A DJ or disc jockey is somebody who hosts recorded music for an audience. However, there are many different types of DJs and different types of work involved in this profession. Some different types of DJ positions include:

  • Radio DJs:

The entire concept of DJing begins in radio. The job of a radio DJ varies a lot, from the person who announces things in between music, to curating music for the show. Although radio isn’t as popular today as it once was and many radio DJs have lost control over the music, the art is successfully living on in the format of podcasts. 

  • Club DJs:

Each club has a different audience, reputation and atmosphere, which means that the musical expectations in clubs can vary a lot. In most cases, the role of a club DJ is to keep the dance floor moving. They may often perform transitions such as long blends in between the songs to keep people up and moving. A resident DJ is somebody who performs at a venue permanently or on a regular basis. They need to be able to maintain the balance between an active dance floor and a busy bar, and know how to keep the energy flowing. 

  • Turntablists:

A turntablist is a DJ that has built up a reputation for skill and what they can do behind the decks. They will often perform mixes that are a combination of clever transitions, tricks and amazing dexterity. This type of DJ plays their gear like a musical instrument, performing live with an incredible mastery of their craft rather than simply focusing on playing recorded music. 

  • Mobile DJs:

Finally, a mobile DJ is a performer who plays at events such as weddings, proms, and corporate parties. They will usually need to be comfortable with taking requests and speaking into a microphone to engage the crowd. Often, these DJs run their own business and have a lot to do since they may be responsible for the setup and taking down of equipment, show planning, crowd management, and making announcements. 

Becoming a DJ:

If you want to learn how to become a DJ, a great first place to start is the Pirate website. Pirate provides recording studios and equipment to artists around the world, and offers some handy tips and advice on how to become a DJ for anybody who is interested in starting out in this career. 

The first step is deciding what kind of DJ you want to become, and what kind of career you want to make for yourself. Some people are full-time DJs on the radio or exclusively make their living from live performances or club residency. Others run their own business as a mobile DJ, performing throughout the year at a variety of events. 

DJ Software:

If you want a career as a DJ, you’ll need to get to know your way around some of the most popular DJ software options. In the DJ industry, there are three main platforms, which include:

  • Rekordbox:

This is the music management for DJs that is provided by Pioneer, one of the most popular brands for DJ equipment. It can be used for a variety of tasks including creating playlists, importing music, setting cue points and other preparations. Performance Mode allows your laptop to act as the DJ player, and you can mix virtually using your keyboard and mouse. All standard features are available for free, or you can subscribe for additional features. 

  • Traktor:

Traktor is a software by Native Instruments that requires you to own their hardware, which unfortunately does not have very many options. However, it is popular in the techno genre due to the stems abilities and Remix Decks. 

  • Serato:

Another popular software option is Serato, which is one of the best options available today. Serato does not make any of its own hardware; instead, the software is designed to work with popular options from Pioneer, Roland, Reloop and others. To get started, you can try Serato DJ Lite free of charge, and upgrade to the full professional suite offered by Serato DJ Pro at $129. 

Basic DJ Skills:

Once you have gotten to grips with some popular DJ software options and have chosen the right one for you, you will need to learn some basic DJ skills to get started in this career. Some basic skills that every DJ needs include:

  • Beatmatching:

Beatmatching involves getting two tracks playing at the same tempo and phase. Tempo refers to the speed at which the song is playing, and phase involves the beats from both tracks being in-time with one another. Although it’s becoming less necessary to learn how to beatmatch due to sync buttons widely available on most DJ sets, it’s a useful skill to have. It also helps when it comes to knowing what to listen out for, improving your knowledge and confidence. 

  • Gain Control:

Any DJ set will include various levels of volume adjustment. Mixer channels have gain knobs, which allow you to watch your meters and adjust the level. Then, a line fader is on every channel. This adjusts the signal that you’re sending to the main output, which also has volume control. Then, there is a crossfader, which allows you to use a left-right motion to fade between channels. Learning and mastering all of these will be essential for you to get started as a DJ. 

  • Phrasing:

Phrasing refers to mixing your tracks together at a point in the song that makes the most sense. As a DJ, almost all of the music you work with will be in 4/4 time, which means that there are four beats in one bar or measure, and the quarter note has one beat. Basically, you need to know how to count to four. 

  • Equalizing:

Finally, EQing is the act of cutting or boosting frequencies to ensure that different audio tracks are nicely blended. For example, you probably will want to avoid mixing two powerful kick drums with one another since this will be too loud. The EQ is a very powerful tool when used correctly, giving DJs a way to seriously creatively express themselves. 

Recording Your Mixes:

Finally, once you have chosen your ideal DJ set and software and learned some of the basic skills, it’s time to start making music and recording your mixes. While you may have some way to go before you get to start performing as a DJ, the more practice you put in now, the better. 

Most DJ software is capable of recording your mix by simply clicking a button. Bear in mind that recording at home is different to performing in front of an audience, but this is a good way to practice some of the skills that you will need, such as telling a story with your set. While practicing at home, it’s a good idea to pretend that you are playing in front of a crowd and imagine the scenario in your head. 

Once you have mastered the art of DJing, it’s time to start looking for work! Radio stations, events, clubs, and music venues are just some of the options available where you can find a set. Additionally, you can record your music and upload it to streaming platforms to gain a following.