DJing For Dummies

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.

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

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.

Learn to:

• Choose, set up and plug in your choice of DJ tech
• Develop and record your own DJing style
• Discover mixing techniques for all levels
• DJ with turntables, CD decks and digital DJ software

Learn to DJ like a pro—without skipping a beat

The bestselling guide to spinning and scratching is back—and better than before! If you’re ready to take your DJing skills out of your home and into a public venue, this new edition of DJing For Dummies is your go-to guide for mastering the basics of mixing, creating your own DJing style and building a foolproof set to play to a live crowd.

• Got two turntables and a microphone? – get to know the core pieces of equipment you’ll need in order to be a DJ, the best ways to build your collection of tunes and advice on going retro-chic or digital geek
• Don’t miss a beat – discover expert tips on the many ways to use, choose, connect to and set up your equipment for professional DJ use
• Mix it up – get the lowdown on the details of DJing, from creating transitions between tunes and starting them at the correct points to the complicated moves demanded by the scratch artist
• Put some boom in your booth – find tons of helpful information on how to sell yourself as a DJ, create a great-sounding demo and soar as a scratching star or rise as a rock legend when you finally land that long-anticipated gig

Open the book and find:

• How you can thrive as a DJ without expensive, cumbersome kit
• Loops, effects and live remixing techniques
• Guidance on shopping for the best DJing equipment
• The best CD and turntable features for your unique needs
• The different ways to control digital DJ software
• Top DJing mistakes to avoid
• Tips on spreading your sound and skills across the world