DJ Course

Lesson 1 • How Sound and Audio Work

Covers frequency, amplitude, waveforms, and decibels as they apply to DJ practice. Establishes the acoustic vocabulary used throughout the course.

Lesson 2 • Core DJ Equipment Overview

Identifies turntables, CDJs, controllers, mixers, and monitors and explains each component's role. Prepares students to set up a functional DJ rig.

Lesson 3 • Audio Signal Flow

Traces the path of audio from source to speaker, covering cables, gain staging, and output levels. Prevents common setup errors before hands-on practice begins.

Lesson 4 • Setting Up Your First DJ Rig

Guides students through physically connecting and powering a DJ setup safely. Reinforces signal flow concepts with a practical, step-by-step configuration exercise.

Lesson 1 • Mixer Layout and Channel Strips

Maps every control on a standard DJ mixer channel strip and explains its function. Builds the spatial familiarity needed for fast, confident mixer operation.

Lesson 2 • Gain Staging and Level Matching

Teaches setting input gain so tracks play at consistent loudness without clipping. Directly enables clean transitions between tracks of varying production levels.

Lesson 3 • Monitoring and Cueing Tracks

Teaches how to pre-listen to an incoming track in headphones while the outgoing track plays to the audience. Establishes the split-monitoring workflow central to live mixing.

Lesson 4 • Using the Crossfader

Covers crossfader curve settings and how they affect blend versus cut transitions. Prepares students for both smooth mixing and scratch-style crossfader techniques.

Lesson 1 • Beatmatching by Ear

Trains the ear to detect phase differences between two tracks and correct them in real time. This is the core manual skill that underpins all mixing styles.

Lesson 2 • Phrase Alignment and Drop Timing

Teaches how to align musical phrases so transitions feel intentional and musical rather than technically correct but rhythmically awkward.

Lesson 3 • Sync Tools and Their Limitations

Explains how software sync works, when to use it, and why manual skills remain essential. Prevents over-reliance on automation in live performance contexts.

Lesson 4 • Using Pitch Faders and Tempo Controls

Covers pitch fader range, percentage increments, and master tempo functions on CDJs and controllers. Students practice nudging tempo to match a reference track.

Lesson 1 • The Basic Long Mix

Teaches the standard long blend where two tracks overlap for 16 to 32 bars using faders and EQ. This is the foundational transition technique for most DJ genres.

Lesson 2 • Quick Cuts and Instant Transitions

Covers sharp, beat-accurate cuts used in hip-hop, drum and bass, and high-energy sets. Students practice cutting on the one without audible overlap.

Lesson 3 • Reading the Mix in Real Time

Develops the ability to evaluate a live mix while executing it, catching errors before the audience hears them. Combines monitoring, EQ, and timing skills into one workflow.

Lesson 4 • EQ Transitions and Frequency Swaps

Applies EQ kills and boosts as the primary transition tool, swapping bass and highs between tracks. Creates smooth blends without relying solely on fader movement.

Lesson 1 • Recording and Exporting a Mix

Guides students through recording a live mix in software, monitoring levels, and exporting a broadcast-quality audio file. Produces a shareable mix recording as a deliverable.

Lesson 2 • Cue Points and Loops

Teaches setting, naming, and triggering hot cue points and loop regions for precise performance control. Cue points and loops are essential for live remixing and phrase alignment.

Lesson 3 • Software Effects and FX Chains

Covers built-in software effects including filters, flangers, and delays and how to chain them for creative results. Students design two signature FX chains for live use.

Lesson 4 • Controller Mapping and MIDI Setup

Explains how to map hardware controls to software functions using MIDI learn and custom mapping files. Enables students to personalize their controller layout for efficiency.

Lesson 1 • Harmonic Mixing and Key Compatibility

Teaches the Camelot Wheel system for mixing tracks in compatible musical keys to avoid tonal clashes. Students apply harmonic mixing rules to a sequence of five tracks.

Lesson 2 • Energy Management in a Set

Explains how to map energy levels across a set using peaks, valleys, and builds to maintain crowd engagement. Students draft an energy curve for a 60-minute set.

Lesson 3 • Building and Organizing a Music Library

Covers tagging, BPM analysis, key detection, and folder structures for fast track retrieval. A well-organized library is the foundation of confident live performance.

Lesson 4 • Structuring a Full DJ Set

Guides students through planning an opening, peak-time, and closing sequence with intentional transitions. Students produce a written set plan and execute it in practice.

Lesson 1 • Engaging the Crowd from the Booth

Teaches non-verbal communication, eye contact, and energy projection techniques that connect the DJ to the dance floor. Crowd engagement amplifies the impact of technical skills.

Lesson 2 • Performance Mindset and Focus

Addresses pre-performance anxiety, focus techniques, and the mental habits of professional DJs. Establishes the psychological foundation for consistent live performance.

Lesson 3 • Physical Setup and Ergonomics

Covers optimal equipment positioning, posture, and movement habits to prevent fatigue and injury during long sets. Directly affects performance quality and career longevity.

Lesson 4 • Adapting to Different Venue Types

Explains how club, festival, bar, and private event contexts each demand different set approaches and technical setups. Students develop a venue-specific performance checklist.

Lesson 1 • Introduction to Scratching

Teaches baby scratch, forward scratch, and transformer scratch as foundational turntablism techniques. Scratching adds expressive, rhythmic texture unavailable through mixing alone.

Lesson 2 • Looping and Live Remixing

Covers real-time loop creation, stutter edits, and layering acapellas over instrumentals to remix tracks live. Students perform a live remix of a familiar track.

Lesson 3 • Sampling and Drum Pad Performance

Introduces triggering samples, one-shots, and drum hits from pads to add percussive and melodic layers to a live set. Expands the DJ's role beyond track playback.

Lesson 4 • Developing a Personal DJ Style

Guides students in identifying their musical identity, signature techniques, and aesthetic choices that differentiate them as artists. Synthesizes all course skills into a personal performance approach.