How to Become a DJ - The 3 Basics You Need Before You Start Out

Becoming a DJ is something many people dream about. DJs are well known for their creativity in mixing music, and some have even revolutionized the way people listen to music today. If you want to know how to become a DJ, you have to brace yourself for nights of endless partying, VIPs to the best clubs, and lots and lots of attention. You'll be playing in private parties, clubs, bars and other special venues.

There are courses on how to become a DJ, so you don't have to learn the necessary skills on your own. You can always ask someone experienced in DJing for DJ lessons, if you know any. If you're still interested after knowing that your life's going to be one hell of a party, then listen up. Here are a 3 basics you will be needing to get you thumb-thumbing and scratching records in short order.

* One of the first things you have to do if you want to know how to become a DJ is to study the art of mixing tracks and how to produce a party atmosphere. There are lots of resources available online, and there are a lot of books on DJing at your local bookstore. Study methods, terminologies, types of music, and research, research, research. Spend some time studying what's out there.

* The next step in how to become a DJ is going to set you back some cash. You will definitely have to purchase your own DJ equipment, or you can borrow gear from someone, but it has to be with you for sometime. You need to purchase a DJ kit that consists of a CD mixer, speakers and a set of headphones; to start with this is all you will need. This is when the real fun stuff starts; you now have the necessary equipment to start the art of mixing tracks together.

* Practice using your equipment, ask people for their opinion, and ask for DJ lessons from someone experienced. Once you have acquired the necessary skills and you are confident of your abilities to mix tracks, you should now submit your cover letter and your resume to DJ agencies. If you don't get accepted, try again. No one was ever successful on their first try, so never give up!

Being a top DJ is a dream job come true. Not many jobs allow you to be at the best nightclubs and parties in the world, being adored by music hungry clubbers that fill your dance floor for hours on end and being paid very well for it.

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DJing Basics - DJ Mixers

The DJ mixer is what sits between the turntables or CD decks and controls the amount of sound from either source that hits the dance floor. A mixer also allows for queuing up of tracks into headphones or monitors, and can incorporate digital effects that can be added to the output. Even if a DJ is using a laptop to mix with software, that laptop will still be connected to the house mixer before it hits the sound system.

When learning how to DJ, it's important to be familiar with the different types of mixers that could be encountered at clubs and venues. While most mixers follow a fairly standard set up, there are some which can be a bit more confusing the first time they are used. Perhaps the most commonly found mixer style to in clubs and venues is that which is patterned after the Pioneer DJM-500. This mixer was one of the foundations of early club music, and it's tough construction and simple to understand interface have made it popular even to this day. Many other units have emulated its control layout and flow. The DJM-500 is a 4-channel mixer, meaning it can accept input from up to 4 different audio sources at a time. At the bottom and near the middle of the mixer is a crossfader, which moves laterally, allowing the DJ to mix between each sound source. The sources themselves also each have vertical faders which can control the level of the audio input. Every channel also bears 3 knobs which can affect the basic equalization of the sound, giving the DJ control over low, mid and high frequencies.

Throughout the years, Pioneer has added more features to their newer generations of mixers, giving some a digital interface which allows for the use of dozens of different effects, as well as enhanced visual monitoring of audio levels through LED indicators. However, the basic form and function of the mixer have remained the same.

Some companies, such as Gemini, and Allen and Heath, take a less traditional approach when it comes to the placement of mixing controls. Some of the Xone series mixers from Allen and Heath look considerably different than the traditional Pioneer, with the crossfader shunted off to one side and tracks laid out across the mixer's horizontal instead of vertical axis. While approaching these different types of mixers for the first time may be intimidating, the easiest way to acclimate to them is to locate the standard controls that are common to all mixers (faders, crossfaders, volume knobs), and then gradually work out from there to discover the extra or unique features of the device.

Mixers take a lot of abuse in the live environment, and when dirt gets into a mixer's sliders, it can interrupt the contacts necessary for proper audio transmission, resulting in a scratchy, crackling sound. It is important to always make sure to test out a mixer before it is used, in order to make sure it is in peak operating condition.

Khary Reynolds is a Pro Account Manager for Guitar Center Professional, specializing on sound system design. He is experienced in putting together sound and live sound systems from the ground up as well as music and pro audio product sales. Also a certified CTS by Infocomm International, the trade association for the A/V industry, Khary is dedicated to go above and beyond expectations, establishing himself as a respected resource. Visit his site, http://www.audiogearpro.com

Choosing the Perfect Headphones (DJing Basics)

One of the most overlooked aspects of DJing is headphone selection. It could be argued that being able to properly hear the music that is being cued and mixed is one of the most important aspects of a live DJ experience. The club environment is an extremely noisy one, and without the proper equipment it can be easy to get lost in the cacophony of sounds that present themselves.

There are three main sources of music that a DJ will be faced with when performing live. The first is the mix that is being heard on the dance floor itself. Most of the time, due to the position of the DJ booth and the fact that the venue's sound system is designed to fire towards the dance floor and away from the DJ, this will sound loud, muddy and confusing. DJ's must be able to tune out this music while they are mixing, only listening when they want to specifically check on certain sonic aspects of the music they are playing. A DJ's window onto what is being heard by partyers out on the dance floor is the monitor, or second music source. A monitor is a speaker or two speakers which represent the mix that is being sent to the club's main sound system. Since the monitor or monitors are located in the DJ booth, there are no distracting echoes or timing issues to cloud the sound.

The third sound source in a DJ booth are the headphones. The headphones are plugged into the mixer, and they are designed to allow the DJ to hear any of the tracks playing through that board. They can also listen to several sources at once, such as when the DJ wants to mix a cued track into what is already playing through the loudspeakers. The headphones are a crucial piece of gear for a DJ who wants to make sure that their transitions are dead-on accurate.

Obviously, clubs are noisy places. On top of the extremely loud music, there is also noise from the crowd combined with the chatting of other people who may be in or around the DJ booth. This makes it important to ensure that the headphones which have been selected are able to completely block out any external sound when it is time to perform a mix. Most headphones accomplish this by completely encircling the ear. By covering each of the ears, it is possible to make a fairly effective seal against outside noise. Proper DJ headphones are also self-contained, meaning that no sound leaks from them while they are being used. Some of the most popular DJ headphones are the V-series from Sony. For many years, the MDR-V500 was one of the standard DJ headphones in use around the world, and while still very good, they have been supplanted by the MDR-V700. These are larger and heavier than the previous generation, but they provide excellent clarity when listening in loud environments.

It is clear that when it comes to DJing, ear buds will not do. Comfortable, over-ear headphones which are capable of providing powerful bass response and distinguished highs are the best option for DJ's who want to make sure that they can execute flawless mixes every time.

Khary Reynolds is a Pro Account Manager for Guitar Center Professional, specializing on sound system design. He is experienced in putting together sound and live sound systems from the ground up as well as music and pro audio product sales. Also a certified CTS by Infocomm International, the trade association for the A/V industry, Khary is dedicated to go above and beyond expectations, establishing himself as a respected resource. Visit his site, http://www.audiogearpro.com