DJ Forum

Real-time stems control – the ability to separate vocals from instrumentals instantly when DJing – is currently the cutting-edge battleground for DJ system manufacturers. It’s a fast-moving area, and many software makers are already onto their second or third iteration of stems in their software. What’s more, since we conducted our test last year, two … Continued The post Which DJ Platform Has The Best Sounding Stems In 2025? appeared first on Digital DJ Tips. View the full article

Effects (FX) are an essential part of modern DJing, adding texture, depth, and creativity to a set. Whether you’re using reverb, delay, filters, or other effects, the right use of FX can transform your performance. However, it’s important to remember that less is often more—overusing FX can clutter your sound and distract from the music itself. In this guide, we’ll explore how to use FX creatively and effectively to enhance your DJ set without overwhelming your audience. Many DJ mixers and controllers, such as the Pioneer DJM series or Denon Prime series, come equipped with a range of onboard effects, making it easier for DJs to apply and control FX seamlessly.,, The post…

Pioneer DJ/AlphaTheta dominates the market, offering kit for total beginners, right up to the most expensive pro kit. So which gear should DJs go for in 2025? The post Best Pioneer DJ & AlphaTheta Gear 2025 appeared first on Digital DJ Tips. View the full article

Your laptop is at the heart of your DJ setup, managing your tracks and running the software that powers your performance. But not every laptop is up to the task. Choosing the wrong one could mean dealing with crashes, slow performance, or other problems during your gigs. A reliable laptop lets you focus on your […]View the full article

If you play DJ sets, use modern DJ gear, and want to step past just playing music, 2025 could well be your year – if you want it to. Because more than ever, reinventing other people’s music is not only a valid way of creating, it’s becoming an essential tool to master. Taking timeless music … Continued The post Why Hobby DJs Are Driving The New Bootleg Craze appeared first on Digital DJ Tips. View the full article

CES 2025: SanDisk has launched a range of new storage solutions for its Creator Series, with “speed, capacity, durability and portability top of mind” for the home, studio, and beyond. According to the brand, the series features a professional-grade collection of products with vibrant colours to celebrate creativity and individuality. There are eight solutions in the range that may be of use for music makers, with two further additions aimed towards gamers inspired by the Fortnite Peely character... The post CES 2025: SanDisk’s new Creator storage drives could be ideal for producers and DJs appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

Consumer DJ brand Hercules has announced a new DJ controller called the DJControl Mix Ultra, touting totally wireless operation, using streaming services for music via the user’s phone, and wireless speaker technology for playing to the crowd. With a built-in battery, there are no wires connecting anything to anything. You just turn it on, they … Continued The post Hercules DJControl Mix Ultra: Award-Winning & Wireless (But There’s A Catch) appeared first on Digital DJ Tips. View the full article

The AlphaTheta DDJ-GRV6 is an excellent choice for anyone after a controller with advanced pro-inspired features and great build quality – whether you’re looking to upgrade or you’re a complete beginner. But if you’ve just unboxed you’re new controller and you’re ready to get mixing, where do you start? This guide has you covered. We’ll […]View the full article

As we move closer to 2025, social media has become a dominant force in shaping the DJing landscape. The evolution of platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and even YouTube has not only transformed how DJs engage with their audiences but has also redefined the way music is discovered, promoted, and consumed. Gone are the days when DJs relied solely on radio play, word-of-mouth, or live performances to grow their careers. Today, social media is a critical tool that DJs use to build their brand, create content, and connect with fans around the world... The post The Impact of Social Media on DJing: Trends for 2025 appeared first on GlobalDJsGuide. View the full article

2025 is here, and the new year brings a fresh list of talented DJs to watch. Whether you’re into house, techno, bass, drum and bass, or hip hop, our list of the top DJs to look out for in 2025 that will inspire you. These DJs have the potential to reach the masses with their releases, and break out on the international festival and club scene. You can support these rising DJ stars by following them on socials, and catch their sets when they play out in your area... The post Top 10 DJs to look out for in 2025 first appeared on Native Instruments Blog. View the full article

Traktor is back in a big way with the launch of Traktor Pro 4 and the Z1 MK2. The new X1 MK3 continues their trend of ‘modular’ DJ gear, where you can pick and choose from a range of different components to build a customised setup. The X1 MK3 completes this modular lineup as a […] View the full article

Creating a killer DJ setlist is not just about mixing tracks together; it’s about understanding your audience, maintaining the energy flow, and crafting an experience that resonates with the crowd. Whether you’re spinning at a club, a wedding, or a festival, your DJ setlist should be designed with purpose, intuition, and creativity. This guide will help you not only create a smooth setlist but also manage energy flow, pick the right tracks, and adjust your set on the fly. The post How to Create a Killer DJ Setlist: Strategies for Any Event or Genre appeared first on GlobalDJsGuide. View the full article

A great DJ isn’t just someone who plays music; they’re an artist who can read the crowd and adapt the set to keep the dancefloor alive. Understanding your audience’s energy, body language, and responses to different tracks is key to creating a successful DJ set. Every crowd is different, and the ability to adjust your performance to keep people engaged and dancing is what separates great DJs from good ones. In this article, we will explore effective techniques for reading your crowd, adapting your DJ set on the fly, and understanding how to tailor your music to maximize the audience’s enjoyment and energy. Whether you’re playing a small intimate party or a massive festiva…

“Traktor has already done an outstanding job of both detecting and maintaining a consistent tempo; flexible beatgrids just extend its intelligence and utility.” It’s hard for me to contemplate, honestly, but I first started DJing nearly 20 years ago. In the spur of the moment (and for reasons I can’t recall), I somehow landed at [...] The post Solid Upgrade: Native Instruments Traktor Pro 4 [Review] appeared first on DJ Life Magazine. View the full article

The AlphaTheta DDJ-GRV6 DJ Controller is a cutting-edge, professional-grade controller designed to meet the demands of both beginner and professional DJs. Offering seamless integration with Serato DJ Pro, customizable performance pads, responsive jog wheels, and a suite of powerful effects, the DDJ-GRV6 gives you the tools you need for creative live performances. Whether you’re mixing in a club, hosting a private event, or streaming online, this controller provides an intuitive yet professional experience. This guide will walk you through the key features, performance, pros and cons, and provide a thorough comparison with other popular DJ controllers to help you decide if…

The music industry, particularly the live events and DJing sectors, has long been associated with large-scale consumption of resources, energy, and materials. From the electricity powering sound systems to the transportation of equipment and the plastic waste generated at festivals, the environmental impact of music events is significant. However, as the world becomes more environmentally conscious, DJs, event organizers, and other professionals in the music industry are beginning to embrace more sustainable practices. This movement toward eco-friendly solutions and sustainable DJing is not only helping reduce the carbon footprint of live music events but also inspir…

Retirement may not be on the cards for Fatboy Slim just yet, but you’d be hard pressed to find the 61-year-old DJ and producer putting on his music-making hat ever again. The musician, real name Norman Cook, recently told The Sun’s Bizarre column that he’ll much rather focus his energies on DJing than release new music because “you can’t make music unless you’re absolutely passionate about it”... The post “I’m hoping that one day the passion will come back” Fatboy Slim says he “just don’t seem to feel like” making music anymore appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

As technology continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, the DJ industry stands on the brink of a transformation unlike any we’ve seen before. While we’ve witnessed the rise of digital DJing, software automation, and immersive experiences in the last few years, the next few decades could see a complete reimagining of the DJ role, the way live performances are experienced, and the tools DJs use to create their art. Here, we’ll dive into futuristic possibilities, imagining how emerging technologies like quantum computing, neural interfaces, full-body haptic suits, and hyper-realistic virtual worlds could redefine the future of DJing in the years to come... The post The …

Scratching is one of the most distinctive aspects of DJing. It’s a way to express creativity, manipulate sounds, and enhance a DJ’s live performance. Whether you’re using vinyl or digital controllers, mastering the art of scratching opens up endless possibilities for your mixes. From the baby scratch to advanced techniques like the crab scratch, each technique adds a unique element to your set. This guide will take you through step-by-step tutorials on the most important scratching techniques, from beginner to advanced, with helpful video examples and tips to help you improve your skill. Before attempting to scratch, it’s crucial to have a solid understanding of beatmatch…

DJing is undoubtedly evolving at a rapid pace, but based on the influx of both young and seasoned DJs joining our school at Digital DJ Tips, interest in the art of DJing remains robust and vibrant. So here’s our look back on the past 12 months in DJing, including changes in how DJing is being … Continued The post DJing Is Dead, Long Live DJing! The Digital DJ Tips 2024 Roundup appeared first on Digital DJ Tips. View the full article

If you’ve nabbed some new DJ gear this festive season – be it a compact controller, a full-fledged standalone unit, or something small to dabble with the family – here are seven things you may want to dig out, buy or put on your want list to help you get off on the right foot … Continued The post Kickstart Your DJ Journey: A Quick Guide for New DJ Gear Owners appeared first on Digital DJ Tips. View the full article

As a DJ, the ability to manipulate your tracks creatively is key to providing a dynamic and seamless performance. Hot cues and loops are two powerful tools that can elevate your transitions, help you create unique mixes, and engage your audience. Whether you’re in a club, at a festival, or performing at a private event, mastering these features will give you more control and flexibility, enabling you to deliver a polished and professional performance. In this guide, we’ll explore how to use hot cues and loops, how they work, and practical techniques for integrating them into your DJ sets... The post How to Use Hot Cues and Loops to Enhance Your DJ Performance appeared fir…

Beatmatching is one of the core skills every DJ needs to master. It’s the process of synchronizing the tempos of two tracks so that they play in perfect harmony. Whether you’re using traditional vinyl, CDJs, or DJ software, learning how to beatmatch manually will give you a deeper understanding of DJing and make you a more versatile performer. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll cover the essentials of manual beatmatching, providing you with the tools you need to transition smoothly between tracks and deliver a seamless performance. We’ll dive into controllers, CDJs, turntables, and software, and explore how each piece of equipment can affect the beatmatching process and ho…

DJing has become a cultural phenomenon, combining technology, music, and creativity into a dynamic career or thrilling hobby. Many eager club goers see and feel the excitement of spinning house and techno and think… I really want to learn how to start DJing! If you’ve ever imagined yourself behind the decks, shaping the energy of a crowd, this guide is for you! Whether you’re curious about how to start DJing or eager to learn the skills and equipment needed, we’ll guide you through every step... View the full article

The transition from DJing to music production can be smoother than expected, especially if you’ve spent time behind the decks. As a DJ, you’ve already developed essential skills like rhythm, song structure, and musical timing, which form a solid foundation for music production. Your experience with mixing tracks, reading the crowd, and understanding how different elements come together live gives you an edge when creating music in the studio. These skills will serve you well when you start crafting your own original tracks. While music production introduces new tools and techniques, many aspects of DJing—like familiarity with tempo, key changes, and arrangement—are direct…

The DJ world offers just as much variety as the studio when it comes to controllers large and small, simple or advanced. While there’s still a wealth of big hardware systems for those playing packed-out sets in clubs, performing on a smaller scale has got easier than ever too. This year, compact controllers from companies like Native Instruments and the explosion of stem separation tools in software for remixing have made possible performances that were previously near-impossible, using just a laptop. Those looking to record their sets got some love too with the release of the ultimate ‘DAW for DJs’. We loved the breadth of DJ gear released in 2024, and the ease with whic…

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The XDJ-AZ is a significant launch for AlphaTheta (formerly Pioneer DJ), because it is an update to the hugely popular Pioneer DJ XDJ-XZ, an all-in-one, standalone DJ system that looks and feels very similar to using much more expensive pro Pioneer DJ gear. The XDJ-AZ updates the previous model in many ways, not least adding … Continued The post Free AlphaTheta XDJ-AZ Training Tutorial & Video Manual appeared first on Digital DJ Tips. View the full article

If you want to create a DJ mix to upload to the internet, that generally means having to sit in front of your decks and record it live. Mess up a transition? Time to start it over again. That is unless you’re preparing your set in some kind of software. This idea has been around […]View the full article

Looking to curate the perfect party playlist for the upcoming holidays? Well, grab your headphones and prepare to channel your inner DJ because we’ve got some sage advice from British producer and DJ Norman Cook AKA Fatboy Slim – the man who knows a thing or two about getting a crowd moving. A true master of the dance floor, Cook tells The Guardian that it’s not so much about getting people dancing as much as it is about “unifying people”. If you’re stepping behind the decks instead of letting a playlist run on autopilot, Cook advises starting by “narrow[ing] it down to 60 or 70 tunes that you think are going to be needed.” And if the dancefloor starts losing st…