Understanding DJ set copyright takedowns

Copyright rules seem to be going hard. Many livestream DJs have had that heart-sinking feeling when a notice appears on their screen saying they’re being muted. Or even cut off. But it’s more complex than just rights holders dampening the fun. When you’re done learning how to DJ using one player, check out more on the current copyright wars happening in the livestream and mix video space. 

The two rights of every track

There’s a right to be paid when your musical composition is played, and a right to be paid when your sound recording is played. These are two separate rights. If you created a song (melody, lyrics, etc) and then produced and recorded it yourself, you’re owed for both rights. If you have released a cover version, then only one of them. Anyone who wants to use either of these rights in their new musical composition needs a license. Get it? 

Granting a license

As a holder of copyright, you grant someone a license when 

• They publicly perform the song. Not necessarily perform, like with a live band. ‘Perform’ in this case also means play back the record, like in a DJ set. 

• They record a cover version of the composition

• They synchronize the composition to film or video and make it available on-demand

So DJs are technically in the first camp. When you spin a record that you didn’t write, you (or whoever is organizing the event) technically owes the rights holder something. 

It gets super complicated. The music industry is a pretty murky place when it comes to legalities, but here’s what you need to know about DJing copyrighted material: if you play other people’s music, the artists should get paid. Without this basic agreement, the production of good music ends. Livestream platforms like Twitch and Facebook Live are tired of being hit with potential lawsuits, and have decided to block playback. 

It’s a weird time, and nobody really has a solution which suits everyone. Big companies like Amazon seem to want to help, but have yet to invent a sustainable way to genuinely support DJ culture. Watch this space. And while you’re watching it, watch a few preview videos from the online DJ courses offered by DJ Courses Online. Ever wonder how to do a proper backspin?

How Pioneer’s CDJ-1000s shaped DJ history

There was a time when DJs used vinyl records. Not because they were super niche and hip, but because flash drives hadn’t been invented yet. Actually, neither had CDs. So when CDs came along, with their superior storage ability and audio clarity, most DJs had to find a way to navigate the transition. Just like you have to navigate the transition from being a bedroom noob DJ to a serious one with one of the DJ courses by DJ Courses Online. Read on.

The vinyl problem

At the time of its release, the Pioneer CDJ-1000 was an ingenious solution to the problem most DJs were facing: how to acquire music that was not being released on vinyl as it made its way out of the door and CDs made their way in. DJs were stuck in vinyl, and the world was moving on. CD players could do the job of playback, but there was almost none of the control that DJs needed to keep the floor moving. No scratch control, no easy way to transport, no crossfading curves.

Enter the jog wheel

The first model of CDJs was released by Pioneer in 2001. It rivaled the Technics 1200 in innovation by introducing the revolutionary, never-seen-before jog wheel. The functionality of vinyl had arrived in the world of CD DJing. Using the (now omnipresent) 7-inch, top-mounted disc encoder, DJs could slow and speed the track. And even better, they could scratch. It was the perfect bridge for vinyl DJs to adapt to the clearly superior digital world, and adoption was quick and (almost) universal. 

Other wins for DJs

There were even more reasons to switch. CDJs offered cue points, allowing DJs to jump to a specific part of a track. This ushered in the age-old hip hop technique of looping breaks and hooks to hype the crowds. Due to the relative weight of CDs and the fact that MP3 encoding would soon become the norm, travel was made a whole lot easier while also offering more track options to DJs.

It’s hard to imagine any club without a pair of CDJs somewhere in the booth. They’re still the global standard for professional event playback, and it all started with the market-focused release of the CDJ-1000s. The design still serves as a source of inspiration for many gear designs today. As we move into an ever more streaming-focused world, let’s pause for a minute in retrospect and all hail the aptly-named Pioneer’s most significant contribution to DJing. Speaking of contributing, you should get better at DJing by checking out what DJ Courses Online offers in the way of online DJ courses.

Three DJ developments 2020 brought us

It’s been a heck of a year. But the release of new music hasn’t slowed down, and the demand for DJing has continued to grow as more people stuck at home searched their lost and lonely lockdown souls for the type of meaning music gives us all. DJing is here to stay, albeit in a new form, so embrace the changes by leveling up your DJ skills with one of our online DJ courses. And check out a few things 2020 brought us. 

Track stem separation

Sure, the ability to play back separate elements of a track has been around for a while. But with the launch of new AI tech like DJay Pro’s Neural Mix and Virtual DJ’s Real-Time Stem Separation (among others), the future of DJing has truly arrived. Again. As the ability to mix individual components of a track becomes more accessible, expect for a wave of acapellas being played back over tracks for which they weren’t written. 

Virtual events and live streaming

With the Great Plague of 2020 seemingly posing less and less of a threat as the year winds up, may we all raise our heads and breathe a collective sigh. And then may we thank our virulent overlords for one good thing to come from the year - the mass adoption of livestreaming and virtual events as a source of income and exposure for lockdown DJs. Might not be much for most of us, but we’ve crossed that bridge now. Onwards towards a future where we can all live in the countryside and make a living spinning our favorite records. 

Copyright rumbles

In 2020, Facebook banned all playback of copyrighted material, severely limiting the ability of livestreaming DJs to access their (often) primary audiences. Mixcloud cut a deal with rights holders for over a million tracks. TikTok played them without permission and with a come-and-get-us attitude. Twitch asked out loud if we can’t all get along. A range of reactions to a sticky subject: who pays for streaming of copyrighted material? As usual, it’s a terribly weedy path to navigate and we won’t get into it here. But let’s just say as of 2020, copyright is square in the spotlight. 

The art of DJing is getting way more interesting, and apparently converging ever more with the fate of our chosen tech platforms. DJing might seem to be developing into something of a winner-takes-all competition for access to walled garden content. But make no mistake. If there’s one activity that relies on the type of tasteful human curation that currently can’t be emulated, synthesized or procedurally generated, it’s the act of DJing. Choose to be a part of it with one of the DJ courses by DJ Courses Online. And hey, have a great festive season.

How the PMX 9000 mixer shaped DJing

One of the earliest pioneers of DJ hardware was the PMX 9000 Crossfader DJ Mixer. Today, the PMX 9000 might look like something you’d use to block a door from slamming in the wind, but at the time it was an innovative (and expensive) piece of hardware. And one that paved the way for DJ techniques that persist to this day. Let’s check out some of the debts that professional DJs owe to this historic piece of gear. 

Crossfading

First introduced in 1979, the PMX 9000 was one of the first mass-produced DJ mixers. And the first to use a crossfader. Without the crossfader, we wouldn’t have scratching, beat juggling and beat matching. Simply put, the 9000 turned DJing into a sport. It wasn’t long before Gemini, Numark and Vestax followed with their own version of PMX-style mixers.

Going mainstream 

Although the PMX featured no per-channel EQ or gain, it did manage to spark off competition between other audio manufacturing companies. Pretty soon, it became clear that DJing wasn’t just for the type of people who assembled their own ham radios; it was now becoming cool, and accessible to the mainstream. 

History in the making

The PMX 9000 kickstarted sparked many new developments in the field of DJ mixers. Developments like 3-band EQs, per-channel cue and crossfader curves. All of these are considered standard parts of the DJ practice to this day, and without them we wouldn’t have Grandmaster Flash or his disciples.

DJ history is peppered with stories of frontier-pushing development and artistry. We have many pioneers to acknowledge, all of whom had one thing in common - their desire to level up. So level up yourself! Check out some of the DJ tutorial video courses on offer today.

Livestream your DJ set from your phone

Travel back in time. Try explaining the fact that we all carry computers in our pockets to someone from the 1950s. You’ll get locked up. And while you’re there, you’ll have some time to do a bit a reading on subjects that interest you. Stuff like how to livestream your DJ set from your phone. Ready to level up? Here we go.

It’s a hack

There’s currently no magic one-stop shop for livestreaming your set from your phone, so it’s a bit of a workaround. You’ll need to get a tripod with a phone grip holder, a few special audio cables and an external soundcard. But once you’re up and running, “Look ma, no laptop!”

What do I need

OK first off, the software (app) for your phone is called Larix Broadcaster. Install it. Then go ahead and order EvermixBox4, which is the audio interface that you’ll need. Here’s a video on how it works. You’ll be running audio from your mixer to the EvermixBox4 into your phone, so buy the appropriate ⅛” TRS and TRRS cables to make that connection. 

Where do I stream?

Twitch is the most popular option. Mixcloud Live is the premium option. Mixcloud is a great platform for livestream DJs, and reasonably priced. You get a free month trial. YouTube is an option, but it’s probably going to flag you for one or more of your tracks. Avoid Facebook until they manage to make a deal with the rights holders. 

Remember, this is just a broad overview of the process, and you’ll need to do some more work in figuring it out. But the results will be a more mobile, agile and portable DJ live stream experience that puts you at the front of the artform. Half the job is always figuring out the tech! The other half is knowing how to put on a show. Check out some of the showmanship techniques used by professional DJs in the Advanced DJ Techniques course by DJ Courses Online.

2020 World DJ Championships goes virtual

News from the world of competitive DJing: the World DJ Champs is currently slated to take place from November 16th until the final on November 27th. The competition will be virtual-only for 2020. Find out more as the world’s best turntablist DJs go head to head for the title. And while you’re here, check out our Serato Itch/Scratch DJ course.

Event details

The 35th Technics/DMC World DJ Championships has announced that the 2020 virtual edition of the Champs will take place from the 16th to the 27th November. It was announced in September that the event would be held entirely online due to the coronavirus pandemic. There’s already a whole lot of submission material from the pre-finalist participants on the official site.

How it works this year

Every country with a ruling DMC governing body is hosting its Online National Championships while all the other countries are competing in a "Rest of the World" battle. The National Championships performance has a duration of four minutes.

Schedule and participants

Since September, the contenders have been battling it out for a spot amongst the top 10. On 16th November, the final ten turntablists will be announced. These are the participants from 15 World Elimination Finalists. The current finalists include JFB (UK), Immortal (USA), DJ Dino (Algeria), DJ Kitsos (Greece), and Tony J Kut (France). Fellow Frenchman DJ Skillz is the reigning champ and has taken the title for the last two years running. 

To watch the championships, head over to the Championships 2020 website on 27th November. Check the schedule for regional times. Get hyped up by some of the existing uploads by the pre-finalists. And most importantly, get yourself back into vinyl with a DJ course by DJ Courses Online!

Organizing Your Virtual DJ Library

There’s a buzz about Virtual DJ right now. Not only is the former underdog of DJ software leading the charge in the field of realtime stem separation, but also because they’re attracting the type of development that truly benefits professional DJs. Let’s check out a new dev by DJ Conversion Utility which helps make your library work easier.

DJ librarian?

The stems thing is fun, but DJing is actually in the data. We DJs get our tracks from many sources and mostly need a reliable way to organize our track libraries across multiple different sources. Now, using a piece of software called DJ Conversion Utility, we’re able to convert our track libraries from Traktor, Rekordbox and Serato to Virtual DJ.

Two-way conversion

Up until now, the software allowed conversion from Virtual DJ to other platforms but now it works both ways. The software creators have also announced the ability to convert playlists directly to Serato crates, whereas before they were only converted to iTunes playlists. 

Get into it

That’s the big news. Now what does it imply? For one thing, it makes Virtual DJ look even more attractive than before as it promises to take at least some of the pain out of DJ librarianship. The software is currently priced at 19.50 Euros on Sellfy. Unfortunately, Mac users only for now. The developers have created a couple of YouTube tutorials for DJs on how to get it working. 

The love-hate relationship with the totally non-glamorous side of DJ has its toll. Fortunately, we’re never alone, and only ever a forum thread or two away from finding the fixes. Check out the Level III DJ Techniques course by DJ Courses Online today and join the DJ gang.

How the Technics 1200 Created DJing

DJing has come a long way since 1970, when the first recognizable DJ turntable was released. In this series, we’re looking at a few historic innovations that went on to change DJing forever. First up, the Technics 1200 DJ Turntable. Wanna DJ vinyl? Check out the Serato Scratch Live course by DJ Courses Online today.

The OG of DJ gear

The Technics 1200 was the first turntable to really focus exclusively on the needs of the DJ. It made its debut way back in 1970 and undoubtedly led to the hip-hop revolution which came as a precursor to DJing. Inventions have included direct drive motors, tonearms in an S-shape and platters which allow nudging. To this day, Technics is still the most celebrated brand amongst DJs.

Pitch control and direct drive

The 6% pitch control fader began allowing DJs to mix records at different tempos, fully enabling the concept of a DJ set and an unbroken dance floor. Direct drive motors prevented wear and tear on the standard belt-driven turntables that came before. The power of the motor also allowed the platter to be stopped and then started up again without major lags. Any hardware will still cause occasional DJ problems, but on the whole the 1200 was a sturdy beast.

Tonearm

Ever wondered why the tonearm of a deck is S-shaped? In contrast to a straight arm, the shape allows for tracking stability. Along with the super-useful tracking light for dark places and a heavy-duty metal build, the turntable provided enough value to assure its place in DJ history. Check out this cool slideshow showing the development of the Technics 1200 over time.

It wasn’t long before Technics released the 1210 line of turntables, successors which went on to become the de facto standard in clubs. And basically every turntable since has drawn on the original design. DJing has come a long way. Claim your spot in the DJ story by checking out the preview videos from the Serato Scratch Live DJ course by DJ Courses Online.

DJing with acapellas

As a DJ, you have to be unique. To have something the others done. That thing could be a classy selection, a specific mixing technique, or an acapella. Acapellas - the isolated vocal stems of a track - are an established way to bring your own flavor to a track, set or mashup. Let’s get into a few ways in which acapellas bring the heat.   

Transitions

Acapellas are great for atmospheric transitions between tracks or to bridge two different tempos in your set. When used in isolation, they can be stuttered, mangled, stretched and otherwise affected to create a palette cleanser between tracks or tempos. Tricks like this should be used sparingly, but can create the type of moment that stops conversations and gets people excited about whatever you’re about to drop. Just a couple of things you figure out when learning to DJ.

Mashups

The best part about acapellas is finding a matching key and simply plugging them into other tracks. Tracks they weren’t designed for. For example, playing an acapella in G over a track in C creates an interval difference which teases the audience. Try it out. Use acapellas to create these moments can result in  some stellar mixes.

Fun!

It’s a fact that vocal music is more interesting than instrumental music. No doubt about it. Acapellas make human ears perk up (especially when they contain those saucy lyrics). A beautiful female voice caked in reverb with a banging beat is a great way to get people onto the floor. Use acapellas for DJ mix transitions and to show them you know your stuff. 

All major DJ software is now equipped to incorporate acapellas into your set. Grab some acapellas from Voclr.it or Acapellas4u. If you’re stuck in Track A/B mode or want to otherwise level up your set, using acapellas in your DJ sets is your next step. Checking out one of the DJ courses from DJ Courses Online is another good way to level up!

Mixcloud to the rescue for livestream DJs?

Mixcloud is launching a livestream monetization platform called Tickets. The system appears to be replacing tips and donations with a pay-for-entry model, allowing DJs to capitalize on their home sets while giving up and coming DJs a chance to reach their ideal target - a paying audience. 

Fresh approach 

Mixcloud is becoming the obvious choice for many DJs who’ve been forced to pivot to livestreaming. The DJ-centric platform is leading the way with their baked-in licensing arrangement with copyright holders, allowing DJs to play basically anything they want without fear of takedowns. Working with copyright holders instead of constant warring still seems to be the exception to the rule for which we have Mixcloud to thank.

Selling exclusivity

Putting up a paywall filters out the masses and attracts the true fans. The ones willing to part with a few bucks. Most of the internet is already too free to be useful, and we can all see the appeal of the thinking. But are fans of dance music the types to part with a few bucks without the actual appeal of the awesome sound and lighting rigs of an actual live show? No answers there yet, but the most would agree that professionalization of DJ culture is a welcome concept. 

Beta testing

With the rollout of new modes of behavior brought on by lockdown, what’s likely to happen? Fact is, there are more people DJing and watching live sets online than ever before. So we can anticipate the same pattern of online enterprises: a slow trickle of early adopters followed by a breakout story, followed by mass adoption. Big names currently registered to use Tickets include Flying Lotus, Róisín Murphy and Leon Vynehall.

All of this is obviously speculation, but it seems that Mixcloud isn’t content to remain in the music streaming category alone. The platform already enjoys a dedicated following, and is uniquely positioned to provide (and fund?) quality live performances for fans of DJing the world over. Tickets is currently invite only (apply here), but labels and artists can apply on the site. Until they get rolling, why not see what DJ Courses Online has to offer in the way of professional DJ courses.

Twitch gets better for DJ livestreams

While Facebook throws ever more obstacles in the way of livestream DJs, Twitch is doing everything right. The most recent development? A catalog of over one million tracks from 30 independent labels and distributors is now available to spin as part of their new “Soundtrack” feature. The road to being a professional DJ has never been more favorable. 

What’s new?

Streaming your set live on Twitch has the advantage of being able to get through your set without the plug being pulled due to copyright issues. Downside? You can’t keep the recording. But now, with the new “Soundtrack” feature, you’ll be able to draw on a million tracks across the categories of “dance”, “electronic” and “rap” - with more on the way. 

Who’s in?

Basically, the publishers of certain tracks have agreed to waive their copyright for livestreaming on Twitch. Artists now available to stream include mxmtoon, Above & Beyond, Porter Robinson, SwuM, RAC, and many others. The feature was launched last week and we can expect it to be available to all Twitch users over the next few weeks.

What does this mean?

If you’re still rocking the underground, Twitch is now officially a safer place to play your set, which almost certainly includes rights-protected music. As usual, the major labels are the slowest to respond. Mainstream DJs will not experience any major changes. 

Reputation is everything in this game. And Twitch is rapidly becoming the more trusted streaming platform for DJs to continue working, even if it is just for the occasional donation.The general  buzz right now is to favor Twitch as a place for your live set. You know what else the general buzz is saying? Level up with a DJ course with DJ Courses Online today!

3 DJ apps making mashups easier

For the most part, DJing has moved on from playback of records. In an era of stem separation, remix decks and mashups, re-edits are becoming more common than the originals. Let’s check out a few apps making mashups easier

Mixed In Key Mashup

Mixed In Key is best known for their flagship software which allows beatmakers and producers to easily produce harmonically pleasing mixes. Mashup takes it a step further by taking the thinking out of which songs to mix into a mashup. You’re able to get quick ‘compatibility rating’ and A/B track syncing. Drag in a few options, line things up and export. Easy.

Serato Studio

Unlike most DAWs, Serato Studios provides an easy way to get started with making re-edits. Their DJ-centric layout and functionality allows you to “play” elements of the track over the top of your source track. This makes it useful for creating bootlegs. If you’re a Serato user, the integration with your Serato library is even more useful. 

Ableton Live

Live is something that basically every professional DJ has a working understanding of, and it’s easy to label it alongside all the other DAWs. But what makes Live so special is its session view, which is (currently) an unparalleled way of generating new ideas through layering and insane playability. If you’re in the business of re-edits that sound like they’ve been organically created, Live should be your go-to.

DJing is fast becoming a more creative outlet than ever. Less playback and more play. Get to grips with the ever-evolving industry of career DJing and sign up for an online DJ course by DJ Courses Online today.

The near future of DJing

Things are never going back to normal normal. There’s a new mentality which puts social distancing at the center of how we behave and interact. This new way of doing things will likely outlast any actual health risks by years. Time to adapt to a post-Covid world. 

DJing to crowds

People are more than likely to be cautious around crowds for years to come. Not the greatest news for DJs. More than one professional DJ career is based on strangers being comfortable getting sweaty together. Indoor events are particularly hard hit, with regulations aimed at reducing numbers to less than 50 people. Oh, and no more spit-spraying water over the crowd.

Booking contracts for DJs

Nobody wants to be blamed for facilitating the spread of a pathogen, so it’s likely that booking contracts will start to contain indemnity clauses. This just means both parties will be required to acknowledge the risks associated with parties, gatherings and other events where a DJ might be present. When it hits the paperwork, it’s unlikely to change any time soon.

Masks for DJs

Whether or not you agree that wearing a mask in a booth is effective, there will likely be cases where DJs are required to mask up in order to play. Even after the pandemic is seen as a threat, people will still wear masks as a show of solidarity for average global health. The masks might work in stopping infection, but they’re most effective in showing cooperation. 

Are DJs being hit hard by the pandemic? In terms of gigs and events, sure. But there are upsides to having less setwork to plan. Time. If the doors haven’t started opening in your area yet, you’d better be using the time to brush up on your software and even get producing. You know what helps? A course of industry professionals who want to help you succeed through the difficult times. Sign up today. 

New DJ livestreaming woes

Facebook already has a reputation amongst livestream DJs that resembles something you’d clean out of the shower plughole. Now, with a new set of Terms and Conditions, it appears that even more restrictive measures are being taken to avoid copyrighted songs being played to your Facebook fans. 

Starting October 1st 2020, Facebook’s legal usage will prohibit using “videos on our Products to create a music listening experience”. The official statement is below

“We want you to be able to enjoy videos posted by family and friends. However, if you use videos on our Products to create a music listening experience for yourself or for others, your videos will be blocked and your page, profile or group may be deleted. This includes Live.”

What’s next for DJs?

So no more playing copyrighted music in your Facebook videos, live or otherwise. You might get away with it, but the update reinforces a precedent that is tending towards blanket restriction on using copyrighted songs. The rules are enforceable, and many DJs already have stories of their streams being pulled mid-set or deleted afterwards. 

What can DJs do about it?

The legit solution for this is unfortunately to ditch Facebook and begin building the audience elsewhere. Twitch is pushing for copyright clearance and fast becoming a friendlier alternative to Facebook. Mixcloud Live is leading the charge negotiating with the publishers to allow the use of copyrighted material on their platforms. Consider looking around. 

It’s safe to assume that over time, there will be less support by the big networks for livestreaming DJs. Kinda sucks, but it might also just be time to leave behind the easy clicks and likes on Facebook and start aiming to get through to people who would follow you wherever you stream. The industry is changing super fast, but trust being earned? That’s timeless. Sign up today for the industry-savvy DJ Career Tips course.

3 creative live streams from 2020

For a moment there, it was getting a little stuffy. Now that lockdown restrictions are starting to ease up everywhere, we’re looking forward to more live in-person sets. Until we get there, livestreaming to the rescue! Here are 3 professional DJs who have been busy pushing the boundaries of what a stream means. 

Madeon’s Secret Sky Festival Set

If messing with the video threshold to create old skool psychedelic 90s visuals is your thing, you’ll love Madeon’s livestream set from Secret Sky Festival. The festival was a virtual event which brought users together for a 14-hour DJ and live event. Best moment? This highly flamboyant slow jam fist toss towards the end. 

John Digweed’s Bunker Sessions

John Digweed is still going, apparently every week in a regular livestream event on Mixcloud Live and Facebook. Pretty cool place to hang out with the neon blue lights and floor-to-ceiling vinyl collection. Two little dayglo pixies (daughters?) run around during his sets. There’s plenty of older techno being played for those who feel like a weekly timewarp. Check them all out on Mixcloud Live (for just $3.99/mo)

Four Tet’s Modular Charity Gig

Electronica pioneer Four Tet sure puts on a good show. For charity, in this case, as he joined with Streaming From Isolation for an hour set from a woodlands bedroom spanning a range of genres and playback devices. Favorite? The modular synth moments, which saw him tweaking those knobs like he was running out of voltage. Very cool.

DJs don’t seem to be staying put. The more restrictions are placed on them, the more creative they’re becoming in the simple task of sharing good music. Keep grabbing those opportunities by joining a DJ program from DJ Courses Online today. 

Stem separation with Virtual DJ 2021

Demixing is in. Being able to import a single track and separate it out into its component stems is a promising development for the creative side of DJing. Now, VirtualDJ has announced that their 2021 update will lead the way with real-time stem separation of up to 5 stems. 

Isolate them stems

VirtualDJ is paving the way for many professional DJs and students of DJing to take their craft to the next level. Their 2021 update is scheduled to include a stem demixing mode which will essentially enable the separate components of completed tracks to be played back individually.

Mashup control

The power of having access to individual stems is that DJs can select tracks by matching key and superimpose basslines, melodies, harmonies and vocals on other tracks like never before. The result is a far more creative approach towards DJing, one which will allow even more expression than track selection and mixing currently allows.

How does it sound?

The technology isn’t perfect, but it is a leap forward. For example, isolating the vocal stem will still result in some artifacts (chirps, squeaks, blips) being heard. There’s no clean fix just yet. But considering we’re still in the early days of the AI-powered EQ that enables the feat, it’s a promising sign for dancefloors all over the world. 

It just keeps moving forwards, doesn’t it? As the pace quickens, you’ll want to keep up. Sign up for a course by DJ Courses Online today and stay in step with the tech trends (and communities of passionate DJs who use them) as they happen.

Three obstacles to being a vinyl DJ

Vinyl DJing is the stick shift of partying. It’s a skill you’ll probably be OK without, and also one that gives you an edge when DJing with software. Coming to grips with ‘analog DJing’ is not only an impressive way to stake your claim, it’s a whole lot of fun once you get past the hurdles. Let’s march onwards to a professional career in DJing with three challenges to learning how to DJ on vinyl.

Heavy

Before Serato, but there was a time that actual crates were the way to get vinyl from one place to another. Carrying (and flying) them around is always going to be the main challenge to a career in DJing, but having the temerity to show up with a limited collection of only the best tunes is what grabs the attention of the DJ purists. Be warned: 50 vinyl records weighs around 165lb (75kg).

Expensive

Vinyls are a costly hobby, which is probably the main reason so few DJs are able to spin them. A single collector’s 12” cost around $20 on average. That’s around 2-4 songs, often remixes and B-sides of a single. And because the industry is driven by exclusivity, not too many ‘hit collection’ compilations are pressed. Having a dope vinyl collection is certainly gonna set you back.

Fragile

One mean scratch and your record is done. Couple minutes in the sun and it could end up sounding like it’s being run through a pitch LFO. Nobody likes the idea of taking their prize items into a dark noisy public space, where so much can go wrong. Again, part of the allure. Show up with a winning track on vinyl, however, and you’ve got a shot at impressing those that matter most. 

Vinyl isn’t for everyone, and that’s cool. But it is a sort of statement. Spending the cash, carrying the crates and protecting them like your children is a good way to demonstrate your commitment to the art. And with digital detox movements getting more popular, it’s the vinyl DJs who still rule the underground. Get more into DJing today with a course by DJ Courses Online and take your skills to the next level.

John Bartmann is an audio producer and DJ.

Ditch the USBs and stream your DJ set

Recently, software for gear by Denon was updated to enable streaming SoundCloud Go+ and Beatport Link tracks on any standalone Prime device without any downloading required. Tidal has already made this available. The benefits are immense for DJs - access to millions of tracks without the need to download. But if you’re a serious DJ and aren’t using any of those three services, let’s check out a few ways to transfer your collection.

Tune My Music

Tune My Music allows you to move your collection from any major streaming platform to another. You simply designate the source platform and paste the URL to one of your Spotify playlists into the target platform. Log into both your target platform and source account and follow the steps to transfer. Once done, you’ll be able to stream tracks via Engine OS on any Denon gear. 

Soundiiz 

Soundiiz can help you move your collection from Spotify to Tidal, given that Tidal can already be streamed on Engine OS. The basic services are free, but to transfer individual tracks or albums you’ll need to be on premium. You’ll need a Tidal membership, but other than that, using Soundiiz is a seamless process. 

SongShift

Songshift is an iOS app allowing you to shift your music between services. It unfortunately doesn’t currently include Beatport and will require an Apple device if you’re doing it all on mobile. You also need to upgrade your account if you want the platform to automatically scan Tidal to match the tracks. Worthwhile for Tidal power users. 

The service you end up using will depend on your DJ gear or software. You’ll also need the newest version by Engine OS if you want to stream using SoundCloud Go+, Beatport Link, and Tidal. It’s worth the effort once you’re done and able to stream directly to your decks! Stay with the times by signing up for a course by DJ Courses Online. 

John Bartmann is an audio producer and DJ.

DJ lockdown prep

Lockdown is affecting everyone, DJs included. Fortunately, it’s left us with loads of time to check out new ways to get the most out of our software. And it will come and go. Make the move towards a serious career in career in DJing and check out a few things to keep you busy while we wait. 

Set your cue points

Just do it. Traktor, Serato, VirtualDJ and Rekordbox all have ways to set the start and loop points for your favorite tracks. Yeah, it can be a pain, but if you’re planning on playing the stuff, you’ll need to do the prep. Been waiting for a sign? This is it. Set your cue points while you’re trapped in lockdown. 

Create a new set

Sometimes, getting away from your gear is all you need to create something new. A fresh perspective. After months of not playing out, you’ll probably be feeling the need to do something a little different when you’re back on it. So why not take the opportunity to get stuck into your collection and make a new DJ set? If nothing else, it will make you feel like you’re still on top of things!

Flush out the old stuff

Yeah, there comes a time to once again test your recycle bin’s bulk storage capabilities. You see, 2006 was a while ago now. And while it hurts letting go, you don’t need a bunch of stuff cluttering up your playlist. Take the plunge, let it go and experience a cleaner, more impactful track collection.

You heard the saying ‘make hay while the sun shines’? Might not feel like the sun is shining, but there’s good reason right now to quit the procrastination and get prepared for the end of this woeful lockdown. Your career as a DJ requires the awesomeness to see this bleak time for what it is - a dud track. Keep smiling with a course from DJ Courses Online today. 

John Bartmann is a creative audio producer and DJ.

3 DJ livestream tips

We’re probably never going all the way back to the pre-Covid era. That blissful time when the politics around mask usage didn’t exist, and throwing a party was even an option. So welcome to the era of online options. DJs perform remotely. For now. Here are a couple quick easy tips to keep you on the task of professional DJing. 

Use Restream.io

People behave similarly online to how they do in real life. Only difference here is that instead of getting 50 hardcore fans out to your party, you’re able to reach thousands with a similar amount of effort. Use a platform called Restream.io to broadcast your show to multiple social platforms at once. That way you’re not entirely reliant on the Twitch crowd alone to big up your show. Restream.io forwards comments between Twitch, YouTube and Facebook. Go bigger.

Picture beats audio

Live shows are meant to be visual When you’ve reached a suitable audio quality (with as few audio dropouts and CPU crunches as possible), start putting the attention on how it looks. Let’s face it, people kinda listen with their eyes. Lighting is important. It doesn’t have to be bright, but it should resemble the experience that your selected audience is there for. Use custom overlays. If it’s late night, make it dark and neon. The angle of the camera(s) should expose your face and hands. They’re there to scope out your gear and watch you enjoy yourself. 

Keep it simple

No sense having a hardware-software hybrid rig that collapses with CPU strain on the night. If it’s two decks and a soundcard, great. Throw a mic in so you can respond to incoming chats. Whatever the case, it’s better to invest in gear that makes your look good (lighting, cameras) than gear which does a fantastic job until you factor in the complexities of broadcasting. 

It makes sense to embrace live streaming right about now. In the unlikely event that society returns back to normal, the online whale has been harpooned and we’re in for a ride in the direction it chooses. You better, uh, learn how to waterski...? Check out how to level up with DJ Courses Online today. 

John Bartmann is a creative audio producer and DJ.