DJ like a pro—without skipping a beat The bestselling guide to spinning and scratching is back! If you've ever spent hours in your bedroom with two turntables and an earful of tracks that sound off-beat or out of key, DJing For Dummies is the go-to guide for taking your skills to the next level. Inside, John Steventon, a successful club DJ, walks you through the basics of mixing, the techniques and tricks you need to create your own DJ style and how to make DJing work for you.
Covering both digital and old-school vinyl-based instruction, this guide covers all the latest DJ technology, equipment and software so you can get mixing and stay one step ahead of the crowd. Brimming with expert advice and easy-to-follow explanations, the information in DJing For Dummies gives you everything you need to build a foolproof set and play to a live crowd.
- Nail down the basics and build on existing skills
- Sort through the latest equipment and technology
- Have a go at crossfading, beatmatching and scratching
- Mix tracks seamlessly to sound like a pro
If you're new to the game or looking to step up your skills and graduate to club work, DJing For Dummies has you covered.
Table of Contents:
Introduction 1
Part I: Getting Started with DJing 5
Chapter 1: Catching DJ Fever 7
Chapter 2: Starting Up with the Bare Bones 15
Chapter 3: Shopping for Equipment 29
Chapter 4: Retro Chic or PC Geek? Buying Records, CDs and Digital Music Files 45
Part II: Stocking Up Your DJ Toolbox 57
Chapter 5: The Tech Revolution: Format Choices 59
Chapter 6: Getting Decked Out with Turntables 75
Chapter 7: Perfecting Your Decks: Slipmats and Needles 97
Chapter 8: Spinning with CDs 109
Chapter 9: Bits and PCs: Digital DJing 127
Chapter 10: Stirring It Up with Mixers 147
Chapter 11: Ear-split ting Advice about Not Split ting Your Ears: Headphones 165
Chapter 12: Letting Your Neighbours Know That You’re a DJ: Amplifiers 175
Chapter 13: Plugging In, Turning On: Setup and Connections 185
Part III: The Mix 201
Chapter 14: Grasping the Basics of Mixing 203
Chapter 15: Picking Up on the Beat: Song Structure 227
Chapter 16: Mixing Like the Pros 239
Chapter 17: Scratching Lyrical 261
Part IV: Getting Noticed and Playing Live 285
Chapter 18: Building a Foolproof Set 287
Chapter 19: Creating a Great Demo 305
Chapter 20: Getting Busy With It: Working as a DJ 329
Chapter 21: Facing the Music: Playing Live 341
Part V: The Part of Tens 361
Chapter 22: Ten Resources for Expanding Your Skills and Fan Base 363
Chapter 23: Ten Answers to DJ Questions You’re Too Afraid to Ask 371
Chapter 24: Ten Great Influences on Me 381
Chapter 25: Ten DJing Mistakes to Avoid 387
Chapter 26: Ten Items to Take with You When DJing 391
Index 395
About the Author :
John Steventon, AKA DJ Recess, has built a reputation as a successful club DJ. Via his website (recess.co.uk) and the first two editions of DJing For Dummies, John has taught thousands of aspiring DJs the tricks of the trade. During the day John works as a film editor for the BBC.
