Adaptive Learning Roadmap.
Interactive pedagogical journey for Deckmatics Academy: continuous progression, adaptive recommendations, and comprehensive technical curriculum.
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What a sample is: one-shots, loops, multisamples and construction kits
What a sample really is: distinguish one-shots, loops, multisamples and construction kits, and choose each for production or the booth.
Ideal starting point for your foundational learning: essentials with zero prerequisites.
Curriculum by Learning Tracks
15 tracksMixing and performance
0 / 655 specialized blocks
Track lessons (65)
Mixer with no audio, a dead channel or no cue: mixer diagnosis
Checks in order when a mixer has no audio, a channel is dead, a CDJ appears on the wrong channel, headphones have no cue or the booth is silent.
Deliberate practice for DJs: training without wasting hours
A deliberate-practice method for DJs: one skill per session, recording every exercise, and progress metrics that measure improvement.
DJ Changeovers, B2B and a Booth Emergency Plan
Preparing a DJ changeover, B2B and response to computer failure with a backup player, emergency phone and a bag of essentials.
USB errors, files not loading, unsupported formats, and crashes
What to do when a USB does not appear, a file will not load, unsupported format appears, or software crashes mid-set: step-by-step diagnosis.
Speaking to the Audience: Hype, Events, Weddings and Safety Announcements
DJ booth speaking: when to stay quiet, hype, countdowns, call and response, artist introductions, corporate events, weddings and safety announcements.
Musical Selection, Phrasing and Energy: Programming a Set
Musical selection, phrasing, preparation, energy building and BPM or genre changes for programming a set with an arc and no gaps.
CDJ “Unsupported Format”: causes and fixes
Understand CDJ and XDJ Unsupported Format errors (E-8304/E-8305), supported formats, and how to isolate a problem file and convert it once.
Audio Mixing Guide: Gain Staging, Equalization, Compression and the Mix Bus
Complete audio mixing guide: static balance, gain staging, EQ, compression, sidechain, saturation, depth with reverb/delay, stereo width, phase and the mix bus.
Link Drops, Frozen Decks and Emergency Loop on Pro DJ LINK Networks
Diagnose Pro DJ Link drops, frozen decks and emergency loop: startup order, cables, switches and firmware.
Distortion, hum, ground loops, dropouts, latency and drivers
Separate level distortion from hum and ground loops, audio dropouts, buffer latency and incorrectly installed drivers.
What Quantize Does on DJ Equipment
Quantize snaps cues, loops and Hot Cues to the nearest beatgrid position. Learn what it does, what it depends on and when to turn it off.
What Master Tempo / Key Lock is and what it does to the sound
Master Tempo in rekordbox and Key Lock in Traktor preserve pitch when speed changes. Their functions, documented limits and effects on audio.
What a Beatgrid Is and What It Is For
Understand a track's beat grid, the difference between beat grid and bar grid, and why Sync, Quantize and cues depend on it.
How to place the beatgrid correctly
A step-by-step procedure for placing and correcting the beatgrid: check it by ear, set the first beat, resolve double- or half-time BPM, and protect your work.
Headphone cueing and CUE: listening before mixing
Headphone cueing and CUE in the booth: what the audience hears, what you hear in headphones, and how to prepare the next track without guessing.
Loops for DJs: types, uses, and common mistakes
What a loop is, how many types there are, and when to use one: manual loop, auto beat loop, active loop, and mistakes that ruin a mix.
Hot Cues vs Memory Cues: when to use each
Hot Cue triggers and Memory Cue marks: how they really differ, how many you can save, when to use each, and how to convert one into the other.
What Sync is and how to use it correctly
Sync matches the BPM and beat position of two tracks. What it does, what it depends on, how the master deck is designated and when it gets in the way.
DJ drills: beatmatching, phrasing, EQ, harmonic mixing, scratch and microphone technique
Six DJ exercise blocks with duration, common mistakes and pass criteria: timing, phrasing, EQ, harmonic mixing, scratch and microphone technique.
Why You Should Record and Listen Back to Your Sets
Recording sets is the cheapest way to detect mistakes you miss live. What to record, at what level, and how to listen afterwards.
How to Mix Two Tracks Correctly
The complete guide to mixing two tracks: aligning tempo, phase, structure and levels, swapping bass, deciding how long the mix should last and choosing a transition type.
How to Beatmatch Manually, Step by Step
The complete procedure for matching two tracks by hand: match tempo, align phase, enter by phrase and maintain the adjustment without Sync.
What Beat Jump Is and How to Use It Live
Beat Jump moves playback by an exact number of beats without changing tracks: what it is for, how it behaves with loops and when not to use it.
How to Handle Audience, Promoter and Client Requests Without Ruining Your Set
Booth strategies and protocols for handling song requests from audiences, club promoters, wedding couples and corporate event clients.
The art of the Warm-up DJ: psychology, music selection and building the night
Discover the crucial role of the warm-up or opening DJ: booth psychology, restrained volume and BPM, preparing the room and respecting the main DJ.
What the Master Deck is and how it is chosen
The master deck is the tempo and phase reference for the others. How to designate it, when it changes automatically and what handing over control means.
Equalization by Frequency and Instrument: A Practical Mixing Guide
An instrument EQ map: key frequencies for kick, bass, snares, synthesizers and vocals, addressing mud, boxiness, nasality and sibilance.
DJ Set Self-Critique Checklist: Correction and Tracking Form
A reusable self-correction form for evaluating DJ sets: five technical points, a recurring-mistake log and criteria for closing each issue.
Isolator vs EQ on DJ Mixers: Crossovers, Full Kill and Tonal Shaping
Understand standard DJ EQ versus full-kill isolators: attenuation range, crossover points, filter slopes, phase response and practical mixing use.
Mixing Techniques and Creative FX Transitions: Buildups, Drops, Sweeps and Avoiding an Overloaded Set
Learn to perform FX transitions in DJ mixes: Filter Sweeps, Echo Out, Riser Buildups and techniques for avoiding listening fatigue.
32-bit float WAV and CDJs: why it fails and how to convert it
CDJ and XDJ players list 16- and 24-bit WAV, not 32-bit float: file loading failures, internal processing versus accepted files, and correct conversion.
Why Quantize Does Not Work Properly Even When Enabled
Quantize works, but does not always do what you expect. Six real causes, ordered by frequency, and how to check each before changing anything.
DJ set programming: session structure, energy arcs and set lengths
Plan DJ sessions around their length: energy arcs, tension/release curves, bridge tracks and emergency tracks.
DJ Assessment: Self-Assessment, Exams, Portfolio and Skill Level
How to assess yourself without a teacher: failure simulations, rubrics, practical exams, a progressive portfolio and criteria for moving up a level.
Platter transitions: brake, spinback, backspin, power-down and reverse
Brake, spinback, backspin, power-down, reverse and slip reverse explained: what each does, when it comes in and the mistakes that ruin it live.
Swapping the Bass Between Two Tracks Without Muddying the Mix
How to perform a bass swap: which band each knob controls, how to hand the bassline from one track to another, and why two basslines do not simply add up.
Decks, Loops, Cues, FX, Stems and Scratch in the Booth
Deck count, loops, cues, FX, stems and scratch as booth tools: each contribution and when to leave it unused.
Sound Color FX vs Beat FX in the DJ Booth: Operation, Filters, Noise and Architectural Differences
Learn the structural differences between Sound Color FX and Beat FX on DJ mixers and controllers. Per-channel filters, Noise, Crush, Dub Echo and BPM routing.
Harmonic mixing with Camelot: relatives, energy and wrongly detected keys
Using Camelot in the booth, relative major/minor, energy changes without clashes, and when to distrust a detected key.
Open-format, half-time and sets that stay lively beyond full-track playback
Half-time/double-time, purposeful genre changes, preserving choruses, open-format quick mixing and avoiding flat sets.
How to Change Tracks Without Mixing Them
Cutting is a legitimate transition: when to change tracks without overlap, how to cut on a phrase, which mixer settings matter and why it is not bad mixing.
Time-Based and Rhythmic DJ Effects: Delay, Reverb, Echo Out, Quantize and Roll
Learn rhythmic DJ effects: Delay, Reverb, Echo Out and Roll, including beat fractions, feedback, Quantize and clean transition techniques.
When to Cut a Track While DJing
Deciding when to cut a track: signs to leave or stay, structural exits and what cannot be recovered afterwards.
How to Analyse Your Own DJ Set and Detect Mistakes
Analysing your own set is a separate skill: which mistakes a recording reveals, how to locate them by counting bars and how to turn them into a plan.
What happens when the Master Deck's beatgrid is wrong
An offset or incorrectly scaled master grid passes its error to everything synchronised with it. How to detect, check and correct the problem.
DJ Signal Flow: Unity Gain, VU Meters and Peaks
Follow the chain from file to speaker, understand unity gain, read a VU meter and distinguish peaks from averages to diagnose distortion.
Saturation, stereo width, phase, and automation in mixing
Saturation, Stereo width, Mono compatibility, and Automation in mixing, alongside treatment of percussion, guitar, and vocals.
BPM Sync vs Beat Sync: The Real Differences
BEAT SYNC and BPM SYNC do not match the same things, and each program uses its own names. What each mode does, when to use it and which names are real.
Is DJing in the red bad? Clipping, headroom and actual levels
Red does not mean the same thing on an analogue mixer as it does in the digital domain. Here is the mechanism, what it depends on, and which rules are only heuristics.
How to Adjust the Beatgrid of a Track with Variable Tempo
When a track does not maintain a fixed BPM, a single grid misleads. How to detect it, work in sections and understand the limits of tempo zones.
Gain Staging for DJs: Adjusting Trim, Channel Fader and Master
Trim, the channel fader and master do different jobs. Learn the signal-chain order, the difference between dBFS and dBu, and where the real headroom is.
Equalisation in professional audio: parametric, graphic, dynamic, and linear-phase EQ
In-depth technical analysis of equalisers: parametric, graphic, dynamic, and linear-phase EQ. Filter mathematics, phase distortion, and applications.
Reading the dance floor and crowd psychology: interpreting the room and adapting your set live
Learn the essential DJ skill of reading the dance floor: interpret crowd body language, recognise fatigue and redirect the room during a live set.
Send/Return and External FX Routing in the DJ Booth: Insert vs Aux, Pedals, Modules and Return Loops
External effects routing on DJ mixers: Send/Return, Insert vs Aux, guitar pedals, units such as Eventide H9 or Boss RDD, and feedback loops.
Loop Transition, Double Drop, Fake Drop, Slam Mix, Hard Cut and Silence Cut
Learn 6 advanced transitions: loop transition, double drop, fake drop, slam mix, hard cut and silence cut, with preparation, timing and common mistakes.
Live Elements, Hardware, Software and Performance: Repeatable Setups
Choose live elements, hardware and software, then turn them into a rehearsable, redundant performance without relying on one configuration.
Saved Loop, Loop Halve/Double, Loop + FX and Loop + Stems Live
Four booth looping tools: saved loops, halving/doubling, Loop + FX and Loop + stems, with preparation, levels and common mistakes.
Dynamics processors in audio and DJing: compressors, limiters, clippers, and sidechain
A complete technical guide to audio dynamics processors: compressor, limiter, clipper, multiband compressor, gate, de-esser, transient shaper, and sidechain.
Saturation, Distortion and Analogue Emulation: Tubes, Magnetic Tape and Consoles
Technical guide to saturation, distortion and analogue emulation: tubes, magnetic tape and consoles. Even and odd harmonics and aliasing.
Sample Transition, Vocal Transition, Wordplay, Tone Play and Pitch Play
Build transitions with samples, vocals, wordplay, tone play and pitch play, including preparation through samplers, cues and stems.
FX Routing, Parallel Processing, Mid/Side, Stereo Widening and Effects Automation
Technical guide to audio routing architecture: serial vs. parallel routing, Mid/Side processing, stereo widening, utility/gain and FX automation.
Audio Mastering Guide: LUFS, True Peak, Limiting, Dither and Export
Professional mastering guide covering EQ, compression, multiband processing, clipping, True Peak limiting, LUFS, dither and delivery formats.
When Master Tempo makes the sound worse
Master Tempo and Key Lock reprocess audio. Documented scenarios, signs that processing is audible, and how to decide whether to use them.
Mastering: multiband, Dynamic EQ, saturation, limiting, and normalisation
Step-by-step mastering: multiband, Dynamic EQ, saturation, limiting, streaming-platform normalisation, and quality control (QC).
Modulation effects, advanced spatial effects and granular/spectral audio processing
Audio effects explained: chorus, tremolo, ping-pong delay, vocoder, harmonizer, bitcrusher, convolution reverb, granular and spectral processing.
Video and show
0 / 413 specialized blocks
Track lessons (41)
Lighting Fundamentals for Shows and DJ Booths: DMX512, Universes, Channels and Fixtures
DMX512-A stage lighting: RS-485 transmission, 512 channels per universe, start addresses, fixture profiles and Beam, Wash, Spot and Strobe types.
Team Roles in a Multicamera Production
What each multicamera production role does, and how to divide direction, vision mixing, cameras, audio and intercom in teams of one to three people.
Livestreaming a DJ Set: Audio, Encoders, OBS and Latency
Broadcast a live set with internal audio or master output, external interfaces, OBS routing, audio/video latency and lip sync.
Atmospheric machines: haze, fog, low fog, snow and bubbles
Choosing haze, fog, low fog, snow or bubbles: each effect's output, equipment and fluid, placement, and checks before switching on.
Architecture of a Live Multicamera Production
Signal architecture for a multicamera production: PGM, PVW, aux, clean and dirty feeds, ISO, multiview, return, confidence monitor, tally and intercom.
Technical Production Roles at Events and Festivals
What each event production role does: promoter, production manager, technical director, stage manager, tour manager and support team.
Live switching and vision mixing: cut, mix, keyers and macros
Transitions, keyers, macros and graphics for operating a live multicamera switcher without on-air mistakes.
IMAG versus Streaming: LED Screens and Latency
Synchronise IMAG, LED screens and streaming: acceptable latency, visual delay, clean feeds and separate signals.
Radio and podcasts for DJs: programmes, jingles, beds and loudness
Build a radio programme as a Radio DJ: running order, jingles, beds and talkover, a music podcast distributed by RSS and broadcast loudness.
Multicamera Recording and Multitrack Postproduction
A complete multicamera recording workflow: ISO, multitrack, timecode, proxies, checksums, multicam editing, colour matching and show archives.
Show intercom: wired, wireless, partyline, matrix and walkie-talkies
Why chat is not enough: wired versus wireless intercom, partyline and matrix, beltpacks, headsets, Clear-Com and walkie-talkies.
Live Cameras: Choosing, Configuring and Matching Them
Choosing cameras for a multicamera production: sensors, lenses, exposure, profiles, focus and heat limits during live shows.
Live streaming: encoding, bitrate and multistreaming
Set encoder, codecs, bitrate, keyframes and audio codec for a stable DJ multistream to YouTube, Twitch, TikTok Live and Meta.
Broadcasting concerts and DJ sets: cameras and lighting
Plan cameras, exposure and lighting coordination for concerts and DJ broadcasts without blown-out shots.
Video transport: SDI, HDMI, NDI, SRT and fibre
Live video transport: compare HDMI, SDI and fibre with NDI, NDI HX, SRT and RIST, including distances, converters and routing matrices.
Operating a broadcast: platforms, copyright, ISO recording and backup
Run a DJ broadcast on Twitch, YouTube Live or TikTok Live: multistreaming, chat, copyright, local set recording, ISO recordings and backup.
Video Synchronisation: Genlock, Timecode and Drift
Genlock, LTC timecode, VITC, black burst, frame sync and drift: avoid camera/audio misalignment in live multicamera production.
Internet and redundancy for live streaming: bonding and failover
Design a live-stream uplink with primary fibre, secondary 4G/5G, bonding, dual-WAN, failover, QoS, SRT and backup local recording.
Lasers, strobes and blinders: zones, distances and power onstage
Safety zones, distances and power for lasers, strobes and blinders: beam classes, exposure limits, photosensitivity, angles and rig load distribution.
Audio for Live Broadcast: Split, Dante and Mix-Minus
Audio architecture for broadcasting a live event: analogue and digital splits, Dante and MADI, mix-minus for commentators, loudness and lip sync.
Video in the DJ Booth: VirtualDJ Video, Serato Video, MixEmergency and a Direct Audiovisual Workflow
A comparative video DJ software manual: VirtualDJ, Serato Video and MixEmergency (Inklen). Visual fader curves, BPM synchronisation and GPU performance.
Channels, Call Signs and Radio Discipline During a Show
Allocating channels, using call signs, coordinating FOH with stage and departments, and deciding what information belongs on radio.
Post-show: load-out, inventory and technical settlement
Technical event closure: load-out, inventory, damage reports, rental returns and technical settlement, with documents, responsibilities and costly mistakes.
Live Technical Roles: FOH, Monitors, Lighting, VJ and RF
The responsibilities of FOH and monitor engineers, lighting operators, VJs, RF coordinators, backline technicians and DJ technicians during a live event.
Handover, Last-Minute Changes and Show Incidents
Managing show contingencies: artist handover, last-minute changes, incident logging, incident reports and show-file backups.
Timings, Curfew, Noise Limits and Show Order
Building and protecting an event timetable: curfew, noise limits, the load-in-to-load-out timeline, show schedule, running order and cue sheets.
Video DJ: Serato Video, alternatives, LED walls and on-screen metadata
A video DJ guide: how Serato Video works, the alternatives available today, how to work with an LED wall, and which waveform and metadata to show in each workflow.
Video Mapping and LED Walls for DJs: Resolutions, Scalers, Raster and Stage Processors
An audiovisual engineering guide for large stages: LED modules, pixel pitch (P2.5-P5), NovaStar/Brompton processors, raster layouts and 3D projection mapping.
Live Show Control Protocols: TCNet, Ableton Link, SMPTE Timecode and Loop Response
Technical synchronization guide: TCNet vs Ableton Link vs SMPTE, alternative software (Beat Link Trigger, Prolink), loops, beat jumps and pitch fader handling.
Audio-Reactive and Generative Visuals: TouchDesigner, Notch and Resolume
A manual for audio-reactive and generative 2D/3D visuals: FFT analysis, RMS followers, TouchDesigner (CHOPs/TOPs/SOPs), Notch, Spout, Syphon and NDI.
Technical preproduction: venue survey, advance and plans
Technical preproduction: venue survey, technical advance, rider review, stage plot, input list and patch list, who signs them and what each document prevents.
IP Lighting and Automated Control: Art-Net, sACN (E1.31), MIDI/OSC, Consoles and DMX Timecode
IP lighting: Art-Net 4 versus sACN (ANSI E1.31), Ethernet-to-DMX nodes, MIDI/OSC control, QLC+, grandMA, SoundSwitch and DMX timecode.
VJing and Video DJing: Resolume Arena Setup, DXV3/HAP Codecs, GPU Acceleration and Video Outputs
Technical VJing guide for Resolume Arena: GPU-decompressed codecs (DXV3 vs HAP), latency, VSync, GPU assignment and SDI/HDMI output cards.
ShowKontrol and Pro DJ Link: Real-Time Metadata, SMPTE/MTC and Art-Net Timecode for Shows
Technical guide to ShowKontrol and Pro DJ Link Bridge: extracting BPM, beat, phase, track and waveform data and converting it to SMPTE, MTC or Art-Net timecode.
Show Caller: Cue Numbers, GO, Cue Sheets and Timecode
The show caller's role, cue numbering, GO, standby and warning, cue sheets, and when to trigger through timecode or manually.
Live reactive visuals: Audio reactive, Beat reactive, Frequency reactive and generative visuals
Visual reactivity modes: Audio reactive, Beat reactive and Frequency reactive, how Generative visuals work, and how to combine them without making the audience dizzy.
Stage-effects control: DMX, timecode, interlocks and permits
DMX, timecode and manual triggers; interlocks and emergency stops; qualified operators, documentation, permits and legal differences between countries.
Visual Automation Through Cues and Phrasing: MadMapper, MIDI/OSC Triggers and Adaptive Live Mapping
VJ automation through phrasing and cues: rekordbox/Serato integration, MadMapper video and DMX pixel mapping, and OSC/MIDI commands.
Live operations: load-in, line check and changeover
Show-day operations: load-in, cable paths, patch, line check, soundcheck and artist/DJ changeovers, with responsibilities, timings and common mistakes.
Live sets, hybrid sets and electronic performance: architecture, synchronisation and redundancy
Technical guide to live sets, hybrid setups, Ableton Live on stage, hardware, multichannel routing, MIDI Clock, Ableton Link and redundancy.
Infrastructure preproduction: power, network, RF, lighting, video and FX
Specify an event's power requirements, network requirements, RF plan, lighting plot, video requirements and special FX requirements before setup.
Music production
0 / 394 specialized blocks
Track lessons (39)
What a sample is: one-shots, loops, multisamples and construction kits
What a sample really is: distinguish one-shots, loops, multisamples and construction kits, and choose each for production or the booth.
Starting a Track: References, Groove and Finishing It
A practical guide to starting a track with useful references, building groove before melody and finishing without getting stuck in an 8-bar loop.
Synthesis Fundamentals: Oscillators, Filters, Envelopes and LFOs
Every synthesizer's building blocks: oscillators, waves, filters, ADSR envelopes, LFOs, modulation, unison, voices and glide explained through what you hear.
Organising a music project: naming, folders, versions and templates
Organise a music project with naming conventions, folders, date/status versioning, templates and complete archiving.
Live mashups: acapellas, live stems, decks, and cue points
Practical guide to building a live mashup: acapella and instrumental, live stems, three or four decks, and cue points ready before playback.
Vocal Recording: Microphones, Preamps, Gain and Reducing Bleed
A vocal recording guide: choosing a microphone, understanding the preamp, setting gain and reducing bleed at home.
Choosing a DAW: Ableton Live, FL Studio, Logic Pro, Bitwig and REAPER
Compare Ableton Live, FL Studio, Logic Pro, Bitwig and Reaper by goal, licence, platform and learning curve to choose your DAW thoughtfully.
Recording Gain Staging: 24-Bit Headroom, Clipping and Latency
How to apply recording gain staging, leave headroom in 24 bits, avoid clipping and choose between monitoring latency and direct monitoring.
Microphones and polar patterns: dynamic, condenser, ribbon, XY and ORTF
Microphone types, cardioid, omni, figure-of-8 and supercardioid polar patterns, proximity effect, off-axis coloration, and XY and ORTF techniques.
Preparing stems for a live mashup
Prepare live-mashup stems before the set: separation, cleanup, trimming, tagging, beatgrids and cues, with a backup plan if something fails in the booth.
Field Recording: Portable Recorders, Stereo Microphones and Ambiences
An introduction to field recording: choosing portable recorders and stereo microphones, wind protection, handling noise and capturing ambiences.
DJ edits: what they are and when to make an intro, outro, short or clean edit
What a DJ edit is and what each variation does: intro, outro, short and clean edits, with criteria for choosing the right one.
Programming drums: kick, clap, hi-hats, percussion and ghost notes
Program drums from scratch: each kit piece's role, relationships between kick, clap, hi-hats and percussion, and ghost notes, velocity and swing.
Sample licences: royalty-free, public domain and Creative Commons
Royalty-free does not mean free: what sample licences cover, how samples are bought today, public domain and the clauses of Creative Commons.
Installing a DAW: Drivers, Audio Device, Buffer and Sample Rate
Your first hour with a DAW: official installation, drivers and audio device, buffer and latency, sample rate, project folders and templates.
Types of synthesis: subtractive, wavetable, FM, additive, granular and modular
Subtractive, wavetable, FM, additive, granular, phase distortion, physical modelling, sampling and modular: what each family generates and what it is used for.
Transition edits, mashup edits, acapella-in/out and redrum
Track-combining edit techniques: transition edits, mashup edits, acapella-in/out and redrum or re-drum, with practical booth and studio uses.
Arrangement: Intro, Build, Drop, Break, Outro and Automation
Anatomy of a track by section: intro, build, drop, break, second drop and outro, with the automation, transitions and ear candy that join them.
Produced mashups: compatible songs, tempo, key and warping
Build a produced mashup by choosing compatible songs, aligning tempo, key and structure, and using warping without destroying the audio.
Vocal editing: comping, timing, tuning, Melodyne and Auto-Tune
Edit vocals with comping, timing and natural or stylised tuning in Melodyne and Auto-Tune while retaining formants and groove.
Vocal mixing: EQ, compression, de-essing, saturation, reverb and delay
A vocal mixing chain, step by step: EQ, compression, de-essing, saturation, reverb, delay, throws, doubles and ad-libs.
Session notes, recall sheets, feedback and approvals
Work with others using session notes, recall sheets, deadlines, structured feedback, revisions and approvals that close deliveries without repeated exchanges.
How to install plugins in Ableton, FL Studio and Logic (macOS and Windows)
Install plugins in Ableton, FL Studio and Logic on Windows and macOS: VST2/VST3 folders, Audio Units, rescanning and moving libraries to another drive.
Drum racks, samplers and granular sampling: building your own library
Use drum racks, samplers, granular sampling and resampling to create sounds, then organise folders, names and tags to find samples quickly.
Recording Vocals, Guitar, Piano, Drums and Percussion in the Studio
A practical guide to miking individual sources: recording vocals, acoustic guitar, guitar amplifiers, piano, percussion and drums with appropriate microphones and positions.
Deliverables, Credits, Split Sheets and Professional Delivery
Files and packaging, credits and split sheets, portfolio selection, and how to present and follow up on a professional delivery to a label or client.
Making and exporting an edit in Ableton, FL Studio or Logic
How to build a re-arrangement and edit in Ableton Live, FL Studio or Logic Pro, then export it at the right loudness for a DJ tool.
Synthesizers: Serum, Vital, Pigments, Sylenth1, Diva and More
Synthesizers by family and use: Serum, Vital, Pigments, Massive X, Operator, Wavetable, Sylenth1, Diva, Phase Plant and Omnisphere.
Collect All and Save, Freeze, Consolidation and Project Dependencies
Using Collect All and Save, deciding when to freeze or consolidate and finding sample and plugin dependencies before a project opens incomplete.
Bassline, Chords, Melody and Hooks: Tension and Resolution
How to build a track's melodic part: bassline, chords, melody and countermelody, memorable hooks and tension with resolution.
Plugin Formats: VST2, VST3, Audio Units and AAX
What VST2, VST3, Audio Units and AAX are, who uses them, how scanning works, why plugins are missing, and what happens with Rosetta and iLok.
Live Mashups: Loops, Harmony, Gain and Preparation
Sustain a live mashup: loops to synchronise structures, harmony between tracks, gain between layers, saturation control and portability.
Production workflow: templates, versioning, freeze and bounce
Production workflow: build a template, name and version projects, choose freeze or consolidate, optimise CPU, back up and collaborate with stems.
Remote Collaboration: Transferring DAW Projects and Delivering Stems
Collaborating remotely: transferring DAW projects, agreeing sample rate and bit depth, exporting compatible stems and preparing stem delivery that opens correctly.
Stereo techniques: AB, Blumlein, Mid/Side, close mic, room mic and spot mic
A guide to stereo recording and microphone distances: AB, Blumlein and Mid/Side techniques, and when to use close, room and spot microphones in a recording.
Acapellas for DJs: stems, de-noise, de-reverb, chops, and stutters
How to prepare acapellas for DJs: stem separation, de-noise, de-reverb, pitch and tempo adjustment, chops, and stutters in the booth.
Bass Sound Design: Kick, Sub, Reese, Pluck and Lead
Design kick, sub, reese, pluck and lead from scratch: each element's space, construction and suitable mix level.
Sound Design: Pads, Chords, Risers, FX and Your Own Presets
Pads, chords, risers, downlifters, impacts, FX, synthetic percussion and your own presets: construction, timing and organisation.
Produced mashups: vocals, acapellas, automation, mastering and rights
Vocal tuning, acapella processing, instrumental integration, automation, final mastering and the publication limits of a mashup.
Career and industry
0 / 333 specialized blocks
Track lessons (33)
Content Ideas for DJs: Formats That Work
DJ and artist content formats: before/after, interviews, challenges, contests, games, humour, education, storytelling, releases, IDs and tour diaries.
Wedding music brief: ceremony, entrances, first dance, drinks reception and dinner
Build an event music brief: ceremony music, entrances, first dance, drinks-reception and dinner levels, and a do-not-play list that is respected.
Choosing a Label and Sending a Demo: Catalogue, Private Links and A&R Messages
Choose a label, research its catalogue, prepare a suitable demo with a private link and write an A&R message that gets read.
Streaming analytics: Spotify for Artists, Apple Music, YouTube, SoundCloud and Bandcamp
Read Spotify for Artists, Apple Music for Artists, YouTube Studio, SoundCloud stats and Bandcamp stats, and use their data to make decisions.
DJ content pillars: performing, booth POV, live mashups and more
Master 8 types of DJ performance content that turn followers into bookings: Reels, booth POV, live mashups, crowd reactions and aftermovies.
DJ branding, digital presence, press kits and social-media strategy
DJ branding: build an artistic identity, design a professional EPK, optimise music profiles and develop a social-media strategy.
Producing DJ content: hooks, vertical video and batching
Produce DJ videos for social media: visual and text hooks, vertical framing, multicamera, master and ambience capture, subtitles, templates and batching.
Label marketing: audience and community
How a label builds its own audience and community through mailing lists, DJ lists, social channels, Bandcamp, Discord and events.
What a record label actually does
A record label's actual work: catalogue, repertoire, artistic direction, release budgets and cash flow, compared with publishers, agencies and distributors.
Touring Backups and Inventory: USB Drives, SSDs, Documents, Serial Numbers and Photos
Carry backups, documentation and an inventory with serial numbers and photos on tour, so you can recover from loss, theft and inspections.
Content metrics for DJs: retention, shares and conversion
DJ content metrics: retention, completion rate, shares, saves, comments, follows, CTR and conversion to streams, interpreted without self-deception.
Release plan: countdown, promotion and playlists
Plan a release on an 8/6/4/2-week timeline: press assets, DJ promo, pitching and post-release work.
DJ Artistic Identity: Logo, Image, Press Kit and SEO
Organise your DJ identity: logo, image, press photos, press kit, basic artist SEO and social profiles that promoters actually check.
Automation and community for DJs: ManyChat, giveaways and UGC
Automate Instagram and TikTok comments and DMs, organise an editorial calendar, and manage community, giveaways, UGC and collaborations without sounding like spam.
Pitching, lyrics, credits, Content ID and YouTube for a release
Prepare a release within platforms: pitching to editors, listing metadata, lyrics and credits, and how Content ID works on YouTube.
Setup, rain plan, transport, van packing, inventory and checklist
Event logistics for mobile DJs: orderly setup and teardown, a rain plan, transport, van packing, inventory and a checklist avoiding return trips.
Professional release metadata: ISRC and UPC
Practical release metadata: correct title, version title, ISRC, UPC/EAN, credits, genre and errors that delay digital-store delivery.
Sending Promos: DJ Lists, Segmentation, DJ Support and Promo Pools
How to send promos: build a DJ list, segment by sound and channel, gain DJ support, track it and handle consent.
Royalty Accounting: Statements, Splits and Recoupment
Build your label's royalty accounting: statements, payment periods, splits, recoupment, reserves and minimum payout while maintaining transparency.
Negotiating a DJ fee: anchoring and counteroffers
Negotiate a DJ fee through anchoring, margins, discounts and counteroffers, and know when to decline a date without devaluing your rate.
A&R and catalogue metrics: streams and benchmarks
Measure streams, saves, completion rate, DJ support and Beatport charting to sign and promote using real-demand data rather than followers.
Show advancing, line check and settlement
How to plan advancing, the contact sheet, line check, changeover, curfew and settlement for a DJ show.
A&R: scouting, demos and an artist pipeline
Learn to scout, assess demos and maintain an organised A&R pipeline: screening, feedback, stems and due diligence before signing.
Contracts for signing a release with a record label
Record-deal clauses explained: single, EP and album deals, exclusivity, advances, recoupment, royalties and reversion.
Itineraries, hotels, transfers, jet lag and lost luggage
Plan touring logistics: itineraries, hotels, transfers, jet-lag recovery and what to do if an airline loses your equipment.
ATA Carnet, customs, visas, international advancing and insurance
Touring paperwork for equipment crossing borders: ATA Carnet, customs, visas and permits, international advancing with the promoter, and equipment insurance.
Reach, impressions, watch time and shares: reading social performance
What reach, impressions, watch time, completion rate, saves and shares measure, and the order to read them when deciding what to repeat or discard.
Measuring campaigns, releases and dashboards without vanity metrics
A method for measuring campaigns and releases, building a simple dashboard, avoiding vanity metrics and collecting audience data under GDPR.
Saves, Playlist Adds, Followers and Repeat Listeners: Who Comes Back
What saves, playlist adds, followers and repeat listeners measure, how to read them together and what they reveal about songs that connect.
Comments, profile visits, CTR and attribution: from comment to booking
Read comments, profile visits, CTR and conversion rate, attribute results to their sources, and find out whether a video generates real bookings.
Beatport charts, Shazam and geography: where people really listen
Read Beatport charts, Shazam, country/city breakdowns and stream sources to decide where to promote, whom to contact and what to repeat.
Voice and redundancy: microphones, the master of ceremonies and backup layers
Voice and backup for events: microphones by function, the master of ceremonies, music backup, computer backup and a second player.
Follow-up, contracts and clauses: exclusivity, licensing, assignment and masters
What to do after sending a demo, mistakes to avoid, and how to read a label contract: exclusivity, licensing, assignment, masters, publishing and splits.
Hardware and booth
0 / 301 specialized blocks
Track lessons (30)
Types of DJ: club, festival, mobile, radio and turntablist
An overview of today's DJ roles: club, festival, mobile, radio and turntablist, with their routines, equipment and real expectations.
Introduction to DJing: what a DJ does and where to start
What a DJ really does, the tools they use, the stages of a working session, and the learning order to follow when starting from zero.
Types of DJ setup: laptop, DVS, portable, wedding, vinyl and hybrid
Eight setup profiles compared by budget, portability and use: laptop or standalone, DVS, motorised platters, portable, wedding, scratch, vinyl and live hybrid.
Controller vs CDJ + Mixer: Differences, Advantages and Which to Choose
Detailed comparison of DJ controllers and modular equipment (CDJs + Mixer). We examine workflow, cost, reliability and club preparation.
The parts of a DJ booth: deck, mixer, trim, EQ and faders
A tour of a DJ booth's parts: deck, mixer, channel strip, trim/gain, EQ, isolator, channel fader, crossfader, master and booth.
Cue, PFL and Monitoring: Listen Before Mixing
Use Cue, PFL and monitoring to listen before mixing, set Headphones mix and Headphones level and route Aux, FX and Send/return.
Pioneer DJ and AlphaTheta: CDJ, XDJ, DDJ and club compatibility
Pioneer DJ and AlphaTheta CDJ, XDJ, OPUS, OMNIS and DDJ ranges, Device Library, compatibility across generations and the club standard.
Your first DJ setup: controller, headphones and monitors
Build your first DJ setup: controller, computer, headphones, monitors, cables, drivers, latency and buffer, and initial tests.
DJ Player Functions: Needle Search, Slip, Reverse and Key Shift
What each player function does: Needle Search, Slip, Reverse, Key Shift, Utility menus and lesser-known settings, and when to use them.
Faults by Equipment Type: Diagnosis and Repair
Diagnosis and repair by equipment type: CDJ, mixer, turntables, speakers, amplifiers, drivers and crossovers.
Engine DJ in Practice: Prime, Streaming, Wi-Fi, Workflows and Importing
Real routines on the Prime range with Engine DJ: database workflows, Engine Lighting, Wi-Fi streaming and importing from rekordbox, Serato or Traktor.
Booth fault diagnosis: faders, jog wheels, USB and noise
Diagnose common booth faults: restarting equipment, noise, a missing stereo channel, erratic faders or jog wheels, undetected USB drives and thermal problems.
Anatomy of a DJ Mixer: Inputs, Channel Strip, EQ and Audio Routing
Technical guide to DJ mixer architecture: Phono/Line inputs, gain staging, isolator EQ, faders, crossfader and output buses.
Anatomy of a DJ Player (CDJ / Media Player): Key Controls and Functions
Complete technical breakdown of a CDJ or DJ player: jog wheel, pitch fader, CUE/PLAY buttons, Hot Cues, loops and browsing controls.
DJ Booth Connections and Cabling: XLR, RCA and TRS/TS Jack Cable Guide
Practical booth audio connections: balanced versus unbalanced cables, XLR, RCA and TRS jack connectors, and DI boxes.
DJ Players: Buying Guide and the Second-Hand Market
Compare media players, explore the second-hand market and learn what to inspect before buying used DJ equipment, including an in-person test checklist.
Hercules, Roland and Technics: Compare by Philosophy, Not Just Price
What each brand offers beyond standard club equipment: Hercules learning controllers, Roland event interfaces and Technics direct-drive turntables.
Pioneer Pro DJ Link: How It Works, Network Setup and USB Sharing
Technical guide to Pioneer DJ/AlphaTheta's Pro DJ Link protocol: Ethernet connections, network switches, Player Number assignment and troubleshooting.
Anatomy of a DJ Controller: Mixer, Jog Wheel, Power and Compatibility
A guide to controller anatomy: hardware vs software mixers, audio interfaces, bus power, external power, motorised vs capacitive jog wheels and software compatibility.
44.1, 48 and 96 kHz on DJ players: when to convert
Sample rates supported by CDJ and XDJ models, what happens when a file exceeds the supported rate, and when to convert to 44.1 or 48 kHz.
Xone mixers: analogue architecture, filters and send/return
Allen & Heath Xone mixers: analogue architecture, resonant VCF filters, send/return loops, isolator EQ and choosing a model for your use.
Pioneer DJ and AlphaTheta compatibility: CDJ, XDJ, DDJ and Device Library
Pioneer DJ and AlphaTheta compatibility: CDJ, XDJ and DDJ, Device Library, support across generations, and what the club standard means in practice.
Rane, Ecler, PlayDifferently, Reloop and Native Instruments compatibility
Each brand's software and format: Rane with Serato, purely analogue Ecler, independent PlayDifferently, cross-platform Reloop and Native Instruments with Traktor.
DJ mixers: USB interfaces, FX routing, send/return, talkover and MIDI
Inside a DJ mixer: USB interfaces, FX routing, send/return, talkover, mic routing and MIDI, following the actual signal path in each circuit.
Rane, Ecler, PlayDifferently, Reloop and Native Instruments
Rane for scratching, Ecler for installations, premium analogue PlayDifferently, Reloop with third-party software and Native Instruments with Traktor.
USB interfaces, Xone:K, gain staging and hybrid integration on the Xone
Set up and troubleshoot the Xone's digital half: built-in USB interfaces, layered Xone:K controllers, DVS gain staging and hybrid integration failures.
Interfaces, Xone:K, gain staging and hybrid integration
Connect a Xone mixer to a computer: built-in USB interfaces, Xone:K controllers, hybrid-chain gain staging, DVS, DAW and latency issues.
Digital processing, analogue summing, headroom and limiters in a DJ mixer
Digital processing, analogue summing, headroom and limiters through a DJ mixer's signal path: each stage's contribution and avoiding clipping.
Emulating a CDJ for Testing: What It Can and Cannot Do
Emulating a CDJ protocol is not running its firmware. What a test lab allows, what falls outside it and when it is worth setting one up.
CDJ Emulation with QEMU: An Isolated Lab and Test/Rollback
What CDJ emulation means, how to build an isolated lab with QEMU, how to connect testing and rollback, and what falls outside a DJ test bench.
Software and library
0 / 282 specialized blocks
Track lessons (28)
Rekordbox: Installation, Initial Setup and Performance Optimisation
Technical guide to installing and configuring rekordbox: audio device, buffer latency, analysis database, waveforms, shortcuts and backups.
DJ library organisation: crates, smart playlists, tags, and taxonomy
A complete strategy for organising your DJ library. Learn folders versus playlists, crates, My Tag, ratings, colours, energy tags, and metadata.
Audio quality checklist before a gig
Check your files before playing: format and container, spectrogram, loudness, peaks, and USB space, so failures happen at home rather than in the booth.
Protecting your accounts: 2FA, passkeys, password managers and recovery
Protect artist and DJ accounts with 2FA, passkeys, password managers and an account-recovery plan ready for losing access.
Traktor Pro: installation, audio setup, deck types and routing
Install Traktor Pro with Native Access, configure audio setup and outputs, understand deck types and get advanced routing and troubleshooting ready.
Serato DJ Pro: Installation, Drivers, HID and Troubleshooting
Install Serato DJ Pro using its official installer, controller drivers, latency settings, CDJ HID connections and troubleshooting before a gig.
Live Resilience: Duplicate USB Drives, a Backup Laptop, UPS and Emergency Playback
A contingency plan covering duplicate USB drives, a backup computer and audio interface, emergency playback and UPS, tested through an actual failure rehearsal.
Serato DJ Pro: Guide to Crates, Smart Crates, Stems and Mapping
Optimise Serato DJ Pro with dynamic crates, real-time Stem separation, the Pitch 'n Time DJ expansion and Scratch Bank.
Rekordbox DJ: Complete Guide to Setup, Analysis and USB Export for CDJs
Learn to master Rekordbox. BPM analysis settings, Memory Cues vs Hot Cues, USB export in FAT32/exFAT and Device Library Plus.
How to find duplicate tracks in a DJ library
Detect DJ library duplicates using SHA-256 hashes for exact copies and duration/tag similarity for near-duplicates, then decide which copy to keep.
Traktor Pro: guide to decks, Remix Decks, FX Units and Sync Master Clock
An advanced guide to Traktor Pro 4. Working with 4 decks, Remix Decks, series/parallel effects units and Master Clock synchronisation.
VirtualDJ, Engine DJ and djay Pro: Comparison, Advanced Mapping and Open Ecosystems
A comparison of VirtualDJ, Engine DJ and djay Pro. VDJScript, GPU Stems integration, the standalone Engine OS ecosystem and Apple Neural Engine.
Rekordbox: Technical Analysis of BPM, Key, Waveform, Phrases and Beatgrid Correction
Learn to analyse and correct BPM, musical key, waveform readings, phrase analysis and dynamic beatgrids in Rekordbox.
Rekordbox: Memory Cues, Hot Cues, Active Loops and Preparation Templates
Advanced marking strategy in Rekordbox: Memory Cue versus Hot Cue, Active Loops, quantisation and a professional colour code.
How to convert your DJ library between Rekordbox, Traktor and VirtualDJ
Convert Rekordbox, Traktor and VirtualDJ libraries in the browser: which fields survive, which are lost, and how to check cues, loops and playlists.
DJ library backups: the 3-2-1 rule and migration
A complete DJ backup strategy: the 3-2-1 rule, database copies, cloud storage, disaster recovery, and conversion between ecosystems.
Mixxx, Mixvibes Cross and free and open source DJ software
What Mixxx offers as free software, where Mixvibes Cross comes from and what using free and open source software in the booth means.
Serato DJ Pro: Sampler, FX, Recording, Streaming and Backups
Sampler, expansion packs, FX, set recording, streaming integrations, backups and library migration in Serato DJ Pro.
VirtualDJ in Practice: Video, Karaoke, Broadcasting, Automix and Controllers
A guide to six VirtualDJ functions: Video, Karaoke, Broadcasting, Automix, Controllers and Custom mappings with VDJScript for the booth.
3-2-1 Backups, Versioning, Checksums and Integrity Verification
Backup plan for DJ libraries: the 3-2-1 backup rule, file versioning, checksums, integrity verification and the differences between archive and backup.
SSD, HDD, NAS and Cloud: Where Your Files Live and How They Survive Ransomware
Where to store music and projects: SSD vs HDD, NAS, cloud, the need for offline backups, how ransomware gets in and the steps for recovering files.
Traktor Pro: beatgrids, Flux mode, Loop Recorder, Pattern Player and DVS
Adjust beatgrids with Grid Markers, work with Flux mode and Loop Recorder, use the Pattern Player and configure DVS or scratch control in Traktor Pro.
Serato DJ Pro: Library, Analysis, Beatgrids, Cues and Loops
Organise Serato DJ Pro libraries and crates, analyse files, correct beatgrids and prepare cues, saved loops and Flip before performing.
Traktor Pro: MIDI mapping, Controller Manager, recording and backups
Map your controller with MIDI mapping and Controller Manager, configure Traktor Kontrol, record, broadcast live and protect the collection with backups.
Scams Targeting Artists: Phishing, Fake Promoters, Fake Contracts and Malware
How to recognise and avoid scams reaching DJs and producers: targeted phishing, fake promoters and contracts, plugin malware and unknown USB drives.
Rekordbox Cloud Library Sync: Cloud Synchronisation and Backups
How Rekordbox Cloud Library Sync works with Dropbox and Google Drive: synchronised elements, database backups and preventing risks.
Rekordbox Performance Mode: Pad Modes, Stems, Beat FX, Ableton Link and Recording
Rekordbox Performance Mode: Hot Cue, Beat Jump and Stems pad modes, Beat FX/CFX, Ableton Link synchronisation and recording.
A Show Without Internet: Offline Licences, Exported Configuration and Plan B
Design a show that continues without internet: Offline Licence Copies, Exported Configuration, Spare Cables/Adapters and what to do when a cloud service fails.
Live sound
0 / 252 specialized blocks
Track lessons (25)
Microphone types: condenser, ribbon, electret, polar patterns and phantom power
Learn to distinguish condenser, ribbon and electret microphones and read polar patterns, Max SPL, self-noise and phantom power before buying.
Setting up a production room: orientation, symmetry, listening position and SBIR
Prepare a production room: desk and monitor orientation, symmetry, listening position and understanding SBIR before buying treatment.
Audio Post-Production: Dialogue, ADR and Foley for Video
Audio post-production guide: edit dialogue, decide when to record ADR and build a video's Foley with a workflow that avoids rework.
Mix reference: reference tracks, headphones, mix translation and car tests
Sonarworks, ARC, GLM and alternatives: what software fixes and what it does not, and using reference tracks, headphones and car tests for mix translation.
OSC, Ableton Link, Bitfocus Companion and Stream Deck
How to control a live system over a network: what OSC messages carry, what Ableton Link is for, and the roles of Resolume OSC, Bitfocus Companion and Stream Deck.
Show automation, Traktor mapping and DIY hardware
Map Traktor, rewrite messages with MIDI translators, build DIY controllers with Arduino and Raspberry Pi, and automate a show from start to finish.
Creative programming with Max, TouchDesigner, VirtualDJ and AI
Program your own sound and visuals: Max for Live and Max/MSP for audio, TouchDesigner for video, VirtualDJ scripting and AI tools in the workflow.
RF Antennas, Splitters and Active Combiners: Polarisation, LPDA Paddles and Helical Antennas
Technical RF guide: directional LPDA paddle antennas, helical antennas for IEM, active splitter distribution, combiners and coaxial cable attenuation.
Sound Effects, Ambience, Music Editing and Video Loudness
Build sound effects, ambience and music edits to picture, and measure video loudness to deliver within target.
Booth and home-studio acoustics: treatment versus soundproofing and monitor positioning
Soundproofing versus acoustic treatment for a DJ room or home studio: bass traps, absorption, diffusion and optimal monitor positioning.
PA Systems for DJs: Active vs Passive Speakers, Directivity and RMS Power Calculations
Learn to choose and size a PA system for DJ events. Compare active and passive speakers, RMS power calculations, maximum SPL and angular coverage.
Tour Logistics: Transport, Rental, Flight Cases and Routes
Event and tour logistics: load consolidation, local rental versus owned equipment, reusable flight cases, consumables, water and routes.
Small Rooms, Foam, DIY and First Monitors: Nearfields, Active Speakers and Ports
Treat a small room, avoid acoustic-foam mistakes, choose between DIY and commercial panels, and select monitors by format, amplification and port placement.
Acoustic treatment: porous absorbers, membranes, diffusers, reflections and ceiling clouds
Acoustic treatment materials explained by frequency band: porous panels, thickness and air gaps, membrane absorbers, diffusers, reflection points and ceiling clouds.
Waste, Riders and Scenery: Measuring Impact Without Greenwashing
Biodegradable confetti and its limits, waste management, impact measurement without greenwashing, efficient riders, scenery reuse and repair.
Studio monitors: woofer, directivity, maximum SPL and subwoofers
Woofer size, directivity, maximum SPL and studio subwoofers: when to use them, placement, crossover and why two subs.
Nodes, room modes, flutter echo and RT60: measure before treating
Detect nodes and antinodes, use a room modes calculator, recognise flutter echo and understand RT60 and decay to decide how much room treatment is needed.
Audio for Games: Wwise, FMOD, Interactive Audio and Looping
Guide to game audio: an introduction to middleware with Wwise and FMOD, interactive audio, adaptive looping and sound that reacts to gameplay.
Audio/video sync, timecode, deliverables, stems and broadcast specs
An audiovisual delivery guide: audio and video synchronisation, timecode, stem packages, deliverables lists and broadcast specifications.
Lavalier microphones, headsets and failover for weddings and interviews
Practical lapel and headset microphones: placement, clothing noise, frequency redundancy and failover, and equipment for weddings and interviews.
Surround, immersive audio, spatial audio and installation sound
From channels to objects: surround, immersive and spatial audio, and the requirements of designing sound for fixed installations.
PA DSP Processing: Crossovers, Peak/RMS Limiters, EQ and Power-Amp Gain Staging
Configure DSP for a DJ PA system: crossover filters, Peak and RMS limiters, corrective EQ and gain staging through the amplifier chain.
Subwoofers at DJ events: omnidirectional coverage, cardioid configurations, and sub-top alignment
Optimise bass at DJ events. Cardioid and end-fire subwoofer arrays, time alignment with tops, and phase control in the booth.
PA Measurement and Calibration with Smaart: Transfer Function, Coherence Spectrum, Phase and Delay
Technical PA measurement and alignment guide with Rational Acoustics Smaart v9. Dual transfer function, coherence, phase, delay finder and SPL calibration.
PA design and sizing: indoor/outdoor coverage, delay towers, impedance, sensitivity and DSP presets
Practical PA calculations and design for DJ events: sound-pressure sizing, indoor/outdoor acoustics, delay towers and impedance.
Advanced engineering
0 / 241 specialized blocks
Track lessons (24)
What MIDI Mapping Is and What You Can Actually Change on a DJ Controller
MIDI mapping connects your controller's controls to software functions. Learn what you can really change, what you cannot, and why.
What is OpenDeck and how can it build a DJ controller?
OpenDeck combines a board, firmware and web configurator for building a MIDI controller without circuit design or programming: driver-free USB MIDI.
What Pro DJ Link is and what you can do outside its ecosystem
Pro DJ Link is the network sharing tracks, tempo and status between players. What it does in the booth and what can be achieved outside the official ecosystem.
The real risks of installing modified firmware
What modified firmware is, how it differs from a mapping, and what you actually risk: warranty, bricking, updates, settings and recovery.
CDJ-3000 mods: what is known and the risks
Factory functions, documented HID behaviour and why virtual-machine emulation remains experimental. No mod compatibility is claimed.
MIDI vs HID on DJ Controllers: Why It Matters
Why two similar DJ controllers can behave differently: MIDI and HID are not the same protocol, and that affects jog wheels, displays and software support.
Rekordbox MIDI Learn vs Pad Editor: the real differences
MIDI Learn and Pad Editor do different jobs, and confusing them wastes entire afternoons. What each allows, on which equipment, and which solves each problem.
Creating a Custom SHIFT Layer in Your Mapping
A SHIFT layer multiplies controller functions without adding buttons. Two ways to build it, their pitfalls and the notification that prevents value jumps.
Mapping Stems on a controller without Stems buttons
If your controller lacks Stems controls, real options exist. What each offers, its requirements and the limits of what is possible.
Serato DJ Pro MIDI Mapping: Complete Guide
How MIDI mapping works in Serato DJ Pro: prerequisite permission, presets, two assignment directions and four things you cannot remap.
Traktor Controller Manager: a complete mapping guide
Device, input and output ports, Add In and Add Out, modifiers, and interaction modes: how Traktor's Controller Manager really works.
Add Stems to a DDJ-1000 or DDJ-800 through Pad Editor
The DDJ-1000 and DDJ-800 support Pad Editor and official Stems control. Requirements, setup steps and the detail that surprises most users.
What Bome MIDI Translator Is and When You Need Middleware
What MIDI middleware is and when it is really needed: Bome's model, Traktor jog displays and the cost of adding an intermediate component.
Controlling LEDs and colours through a mapping
LEDs are output assignments, not inputs. How to light them, set colours, keep them synchronised with software, and understand why they fail.
Persistent and temporary mods: rollback and anti-brick
What survives a restart in a mod, planning rollback, recovery and anti-brick, what can be inspected in Engine OS and how equipment OLED screens are addressed.
Building a MIDI Controller for Stems or FX
Decisions before buying hardware: control types, LEDs, screens and driver-free USB MIDI compatibility, with firmware logic and where to start.
Mixxx: XML and JavaScript mappings
Mixxx separates mapping into two layers: XML for message translation and JavaScript for complex logic. How to combine them and what each script handles.
Design a mapping from scratch: inventory, priorities and testing
A method for designing a mapping from scratch: inventory, priorities, backups, when to use layers, and testing before taking it into a booth.
Advanced DJ mapping: gestures, layers and control surfaces
Long press, double tap and contextual mapping layers: jog displays, Rane Four mappings, legacy hardware and foot controllers, with practical limits.
Mods by model: XDJ-RX3, DDJ-FLX4 and XDJ-XZ
Factory features of four models, how stems are documented in each case and what can—and cannot—be claimed about model-specific mods and toolkits.
Reverse engineering a controller: where to start
When a manufacturer does not document its protocol, observation remains. A step-by-step method, tools, two real cases, and rules for responsible work.
Jog displays and screens: what can and cannot be mapped
Jog screens show waveforms, BPM and time, but MIDI does not provide them. Here is the real boundary, the case demonstrating it, and what crossing it involves.
Pro DJ Link in a show: overlays, lighting, video and DAWs
Which Pro DJ Link data feeds overlays, lighting, video and DAWs, reliable projects for the SC/PRIME family, and the role of Rane Four / One.
What a Virtual CDJ Is and What It Is For
A Virtual CDJ makes your software appear as another player on the DJ Link network: what it receives, what it publishes, what it is for and which layers it does not touch.
Music theory
0 / 152 specialized blocks
Track lessons (15)
What a beat is: pulse, beat, bar and phrase
The difference between pulse, beat, bar and phrase: the units used to count music and why you need them to mix.
Pop, Disco, Funk, Rock, Indie and Commercial/Open Format
A guide to pop, disco, funk, rock, indie and commercial/open format: how to recognise them, their tempos and fitting them into a mixed session.
Techno, Hard Techno, Hardstyle, Hardcore, Makina and Remember
A guide to hard genres: techno, hard techno, hardstyle, hardcore, makina and remember, with tempo, characteristics and function in each part of the night.
Trance, Psytrance, Breaks, Electro and Ambient/Downtempo
A guide to trance, psytrance, breaks, electro and ambient/downtempo: their differences, typical tempos and roles within a set.
House Genres: Deep House, Tech House, Afro House, Progressive and Melodic
How to distinguish deep house, tech house, afro house, progressive house and melodic house & techno by tempo, percussion and booth function.
Hip-Hop, Trap, R&B, Reggaeton, Dembow and Latin
A guide to hip-hop, trap, R&B, reggaeton, dembow and Latin: rhythm, tempo and differences for programming and mixing without losing continuity.
Drum & Bass, Jungle, UK Garage, Dubstep and Bass Music
What separates drum & bass, jungle, UK Garage, dubstep and bass music: tempo, bass rhythm and each one's role in the set.
What phrasing is and how to mix by phrases
Learn to align sections while mixing: when to launch the second track, how to use blocks of 8, 16, and 32 bars, and what to do with irregular phrasing.
Understanding a Track's 4/4 Structure for DJing
Learn to count beats, bars and phrases in a 4/4 track, find the first beat by ear and know when to launch the next track.
Selection, Tools, Subgenres, Setups and Influences
Track selection, working tools, subgenres, common setups and historical influences for building a repertoire with your own criteria.
Programming a set: typical BPM, phrasing, structure and energy flow
Programme a set by genre: typical BPM, phrasing, structure, common transitions, recurring risks and energy flow to keep the dancefloor with you.
Alternative Metres, Subdivisions, Swing, Syncopation, Polyrhythm and Half-Time
Metres beyond 4/4, eighth and sixteenth notes, swing, shuffle, syncopation, polyrhythm and half-time to double-time: what they are, how they sound and when to use them.
Notes and Intervals, Chord Progressions and the Camelot Wheel
The music theory DJs and producers actually use: intervals, chord movement, cadences and how those relationships map to the Camelot Wheel.
A practical guide to harmonic mixing for DJs
Mixing in key is neither magic nor a secret chart: it uses concrete, documented relationships. Learn what they are and how to use them without inventing rules.
Energy boosts, ambiguous keys, and musical modes
When to raise the energy with a deliberate jump on the Camelot Wheel, what to do when key analysis is uncertain, and what modes bring to production.
Audio fundamentals
0 / 101 specialized blocks
Track lessons (10)
Sound Waves for DJs: Frequency, Amplitude, Phase and Acoustic Cancellation
Sound physics for DJs. Understand frequency, wavelength, amplitude, phase, polarity, acoustic cancellation and comb filtering in the booth and club.
Formats and bitrate: MP3, AAC, OGG, Opus, CBR, VBR, and DC offset
MP3, AAC, OGG, and Opus explained: CBR and VBR, bitrate effects, detecting transcodes, DC offset, and converting without excessive degradation.
How to read a waveform to DJ better
The waveform is not decoration: it shows changes, cues and bars. Learn what each view displays and what you should not read into it.
Decibels for DJs: Logarithmic Scales, Adding Levels and Crest Factor
Decibels, logarithmic scales and correct level addition: why two speakers do not always give +6 dB and what crest factor measures.
Harmonics, Transients, Noise and Reverberation: What the Room Adds
Harmonics, partials, timbre, transients, envelope, noise, tone, reflection, absorption, diffusion and reverberation, explained through what you hear in a room.
Should you normalise a DJ library in LUFS?
What normalising your library to a LUFS target entails: why the booth has no single standard, the risks of rewriting files, and when gain adjustment is enough.
Digital Audio for DJs: Sample Rate, Bit Depth, Nyquist and Aliasing
Sampling, quantisation, aliasing and Nyquist explained for DJs, including 44.1 kHz, 16/24-bit audio and 32-bit float processing.
dBFS, dBu and LUFS Meters in DJing: Gain Staging and True Peak
Differences between dBFS, dBu, LUFS and Integrated Loudness. Interpret volume meters, avoid True Peak overs and maintain dynamics in the booth.
Acoustic metrics: Leq, LAF, Lmax, Ld, Le, Ln and percentiles
Acoustic-report metrics: Leq/LAeq, LAF/LAS, Lmax/Lpeak, Ld/Le/Ln and L10/L50/L90 percentiles, with when to use each.
Digital audio: Nyquist, dither, noise shaping, buffer, clock, Mid/Side, and correlation
The Nyquist theorem for musicians, dither and noise shaping when reducing bit depth, buffer size and latency, clock and jitter, Mid/Side encoding, and phase correlation.
Health and safety
0 / 82 specialized blocks
Track lessons (8)
Sleep, night shifts, alcohol and breaks for DJs
Sleep, night shifts, alcohol and breaks: occupational-health guidance and a routine supporting your performance.
Psychoacoustics for DJs: masking, stereo localisation and the Haas effect
Frequency masking, stereo localisation, precedence, the Haas effect and volume adaptation translated into mixing and booth decisions.
Accessible event design: entrances, booths, signage and lighting
Build accessible music events: entrances and booth placement, barrier-free routes, control heights, signage and protection from lighting effects.
Studio Ergonomics, Performance Anxiety and Mental Preparation
How to set up a comfortable studio, manage performance anxiety and prepare mentally for live work with a brief routine you can check.
In-ear monitors (IEM) and DJ booth monitors: setup, level limiting and listening health
Safe booth monitoring techniques: integrating In-Ear (IEM) monitors for DJs, passive isolation, nearfield monitor adjustment and level limiting.
In-ear Monitors for DJs: Choosing IEMs and When to See an Audiologist
Choose IEMs, assess booth isolation and listening levels, develop exposure habits and recognise when to see an audiologist before losing hearing.
Captions, transcripts and hearing accessibility at events and streams
Make live broadcasts and archived content accessible to people with hearing disabilities: captions, transcripts, listening assistance and communication.
Web accessibility and visual content: contrast, colour and learning
Practical accessibility for Academy and DJ content: contrast, use of colour, descriptions of configurations and inclusive learning.
Vinyl and turntablism
0 / 61 specialized blocks
Track lessons (6)
Crossfader Setup for Scratch and Turntablism: Cut-in, Cut Curve, Hamster Mode and Maintenance
Learn how to set the crossfader cut curve, reduce the physical cut-in distance, use Hamster mode and maintain magnetic or optical faders.
DVS in practice: interfaces, Phase, HID and common problems
DVS audio interfaces, Phase and wireless alternatives, HID control, and common tracking and latency problems.
Complete DJ Turntable and Vinyl Guide: Drive, Pitch, Cartridges, Calibration and Maintenance
The fundamentals of analogue DJ turntables: direct drive versus belt drive, tonearm calibration, anti-skating, cartridge alignment and pitch-control maintenance.
DJ DVS and timecode systems: setup, modes, calibration, Phase and noise troubleshooting
How DVS and timecode signals work, Absolute vs Relative modes, Phase DVS, signal calibration and troubleshooting ground hum.
Scratch: Scribble, Drags, Combos, Preparing Scratch Tools and DMC History
DJ scratch techniques: scribble and drags, preparing scratch tools, building combos, DMC history and influences worth studying.
Beat Juggling and Advanced Turntablism: Rearranging Rhythms, Manual Loops, Battle Breaks and Routines
Master beat juggling: strobing, phasing, manual looping between two records, using battle breaks and designing competition routines.
DJ history and culture
0 / 51 specialized blocks
Track lessons (5)
The origins of DJing: radio, sound systems, disco and hip-hop
The history of DJing: the first radio disc jockeys, Jamaican sound systems, and what disco and hip-hop contributed to the DJ booth.
Turntablism, DMC, Technics SL-1200 and CDJ: the turntable era
From turntablism and DMC competitions to the Technics SL-1200, CDJ and the history of Pioneer DJ / AlphaTheta: milestones that shaped the booth.
House, Techno and Rave: From the Dancefloor to Clubs and Festivals
The history and culture of house, techno and rave, and how DJ expectations change between club culture and festival culture.
Rekordbox, Denon DJ, DJ ethics, credits and digging
Preparation with rekordbox, the Denon DJ ecosystem, DJ ethics, musical credits and digging with respect for sources in one guide.
Digital DJing: DVS, controllerism, streaming, Serato and Traktor
Digital DJing, DVS, controllerism, music streaming and the histories of Serato and Traktor: each platform’s contribution and what to learn.
Production and AI
0 / 31 specialized blocks
Track lessons (3)
AI for Composing, Singing and Organising: Lyrics, Chords and Library Assistants
AI assistants for mixing, vocal synthesis, lyrics and chords, library organisation and periodic tool-review criteria.
AI in production and DJing: stem separation, denoise, de-reverb, and intelligent restoration
Technical guide to source-separation models (SDR, Demucs, Spleeter), AI denoising, reverb removal, and restoration of archival audio.
AI Audio Generation: Samples, Presets, MIDI, Vocal Synthesis and Voice Conversion
Technical guide to generative audio models MusicLM, AudioLDM, RVC, Diff-SVC and Bark for samples, synthesisers, MIDI patterns and vocals.
Library and repertoire
0 / 21 specialized blocks
Track lessons (2)
Legitimate Music Sources for DJs: Beatport, Bandcamp, Traxsource, Beatsource and Direct Purchases
A complete guide to DJ music shops: Beatport, Bandcamp, Traxsource, Beatsource, iTunes and buying directly from labels and artists.
Professional DJ digging techniques: 1001Tracklists, identifying IDs and selecting club versions
Advanced music-digging methods for DJs: using 1001Tracklists, tracing labels, finding IDs and selecting Extended/Dub versions.