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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

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

How To DJ

Starting Points / Basic Overview

DJing – What To Expect

If you are wondering what you can honestly expect by becoming a DJ, and how to DJ, then you have come to the right place. Djing is a great job that anybody can do, but it is better done by somebody that is outgoing and loves to have fun. Being a DJ will definitely improve your social life there is no doubt about that, and you will be able to experience many new things. You will be asked to play at many different events and celebrations, halls and clubs, and when you develop your name you may get to travel as well.

DJing Training and Practice

If you are wondering how to DJ, then you need to know that it is not a very difficult job, but that there is a certain amount of training you will need to do. You can do this on your own if you get the information that you need and are able to get access to the proper equipment so that you can practice on it. There are many different ways to DJ, and some of them involve using CD players, laptop software or turntables for vinyl. What you will do is pick the one that you feel most comfortable using and learn how to use it very well. It is better to become very skilled at one and use it on a constant basis.

Getting Your Name Out

Once you have learned all of the technical aspects of how to DJ, you will need to make yourself known by advertising. You need to promote yourself as the great new disc jockey on the scene, and you can do this by putting up advertisements on the Internet or in your local newspaper. People will call you for weddings and similar events, so you should practice taking phone calls with a friend that is willing to help you out. You can also make a recording of your self and your music and promote it to local clubs.

The Music

You need to figure out what kind of music you want to play when you are learning how to DJ. If you can find music that is both danceable and really your style, then you have found a fantastic combination. When you play what you love you will find that you enjoy your job so much that you will want to be djing all the time. When you love your work it makes it so much easier and you will find that the work will come to you. Learning how to DJ is not that complicated and you can get training on the Internet to set yourself up for a lifetime with a fantastic career.

If you want to take it to the next level and learn more, we highly recommend picking up

Danny Ramplings Book on DJing and Success

Was this Djing overview helpful? Let us know in the comments below.