching techniques – “the big secret”

• Phrase mixing and the conversation between two songs

• Advanced Mixing and Blending EQ techniques

• Essential DJ Software for set preparation and performance

• Cue points and Hot Cues

• Intermediate – Advanced features of the Pioneer CDJ

• Advanced mixing techniques, such as the “drop cut,” “stop and drop,” “power down,” and “backspin”

• Looping and layering

• Intro to Scratching and Turntables

• Advanced methods of music organization

• Tips for “reading a room,” i.e. what to play when

• A thorough introduction to filters and EQ combination techniques

• Introduction to Traktor Scratch Pro DJ Software

• Harmonic Mixing in Key

• How to record a mix

• Incorporating live elements such as microphones and musical instruments.

• How to use performance effects such as echo, delay, reverb, and more

• A variety of artist development strategies, i.e. how to “build your DJ identity”

• An introduction to the world of promoters, club owners, managers, and booking agents

• Advanced Methods of incorporating samples and acapellas