Become a DJ in 3 Minutes [Quick-Start Guide to DJing]

Are you new to DJing? Want to get cracking DJing quickly and not worry about being a professional DJ?Here’s a quick-start guide for you DJs out there looking to DJ in 3 minutes or less.

Of course if you want to progress beyond the 3 minute mark, be sure to sign up to our FREE EBOOK and gain knowledge on how to progress with the DJ Progression Checklist -> CLICK HERE.

Setup & Connect your DJ Equipment

Assuming you’ve got a DJ controller, say for example a Pioneer DDJ-400, this is how easy it is to connect it all up.

Install:

• On a laptop, install the DJ software compatible with the DJ controller. In this example, Rekordbox is compatible with Pioneer’s DDJ-400.
• Add the licence key code to Rekordbox (you should have it as part of the deal that you’ve got when you bought the DJ controller, most DJ controllers come with the key code).

Connect:

• DJ controller to Speakers. Do this using a Phono to 1/4 Jack Cable to either an AMP with speakers or Pre-amp speakers.
• Connect the DDJ-400 to a laptop via a USB cable (If there’s not a usb connection to your laptop then consider an adaptor).

Honestly, other DJ controllers aren’t too dissimilar to in the setup phase, and if they are slightly different it’s still easy and fairly quick to setup. Quickly check out the differences below…

Find Music

Search for a few tracks to start mixing and blending on the DJ controller’s mixer faders and EQ knobs.

Download a few tracks from Beatport’s Top 10 Chart, say for example you like Deep House… If you don’t then select a different Genre type from the menu and see the Top 10 Chart on the page (Right of the page).

TIP: If you already have a Soundcloud GO+, or similar compatible music streaming subscription service with your DJ software, then simply find the option to login to it within the DJ software you are using and find a couple (or a few tracks in there) and load them up in channel to start mixing).

Load Music

Load one track on the left (channel 1) and one track on the right (channel 2).

For example

Play a Track

Press BEAT SYNC Buttons

Load a New Track

On channel 2 (right hand turntable) load the next track.

Tap [Cue Button] to The Beat

Because you’ve hit BEAT SYNC button on both sides of the DJ controller, the beats will automatically align when you press play.

TWO OPTIONS:

1. Simply count along to the beat, listen out for a drum fill or a big change in the sound e.g. a build up in sound that
2. Wait until the end of the track when just the beat is playing and get ready to press play.

Press Play

Depending on the option you’ve chosen above, press play at the appropriate time. The beats will align, allowing you to move onto blending the two tracks together.

Blend the Crossfader

Smoothly and slowly move the crossfader from left to right (from channel 1 to channel 2).

Congrats!

You’ve done your first DJ mix and blend in 3 minutes or less.

Repeat Above Actions

If you want to carry on the DJ mix to be a long DJ set, then load a new track on channel 1 and then carry on the same process.

NOTE: this is a very very basic example of simply mix music together with the help of DJ Controller and DJ Software technology.

DJing after the 3 Minute mark and beyond…

Step 1) Progression Checklist

Download a FREE DJ Progression Checklist HERE to see all the points it takes to become a DJ.

This is obviously a massive oversimplification of DJing and there are a lot more considerations to learn and get stuck into when DJing.

You can learn the rest what the other skills are in DJing by signing up to the DJ newsletter to gain access to the DJ Progression Checklist above.

Of course, if you want to learn via an online DJ course with Beatmatch Guru’s 1-2-1 advice, check out our DJ courses here.

Step 2) Decide upon DJing as a Hobby or Business

The key to figuring out where you take DJing is to understand if you’re going to make money or keep it as a hobby.

Either way, you can make money as a hobby DJ and DJ in local bars and gigs. You can DJ for fun and make a bit of cash on the side, or push your career towards becoming a full time mobile, wedding, resident club DJ, radio DJ or super famous DJ producer like Calvin Harris for example.

Step 3) Gain Access to more music

Record pools, music streaming subscription services and online music websites such as Traxsource or Beatport.com are great to get hold of music.

Build up a good music collection in a genre of music you adore or a few collections if you’re looking to DJ open format music.

Step 4) Record your DJ mixes

Using the DJ software that you’ve got access to click on the record button and start recording your DJ mixes.

If you make mistakes, carry on until the end of your DJ setlist in your playlist.

You can always post-edit your DJ mix in Audacity or Ableton LIVE or start your mix again.

Step 5) Build a social media following

Setup social media and post DJ mixes on social media posts via Mixcloud. Also post content that you feel that your followers might also like.

Mix up your content styles between DJ mixes and short videos, for example long 60 minute DJ mixes and short videos e.g. mashups or cool mix techniques that you’re working on.

Step 6) Network & Get Your First DJ gig

Physically going to DJ gigs, events and venues will really set you up for connecting with people. Trying to connect with people just online will be more of a struggle to connect with people. It’s easier for people to ignore an email or DM via social media.

Getting to know people over time helps solidify to the events staff, managers and promoters that you’re all good as a person, and resonate with the audience that goes to the venue.

Remember to share your social media and mixcloud links to people you’re networking with. This website is a great way to share multiple links on one page https://linktr.ee/.

Are you ready to take your DJing to the next level?

Learn DJing with Beatmatch Guru.