Im a born again DJ. I used to DJ back in the 80's and stop do to life wife kids etc etc. For years I wasn't having fun and forgot how to have fun until lately i been listening to a lot of DJ'S and then it hit me I was missing my music and creating music for ppl to have fun, so i bought all new equipment and now i am practicing and learning the new way of DJING. Its totally different but still fun. Listening to your tips is inspirational and give me a lot of insight to djing now. I don't try to beat match i like to create so different music to mash up and make it sound fun. Thank you for your vids its helps more than you probably know it do. Keep them coming.
Love this tutorial ❤ I am a DJ for 28 years working with vinyl and DVS. Everything comes with the experience. Like you said, don't be afraid. You will know the music you play and automatically get to know the levels and EQ for your tracks, you will get the experience that you already know beforehand where to pitch it up or down too and where the best parts for transitions are in the tracks. You will eventually also change your approach each time because you will get ecperience with different types of crowds you have. They will carry you as well.
Started streaming twitch mixes about a year ago, finally hit the 113th stream this week and finally just started to understand it deeper than picking songs and transitioning. My first stream was me plugging in the mixer for the first time, I had never practiced prior to that stream but I had probably spent 3 years watching DJ tutorials before starting. Every mix I try some new stuff! Like you said sometimes it'll work and I can ride it out or sometimes it doesn't and I get out asap but its always a learning experience and my favorite part is vibing and solving the puzzle in real time. Amazing video here with great tips.
You have learned on the job and this is something that’s so few DJs realise, it’s not about practising until you’re perfect in private. It’s about getting out in public as soon as you can.
100% on getting the volume right. Had my first gig last month, was playing some modern breakbeat and techno along with older hard dance, trance and hard house - the older tracks needed the EQ levels and even the trim balanced to match the newer stuff. Quick mixing along with longer blends keeps sets interesting as well, both for you and the crowd.
Point nº 2: I love when the crowd can notice the next song comming in the beat mix. This give me a boost as I see the crwod is aligned with the music I play.
Great discussion Phil. This culture of obsessing over ultra clean perfectly synced mixes has made DJing a little soulless… as you say everyone playing it safe, staying in key, blending the last 40 seconds of every track into the next.
Phil, thanks so much for this series. Very insightful and excellent reminders. I did a gig yesterday and on back of my head i told myself to record the set but i chickened out cause i feared hearing my mistakes playback, but this video has really pushed me to do it next time for sure! Thanks again!
Thanks 👍 bfor posting this. As i joined dj classes to learn VDJ, what you said in this video is the same feedback i have received. I need to work on my mixing skills, as I come back to this after a decade of leaving it. Thank you for sharing your valuable tips ❤
Nice Phil, top for me is recording…sends me back to the drawing board every time lolz 😂 maybe useful to some readers…I find recording and trying to perfect my style is basically repetitions…and I don’t even usually do the same mixes live, but I learn so much about the bits and bytes that it seems to become part of how my brain then processes any situation. Keep it poppin all 🎯😎🐓
What's the best method of approach to have consistent volume throughout your mix? Woudl you recommend adjusting the gain in RekordBox Grid Edit and locking the track before exporting to your USB? Or, should this be done live using EQ/Gain?
Pre-editing your audio files would of course be the best, but it is time consuming everytime you get new songs. Use the gain and EQ on the mixer and watch the levels. You get an idea regarding EQ'ing high, mid or lows when you hear it in the headphones while beatmatching. Good mixers also not only have levels for the channels, but also for the master output. Watch that one too.
Doing it live is much more organic. You can quickly listen to both in the headphones to see if they are somewhere near, but use the VU meters on the channel to get it consistent then just adjust mid mix if you think it’s too hot or cold. Afterwards you can just normalise your mix in Audacity to level it out. Try not to clip your Audio when recording though
Above is all solid, for another interesting bit of info, if you produce, grab the YouLean plugin, do a quick LUFS analysis (for loudness), add it to the list of things you know like BPM, Key, Etc…this is drag/drop fast and just cool to visualize. 🤙🏽😎🖤🕺
Excellent advice. I finally recorded a set last night, and noticeable mixing?? I go out of my way to make it obvious by snapping bass swaps ..I can't contain my excitement.
Great advice, Phil, your passion shines through. God love, rest and bless Avicii's soul. Just finished his biography, “Tim The Official Biography of Avicii by Måns Mosesson” on audiobook. Everyone needs to give it a listen/read.
i was just talking about this with a bunch of VRChat DJs a couple of hours ago in a discord server full of DJs who have had their sets played for probably almost a thousand people, at least, to a few people who have only just bought their first setup within the last few months, and even a few people who are still using a mouse and keyboard and using a DAW to create their mixes.
It is August 1, 2024 I am an excellent dj that has spent 25 years becoming the dj that I am today. BUT on August 1, 2025 could I be two times as good as I am now?????? I truly love learning so I buy basically every course you guys put out….im up to like 14 courses and sign me up for your next one! My biggest thing is not spending the time completing them! This year that changes. I will just keep growing and learning. August 1, 2025 I will be 2x the dj I am today! ……..and when I am Phil I’m going to expect that you run a marathon with me 😂😂😂 I’ve got like 35 more US states to complete or I’d be happy to come over to your side of the world!! There has to be 20-30 more digital dj tips marathon runners out there we would be one heck of a team….get that guy on CZcams that runs with a controller strapped to his chest to lead us all 😂😂😂
![Improve Your DJing In 5 Easy Steps [2024 Seminar]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ycC2sHErdis/mqdefault.jpg)
Im a born again DJ. I used to DJ back in the 80's and stop do to life wife kids etc etc. For years I wasn't having fun and forgot how to have fun until lately i been listening to a lot of DJ'S and then it hit me I was missing my music and creating music for ppl to have fun, so i bought all new equipment and now i am practicing and learning the new way of DJING. Its totally different but still fun. Listening to your tips is inspirational and give me a lot of insight to djing now. I don't try to beat match i like to create so different music to mash up and make it sound fun. Thank you for your vids its helps more than you probably know it do. Keep them coming.
Thank you for telling me it’s always good to hear this kind of thing and good luck!
Love this tutorial ❤ I am a DJ for 28 years working with vinyl and DVS. Everything comes with the experience. Like you said, don't be afraid. You will know the music you play and automatically get to know the levels and EQ for your tracks, you will get the experience that you already know beforehand where to pitch it up or down too and where the best parts for transitions are in the tracks. You will eventually also change your approach each time because you will get ecperience with different types of crowds you have. They will carry you as well.
All very wise advice
Started streaming twitch mixes about a year ago, finally hit the 113th stream this week and finally just started to understand it deeper than picking songs and transitioning.
My first stream was me plugging in the mixer for the first time, I had never practiced prior to that stream but I had probably spent 3 years watching DJ tutorials before starting.
Every mix I try some new stuff! Like you said sometimes it'll work and I can ride it out or sometimes it doesn't and I get out asap but its always a learning experience and my favorite part is vibing and solving the puzzle in real time.
Amazing video here with great tips.
You have learned on the job and this is something that’s so few DJs realise, it’s not about practising until you’re perfect in private. It’s about getting out in public as soon as you can.
100% on getting the volume right. Had my first gig last month, was playing some modern breakbeat and techno along with older hard dance, trance and hard house - the older tracks needed the EQ levels and even the trim balanced to match the newer stuff.
Quick mixing along with longer blends keeps sets interesting as well, both for you and the crowd.
You’re right, it’s the ability to mix it up that counts not to stick to just one method all the way through
Point nº 2: I love when the crowd can notice the next song comming in the beat mix. This give me a boost as I see the crwod is aligned with the music I play.
Agree, it’s a great feeling
I always appreciate your tutorials and guides
Glad you like them!
Thanks much for this, a lot of solid information that integrates both beginner and advanced knowledge. Cheers mates
My pleasure
Great discussion Phil. This culture of obsessing over ultra clean perfectly synced mixes has made DJing a little soulless… as you say everyone playing it safe, staying in key, blending the last 40 seconds of every track into the next.
Indeed!
Phil, thanks so much for this series. Very insightful and excellent reminders. I did a gig yesterday and on back of my head i told myself to record the set but i chickened out cause i feared hearing my mistakes playback, but this video has really pushed me to do it next time for sure! Thanks again!
No excuses next time!
Every time I listen to him, I feel like he’s speaking to me. ❤
Thank you for that. It’s nice to hear.
Thanks 👍 bfor posting this. As i joined dj classes to learn VDJ, what you said in this video is the same feedback i have received.
I need to work on my mixing skills, as I come back to this after a decade of leaving it.
Thank you for sharing your valuable tips ❤
Glad to help 👍
Love you dude. So good at explaining. Record your set!
Glad you enjoyed this
Nice Phil, top for me is recording…sends me back to the drawing board every time lolz 😂 maybe useful to some readers…I find recording and trying to perfect my style is basically repetitions…and I don’t even usually do the same mixes live, but I learn so much about the bits and bytes that it seems to become part of how my brain then processes any situation. Keep it poppin all 🎯😎🐓
Thanks for sharing!
Your channel is great! But….wait actually there is nothing bad lol
What's the best method of approach to have consistent volume throughout your mix? Woudl you recommend adjusting the gain in RekordBox Grid Edit and locking the track before exporting to your USB? Or, should this be done live using EQ/Gain?
Pre-editing your audio files would of course be the best, but it is time consuming everytime you get new songs. Use the gain and EQ on the mixer and watch the levels. You get an idea regarding EQ'ing high, mid or lows when you hear it in the headphones while beatmatching. Good mixers also not only have levels for the channels, but also for the master output. Watch that one too.
I would do it live
Doing it live is much more organic. You can quickly listen to both in the headphones to see if they are somewhere near, but use the VU meters on the channel to get it consistent then just adjust mid mix if you think it’s too hot or cold.
Afterwards you can just normalise your mix in Audacity to level it out. Try not to clip your Audio when recording though
Above is all solid, for another interesting bit of info, if you produce, grab the YouLean plugin, do a quick LUFS analysis (for loudness), add it to the list of things you know like BPM, Key, Etc…this is drag/drop fast and just cool to visualize. 🤙🏽😎🖤🕺
Excellent advice. I finally recorded a set last night, and noticeable mixing?? I go out of my way to make it obvious by snapping bass swaps ..I can't contain my excitement.
Good stuff!
Bless
Great advice, Phil, your passion shines through.
God love, rest and bless Avicii's soul. Just finished his biography, “Tim The Official Biography of Avicii by Måns Mosesson” on audiobook. Everyone needs to give it a listen/read.
It’s been on my list for a while, thanks for the reminder
@@digitaldjtips Most welcome, Sir.
👍👍👍👍👍👍
i was just talking about this with a bunch of VRChat DJs a couple of hours ago in a discord server full of DJs who have had their sets played for probably almost a thousand people, at least, to a few people who have only just bought their first setup within the last few months, and even a few people who are still using a mouse and keyboard and using a DAW to create their mixes.
Cool!
It is August 1, 2024 I am an excellent dj that has spent 25 years becoming the dj that I am today. BUT on August 1, 2025 could I be two times as good as I am now?????? I truly love learning so I buy basically every course you guys put out….im up to like 14 courses and sign me up for your next one!
My biggest thing is not spending the time completing them! This year that changes. I will just keep growing and learning. August 1, 2025 I will be 2x the dj I am today!
……..and when I am Phil I’m going to expect that you run a marathon with me 😂😂😂 I’ve got like 35 more US states to complete or I’d be happy to come over to your side of the world!! There has to be 20-30 more digital dj tips marathon runners out there we would be one heck of a team….get that guy on CZcams that runs with a controller strapped to his chest to lead us all 😂😂😂
Haha he couldn’t keep up with us 😆
Get the track selection right and remember that it is about the music first and you're more than halfway there.
Exactly