In this final Inside Track podcast of 2024, we're looking back at the year. All the big stories, the culture changes, the software, the hardware, shifts in how DJing is done, AI of course, and some trends that we think will carry forward into 2025. It's all covered in this final end-of-year wrap. 

Let us just take this opportunity to thank everyone for being part of this podcast, whether you're a subscriber or a student, and I look forward to seeing you as we continue in the new year.

As ever, this pod is supported 100% by the students of Digital DJ Tips, and it was recorded in a live webinar with lots of student feedback. If you enjoy it and you can, please do give us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts. It really does make a difference.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Intro

00:15 Episode overview

00:56 DJing is broader than ever

04:44 Software innovation & accessibility

10:39 Advancements in real-time stems

14:52 Cloud library acceptance

18:43 Wireless tech improvements

25:02 AI tool adoption

30:52 Our DJ school roundup 

Want to get your question answered on an episode of this podcast? Digital DJ Tips course owners get to ask questions in their student-only group. Your first step to getting involved is to buy a DJ course, so come and join our community at https://www.digitaldjtips.com.

In the final Your Questions podcast of 2024 from the Digital DJ Tips DJ school, our students asked a whole range of questions, making it - as ever - a great listen for those learning to DJ.

Tune in to find out why learning to DJ sometimes feels so difficult when modern gear is designed to make it feel so easy. We also cover how to improve the sound quality of DJ gear when DJing in clubs, and whether producers should mix in mono or stereo.

Plus, one of the school's students convinces host Phil to reveal some of his favourite features on the new AlphaTheta XDJ-AZ. This question comes at the perfect time, as we're about to release our much-anticipated feature-length video training tutorial for this popular standalone unit. 

As ever, this pod is supported 100% by the students of Digital DJ Tips, and it was recorded in a live webinar with lots of student feedback. If you enjoy it and you can, please do give us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts. It really does make a difference.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:15 Episode overview

00:49 What are your favourite XDJ-AZ features?

10:25 Why doesn't Algoriddim prioritise non-Apple platforms?

17:02 Do beginner DJs need to use every feature on their gear?

25:10 Tips for improving the sound quality in clubs?

29:11 Should I produce tracks in mono or stereo? 

Want to get your question answered on an episode of this podcast? Digital DJ Tips course owners get to ask questions in their student-only group. Your first step to getting involved is to buy a DJ course, so come and join our community at https://www.digitaldjtips.com.

We kick off this episode discussing the three main types of DJ, because when you boil it down, DJs usually fall into these categories - and one of these types often makes a big mistake. We reveal what that mistake is (and why it happens) here.

Next we cover the five big things I learned working with DJ Jazzy Jeff for a week. Jeff is one of the world's most respected DJs, and I got to work and stay with him recently to film a new course. Here we discuss some invaluable lessons he taught me.

And lastly, have you ever waited WAY too long for your DJ music to export to a USB drive? In the final topic of this Inside Track episode, we tell you why this is a problem and offer three possible solutions.

As ever, this pod is supported 100% by the students of Digital DJ Tips, and it was recorded in a live webinar with lots of student feedback. If you enjoy it and you can, please do give us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts. It really does make a difference.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Intro

0:14 Episode overview 

01:13 The three main types of DJ

13:51 Five things I learned from DJ Jazzy Jeff

31:54 The problem with USB drives for DJing

Want to get your question answered on an episode of this podcast? Digital DJ Tips course owners get to ask questions in their student-only group. Your first step to getting involved is to buy a DJ course, so come and join our community at https://www.digitaldjtips.com.

We start our podcast this time around with a question from a student who's bought an awful lot of gear but is stuck knowing what to do next! 

We move on to talk about licences, insurance, dealing with requests, four channels versus two channels, whether it's wise to play five times a week, and many other topics all chosen by our fantastic students. 

As ever, this pod is supported 100% by the students of Digital DJ Tips, and it was recorded in a live webinar with lots of student feedback. If you enjoy it and you can, please do give us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts. It really does make a difference.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:14 Episode overview

01:03 I own too much DJ gear! What's next?

09:48 How can I access exclusive DJ promos?

15:41 Tips for organising house music events?

20:08 Best way to manage gig requests?

26:23 Which DJ gear features are worth the upgrade?

32:17 Do I need insurance and licensing as a mobile DJ?

38:49 What should I expect from my first DJ residency? 

Want to get your question answered on an episode of this podcast? Digital DJ Tips course owners get to ask questions in their student-only group. Your first step to getting involved is to buy a DJ course, so come and join our community at https://www.digitaldjtips.com.

Mobile DJing has changed in recent years, and so there are simple things any DJ can do to keep up with the times and do a great job. We kick off this episode with the five most popular tips as voted for by our students.

Our second topic tackles whether we've reached "peak features" on DJ gear or not. With nearly every new DJ gear release, there seems to be some gimmicky new feature or other. But how important are these really? Or instead, how much should our DJ gear simply do a job and stay out of our way?

With sync, AI beatgrids, and modern quick mixing techniques, do we even need jogwheels to DJ any more? After all, our very own Laidback Luke has moved away from this type of DJing. So for our final topic in this episode, we examine the arguments for and against.

As ever, this pod is supported 100% by the students of Digital DJ Tips, and it was recorded in a live webinar with lots of student feedback. If you enjoy it and you can, please do give us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts. It really does make a difference.

Mixing For Mobile & Wedding DJs: https://djtips.co/mixing-mobile

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Intro

0:15 Episode overview 

1:43 5 surprising tips for modern mobile DJs

24:07 Have we reached "peak features" on DJ gear?

33:52 The importance (and future) of jogwheels

Want to get your question answered on an episode of this podcast? Digital DJ Tips course owners get to ask questions in their student-only group. Your first step to getting involved is to buy a DJ course, so come and join our community at https://www.digitaldjtips.com.

With AlphaTheta having just launched the XDJ-AZ, it's not surprising that we had questions about that in this week's show.

But we also had a wide range of questions from our students covering everything from how to transition with effects, to the height of DJ gear, to dealing with imposter syndrome.

As ever, this pod is supported 100% by the students of Digital DJ Tips, and it was recorded in a live webinar with lots of student feedback. If you enjoy it and you can, please do give us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts. It really does make a difference.

HELPFUL RESOURCES

Transition videos: https://djtips.co/transitions

Explanation of "cue drift" issues: https://youtu.be/7YUHXQO0TKs

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Intro

0:14 Episode overview

1:09 Does the XDJ-AZ have stems?

5:50 Best way to smooth out transitions with FX?

11:33 Any advice for DJs with "imposter syndrome"?

17:51 How can I delete an entire genre from my DJ library?

20:28 What's needed to be a successful karaoke DJ?

21:25 For beginner DJ mixes, should I play multiple genres or focus on just one?

25:43 Easiest way to manage cue points across different set-ups?

30:27 Best DJ desk for equipment?

34:24 What advanced DJ skills do you recommend learning? 

Want to get your question answered on an episode of this podcast? Digital DJ Tips course owners get to ask questions in their student-only group. Your first step to getting involved is to buy a DJ course, so come and join our community at https://www.digitaldjtips.com.

As Pioneer DJ slowly fades from view and AlphaTheta takes over, we start this episode highlighting what we see as the five big issues the brand has to address to continue its success.

Most DJs opt for gear with four-channel mixing capability - but how important is this? We look at what those extra channels are for, and share the real numbers on how many DJs actually use them.

It really does make sense to dabble with livestreaming in this day and age, and it needn't be difficult or expensive, so we finish off the episode discussing the three easiest ways to do it and what you'll need.

As ever, this pod is supported 100% by the students of Digital DJ Tips, and it was recorded in a live webinar with lots of student feedback. If you enjoy it and you can, please do give us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts. It really does make a difference.

TIMESTAMPS 

0:00 Intro 

0:15 Episode overview 

1:23 Five issues AlphaTheta needs to deal with

20:10 DJing with four channels (demystified)

30:38 Three simple ways to DJ livestream

Want to get your question answered on an episode of this podcast? Digital DJ Tips course owners get to ask questions in their student-only group. Your first step to getting involved is to buy a DJ course, so come and join our community at https://www.digitaldjtips.com.

Welcome to our podcast answering another batch of questions asked by real students in our DJ school. This time around we started with a question about the best way to mix in just your headphones (out of the two most common methods), before moving on to talking about something that comes up again and again and doesn’t get any easier as our lives get busier – finding a way to fit DJing into your life!

With the cost and capabilities of modern DJ lighting both moving in the right direction nowadays, it’s no surprise many DJs are dabbling. We talked through your options as a DJ when it comes to adding lights to your set-up, especially if you really feel you want to concentrate on the music when DJing. And finally, we talked about how to keep techno/trance sets exciting, with the added twist of performing online with no visible audience.

As ever, this pod is supported 100% by the students of Digital DJ Tips, and it was recorded in a live webinar with lots of student feedback. If you enjoy it and you can, please do give us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts - it really does make a difference. 

WATCH ON YOUTUBE

https://youtu.be/iGvQQmGl2Lg

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Intro

0:15 Episode overview

1:21 What's the best way to mix in headphones?

5:29 How can I start adding lights to my DJ set-up?

12:37 Any advice on having more time for DJing?

21:49 As a trance DJ, should I mix quickly or play the full track? 

Want to get your question answered on an episode of this podcast? Digital DJ Tips course owners get to ask questions in their student-only group. Your first step to getting involved is to buy a DJ course, so come and join our community at https://www.digitaldjtips.com.

So you want to be able to DJ like a pro, but it's hard to know where to start, it's hard to know what to practise, and it's hard to know if you're getting better.

This proven five-step formula, first popularised in our book Rock The Dancefloor! (which has now reached its second edition and is a global bestseller), is your answer.

Each of the five steps in this teaching method identifies an area to work on. When you work in all areas, it has a "multiplier effect". By approaching your DJing hobby this way, you’ll get noticeably better – fast – and you’ll have more fun doing so. You’ll find you’re never stuck for something to do, and your progress will be obvious, not least to you!

Here we’re going to look at step five, which is success. We covered the previous four steps – gear, music, mixing, and performing – in earlier episodes. 

Success is all about where you go with your DJing skills. Once you’ve mastered the other four steps – you understand how DJ gear works and you’re comfortable on different types of gear, you have a functional music collection that you’re highly familiar with and happy to DJ with, you’ve got a well-chosen and practised selection of skills that you can use in front of any crowd, and you have enough experience of playing DJ sets like a pro – I promise you, you’re going to want more and more!

But while this is an enviable position to find yourself in, it pays to make the most of it once you get there.

This episode covers five tips that will help you master this area of DJing. Enjoy the show!

As ever, this pod is supported 100% by the students of Digital DJ Tips. If you enjoy it and you can, please do give us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts. It really does make a difference.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Intro

0:14 Episode overview

2:12 Tip #1 - Make the time

3:42 Tip #2 - Find your community

5:05 Tip #3 - Celebrate your wins

6:04 Tip #4 - Know your next steps

8:33 Tip #5 - Don't wait to help others

Want to get your question answered on an episode of this podcast? Digital DJ Tips course owners get to ask questions in their student-only group. Your first step to getting involved is to buy a DJ course, so come and join our community at https://www.digitaldjtips.com.

So you want to be able to DJ like a pro, but it's hard to know where to start, it's hard to know what to practise, and it's hard to know if you're getting better.

This proven five-step formula, first popularised in our book Rock The Dancefloor! (which has now reached its second edition and is a global bestseller), is your answer.

Each of the five steps in this teaching method identifies an area to work on. When you work in all areas, it has a "multiplier effect". By approaching your DJing hobby this way, you’ll get noticeably better – fast – and you’ll have more fun doing so. You’ll find you’re never stuck for something to do, and your progress will be obvious, not least to you!

Here we're going to look at step four, which is performing, before moving on to look at the final step, success - we've already covered steps one to three in previous episodes.

Nowadays, we define performing in a very broad way. What we're talking about here is delivering the finished product of DJing. In other words, creating something that others can enjoy. It's one thing to have mastered one or two transitions that you do over and over again in private, but that's not really DJing - they're just tricks. Delivering the finished product is what makes you a DJ.

This episode covers three ideas that will help you understand this area of DJing. Enjoy the show!

As ever, this pod is supported 100% by the students of Digital DJ Tips. If you enjoy it and you can, please do give us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts. It really does make a difference.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Intro

0:14 Episode overview

2:44 Idea #1 - Livestreaming

4:31 Idea #2 -Mixtapes

6:32 Idea #3 - Just for fun

9:49 Next steps..

Want to get your question answered on an episode of this podcast? Digital DJ Tips course owners get to ask questions in their student-only group. Your first step to getting involved is to buy a DJ course, so come and join our community at https://www.digitaldjtips.com.