Hot DJ & Turntablism How-Tos


How To: Use the features of the 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 use some of the features of the CDJ-400 mixer. Watch this DJ tutorial so you can learn a few of the features on the CDJ-400 mixer.

How To: Plug the vinyl turn table into a mixer
Check out this instructional DJ video that demonstrates how to attach the vinyl turn table into a mixer. In this video for the totally new DJ, learn where to plug the RCA cables (or phono plugs) from a Vinyl turntable into a DJ mixer. Discover the proper way of plugging your equipment in by watching this DJ tutorial video.

How To: Keep records from getting stuck on your turntable
Does your 12" record get stuck on your turntable platter? Learn how to prevent this.

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: 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: 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 the PFL on your mixer
Learn this tutorial on PLF, what it means and how it can help you

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: 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 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: DJ the mirrored double click flare combo scratch
He starts off performing the task that he then describes. It's one technique that is called a mirrored double click flare. This is done by moving the record forward a double click and then back a double click then forward a single click. The whole process is then done in reverse, starting with moving the record back a double click. On his DJ table he moves a cross fader to mirror his movement of the record. First start the technique slow without a beat to get the movement memorizes. Add a bea...

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: 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: 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: 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: Set your up faders on your 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 you can set your up faders on your DJ mixer. You might want to have the up fader at the top, so you have less chance of accidentally increasing the gain or volume and in turn getting a distorted sound. Watch this two part DJ tutorial and you can learn how to ...

How To: Do simple beat mapping in Ableton
This is a turntable tutorial that shows how to do simple beat mapping in Ableton geared towards beginning Ableton DJs. This process is very simple, but the written documentation was very difficult to understand. Hopefully this will help some people out! Watch this video tutorial and start beat mapping and practicing your turntable skills on Ableton!

How To: Plug two DJ mixers in together
How you plug one DJ mixer in to another so you can battle or just have a good old mix with your mates with just using one PA / speaker set up.

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: Make your own slipmat
Is your slip mat slippery? How to make your own for relatively nothinging.

How To: Put stickers on scratch records
How to put the sticker in the corect place on a 12", for your DJ set and why it's done

How To: Mix UK Speed Garage music
Learn the structure of UK Speed Garage music and how to listen to the beat to know where to mix in while DJing.

How To: Count the BPM of all types of music
The first lesson in learning to mix is to learn to count Beats per Minute (BPM). Learn the how to count BPM. This method applies to cd mixers, pc programs(but only if they do not already show you the bpm) too!!

How To: Play a record backwards on a Technics sl1200
How you can play a toon backwards on a DJ turntable (like a Technics 1200) that does not have the button to reverse the turntable.

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!

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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