Five Tips for Landing High-Paying DJ Gigs
DJing in your bedroom doesn’t mean that you’re going to land that all important first gig let alone ones that are going to pay enough so you can leave your day job.
There’s a lot more to DJing, as a profession, that you need to learn in order to leave your job and take DJing full-time.
Read MoreTop 10 Mobile DJ Business Tips
There’s a lot that you need to know if you’re a Mobile DJ. You’re simply not playing tracks for people as you were in a club. You have a whole new level of responsibility on your shoulder because you need to run a sustainable business.
Thinking about starting a Mobile DJ business? Already started but can’t seem to gain traction in your business? This post will share ten of the best tips to get started and keep running with your new profession.
Read MoreTop 5 DJ Headphones under $150
DJ headphones play an integral part of your entire setup; you will not be able to properly mix without them (unless you’re a freak of DJing).
Your headphones allow you to listen between tracks so you can cue them and make the transition which builds your mix. For this reason, you’ll want to invest in a great pair of headphones as they will be heavily used throughout your work.
This post will share the top five DJ headphones worth picking up. The best part, of it all, is that each of these can be purchased for under $150. Let’s take a look …
Read MoreTop Reasons Why You Should Become a DJ
Have you ever thought about becoming a DJ?
Sure you have; that’s why you’re here on BeginnerDJ. I’m sure you’ve had a lot of thoughts about DJing which may have stemmed from going to a few parties, maybe a festival or just listening to your favorite mixes.
You know that feeling: after you hear a really stompin’ set you tell yourself that it’s time to start DJing. You want to play the music in front the crowd, travel, do what you love and have a time of your life.
But, did you know there are other little benefits that could further give you a reason to start DJing? Check these out and see if this finally gives you a nice kick in the rear to start…
Read MoreHow to Become a DJ: A Crash Course Guide
Learning how to become a DJ can be a tiring process that requires many years of practice and dedication. On top of that, there are countless topics you must learn in order to proficiently make your way up the “DJ ladder” such as picking out the right gear, learning to mix, landing gigs and more. In my attempt to help you with getting started with DJing I have put together this crash-course guide.
Read MoreTop 5 Music Festivals in the World
Every year, hundreds of thousands of festival-goers travel around the world to attend the biggest and best music festivals, spending days on end listening to incredible sounds and having experiences of a lifetime.
There are hundreds (even thousands) of music festivals in the world but there are only five that made this list. What you’ll find here are ones which every festival hopper should have on their bucket list before they die.
Read MoreDJ Mix of the Day: Element – Escape from Reality (June 2011)
I don’t always listen to Progressive Psytrance but when I do I have extremely picky tastes. Don’t ask me why but Prog. Psy never really sat well with me as it first began to develop because far too many DJ’s tried to play the same, tired mix structure as you’d here in normal Trance genres.
But then I found Escape from Reality by Escape.
Read MorePioneer CDJ-1000MK3
The Pioneer CDJ-1000MK3 is the industry standard for DJ’s that want to spin and mix with CD controlled DJ hardware; this piece of gear has an integrated jog wheel, pitch control, DJ effects and more – it’s quickly becoming the defacto standard for CD turntables.
More Info/Buy
MP3 Support
The MP3 audio format has taken the world by storm and now the CDJ-1000MK3 can play all your MP3s; CBR or VBR at any bitrate from CD-R or CD-RW.
Improved Jog Dial
The CDJ-1000MK3′s 7-inch jogdial has been improved to offer DJs another world’s first–the ability to quickly and easily alter the resistance of the jog wheel, which benefits from a new metallic ‘non-slip’ finish. The Jog Dial Display is now brighter and has been brought closer to the surface of the Jog for better viewing angles. The center display also features 45-degree markers for added visual cueing assistance.
Hot Cue (sampler)
Memorizes up to 3 cue points per CD. These points can then be recalled by hitting either of the A, B or C buttons. This function can also be used like a mini sampler for vocals, stabs, or breaks, adding that touch of creativity to any DJ set. The MK3 now allows loops to be stored to Hot Cues.
Reverse
Instant reverse is controlled by using a toggle switch. With no loss of tempo or pitch, it can be used immediately within any track without having to stop or start.
Real Time Seamless Loop
A quick and simple way to set a loop while a track is playing. Once the loop is set, it can then be looped continuously or until the ReLoop / Exit button is pressed. When released, the track continues playing without any pause. The loop can be re-trigged at any time by hitting the ReLoop button.
Loop In / Out Adjust
Another world first from Pioneer–is the ability to adjust both the In and Out points of a loop stored in memory. So now fine tuning a loop is both quick and easy. Loop-In adjust is only available on the CDJ-1000MK3.
Reloop
Hitting the newly backlit Reloop button instantly takes you back to the beginning of the loop stored in the CDJ-1000MK3′s memory. Clever use of Reloop can create some sample like effects. The same loop is always stored in memory until replaced with a new loop.
Memory
The CDJ-1000MK3 has a memory feature that lets you store Wave Data as well as Cue and Loop points. The data can be stored on a removable memory card (MMC or SD) or the players internal memory. The removable memory card can also be used in any CDJ-1000, so once you’ve stored your favorite cue and loop points they’re stored for life. The CDJ-1000MK3 also has a feature that allows you to duplicate memory cards. The display of the MK3 has been improved to give more accurate display of memory points within the track.
Wave Display
Another improvement for the MK3 is an improved Wave Display offering a better resolution and continuous display. Wave data is stored to the memory card for instant recall when a track is called up.
Track Display
CD-Text and ID3 data is displayed within the main display area for rapid track identification. An indicator also shows the total number of tracks available for playback.
- CD Control
- CD Control Buttons
- High Quality Aluminium buttons–Track Search, Search, Cue and Play / Pause.
- Jog Mode
The CDJ-1000MK3 can be set in either Vinyl or CDJ mode. In CDJ mode, the jog dial functions just like a Pioneer CDJ player, but without the touch sensitivity.
Scratch Play / Cue
When the CDJ-1000MK3 is in vinyl mode, the top of the jog dial functions just like a Vinyl Turntable. Pressing down stops the music and allows you to scratch or cue your track by rotating the jog dial in either direction.
- Vinyl Speed Adjust Touch/Brake and Release/Start
- Separate control knobs allow for quick adjustment of start and stop timing.
- Tempo
- Master Tempo
Pioneer’s Master Tempo locks the pitch of the track even when you change the speed. You can speed up or slow down the beat without any noticeable difference in how the vocal and instruments sound.
Tempo Control
A 100mm linear high precision slider gives DJs total control and ensures that the tempo adjustment is easy and accurate.
Tempo Control Range
Ranges of +/- 6%, +/-10%, +/-16% and +/-100% (+70%/-100% for MP3) can be assigned to the Tempo Control slider.
Tempo Control Reset
Resets the tempo to 0% or original tempo of the track regardless of the slider position.
Eject Button & CD Lock
The CDJ-1000 has a guard to prevent you from accidentally pressing it the eject button. The CD is locked until the track is stopped. This can be deactivated as well if you are looking to do quick mixes. The player also features a new Quick Return function; in the event you accidentally eject a playing CD, re-inserting the CD will resume playback from the point the music stopped.
Multi-Read Format
The CDJ-1000MK3 can read CD, CD-R and CD-RW disks for CD-Audio and MP3 data formats.
Front Loading
Loading CD’s without having to open doors or trays makes swapping discs and selecting tracks that much faster. It also helps to keep dirt and any nasty substances out of the CD’s working parts.
- Cue Functions
- Auto Cue
This is the fastest way to find the beginning of a track. The sound level can also be changed to suit your style of music (-36db to -78db). There is also an option to turn it off if you prefer to cue up your CD tracks manually.
Real Time Cue
A cue point can be set on the fly and stored into the internal memory by just simply hitting the In / Real-time cue button.
Cue Marker Display
The current cue point is indicated within the jogdial’s center display to show where the cuepoint is relative to the current play position.
Legato Link Conversion For High Quality Sound
Equipped with Pioneer’s wide range technology–Legato Link Conversion. The CDJ-1000MK3 is capable of reproducing sound frequencies above 20kHz, which are lost during normal CD-format playback. Not only does this give great sound reproduction but sounds closer to the original recording and more analog like vinyl.
Shock-Proof Memory and Anti-Vibration Construction
Sound jumps or skipping is prevented by using shock-proof memory for continuous playback even in the event of a bump or knock.
Anti-Vibration
Oil-dampened floating suspension prevents sound skipping, even when the player is subjected to impact during use or vibrations generated from high volume music and low frequency bass.
Digital Output
The CDJ-1000MK3 is equipped with full-feature digital output. This means you can keep your scratching and master tempo playback entirely in the digital domain. Users who simply want to use the digital output for archival purposes may do so via the digital mode switch on the rear of the unit. All connectors on the rear of the unit are now gold-plated for higher connection quality and longevity.
What’s in the Box
Panasonic CDJ-1000MK3, Power Cable, Audio Cable, Control Cable, Forced Eject Pin, SD Memory Card, Operating Instructions
- Disc Format: CD, CD-R and CD-RW for CD-Audio and MP3 data
- Power Requirements: AC 120 V 60 Hz
- Dimensions: 12-5/8″(W) x 14-9/16″(D) x 4-1/8″(H)
Numark MIXTRACK DJ Software Controller
The Numark Mixtrack DJ Software Contoller is a two deck controller with touch activate jog wheels which comes fully equipped with on-board turntables, mixer and comes prepackaged with Native Instrument’s Traktor LE. Load in nearly any type of music format and you’re ready to play right out of the box!
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FAMILIAR LAYOUT
MIXTRACK has two deck controller sections with large touch-activated jog wheels and transports controls. Whether you’re used to a CD player, turntables, or any other traditional DJ hardware, you’ll find getting around easy. The center of MIXTRACK’s surface is its mixer section with a smooth crossfader, line faders, deck EQs, and more advanced controls for looping and effects.
FULLY EQUIPPED, MIDI COMPLIANT
MIXTRACK comes with the powerful DJ software which makes it easy to mix your favorite music. Virtual DJ LE comes standard in North and South America, while Native Instruments’® Traktor LE is included in Europe and Asia. Both applications integrate with your iTunes library for playback and mixing of songs. Regardless of which software it comes with, MIXTRACK lets you create professional sounding mixes at home or at live performances at parties, functions and clubs. Full MIDI compliance means MIXTRACK will also work with virtually any MIDI-mappable music software.
EASY USB CONNECTION
MIXTRACK connects to your Mac or PC as a class-compliant USB device so it requires no software drivers to work, and USB powers it so you won’t need an external supply.
- Large touch sensitive platters for accurate control and scratching
- Classic, dual-deck layout with complete mixer section
- Lighted controls indicate status in software for less time looking at the computer
- MIDI-over-USB controller is compatible with virtually all DJ software
Hercules DJ Control MP3 e2
The Hercules DJ Control MP3 e2 is an entry level DJ midi controller which allows you to mix two tracks on a single controller. This portable DJ controller is power by an AC adaptor or your computer; it allows you to easily mix MP3/WMA music files and comes packaged with a copy of Virtual DJ.
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Two Decks, Two Tracks
Mix two music tracks with the DJ Control MP3 e2′s controls. It’s simple–select the desired tracks through the software using the mixer’s browsing buttons (no mouse is required). From there you’ve got two jog wheels to navigate within tracks, along with EQ for tweaking your sound, pitch control for beat matching, headphone monitoring on/off (for prepping the next track and setting cue points), and a crossfader to cut back and forth between tracks.
Simplified DJing operations
The MP3 e2 boasts several user-friendly automations for the beginners out there (or those who appreciate a little ease of use). Cue points (e.g., where you’d like a track to begin) are suggested by the DJ software in audio file analysis, or you can enter them manually. In addition, you can synchronize two tracks with the push of a button if you can’t get it lined up manually using the pitch control.
You also get an automatic looping feature, with the software detecting the beat and automatically looping on the 1-, 2-, or 4-count.
Make Your Mark
Along with the EQ section, you can make your mark on the music with on-board effects and scratch controls. The effect plug-ins include Flanger, Beatgrid, FlippinDouble, and Backspin. Scratch effects include the Baby Scratch (a quick forward scratch/backward scratch combo), Tear Scratch (forward scratch, quick backward scratch, slow backward scratch), Forward-only and Backward-only scratches, and “Pass-Pass” techniques (playing the same track on both decks with various scratch/fade/etc. effects).
MP3s, WMAs, and CDs
The MP3 e2 will play back your digital MP3/WMA files, but it also handles a CD in your PC/laptop’s disc drive. Simply load the CD-Audio track in your playlist on a DJ Control MP3 e2 deck, as if it were an audio file, and you can mix it immediately.
The Ultra-Mobile DJ
The DJ Control MP3 e2 is perfect for mobile use, with an included cover for easy transportation. Throw your computer, the DJ Control MP3 e2, a pair of speakers, and some headphones in a bag and hit the party.
Save Your Mix
Hit the record button in Virtual DJ and you’ll have a copy of your mix to share with friends.
What’s in the Box
DJ Control MP3 e2 Controller and Cover, Software Installation CD (PC/Mac), USB Cable, User’s Manual
- Ultra-portable USB DJ controller is powered by your PC or laptop, with no power supply needed
- Mix tunes from your favorite MP3/WMA files and Audio CDs; record and share your mix with friends
- Two separate decks, each with vinyl-style jog wheel, pitch/effects controls, volume fader, and three-band EQ
- Automation features include cue point detection, auto-synchronization, automatic looping
- Add Flanger, Beatgrid, FlippinDouble, and Backspin effects; along with Baby, Tear, Forward/Backward, and “Pass-Pass” scratch effects

