Active DJ & Turntablism Posts
How To: Be a DJ using your PC if you are disabled
This is how you would use your PC to be a DJ if you are disabled. First you'll need a second sound card option for the headphones. Cheaper headphones can be used also until you're able to get the proper ones. The software you will be using supports microphone input which is called Virtual DJ. It's a fantastic kit made especially someone with a disability with all the same things that you would find in other decks and a mixers. Then you would want to just experiment with the controls until you...
How To: Connect your laptop to your DJ mixer
This video shows you how to connect your laptop to your mixer. First you will need two different sound sources from your laptop to your mixer. This is so that you can use all of your mixer functions on two different channels. The way to do this is to run a 1/8" RCA cable channel 7 from your normal earphone jack to the mixer. Also use a behringer uca202 audio interface to connect to the laptop via USB cord. This provides another earphone jack. Then use a master out cable to connect it to an am...
How To: Direct record using the Akai MPC2500
This video demonstrates how to use the direct record feature on an Akai MPC2500. The video walks you through playing the music, recording the music you want, and replaying the music your recorded.
How To: Scratch the best songs for DJing
Watch this video to learn what types of tracks or songs are best for scratching. Good for beginning for DJs.
How To: Make a plastic slipmat for a scratchmat
Brian Sredd gives tips and pointers on how to make a plastic slipmat for a scratchmat.
How To: Make your own homemade record player
Play records with a piece of paper and a needle. Amazingly easy to make! I don't recommend using your good records for this though.
How To: Record your DJ mix
Learn two ways to record your DJ mixes onto a CD.
How To: Fix a wobbly platter problem on a turntable
Learn how to open up your turntable platter in order to fix a wobble on your table, getting those records to play smooth. While DJing might appear simple to the untrained eye, truly mastering the turntables requires as much time and dedication as mastering any other instrument. Fortunately, the internet is awash in free video DJing lessons like this one, which make the learning process easier than it's ever been. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Connect speakers in a PA or DJ system
Learn the difference between Speakon, Jack, and XLR inputs. Also learn how to wire all of these connectors to hook up your speaker system on your PA or DJ system.
How To: Fix the crossfader on your DJ mixer
Does your cross fade on your mixer work properly? If it is making crackly noises, it may have dirt in it, so use contact fluid to clean it.
How To: Remix a song
In this video I show you the basics of how a DJ/producer will re-mix a song/tune.
How To: Skip-proof your records
DJ Q-Bert of the Invisibl Skratch Piklz shares a tip on how to modify your vinyl records to keep them from skipping while playing or scratching with them.
How To: Get 3 music sources out of the DJM-400 mixer
Want to mix and scratch like a professional DJ? To be a good DJ you need to understand the concepts of mixing tracks, adding cool effects, and of course you need a good sense of rhythm to line up the beats. This how to video explains how you can get three separate audio signals from a two channel mixer, focusing on the Pioneer DJM-400 mixer. Watch this DJ tutorial and you can learn how to get three music sources out of the DJM-400 mixer.
How To: Set up the lighting in your mobile DJ set up
Learn how to set up the lighting rig of your mobile DJ set up - including proper light placement. Part 1 of 2 - How to Set up the lighting in your mobile DJ set up.
Wheels of Steel: A Virtual Turntable in Your Browser
Wheels of Steel is a virtual browser-based turntable emulator created by Scott Schiller, a Canadian developer who works on Flickr at Yahoo. This project will appeal to those who A) dig turntablism and B) are knowledgeable in web development. I know nothing of the latter, but from what I can tell, Wheels of Steel appears to be significant because unlike its predecessors, it employs CSS3 instead of flash. Since I'm not familiar with the topic, here's Scott on the history and technical details o...
How To: Replace the arm rest on a turntable
DJ Tutor teaches you how to replace the arm rest on a Technics sl1200, by bending a screwdriver at a ninety degree angle.
How To: Set up digital DJ gear in a club
Check out this instructional DJ video that takes a look at how to use your DJ gear at a typical nightclub setup. This tutorial also provides a walk through demonstration on how to map the Novation 25sl for use with Traktor 3. Set up your digital DJ gear in a club and start mixing beats like a master DJ!
How To: Make an dubstep "wub wub" bass beat on your computer in FL Studio
Dubstep is the music of the moment in the global underground electronic music scene, and producers from all types of music are incorporating it into their tracks. One of it's distinctive features is the "wub wub" style of bass track that dubstep producers favor, and it can improve all kinds of songs. This video will show you how to get a really good "wub wub" bass effect in FL Studio for use in all your Dubstep and fusion tracks.
How To: Replace a turntable needle
Whether you’re a professional DJ or simply a vinyl enthusiast, knowing how to install a fresh needle will help protect your music.
How To: Use the live external effect plugin in Ableton Live
The raging debate in the electronic music world between digital and hardware music production is virulent and unnecessary when the best setup is clearly a mix of the two. In this video you'll learn how to get your computer and your DJ hardware together by using the Ableton Live external effect plugin to control sounds from your gear using the computer. It's the best of both worlds!
News: Dueling Mutant DJ Hoodies
Incredibly bizarre, Mika Satomi and Clemens Pichler have designed a pair of DJ hoodies to theatrically visualize a DJ battle. Unfortunately, for me at least, Human Centipede is evoked (damn, I shouldn't have seen that movie).
How To: Add delay to monitor mix on StudioLive 16.4.2
In this tutorial, we learn how to add delay to monitor mix on Studio Live 16.4.2. First, hit the mix control and turn up channel 15 for some volume. Next, you will assign a digital delay to effect a. To do this, hit the effects button, then page down to the first page and you will see the value knob. Put in a mono-delay, then hit recall. You can manually adjust the decay time, or it will automatically adjust to the tempo to the song. When finished, add this to your music and play back to see ...
How To: Clean vinyl records with glass cleaner
Brian Sredd gives tips and pointers on how to clean vinyl records.
How To: Remix vinyl and create your own track with turntables
If you're looking to getting into DJing on turntables, the first thing you should learn is how to remix songs live to create your own just using a couple turntables. In this video you will learn how to do a live remix using vinyl with various mixes already on the 12" vinyl.
How To: Manipulate the jogg wheel, tables and the pitch to Beatmix DJ on two CDJs
If you're running two CDJs and are looking for a way to fix some small tempo problems, or other major problems, this is the man to talk to! In this video you will learn how to use the jogg wheel, pitch and other pieces of the CDJ kit to fix major tempo problems as well as syncing issues.
How To: DJ the 1 click flare scratch
In this video, we learn how to DJ the 1 click flare scratch. When you are ready to DJ, you must first make sure you have all the proper equipment. You will want to put an album into the player and then learn the proper technique on how to scratch the music without hurting it. As you do this, you will want to push the album back and fort on the spinning table as you are using the knob on the right hand side to control the level of sound while scratching. Record this to use when switching up mu...
How To: Use the vocoder effect in FL studio to make and record cool vocal effects
FL Studio is a very powerful piece of audio production software, and it of course incorporates everyone favorite old-school voice distortion device: the Vocoder. This video will show you how to create a really cool vocoder effect in FL Studio, allowing you to zazz up the vocals on any track you're producing with that Zapp & Roger electrofuck edge.
News: Five-Arm Turntable Has Got It on Lock
If you have a fear of needles, you may want to sit this one out. Billed as an "analog answer for the digitalized DJ," this five-arm turntable plays an ode to the lock groove. What's a lock groove? Glad you asked. Whereas normal grooves lead the stylus in toward the label of the record, lock or "locked" grooves form a perfect circuit, looping around on themselves forever and ever. Throw in a few extra tone arms as London-based artist Yuri Suzuki has done and you've got yourself a full-featured...
How To: Mix records in two different ways as a DJ
DJs exist because just playing the same songs from beginning to end over and over again gets boring, especially in a clubbing atmosphere where all people want to do is get down and dirty.
How To: Scratch records like a professional DJ
In this tutorial, we learn how to scratch records like a professional DJ with Eric Roman. First, go to your DJ equipment and move your hand back and forth to scratch the record that is inside of it. Make sure you aren't too loud so you don't over power the song you are currently playing. You can use the normal way, which is using the left player. Or, you can use the right side to open up the left player. Either way you choose to do, you are doing a back and forth movement with the record and ...
How To: Get good audio for your DJ mixes on YouTube
Interested in sharing your DJ mixes online via YouTube? This clip offers some useful instructions on how to get the best audio on your YouTube DJ mixes. Because it's difficult to show off if people can't hear what you're doing. For complete details, and to get started improving the sound of your own YouTube mixes, watch this guide.
How To: Create a buzzy sound effect on the pioneer CDJ-800
Interested in jockeying discs? Compact discs? If so, you'll want a CDJ, which will permit you to do with your CDs what your turntable permits you to do with your records. In this DJ tutorial, you'll learn how to create a buzzy sound effect with the Pioneer CDJ-800. For more, and to get started creating your own sound effects on your own Pioneer CDJ-800, take a look!
How To: Mix in key with your pitch control when DJing
Learn how to mix in key while using your pitch control in order to create harmonic mixes. While DJing might appear simple to the untrained eye, truly mastering the turntables requires as much time and dedication as mastering any other instrument. Fortunately, the internet is awash in free video DJing lessons like this one, which make the learning process easier than it's ever been. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look
How To: Use the loop function on a CDJ turntable
Interested in jockeying discs? Compact discs? If so, you'll want a CDJ, which will permit you to do with your CDs what your turntable permits you to do with your records. In this DJ tutorial, you'll learn how to use the loop function on a Pioneer CDJ turntable. For more, and to get started creating loops on your own Pioneer CDJ-800, take a look!
How To: Mix trance music into your sets when DJing
Learn how to mix with trance music while considering all the important factors with regard to trance's structure. While DJing might appear simple to the untrained eye, truly mastering the turntables requires as much time and dedication as mastering any other instrument. Fortunately, the internet is awash in free video DJing lessons like this one, which make the learning process easier than it's ever been. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look
How To: Mix soul, R&B and hip-hop into your sets when DJing
Learn how to mix soul, R&B and hip-hop into your set. While DJing might appear simple to the untrained eye, truly mastering the turntables requires as much time and dedication as mastering any other instrument. Fortunately, the internet is awash in free video DJing lessons like this one, which make the learning process easier than it's ever been. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look
How To: Drop in and fade out on a turntable when DJing
Learn how to drop a track in and fading her out. While DJing might appear simple to the untrained eye, truly mastering the turntables requires as much time and dedication as mastering any other instrument. Fortunately, the internet is awash in free video DJing lessons like this one, which make the learning process easier than it's ever been. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look
How To: Improve your scratching as a DJ with active listening
Learn how to scratch in a mix by listening to the tracks playing. While DJing might appear simple to the untrained eye, truly mastering the turntables requires as much time and dedication as mastering any other instrument. Fortunately, the internet is awash in free video DJing lessons like this one, which make the learning process easier than it's ever been. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look
How To: Beatmix without headphones when DJing
Learn to read the mixer in order to understand what is coming out of the speakers. While DJing might appear simple to the untrained eye, truly mastering the turntables requires as much time and dedication as mastering any other instrument. Fortunately, the internet is awash in free video DJing lessons like this one, which make the learning process easier than it's ever been. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look
How To: Stay in key when mixing as a DJ
Learn how to take the crowed to the next level by listening to what's actually happening and staying in key. While DJing might appear simple to the untrained eye, truly mastering the turntables requires as much time and dedication as mastering any other instrument. Fortunately, the internet is awash in free video DJing lessons like this one, which make the learning process easier than it's ever been. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look