Here’s a 5-part video tutorial series on how to mix in key in your DJ sets.

The total running length of this series is approximately 40 minutes, full of in-depth details on “mixed in key” dj sets and how you can learn to dj in key without the aid of any expensive and uneccessary software. Andy Touchfingers explains the best ways to pick tracks, plan a dj set, determine the key of each track, and mix the tracks together to create the perfect, harmonically “mixed in key” dj set.

Parts

• 1: Mixed in Key: Video DJing Tutorial Part 1 of 5
• 2: The Key Mix : Djing & Key Matching Video Tutorial 2 of 5
• 3: Key Match your Mixes: Video DJing Tutorial 3/5
• 4: DJing in Key Video Tutorial 4 of 5
• 5: Correct Key DJ Mixing Video Tutorial : Mixing & Notation Tool 5 of 5

*this video series is provided free for you. The information is taken from the new eBook/audio book on “How To DJ”: Click here for more info.

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Thanks to Andy Touch Fingers from www.learnhowtodj.com for this video.

Transcription:
In the second video of our 5-part video series, Andy demonstrates how to listen for the melody, hum the key / tonal center. He shows how to match the key of a track by comparing the tonal center with a note played on a computer piano (for reference). Andy also recommends writing down every track in your playlist down so that you know which key they are all in … so your entire set is planned appropriately.
The second part of this video is an explanation that a track can have more than one tonal center, and how to find the best key for tracks like that.

Andy demonstrates that using the bassline is the best thing to listen for as a starting point in finding a key.

Click here for more great videos & detailed DJing tips and tricks from best product currently on the market

• View the next video in the series: Key Match your Mixes: Video DJing Tutorial
• View previous tutorial video: Mixed in Key: Video DJing Tutorial Part

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Here’s an example of how to cover your ass when you fail! Be a tough Mother f***er

He did it on purpose… right!

3 Mistakes Beginner DJs Make

Here are just a few words of wisdom from the Benjamin Ellis , President and CEO of the successful DJ Video tutorial series

Mistake #1: “Learning How To DJ From Books Is Too Difficult…”

This is the number one culprit that most new DJ’s fall victim too. They think they can pick up a book and learn how to DJ overnight. I’m sorry to say it just doesn’t happen like that. If there is one thing I’ve learned that I can pass on to you is that without actually seeing how it’s done, books on how to DJ are pretty much useless.

Mistake #2: “I can learn how to DJ by using my friends DJ equipment…”

This is another big hindrance and probably the most unbeknown to beginner DJ’s. This catches most new DJ’s off guard because learning DJ skills and techniques on another persons DJ equipment will hinder your development to personalize and create your own style. Why? Because you can only use their equipment when they’re available. Besides, owning your own DJ equipment allows you explore your creativity on your own time when that spectacular idea pops in your head!.

Mistake #3 “I’ll just buy some cheap DJ equipment and learn on that…”

Using “cheap DJ equipment” is basically like committing a crime in the DJ community. Avoid this mistake at all costs. There are many reasons why you should but here are the biggest reasons. (1) Belt drive turntables are worthless for DJ’s and they are not made for DJing. (2) Using cheap DJ equipment will only throw your DJ skills and techniques off. (3) Buy the right DJ the first time because like I’ve told tens of thousands of people “DJing is easy when you have the right equipment.”

Avoiding these three main mistakes
virtually guarantees your success.

And just incase you were wondering I’ve made these mistakes before including some not mentioned. But after I learned from these three mistakes I was able to avoid future mistakes and “develop my own style” after a few short sessions.

My friend … if you let me, I along will my partners Ill Vibe Collective, can show you DJ skills and techniques by teaching you basics and then showing you variations of the same techniques to take you to the next level. Once have those skills down pat other skills will come much faster and thus the learning curve is shortened.

- Benjamin Ellis

Check out the full scoop on the idjondemand website, where they’re giving away $136 worth of free material and content just for checking out their new program.

idjondemand Reviews and Testimonials

Is this djing tutorial series worth it?

Here are a bunch of the positive things people are saying about the idjondemand djing tutorial series. Is it worth the money? These people think so:

“Hi, I just recently signed up to view your video tutorials and also have gotten myself some turntables (Technics SL1200MKII) and a mixer (Numark DM1002X MK2). As lazy as I am to writing people online I just want to give a quick thanks on the videos. The explanation on the scratching was phenomenal! Once again, thanks so much on such a great site & keep up the great work.”

John, Canada

“…We can all read a book and look at pictures, but to have videos to watch; showing you how particular moves are created is second to none. Thank you for saving me from a DJ-ing stalemate and providing me with something more to aspire to.“

Ben, US

“Hey there Ben, I would just like to tell you that you are a great man, thanks so much for helping me out with DJing and stuff like learning the basics, I soon want to get hooked up with a club and start playing there, I wouldn’t have been able to that if it wasn’t for you and this web site, thanks alot mate your a champ!!! good luck in all your dreams.”

Jeremiah, UK

This site is too cool for the DJ’s around the world and especially its video tutorials which helps a beginner to become a professional. Believe me it was same in my case. I stay in India and have learned a lot from this site. Beat mixing is an art where it needs practice and you should never get nervous while mixing or opting for a song to be mixed. BEST OF LUCK FOR YOUR FUTURE .”

DJ Krush, India

“I was searching for the site that could answer my simple questions about DJing. This site is very useful for me as a beginner (I have my turntable and mixer for 2 months). I found on your site very useful, the video, “Making Your Scratches Sound Better”. I have a question, do you have more videos like this? When I’m looking at video my learning is better.”

Peter, Poland

“Hey thanks Ben, it’s much appreciated. your site has been a wealth of information for me for a long time. I’m currently in a DJ course and will forward this message to all the members so they can take of advantage of this…the vids are well made and very helpful…thanks again man! “

Tony, US

If you’re interested in learning more about the idjondemand courses, they’re giving away $136 worth of bonus materials for new members. We think its a pretty wicked deal. Check it out.

Connecting Extra DJ Devices and Peripherals to Your Mixer

Here’s an overview of the best methods for connecting other devices to your mixer, including recording devices, laptops, and more.

Source: idjondemand

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Other components that get connected to the mixer are CD players, mini disc players, MP3 players, digital 8 tracks (like my Roland VS 880) and PCs if you’re daring.

This set up runs along the same vein as connecting your turntables however, instead of connecting these components to the PHONO INPUT they get connected to the LINE INPUT.

Use the LINE/PHONO button or switch on your mixer to access either the CD player that is connected to the LINE INPUT or the turntable that is connected to the PHONO INPUT. You can have a CD player playing on CH1 making sure you have the LINE INPUT selected and mix it with a turntable on CH2 making sure you have the PHONO INPUT selected. However, you can’t access both components at the same time on the same channel.

DJ Tutorial Tip: Remember connect like colors from your RCA leads to the color connections to the mixer.

Had enough talk about setup? Let’s get down and dirty with some more interesting DJing tidbits from idjondemand

• Go to the final step: DJ Output Connection Setup
• Go back to :  Connecting DJ Needles and Cartridges
• Back to DJ Equipment Tutorial Index

Connecting Your DJ Equipment

Putting all of your new djing gear together can be a daunting task if you’ve never done it before. Thankfully, the guys at idjondemand have helped with this section of their DJ Equipment setup tutorial, which focuses only on how to connect your dj mixer, turntables, dn other equipment.

Source: idjondemand

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Now that you have all of your DJ equipment you need to connect everything together. Your central point of contact for your equipment is the mixer. All of your sources come and out of this unit. When you place your DJ equipment out on the table put your mixer between the turntables.

For example purposes we will be using the Rane TTM 56 2-Channel Performance Mixer and the Numark TTX1 Direct-Drive Turntable.

All turntables produce a stereo output on left and right channels which are marked by white and red RCA leads coming out of the turntable. Your ground wire also comes out of the turntable. This is a thin wire with a U shape clip on the end to secure to the mixer.

DJ Tutorial Tip: Remember these DJ tips when connecting your DJ equipment.

* Secure all ground leads to the mixer where indicated. (PHONO GND)
* Connect your turntable leads (White Lead = Left and Red Lead = Right) to the proper inputs on your mixer.
* Connect the remaining components into their corresponding inputs and outputs.

To secure the ground leads to the mixer unscrew the ground connection but don’t remove it from the mixer. Just loosen it enough to fit the ground lead from the turntable between the mixer and the screw. Now tighten the screw making sure that the ground lead stays firmly in place. Repeat the process for the other turntable.

As you can see there are 2 channel inputs or program inputs marked by LINE 1 and PHONO 1 and LINE 2 and PHONO 2. Plug the leads from the turntable on your left into CH1 (PHONO 1, Left and Right) and now plug the turntable on your right into CH2 (PHONO 2, Left and Right). Unless stated otherwise, turntables plug into the PHONO INPUTS.

DJ Tutorial Tip: Typically these inputs are also marked by color as well. The LEFT INPUT is WHITE and the RIGHT INPUT is RED. Your turntables leads are marked in the same manner so all you do is connect the colors. All other components get plugged into the LINE INPUTS.

Altogether you should have both turntables leads and ground wires connected securely to the mixer. So what’s next in this DJ tutorial?

Before I forget, those slipmats are for your turntables. Use the slipmats instead of the rubber mats.

DJ Tutorial Tip: Take the rubber mats off that came with your turntables and replace them with the slipmats. The rubber mats are useless if your going to be a ‘real’ DJ

Place your vinyl on top of the slipmats, turn the power on to your turntables after you’ve plugged it in.  Place a finger on your vinyl as the plate turns around beneath.

Now put enough pressure on the vinyl as to hold it in place as the plate underneath still spins. This is where your mixing skill begins to take shape. I hope that DJ tip helped some. DJ needles and cartridges are up next.

If you don’t feel like you need any more help with your setup, you can get some more advanced tips from this great djing resource.

To continue to the next step of the series go to: How To Connect Djing Needles and Cartridges

or

Go back to the DJing Equipment Setup Index

Gear You Will Need for DJing

Here’s an overview of the type of equipment you will definitely need if you want to start becoming a successful DJ today. Whereever possible, we’ve provided links to specific products that we’ve recommended.

Source: idjondemand

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If you’re using vinyl to DJ then here is what you need.

• Two (2) turntables like the Numark TTX1 Direct-Drive Turntable
• Two (2) slipmats – If you don’t know why don’t worry I’ll tell you why later.
• Two (2) cartridges like the Shure M44-7 Competition DJ Cartridge
• One (1) mixer like the Rane TTM 56 Performance Mixer
• One (1) pair of headphones like the Stanton DJ Pro 3000 Headphones

For CD DJs

• Two (2) CD turntables like the Pioneer CDJ1000
• One (1) mixer like the Xone:92 Mixer
• One (1) pair of headphones

*Check out this  CD turtables+mixer discount from Musician’s Friend here

For Laptop DJs

• One (1) Laptop Computer like the MacBook Pro
• Headphones
• DJing Sofware
  • Serato Scratch
  • Traktor DJ
  • Ableton Live
• Headphones

A way to amplify your sources such as stereo system or an amplifier and speakers. If you’re on a tight budget then powered speakers may be the way to go. For this DJ tutorial we already have an amp set up.

DJ Tutorial Tip: Always opt for separate components if  you can because if your powered speakers go down then you have to replace them. If you go with separate components and one fails you replace that one component.

If you’re using CD decks then drop the cartridges, needles and slipmats. But you still need an amplifier and speakers. You do want to hear your mix right?

Ready to step it up to the next level? Get bigger/better djing tips here

Go to the next free tutorial : Connecting your DJ Equipment

or

Go back to the DJ Equipment Tutorial index

Setting Up Gear for DJing

DJ tutorial for setting up your DJ equipment for the first time.

Source: idjondemand

• Do you have a lot of new deejay gear that you just bought, but you’re not really sure how to get it up and running properly?

• Are you experienced disc jokey, but want to make sure you’re connecting your deejay equipment the right way?

• Do you want to set up deejaying gear the right way, every time?

If you said yes to one of these, then you’re in the right place. Here we have provided a great free 5 step tutorial to help you accomplish this quickly and easily. In this tutorial series, you will learn how to efficiently and effectively get your DJing equipment set up and connected to ensure that there will be nothing you have to worry about when you’re playing out, whether it be practicing in your bedroom or playing out to hundreds of partygoers.

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Here are the 5 steps to setting up proper:

1. DJ Equipment – What You Need To Start DJing
2. Connecting your new DJ equipment
3. Connecting your DJ needles and cartridges
4. Connecting other DJ components and devices
5. Outputs (Master outputs and Record outputs)

Happy with the info in this first tutorial series? Check out idjondemand’s guaranteed DJing success tips.