I've been a music producer for about 3 years now, but recently I've developed an interest in wanting to learn how to DJ. So, I'd really like to learn how to DJ, but here is the problem. Learning how to use the equipment is the biggest challenge for me. What is the best way to learn how to use a Mixer? There are so many knobs and sliders on it, and it seems impossible to learn how to use them all and know what they each individually do. Can someone please provide some advice for me? I just don't want to go out and spend $1000 on equipment, bring it home, and not understand how to use it. I've never been really good at understanding manuals either, because they are written in a very technical format, and often confuse me. I really want to get a DJM 700 because it looks like the best for a beginner like me, but I just want to get over this fear first.. Thank you.
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For me, youtube! watch ever youtube video on the units you have and copy what they do on a track you have. find 2 songs that flow to the same beat and all and practice on those 2 songs over and over. once you figured a few things out try another song... watch youtube and repeat. I am a visual guy, that's why I am hoping, I'm guessing like you that Pioneer put out some perfessional how to videos of the Nexus. r
You are pretty much on your way since you have 3 years of experience as a music producer. Take the knowledge and apply it into mixing. This will help you use the eq's of every mixer usually low, mids, highs that you can tweek when you are mixing two songs together. More important is to experiment with using the fader and channel faders when mixing two tracks together as faders are essential when combining two songs to balance the volumn and equate two tracks as one while the eq's are as essential when balancing the lows, mids and highs of two tracks allowing two tracks to sound like one. If price is not an issue go with pioneer 900/2000 and cdj 2000 nexus it should last you awhile. But if price is some what an issue I say go to ebay get a pair of cdj 800 mk2 and a djm 700/800 mixer which will last you quite awhile even after you get the hang of it. Pioneer's 350 set up should be fine if you where looking for the begining dj setup. Also for beat matching take two songs that are the same and try to mix them both to get a feel of what it should sound like when combining two songs that are the same also have fun remember the tempo pitch is your friend. Hit up youtube channel called ellaskins "how to dj" he has so much info on youtube that will help new djs like yourself.
There actually isn't much that you actually touch (Left side of a mixer , Headphone and Mic once configured no longer needed to touch).
You got your four channels , each a fader , colour FX knob , EQ's and the gain (You barely touch this if your music is normalised).
Then the master line , booth monitor and the fader settings , once configured there's no need to touch.
then to the right the FX section , well yeah that takes abit of playing arround but it's much self explanatory.
That doesn't sound so bad guys. Could you guys suggest some books that can help me out with the learning process? Does Pioneer sell any books that teach you how to DJ and how to use their equipment? I know the DJM-700 comes with a manual, but usually manuals are difficult for me to understand sometimes. So I was wondering if there are any books available that can teach me. Thank you.
http://www.youtube.com/user/pioneerdjsounds?feature=watch
http://www.youtube.com/user/DeejayPulse?feature=watch
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=UUr3_EE6O_eA71X2quaKvziw
There are more but these should get you started.
I learned it within a day well , a friend of mine is a DJ and I always liked what he did and so I asked him if he could teach me some basics.
Beatmatching (Not as precise) was learned within an hour and wellyeah then the experimenting on the mixer started , you just keep doing this... as same as using Hotcue's/FX just be creative and have fun!
Thanks Sammy, but it's just the equipment that I am concerned about. Not really the techniques behind DJ. I am just worried about not being able to use the actual mixer because there are so many knobs and adjusters on it.. And a lot of buttons and stuff I don't really know how to understand that stuff.
Well it's actually self explanatory...
Gain/Trim (Grey Knob at the top row) as a producer you master your tracks to one volume , same goes for mixing you make both channels the same volume so let's say only green leds (0DB).
Then you throw up the fader (After playing with the EQ's to make it blend).... as a producer you should know how a mixer works...
CDJ's , Play/pause button (Green) and the CUE (Orange) Cue is usually used to cue up the first point (It wil move the startpoint to where you cue it) then you just counting the bars and for most music each 16/32 there's like a special thing (Cymbal , Swoosh whatever) then you launch in the track and wellyeah , watch where it goes.
Most music is created if you launch your track at the climax it will blend in well...
Just have a look at this picture , every knob says what it does ask if you want to know what a function/knob does and I'll explain it.
@Zack > Please feel free to take a look around this section of the forum where you will find more general DJ information than in a specific hardware subforum: