10 Videos That Will Help You Become a Better DJ

EDM's on the rise, there's no doubt about that. And while some might say "it's already big," trust DAD when we tell you: it's only getting bigger. And

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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EDM's on the rise, there's no doubt about that. And while some might say "it's already big," trust DAD when we tell you: it's only getting bigger. And similar to the last electronic phase that America went through, coupled with the affordability of DJ software, we can almost guarantee there will be an even bigger influx of amateur DJs rising through the ranks in the next year (or two). Hell, you can almost expect it; EDM is all about the event, the festival. The problem is, there are a lot of shitty DJs out there.

See, when something like this rises so quickly, you have people looking to make a quick buck without really grasping what it takes to DJ properly. Having a huge catalog of tunes isn't everything, and that's where we step in. You can learn everything on these Internets, so we decided to provide you with some fun, easy-to-follow tutorials for DJs of all skillsets. This one-stop shop will teach you everything from how to set up your turntables to how to mix without headphones. Get your learn on!

How to set up your DJ equipment

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One thing that you absolutely MUST know is how to set up your decks and mixer properly. Save yourself a lot of time and frustrating by knowning how to get your equipment connected properly.

How to use a mixer

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Dude might not be the most engaging host, but this is a pretty bare bones explanation of what you can expect on a two-channel mixer. If you're very green to DJing, and wanted to gain some knowledge, this gives you a basic understanding.

How to beatmatch

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Beatmatching is one of the most basic tools that every DJ needs to have in their skillset. This video is on the long side, clocking in at over 100 minutes, but it is damn compehensive, and really goes into theory, numbers, and feels more like a class for budding DJs than a regular tutorial.

How to set up cue points and loop tracks

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The Pioneer CDJ-2000 has not only been a standard mixer, but the cue and loop formats are found on a number of today's widely-used DJ mixers. The ability to set up cue points and loop tracks helps many DJs in the mix, and is a great skill to master.

How to mix without mixing

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"It's all about mixing, but not mixing." This would be a great tutorial for those of you looking to pick up a couploe of bucks DJing for weddings or places where you're not bound to one genre where you're not trying to mix and blend. Find out how to keep a mix going smooth without matching beats and such.

How to DJ without headphones

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Have you ever wondered if you could mix without headphones? Let Juicy M show you how to mix without the use of headphones. While some have questioned the validity of her skills, she does offer tips and tricks for DJs using vinyl, Serato, and CDJs.

How to mix drum & bass

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The tempo of drum & bass might throw people off, so getting an idea of what to follow is always key. From the same guy who taught you to "mix without mixing," we have this tutorial on what beats to listen out for, and a couple of ways you can mix drum & bass tracks.

How to DJ like Armin van Buuren

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You have to love some of the tricks Armin provides, including the pre-preparation in terms of burning one track per CD, and using a printer that displays the information clearly and putting what key the track is in right on the CD. Saves time when you're in the middle of a set.

How to DJ like Shiftee

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Are you trying to be a turntablist? This is probably NOT the first video you should check. Shiftee is a champion, and has been at this for a while. While this quirky video might be for more advanced DJs, it shows how Shiftee utilizes Native Instrument's Traktor Kontrol Z2 mixer, with how he maps out the different controls on his numerous decks and how he throws his intricate cuts with the multitude of options the mixer has.

How to DJ properly

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MC Sniper and the Kurupt FM crew are full of jokes, but like Eminem says "a lot of truth is said in jest." Think about this as a hilarious send-up of the things we've not seen, from the slang you use to proper record bag placement.

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