Hi, I'm a massive trance fan and I'm keen on becoming a DJ. 2 questions

1) I want to learn how to DJ before I commit and buy a CDJ's/turntable/Midi Controller. Is this possible?

If not, what is the absolute must equipment for a beginner DJ.

2) I have so many ideas for mash-ups in my head, but being new to all this, how exactly can I go about learning how to start mixing songs together?

Thanks

1)/2) buy ableton. see if you figure out. if not maybe its not for you. its a great dj software and production software combined. and for your mashups? perfect.

1) SWAG
2) pirate the beatport top 10, load into iTunes
3) hit 'play' in iTunes
4) Jump around a lot and pretend to twiddle knobs and slam faders

you're already on your way! Be sure to spend more time promoting and networking on social media sites than developing skill and a musical education. Hope this helps!

I'm always big on knowing the old school stuff first before I jump into the computers/cdj's. The reason for that is beatmatching by ear is most of the training here and if you can match by ear only and not look at any computer or wave forms on anything, that's like 80% of the skills for dj'ing. The reason for this is lets say for example (and this is rare) the cdj led light goes out or your laptop display goes out and you can't see the bpm on the track, you'll have no choice but the match by ear and if you can't do that, then you'll probably get a series of boos and it'd be very embarrassing but if you can match by ear, you'll be able to match any track. and also the benefit of matching by ear gives you the skill of going in between equipment like cdj's with turntables and an example. I have to tell you that matching by ear is harder than you might think, it took me a year and a half to beatmatch and that was learning every weekend and not every day so if you take an hour or 2 everyday you'll peobebly get it in about 4 to 6 months. My suggestion is and if you can find them is a used set of technics turntables and original records and learn how to match with the ear. Youtube is also a great resource on matching with the ear. Stanton believe it or not have re-designed the st-150 and Ive tested them and they're really good if you can't get a used pair of technics. Don't forget a mixer, any mixer will work but I think most of your money will go towards the turntables.

I hope this helps.

Take care

Paul

I forgot headphones, the sony 7506 headphones are cheap but they have really good quality sound

quote:

Originally posted by bennian 2) I have so many ideas for mash-ups in my head, but being new to all this, how exactly can I go about learning how to start mixing songs together? Thanks

Learning music theory I'd say is a must.... learn the keys, scales, chords, and composition for music.... otherwise the stuff you put together (with ableton or whatever) will sound full of disharmony and you won't know why. It will take a while to learn and you may have to read a book or two and watch lots of tutorials but it's worth it to know this stuff and it opens up more possibilities to being a better dj.

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What goes around... comes around

Buy abledon definitely! I'd start off with some basic equipment, a cheapish MIDI controller, someone not rubbish, but also not too complex! Something like this would be cool. http://www.hifi-tower.co.uk/Novatio...-Keys_i9012.htm

Novation are also top of the game.

Dick pump and inflatable animals.

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Freak Out Tóng Zhì

Find a better forum... this place is beat and most of the ppl who regularly visit this forum are trolls and scare all the newbs away

knowing music works in your favor, beat structure for example

if you can't at least commit to a midi controller and software, stop now and walk away

when i started djing you had to commit to buying $10-20 per vinyl plus the expense of turntables and mixer

if you want it, go for it, just dive in and practice your ass off, like 8 hours a day

it takes that sort of commitment and monetary expense

i've probably invested at least 10 grand if not more in my career and countless hours in travel and digging for music, this isn't something you try, you just do it because you love music and want to share it

you probably won't become the next big thing and gain international fame, but you do it because you love music

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what the fuck tony get it together