DJ Mixing Basics Course And Certification

What is DJ Mixing?

DJ Mixing is the sequence or process of mixing together musical tracks to appear as one continuous track for live entertainment. The full meaning of DJ is Disk-Jockey.

A DJ is a person who announces and plays popular recorded music mix with sound effects to entertain.

DJ Mixes are usually carried out by using a DJ mixer with several sound sources, such as a turntable, a CD player, a digital audio player or computer sound cards, sometimes with the addition of effects units and samplers, although it is possible to create one by using a sound editing software.

DJ Mixing is significantly not the same with live sound mixing. A DJ combines music from Music genres that would fit into the more general term electronic dance music. Other genres that are mixed by DJ includes breakbeat, hip hop, and disco. Four on the floor disco beats can also be used to create seamless mixes so as to keep dancers fixated and locked to the dancefloor.

A DJ Mixset is usually done live in front of an audience in a party, a nightclub, or a rave setting. Mixsets can also be performed live on the radio or recorded in a music studio. Methods of mixing differ slightly depending on the music genres that are being played

Features of DJ Mixing

There are many features of DJ mixing, and below are some of the features of a DJ Mixer.

1. Inputs: The inputs in the mixer are usually used for hooking up a vinyl turntable with the usage of a Phono or to hook up either a CD player or a computer to the mixer by using the Line In option.

2. Input switches: These input switches allow the DJ to determine the channel input that will give them access to the signal. When looking at your mixer, look for the knob that is placed directly away from the channel. This will lead to your gain also known as trim.

3. Trim: The trim or gain knob will help you determine the sound level of your chosen channel. The best thing to remember is that the trim’s sole purpose is to make sure that the level of sound coming from the channels is the same with another one. The best way to think about this is that if your sound record is very loud, you will want to reduce the trim or gain. If the record is too soft, you will want to increase the trim or gain.

4. Understanding the EQ: The sound signal comes to the EQ after making its way through the gain. Your DJ Mixer will most likely have 3 bands to it. The midrange or mid, treble or hi, and bass or low.

5. Channel’s level meter: Once through the EQ, the sound will work its way over to the channel’s level meter which will set the signal's volume.

6. Channel up the fader: The fader has the capability to reduce the volume once the signal hits its max. If the fader is closed, the sound will come down. However, if the fader is left open, the sound will increase. When a DJ changes their tracks, they often make use of this feature to increase or decrease the sound.

Benefits of DJ Mixing

There are many benefits of DJ Mixing, and some of them are:

1. You gain education on music and creativity.

2. You gain some of the benefits that good music gives to people which is therapy and relaxation.

3. You have the ability to share your talents with a wider audience.

4. For Entertainment.

5. Income Generation.

6. Connections and Networking with other people.

7. For Advertisement Purposes.

DJ Mixing Course Outline:

DJ Mixing - The Revolution of Records

DJ Mixing - The Rise of the Radio DJ

DJ Mixing - The Rise of the Club/Rave DJ

DJ Mixing - The Rise of the Hip-hop DJ

DJ Mixing - The Scratch DJ Revolution

DJ Mixing - The Rise of the DJ as Musician

DJ Mixing - The Turntable Tools

DJ Mixing - The CD, DVD and Hard Drive Decks

DJ Mixing - The Computerized DJ/Remix Tools

DJ Mixing - The Drum Machines and Groove Boxes

DJ Mixing - The Mixers and Effects

DJ Mixing - Video DJ Tools

DJ Mixing - MIT's DJ-Robot

DJ Mixing - Approaching the Turntable

DJ Mixing - Mixing Skills

DJ Mixing - Set Building Skills

DJ Mixing - Mobile DJ Skills

DJ Mixing - Extending Breaks

DJ Mixing - Scratch DJ Skills

DJ Mixing - Video Lectures

DJ Mixing - Exams and Certification