Hot DJ & Turntablism How-Tos « DJ & Turntablism

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: Use the bass, mid, and top controls in the mix

In this video I will show you by using the bass, mid and top in the mix you can take a mix to the next level. Points to remember:

How To: Mix a slow track to a faster one on a DJ 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 to mix from a slow track to a faster song. In other words, this video shows you how you can step up your mix by 5, 10, 15 beats per minute (BPM). Watch this DJ tutorial so you can learn how to mix a slow track to a faster one.

How To: Attach the earth cable to the back of a DJ mixer

Check out this instructional DJ video that demonstrates how to attach the earth cable for most vinyl turntables to the back of the DJ mixer. This video is dedicated to the new DJ who is just starting out and setting up new gear. The earth cable has to be fitted to your mixer. Watch this turntable tutorial video to learn how to attach the earth cable to the back of a DJ mixer to stop any nasty buzzing sounds. Practice and enjoy!

How To: Loop in Mixmeister

Brian Sredd gives tips and pointers on how to make loops in mixmeister.

How To: Create a basic mix with two vinyl turntables

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 create a basic mix with two turntables. Try to concentrate on getting a basic mix first off as apposed to trying too hard to be like the pros. Watch this DJ tutorial and you can learn how to create a basic mix with two turntables.

How To: Set up a turntable for scratching

Before scratching on a given turntable, you'll need to set it up properly to ensure that you will not damage either your records or your hardware. This basic DJ tutorial demonstrates one method (among many) for adjusting up a turntable for scratching.

How To: Use the fader start on a DJ mixer

The fader start makes the volume control sync up with the play/pause function on the CDJ. It will stop the music and reset it to the cue point when you put the volume control down.

How To: Talk over music properly when DJing

Learn how to use a mic to best do a talk over or speak over music during your DJ set.

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.

How To: DJ the butterfly scratch

This video is made by a "DJ" with two turntables and a variety of musical equipment. He is showing how to do the "butterfly scratch" which is a type of scratch that DJ doES on vinyl records to create certain sounds while mixing records together. It is often heard in hip hop songs. There are diagrams in the video window showing musical notes and variations. The instructor goes through the entire process of how to do the butterfly scratch, while showing different tips to maximize your performan...

How To: Use the EQ, bass, mid and treble on a DJ 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 to use the EQ, bass, mid, and treble on a DJ mixer. This video gives you a demonstration on how to use the EQ on a DJ mixer while a track is playing. It should be set at twelve o'clock because when that track is made at the studio, it's made as a flat signal....

How To: Use kill switches on a DJ 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 to use the kill switches on a DJ mixer. This demonstration shows you how the kill switches work on a DJ mixer. They are a lot like using the bass, mid and top dials but the difference is that these will get rid of all the bass or mid or top in one go. Watch t...

How To: Do a spin back on a CDJ turntable

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 three part how to video explains how you can do a spin back on a CDJ turntable. A small spin back can give a subtle change to the mix. Watch this three part DJ tutorial and you can learn how to do a spin back on a CDJ turntable.

How To: Learn EQ techniques on the turntable

This instructional turntable video shares some techniques for the aspiring DJ. EQing is an important aspect of mixing on the turntable. EQing filters out certain frequencies in your music. The idea is to have control over the bass, treble, high and middle frequencies, to create your own remix. Watch this tutorial to help you build a tune on the turntable.

How To: Transform scratch

Learn tipa and techniques to performing a transform scratch.

How To: Use a Pioneer EFX500

Here is a quick demo of some basic effects with the efx500.

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: Talk on the microphone when DJing

What to say on the mic to keep the crowd interested. When you are DJing, you need to have a confident entertainer persona so that you can connect with the audience.

How To: Mimic a CDJ frequency filter with a DJ mixer

A CDJ player has a filter button and slider which allows you to isolate the bass, mid, or top frequencies in the music. You can use the bass, mid, and treble dials on a mixer to emulate this effect.

How To: Play 7' records on a turntable

Ever wonder how to play 7" vinyl records on a turntable? Guess what that round piece that came with your turntable is for.

How To: Cue your vinyl records on a turntable

Check out this instructional turntable video to learn how to cue your vinyl records. It's not scratching, but it is cueing. This takes some skill because you want to align two songs perfectly in sync. Remember, this only works if the stop and start time of your platter are the same! It does not matter if your start or stop time is 1 hour, 34 minutes and 48 seconds! Use this method if you need a clean, fast and easy way of starting a vinyl in sync. This video tutorial is great for DJs and anyo...

How To: Use the wide feature on the CDJ-800 MK2

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 sequence explains how to use the wide feature on a DJ mixer.

How To: Remove the knobs and sliders on a DJ mixer

How to remove the knobs and sliders on a DJ mixer to replace the crossfader or make other repairs.

How To: Get started with turntables

Here is a basic series for those of you who are either just getting started with turntables or would like to soon. In the first video, we do a very basic introduction, add slip mats, set up the tone arm and set the counter weight. In part 2, we talk about records, manipulating vinyl, Cueing, Pitch & Phasing (or jeting) with 2 copys of the same record. In part 3, we cover the Baby Scratch, Scratch & release, Looping, Mixing 2 songs with the same BPM and 2 songs with different BPMs.

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: Beat match with off beats

This video teaches you how to become a DJ. In this session we can learn how to keep the beat off beat by keeping the timing of the beats the same. This video shows the specific way of increasing the beats and decreasing the beats according to the tracks that are played. This tutorial also has a live sample of how a beat can be matched off and a how to maintain a constant interval between the beats. It also has some specific instructions on how to maintain a constant interval between the track...

How To: Set up an active speaker system

This video shows you how to set up an active speaker system with a built-in amp. Move the gain up and have it halfway up on the mixer. The actual volume control should be set to 0 prior to moving the gain up and down. Mess around with the gain, and slowly bring the gain up until you are slowly tapping into the ampere. You can mess with the gain until it sounds right. This will increase the bass on our mixer.

How To: Use a joystick or gamepad as a MIDI controller

Did you know that your joystick and gamepad are amazing MIDI controllers? MIJOY PRO 2 is a VSTi that lets you use your joystick or gamepad as a MIDI controller. So follow the step by step instructions outlined in this music tutorial video that demonstrates how to use your joystick or gamepad as a MIDI controller.

How To: Cut and chop on a DJ 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 sequence explains how to cut and chop on a DJ mixer. There are loads of ways of describing this technique: editing the track, washing up, mowing the lawn, or drying your hair.

How To: Use the CDT-05 MK2 Hybrid Turntable from Gemini

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 to use the CDT-05 MKII Hybrid Turntable from Gemini. When in CD mode and you are moving the vinyl, there is no need to have the needle or stily on the record! This DJ tutorial video provides a small demo of the CDT-05 MK2 from Gemini -- a turntable that's a C...

How To: Set the levels on a EFX-1000 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 set the levels on the EFX-1000. Remember to watch the input and output as these FX units if used incorrectly can damage speakers and amplifiers. Before you use your EFX-1000 you need to set the levels properly. Watch this DJ tutorial and you can learn...

How To: Mix with more than two DJ turntables

In this video we take look at mixing with more that two, three, even four, turntables. CDJ or vinyl are the principals used behind beat mixing; and are exactly the same.

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: Mix 80s era music as a DJ

In this tutorial, we learn how to mix an 80s era music as a DJ. There are so many different styles of music from the 80s, start at modern day dance music to see how the beat sounds now from then. A lot of the dance music back in the 80s was off key because it was done by people and not a computer. You will first have to take several hours to construct the mix that you like. Chop and mix the different sounds together, then bring different songs in at different points. For old school, the sound...

How To: DJ with your PC or Mac laptop

DJing with your laptop computer requires a combination of specialized hardware and software. This video tutorial demonstrates how to DJ with your laptop computer, using both a Mac and PC system. From the audio output jack, connect your laptop to an amplifier, then to your mixer where you can apply effects to your music.

How To: Mix a Reggaeton beat

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 to mix a Reggaeton beat. Reggaeton is a genre of Latin dance music which mixes rap, hip-hop, reggae, and ragga. Salsa and merengue influences can also be heard in some songs. After becoming very popular in Puerto Rican clubs, it began spreading through parts ...

How To: Plug the EFX-1000 into a mixer without send

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 to plug the EFX-1000 into a mixer without a send or return. The mixer in the video is the American Audio QS-D.

How To: Pimp up your Pioneer CDJ-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 to pimp up your Pioneer CDJ-400 mixer. Just follow the simple step by step instructions: remove the two small screws and take off the see through piece of plastic, place a picture down on top of the platter and replace the cover, and re-screw the two screws. ...

How To: Cue a tune on the Gemini CDM-3600

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 cue a tune on the Gemini CDM-3600. This video shows you how to cue up a track at the beginning using the play pause and cue options. Watch this DJ tutorial and you can learn how to cue a song on the Gemini CDM-3600.