I use Apple Music to organize all my music, and to sort it into virtual DJ crates that are then imported into Serato. If you know a better way to do it, I’m all ears. Comment below!

The post The BEST Way to Organize Music for DJ’ing appeared first on Heavy Hits.

Your mixing can be flawless, and your song selection perfect. You may have 100,000 songs at your fingertips, and know the BPM and phrasing of every one of them. You may sound like Michael Buffer on the microphone. That’s all great, but if your setup is sloppy, people will remember you as the sloppy DJ. So how do you go about cleaning up and looking good?

For starters, keep your cables out of sight, at least as much as possible. You’ll need to have a couple cables running to speakers, and one running to a power source, but do your best to cover up everything else. I use a Bunn Gear Command Center, and swear by it, but there are many other options. That’s a good thing, as I’ve heard the Command Centers are sold out, at least for the moment, and may never come back into stock. If so, that’s a shame. I’d buy three more if I could! Another good option is a facade. You can make a simple one yourself, or buy a nice pre-made one. At its most basic, a DJ facade is three pieces of wood or plastic, painted or carpeted, and connected with hinges to create a movable wall. Set that in front of your table and you’ll hide a lot of mess.

You can also build a simple DJ table. A nice one has a recessed area for your controller or turntables, which not only looks great, but also keeps all the connecting cables out of sight.

Another option is a traditional DJ coffin, resting upon a heavy-duty keyboard stand. I used one for years with my turntables, and despite putting on scratch-heavy turntablist performances, never had any issues with skipping. Those things are rock solid and steady. The drawback is, of course, visible wires, so any keyboard stand setup almost certainly requires a facade or similar.

Once you’ve got your setup in place, and everything looks good, make sure to tape down the speaker cables and power cable, and any other exposed wiring. Not only will it look better, and more professional, but it will prevent guests, and you, from tripping on wires and getting hurt or yanking a plug from a socket. Buy gaffer’s tape, not duct tape. It’s more expensive, but it is easier to remove at the end of the night, and won’t damage floors or walls.

And finally, make sure you are dressed appropriately. Gone are the days when DJs were universally expected to show up in a tuxedo, but often a suit is still a good choice. Find out ahead of time how the person paying you expects you to dress, and follow those guidelines. My experience in life is that it’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed, and it’s nearly never inappropriate to wear a suit, but you do you, you sexy DJ, you!

The post You Are How You Look appeared first on Heavy Hits.

Before you start:

Before you start learning how to beatmatch and mix vinyl records, there are a few things you need to have ready. For starters, you will need a pair of turntables and a mixer. You will also need a collection of vinyl records, and a pair of headphones. Ideally, you should invest in a good quality pair of headphones that are designed for DJing, as they will help you to hear the music more clearly and accurately. Earbuds or Airpods aren’t going to cut it here.

You should also make sure that your turntables are set up correctly. This includes ensuring that they are level, that the tonearms are correctly balanced, and that the needles are in good condition. You should also make sure that your mixer is set up correctly, with all cables plugged into the correct inputs, your input and output levels are dialed in, and that your headphones are connected to the mixer.

Eventually, you should make sure that you have a good understanding of music theory and the structure of songs. This will help you to understand how different tracks fit together, and how to create seamless transitions between them. I’ll go into more detail about music theory and phrasing in a future article, but in the meantime you may want to read up on the topic. For now, however, we’re going to focus on mastering the technical side of mixing, which is beatmatching, and worry later about the artistic side, though both ore of equal importance.

Beatmatching

Beatmatching is the process of syncing the tempo and beats of two tracks so that they play in time with each other. This is a fundamental skill that all DJs need to master in order to create smooth and seamless transitions between tracks, and it’s what the software does for you when you use digital files and turn on sync.

To beatmatch two tracks, you will need to listen to both tracks at the same time, and adjust the tempo of one track so that it matches the tempo of the other track. This is done by adjusting the pitch control on your turntable or mixer.

To start, you should select two tracks that have a similar tempo and beats per minute (BPM). This will make it easier to beatmatch them. Once you have selected your tracks, you should cue up the first track on your turntable, and start it playing.

Next, you should cue up the second track on your other turntable, and start it playing as well. Listen to both tracks carefully, and try to identify the beat of each track. You can do this by counting the beats in your head or tapping your foot to the rhythm.

Once you have identified the beat of each track, you should adjust the pitch control on your second turntable to match the tempo of the first track. This can take some practice, as you will need to adjust the pitch control by small increments until the two tracks are in sync.

Cueing

Cueing is the process of preparing a track to be played, and it involves using your headphones to listen to a track before you start playing it. This allows you to find the right starting point for the track, and to make sure that it is in sync with the track that is currently playing.

To cue a track, you should select the track that you want to play next, and cue it up on your turntable. This means that you should position the needle at the point where you want the track to start playing. Make sure your mixer is set to play that song through the cue, which means you’ll hear it in your headphones, but it won’t play through the house speakers, so the audience won’t hear it.

Mixing Two Songs Together

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to beatmatch with vinyl records:

1. Start by selecting two tracks that have a similar tempo and beats per minute (BPM). This will make it easier to beatmatch them. Over time you can practice mixing songs that aren’t as close in tempo, but when you start, use songs of similar speed.

2. Once you have selected your tracks, cue up the first track on your turntable and start it playing. Make sure that the volume is turned up, and the song is playing through the speakers. This is what your audience will hear.

3. Cue up the second track on your other turntable, and start it playing as well. Make sure that the crossfader is all the way to the other side, so you don’t hear this song playing through the speakers.

4. Put on your headphones and make sure your mixer is set so that the track that is not playing through the speakers is playing through the cue. Different mixers do this differently, so consult the manual if you can’t figure out how to do this. Once it is playing through the cue, you can adjust the balance between cue and master to listen to both tracks at the same time. Adjust the balance on your mixer so that you can hear both tracks equally.

5. Listen carefully to the beat of each track. You can do this by counting the beats in your head or tapping your foot to the rhythm. Focus on the bass drum or the snare drum, as these are the most prominent elements in most tracks. Focus on one track, then the other, and get comfortable isolating each song in your head as you hear both. This will take some practice. Don’t worry about mixing yet, just try to focus on one song while ignoring the other, then switch and focus on the other song, while ignoring the first one.

6. When you are ready to start mixing, bring the needle on the second song back to the beginning of the record, and find a downbeat. If you don’t know what a downbeat is, read this older article I wrote that explains it in detail. Listen to record 1 playing in the headphones, and release record 2 on a downbeat of record 1. At least for a moment, the songs should play in sync, until the tempo difference causes them to slowly drift out of sync.

7. Identify in which direction record 2 (the one the audience cannot hear) is drifting. One way to do this is listen to the snare drums. If you start hearing the snares of record 1 before the snares of record 2, then record 2 is playing at slower tempo. If you hear the snares of record 2 first, it’s faster. You can verify this by either pushing record 2 gently ahead, to help it catch up, or by gently dragging it with your fingers, to slow it down. If you do it correctly, you will temporarily bring the records into sync. After a moment they will start to drift again. It will take some time to develop a light enough touch to do this accurately, so don’t worry if you push too hard or drag too much. In time, it will become second nature, I promise!

8. Once you have ascertained if record 2 is slower or faster than record 2, adjust the pitch control on your second turntable in the appropriate direction, in an attempt to match the tempo of the first track. This can take some practice, as you will need to adjust the pitch control by small increments until the two tracks are in sync. After each adjustment, listen again. Is it still drifting? In what direction? Sometimes you can adjust too much, and will need to nudge the pitch in the other direction. By doing this over and over you will slowly fine-tune the pitch until they are in perfect sync.

9. When the two tracks are in sync, you should hear no drift, and the snares should play on top of each other. The beats are now aligned.

10. Once the two tracks are beatmatched, you can start to mix them together. Use the fader on your mixer to gradually bring in the second track, while slowly lowering the volume of the first track. Try to create a smooth and seamless transition between the two tracks, and make sure that the beats remain in sync.

In a future article, we’ll discuss when and where you should perform the transition described in step 10, but for now just practice getting the beats aligned, and smoothly fading from record 1 into record 2. You can also use EQ and effects to enhance the mix, but for now, make sure that the beats remain in sync at all times. Practice mixing different tracks together until you can easily line up the tempos of any two records. Only then are you ready to worry about phrasing and other enhancements to a mix.

Remember, beatmatching with vinyl records takes a lot of time and practice to master, but with patience and dedication, you can become a skilled DJ and create amazing mixes that sound just as good as what can be done using software and the sync function. Good luck!

The post Beat-Matching & Mixing with Vinyl appeared first on Heavy Hits.

Before purchasing a sound system, it’s important to determine your budget. DJ sound systems can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, so it’s crucial to decide how much you’re willing to spend before making any decisions. You should also keep in mind that a good quality sound system is a long-term investment, so it’s better to invest in a high-quality system rather than a cheap one that will need to be replaced soon. Before I purchased my fist sound system, I rented amps and speakers for several years, and saved a portion of what I earned from each gig until I could afford a high-quality system.

The next step is to determine your needs. What type of events will you be performing at? How many people will you be playing for? Will you be playing indoors or outdoors? These are important questions to consider when selecting a sound system.

For example, if you’re playing at a small club, you may only need a system that can accommodate 50-100 people. However, if you’re playing at a large outdoor event, you may need a system that can accommodate several thousand people. You’ll also want to consider the types of music you’ll be playing and the acoustics of the venue. Different genres of music require different types of sound systems. For example, if you’re primarily playing hip hop or EDM, you’ll need a system with powerful bass capabilities.

Once you’ve determined your budget and needs, it’s time to start researching speakers. There are many different types of speakers on the market, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Some of the most popular types of speakers for DJ use include:

1. PA Speakers: These are the most common type of speaker used by DJs. They’re designed to produce high-quality sound at high volumes and are often used in outdoor events or large venues.
2. Studio Monitors: These speakers are designed for use in recording studios and are ideal for DJs who want to produce high-quality mixes.
3. Subwoofers: These speakers are designed to produce low-frequency sounds and are often used in conjunction with other speakers to produce a full range of sound.
4. Powered Speakers: These speakers have built-in amplifiers, making them easy to set up and use. They’re often used by DJs who want a portable system.
5. Passive Speakers: These speakers require an external amplifier to power them and are often used in professional setups.

Finally, it’s important to consider the connectivity options that a sound system offers. Ideally, you’ll want a system that can connect to a variety of different devices, such as turntables, CD players, and laptops. Make sure to choose a system that has the inputs and outputs you need to connect all your equipment.

What you choose will depend upon how you worked through the above steps, but here are some popular options for DJ speakers, with details about each one:

JBL Professional EON615 – This powered PA speaker is a popular choice among DJs due to its exceptional sound quality and portability. With a 15-inch woofer and 1000 watts of power, it can produce high-quality sound even in larger venues. The EON615 also features Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to stream music directly from your phone or tablet. And, it’s solidly built making it suitable for outdoor events.

EV Evolve 50 – The EV Evolve 50 is a portable column array speaker system that is designed for DJ use. It features eight 3.5-inch high-excursion neodymium drivers and a 12-inch subwoofer, which provide a frequency range of 37 Hz – 20 kHz. The Evolve 50 is also equipped with a 3-channel mixer, Bluetooth connectivity, and DSP for optimizing sound performance. It’s easy to transport and set up, making it a popular choice for mobile DJs.

Electro-Voice ZLX-15P – This powered PA speaker is another popular choice for DJs due to its high-quality sound and affordability. With a 15-inch woofer and 1000 watts of power, it can produce rich, clear sound even at high volumes. The ZLX-15P also features an easy-to-use LCD screen and a built-in EQ for customizing your sound. Its lightweight design makes it easy to transport, while its rugged construction ensures it can handle the demands of DJ use.

QSC K12.2 – This powered speaker is a step up in terms of both power and quality. With a 12-inch woofer and 2000 watts of power, it can deliver clear, full-range sound even in larger venues. The K12.2 also features advanced DSP technology for precise sound control, along with a built-in mixer and Bluetooth connectivity. Its sleek, professional design makes it a great choice for DJs who want to impress their clients.

Mackie Thump15BST – This powered speaker is a versatile option that can be used for a variety of DJ applications. With a 15-inch woofer and 1300 watts of power, it can deliver powerful, clear sound even in challenging environments. The Thump15BST also features wireless control via the Thump Connect app, allowing you to adjust EQ, levels, and other settings directly from your phone. Additionally, its durable construction and lightweight design make it easy to transport and set up.

Behringer Eurolive B215D – This passive speaker is a budget-friendly option that still delivers impressive sound quality. With a 15-inch woofer and 550 watts of power, it can produce clear, powerful sound in smaller venues. The B215D also features a built-in amplifier and a durable construction that can withstand the rigors of DJ use. Its lightweight design makes it easy to transport, while its affordability makes it a great choice for DJs on a tight budget.

The post Purchasing a Sound System appeared first on Heavy Hits.

Yes, I know I’m jumping ahead, and if you really are just starting out, it’s going to be a little while before you’re ready to play for a crowd, not to mention at least a little while before a crowd is ready to ask you to play for them. But let’s look ahead, shall we?

Today we’re going to start building a sort of to-do list for you. We’re going to start mapping out what you will eventually need once you start DJ’ing publicly.

I’m assuming you have a DJ controller, or turntables and a mixer, or whatever device(s) you will be using to mix music. The next step is to send that mix to something that will let your future audiences hear it. In other words, you need a sound system!

At the most basic level, you need nothing more than a speaker, but we’re going to think a bit beyond basic, and prepare you to play a house party, a small pub, or some other space along those lines. So you’re going to need… you guessed it… TWO speakers.

When choosing speakers, the first thing you have to decide is if you want a passive or active speaker. If that brings up memories of Latin lessons or grammar class, fear not. We’re not talking language here, we’re describing the two basic kinds of speakers.

An active speaker is the most popular kind used today. It has an amplifier built in, which means you can plug it into a wall socket, send it some music, and you’re good to go. A passive speaker is the more traditional kind, and it needs no electricity to run. It does, however, need an amplified signal, so you will need a separate amplifier. You’ll run from your controller into the amp, and from there into the speaker.

Both kinds have their own advantages, but as you’re just starting out, my advice is to go with two active speakers.

You’ll also need cables to connect your controller to those speakers. Most controllers have what’s known as an XLR out, and most speakers have an XLR in, so you obviously will need an XLR cable. You’ll actually need two, one per speaker, and you’ll want 50 foot cables.

Most beginner-level speakers will need to be placed onto a stand of some sort, to elevate them off the floor, and get the sound up to ear level for your listeners, so you’re going to need to speaker stands.

And the last thing you’ll need, at least for today’s beginner’s shopping list, are a power strip and some extension cables. One power strip, 2 25′ extension cables, and 1 50′ extension cable will suffice for now.

And there you have it, your very first shopping list! Don’t run out and buy any of this yet. Stick around, as in future posts we’re going to talk about which brands and models to choose, and how to go about assembling your audio arsenal. For now, start saving up your coppers, and maybe do some research on the side, and learn a little bit more about all this stuff.

Finally, here is the above info, in shopping list form:

2 active speakers
2 50′ XLR cables
2 speaker stands
2 25′ extension cables
1 50′ extension cable
1 power strip

The post Building Your First DJ Gear Shopping List appeared first on Heavy Hits.

So then, you ask, now what?

I’m glad you asked that. Stick around, for in the coming months this blog will be the place for you to visit to learn the ropes and gradually go from a guy who opened a Christmas present in 2022 to a guy being paid big bucks to DJ a Christmas party in 2023.

Today I’ll start with some of the most basic of basics. Some, and maybe all, of this maybe obvious to you, but it won’t be to everyone, and perhaps there will be one or two nuggets of knowledge here that will help you on your path to DJing.

Let’s start!

First off, open the box. Carefully! Remove the controller and all the paraphernalia that came with it, and set it all aside. Now replace the styrofoam, cardboard, plastic, and other packing materials back into that box. You should save all of that, partly because if you discover something wrong with your controller in the coming weeks you may need to return it with all the original packing materials to get a refund or a replacement, but also because someday you may want to sell this controller and upgrade to a new one. You will get more from a buyer if you present it with all its original parts and packaging. So pack that up and tuck it away in a closet, attic, corner, or under your bed.

Next, let’s gather everything else you’ll need. (For the purposes of this article, I’m assuming you are using a DJ controller, and are not starting out with turntables or CDJs. If you are, let me know in the comments and I’ll offer some advice, but also keep reading as much of what I write will still be applicable to you.) You’ll need:

1. a laptop, or other computer
2. a USB cable
3. headphones
4. speakers

Once you’ve gathered the above, it’s time to set up your home DJ booth.

First, connect the controller to the laptop with the USB cable. The controller probably came with one, though if you have a newer Mac you may need an adaptor, or a different cable. The cables that come with controllers usually aren’t very good, and can sometimes cause latency– when there is a delay between what you do on the controller and what you hear from the speaker– so at some point you’ll want to upgrade. This is the best cable in the world for DJing, so consider picking one up sometime soon. But for now, the one you have should suffice.

Next, connect the speakers. If you have powered speakers, run a cable from the master out on the back of your controller to the speakers. If you have passive speakers, run a cable from the master out on the back of your controller to the amplifier or receiver that is connected to your speakers.

Now, plug your headphones into your controller, plug your controller’s power cable into a wall socket, and everything should be wired up and ready.

Now let’s get the computer ready. What software are you using? That depends mainly upon what controller you have. My recommendation is Serato. It is hands down the best DJ software that exists today. Others may recommend Traktor, Virtual DJ, Rekordbox, or something else, but Serato is what you are going to encounter “in the wild,” most often, and what most of your DJ chums will be using. But, again, what you use may depend on what controller you have, so figure that out, and download it. Go through whatever steps are needed to get it installed on your computer.

Do you have some music? If not, that’s what Heavy Hits is for! Now that you’re a DJ, you’re going to need a source for new, and old, music, so consider signing up, but however you do it, make sure you have some music on that laptop.

And now you are ready to start practicing! Come back here for future blogs where we’ll cover other topics for beginner DJs, and get you up to speed and ready for your first public performance!

The post So You’re a DJ Now? appeared first on Heavy Hits.

I wanted to find out if there is there a way to make the change once and have it propagate through all my crates, or if I must go crate by crate and make the same changes 150 times? After Google gave me no answers, I turned to Reddit, but no one knew how to do this. Having exhausted the conventional routes to knowledge, I emailed a contact I have at Serato. He’s in charge of creating their training videos, so he seemed like the perfect person to ask. He didn’t know a way, either, nor did the Serato colleague he put me in touch with. It seems there is no way to do this.

Or is there?

After plenty of trial and error, I came up with a method to accomplish this feat, that I can only describe as a “Serato Hack.” And so I will.

Here’s a Serato Hack for changing the column structure of all your crates at once:

1. In library settings, turn off “custom crate columns”

2. Adjust a playlist to your desired specifications. For me I only want to see song name, artist, and BPM, so I deleted all the other columns, and then dragged the remaining three columns into the order I want them.

3. Quit Serato — if you don’t, and turn custom crate columns back on now, all playlists will revert to whatever they were.

4. Run Serato

5. In library settings, turn on “custom crate columns”

Now all your crates should be identical, and they should still be how you set them. Yayz0rz!

Did this work for you? Let me know in the comments below!

The post Serato Hack – Modify All Your Crates at Once appeared first on Heavy Hits.

Unfortunately, as I’ve recently learned, the answer from most DJs tends to be “I’m running a pre-made playlist.” When called out on the laziness of that statement, more than one have replied, “but I have it on shuffle, so it’s never the same set twice!” Shame on you!

It could be because I started DJ’ing when vinyl was the only option– unless you were one of those cassette tape DJs, you beast you– and it didn’t matter if the guests were having cocktails, dining, or dancing, I had to be at the turntables mixing from one record to the next, but I treat cocktail hour and dinner time the same way I do the dance portion of the affair. I’m reading the room, watching how people react to the song playing, and basing my choice of the next song off of what I see. If you take your craft seriously, you should be, too.

I know it’s tempting to fire up Spotify and press play, then sneak off to relax, or eat, or have a drink, or read a book, or scroll through TikTok, or do whatever else it is you do while your guests are eating, but resist that temptation. In the first place, it looks better if you are actively mixing music the entire time. You’re being paid for that time, right? Earn your paycheck. More importantly, while the guests are having cocktails, and later while they are eating, you have a chance to get them primed for dancing. Choose songs that get them bopping their heads and tapping their feet, and maybe even singing along, and build on those songs. Read your room, just as you do during your dance sets. If something doesn’t work, move on to something different. When something does work, build on it. Not only are you gathering important information for later, and better preparing yourself to get those guests dancing, you’re also subtly putting the guests into a good mood, which will make them much more likely to want to dance later.

If you are currently relying on playlists to get through the early stages of an event, I encourage you to abandon that practice immediately. If you aren’t, share below in the comments and let us all know what your strategy is for DJ’ing the non-dancing portions of events.

The post What Are You Doing for Dinner? appeared first on Heavy Hits.

Will this advice help you scratch better? I can’t say. But it might, so continue reading this briefest of blogs and give it a try. If you’re already doing what I am about to suggest, then so be it, but if not, and it helps, let me know. I’m genuinely curious if my friend is an outlier, or if this is something more burgeoning scratch DJs will be helped by learning.

The simple tip? Don’t move your arm when you scratch, and for the most part, don’t move your wrist, either. Nearly all your motion, and all the movement of the record should come from your fingers. That’s fingers plural, as my friend was only making contact with the vinyl with his middle finger. The middle finger does the bulk of the work, but your index and ring fingers should also be firmly on the record. Only your thumb and pinky are free. You’ll have far more control over the record that way, and by using only your fingers you will be able to accomplish much more precise maneuvers. You will use your wrist only when you want to apply greater force or speed, but that will be a quick movement, not a consistent series of movements. Your arm will move in reaction to your fingers, but none of the force you apply to the record should come from your arm.

Give it a try. Did it work? Yes? No? Maybe? Tell me!

The post This One Simple Tip Will Make You a Better Record Scratcher! appeared first on Heavy Hits.

Since we’re DJs and not accountants, maybe some people reading this don’t know what you can and can’t do in terms of adjusting your taxable income if you are being paid for DJ work. I am writing today mostly for my American audience, but would love to hear in comments about tax laws outside the US, and if any of what I’ve written applies to your own country.

The main thing I’ll address today are write-offs. Those are expenses you incur that you can subtract from your taxable income. What does that mean? In simple terms, if you are paid $100 to DJ, and spend $10 on music that you play in your set, you only have to pay tax on $90. Your income of $100 has been adjusted down to $90. Make sense?

Be sure to save receipts for any and every expense you incur. Audits aren’t common, but if you do get audited, you will need to prove to the penny to the IRS that you really did spend what you said you spent, on what you said you spent it on. So SAVE THOSE RECEIPTS!

Music is the obvious write-off that comes to mind for DJs. What else can a DJ write off? Lots of things! Any money spent on equipment— controllers, cables, microphones, headphones, etc.— can be deducted. Sometimes, for expensive items you may want to write them off over time, which is called depreciation, but that’s uncommon for DJs, and something to discuss with an accountant if you think you may want to go that route.

What are some other things you may be able to write off?

1. A Home Office

If you work from home, sending emails or making calls to potential clients, and if you store your gear at home, you can write off a percentage of your rent or mortgage interest.

2. Phone Bills

You can write off part of your phone bill if you use the phone for business.

3. Internet

Same with the phone bill, if you are using your internet at home to conduct business, you can write off a portion of that bill.

4. Auto

Track each mile you drive for business and you can write off some income for that, too.

5. Subscriptions

Are you living in the stone age, and buying, or subscribing to, print magazines about music and/or DJ’ing? Are you paying any monthly memberships to DJ sites, DJ pools, etc.? You can write off the money you spend on such things.

6. Business Insurance

You are insured, aren’t you? You’d better be. And write off what you are spending on insurance.

7. A lot more!

Rather than provide a list of 50 things you can write off, realize that anything spent in the name of business may be fair game for a write off. Gear rentals, advertising expenses, a meal for your roadie, flowers sent to a client, money donated to a charity… any time you gave away money in exchange for some positive business-wise, be it tangible or not, you should track and write off the expense.

The post Tax Time is Here – Are You Paying Too Much? appeared first on Heavy Hits.