In this edition of our Inside Track podcast, we explore whether DJing can actually be taught, or if you either have "it" or you don't. Some argue that if you need training to be a DJ, you'll never make it because "real DJ skills" simply can't be taught. We'll dig into this debate and what it means for aspiring DJs.

Next, we discuss how important effects really are for DJs. In the rush to make gear more powerful and attractive, manufacturers seem to love adding effects - standalone effects units, hardware effects, software effects, effects across different mixer sections, and so on. But are they actually essential, or just nice-to-have features?

Finally, we tackle the controversial topic of crossfader-less mixers. Every now and then, someone releases a mixer without a crossfader, and certain corners of the DJ world throw their hands up. But many DJ mixers over the years haven't had one. We'll look at where the crossfader is important and where it isn't, so you can form a better opinion on mixer designs that ditch it.

As ever, this was a really fun discussion, made more so by our wonderful live student audience here at Digital DJ Tips, who joined us for the recording. Thank you to them, thank you for listening, and we hope you enjoy the show.

If you enjoy this podcast 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

01:23 Can DJing really be taught?

20:52 How important are DJ effects? 

35:51 They killed the crossfader! 

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.

From breaking down the brand-new Apple Music integration on CDJ-3000X players, to helping a student structure their entire DJ year using 90-day goals, to tackling impostor syndrome when other DJs copy what you do - it's a bumper first edition of 2026 with an hour of questions from real DJs. 

We also cover booking live artists for your club night, choosing the right speakers for home DJing, learning to repair your own gear, and why you should wait before upgrading your operating system. It's all here on this Your Questions edition of our podcast.

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

01:21 What's Apple Music like on the CDJ-3000X?

04:47 How should I structure my DJ year to hit my goals?

17:39 How do I book live artists for my club night?

24:53 How much time do you spend fixing software errors?

39:04 How to deal with impostor syndrome and copycat DJs?

44:37 What speakers should I buy for home DJing?

49:15 How do I learn to repair my own DJ equipment?

55:01 When should I upgrade my operating system?

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 this edition of our Your Questions podcast, we tackle hearing protection for DJs and whether in-ear monitors are the answer. We also cover building flexible DJ sets that don't lock you into rigid playlists, the right microphone for streaming, how to upload your mixes to Mixcloud (properly), and the debate over whether 90s hip-hop still works for today's crowds. 

It's the usual mixed bag of absorbing questions from our wonderful community. I hope you enjoy what we've got for you this month!

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

01:15 How to protect your hearing as a DJ (earplugs, in-ear monitors)

08:04 Best practices for building DJ playlists

13:40 Should you plan your entire DJ set in advance?

22:01 How to upload DJ mixes to Mixcloud

26:34 Best microphone for DJ livestreams?

31:48 When does "old school" hip-hop become outdated?

37:50 Closing thoughts

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 this edition of our Inside Track podcast, we first discuss five tips for DJing Christmas parties. For DJs, it's one of the busiest times of year but also one of the most challenging. Whether you're just playing music at home or booked for the office party (or something bigger), here is how to survive and thrive behind the decks this Christmas.

Next, we explore why 1990s Eurodance is suddenly cool. I mean, it was never really that cool in the first place, right? But it's certainly having a moment, and we know exactly why: it's a numbers thing.

Finally, we chat about the one thing all good DJs have in common. It suddenly dawned on me the other day that I've been DJing for 40 years - played all kinds of gigs, all kinds of music, all kinds of styles, and seen countless DJs doing the same. And I think I've discovered what it is that unites us all...

As ever, this was a really fun discussion, made more so by our wonderful live student audience here at Digital DJ Tips, who joined us for the recording. Thank you to them, thank you for listening, and we hope you enjoy the show.

If you enjoy this podcast 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

01:45 Five tips for DJing Christmas parties

17:55 Why 1990s Eurodance is suddenly cool

25:45 The one thing all good DJs have in common

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.

From a quick explanation of why Pioneer DJ has got a storm on its hands with disappearing playlists, to helping a student who is dealing with a severe case of imposter syndrome, to keeping tidy cables at the back of your DJ gear, we've got a varied and fun mailbag this week. It's all here on this Your Questions edition of our podcast.

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

01:47 Why are DJ playlists disappearing on CDJ-3000s?

05:07 Do you need a subwoofer for mobile DJing?

06:52 How to deal with knee pain when DJing?

09:12 Tips for overcoming performance anxiety and imposter syndrome?

14:33 Advice for reading a crowd without pre-prepared playlists?

18:42 How to mix songs you don't know?

25:32 How best to hide cables behind DJ gear?

28:25 Where to find dance remixes of pop songs?

33:58 What music should you play at Christmas parties?

35:32 Can you use one music library on multiple computers?

39:57 Will old CDJs read modern USB exports?

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 this edition of our Inside Track podcast, we tackled the big question: is there finally one true DJ library coming that works across all DJ software and hardware? With AlphaTheta's recent OneLibrary launch, we're getting closer, but there's still some way to go before the dream becomes reality.

Next, we explored whether headphones and speakers are no longer enough on their own. With new digital correction devices, plugins, and circuitry emerging everywhere, simply plugging your gear straight in is starting to look a bit old-fashioned. But as a DJ or producer, do you really need all this correction tech to hear your music properly?

Finally, we discussed whether DJing just got the streaming service to beat them all. With the apparent imminent merger of Beatport and Beatsource, serious DJs could have a fantastic new resource for streaming music that beats Spotify, Apple Music, and the rest hands down.

As ever, this was a really fun discussion, made more so by our wonderful live student audience here at Digital DJ Tips, who joined us for the recording. Thank you to them, thank you for listening, and we hope you enjoy the show.

If you enjoy this podcast 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

01:41 Is one true DJ library for all DJ software & hardware coming?

10:45 When did headphones and speakers stop being enough?

23:36 Did DJing just get a streaming service to beat them all?

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.

From Spotify music streaming alternatives for DJs to livestreaming from your hospital bed...we've got answers to all types of questions to help you become a better DJ or DJ/producer in this edition of our Your Questions podcast. 

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

01:31 Ferry Corsten trance course nostalgia

06:33 Escaping Spotify: Alternative streaming options for DJs

13:09 Networking tips for breaking into the club scene

20:18 DJing tips for hospital recovery

28:29 Creative sampling + Halloween DJ set tips

33:15 Upgrading your DJ controller: What to buy

40:06 Adding waveforms to Twitch livestreams

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've heard them all, and in this special "excuses" edition of our Inside Track podcast, we show you why the things you're telling yourself about what's holding you back in your DJing are nothing more than you getting in your own way.

From equipment to social media to nerves and performing, this is a thorough debunk of all the whoppers DJs tell themselves (and yes, that includes you...) and what to tell yourself instead. 

As ever, this was a really fun discussion, made more so by our wonderful live student audience here at Digital DJ Tips, who joined us for the recording. Thank you to them, thank you for listening, and we hope you enjoy the show.

If you enjoy this podcast 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

01:48 DJ excuses - we've been there!

03:13 The "gear" excuses

15:06 The "knowledge & skill" excuses

24:12 The "social" excuses

32:38 The "preparation" excuses

36:46 The "fear" excuses

48:52 Advice & closing thoughts

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.

Why is DJing all about TikTok, 5-second transitions, and kids dancing on vertical video nowadays? We tackle this conception head-on in the first of a new series on the podcast. We also cover a whole host of other questions from our students about all things DJing - from music to mixing, performing to just-released DJ gear, and more. 

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

01:10 Why has DJing gone so wrong in 2025?

11:18 Is audio engineering knowledge important for mobile DJs?

13:56 Should DJs use wired or Bluetooth for playing requests from a phone?

16:10 Will Wi-Fi and streaming become standard in DJ booths?

19:00 Can I use an iPad instead of a laptop with my DJ controller?

21:28 Should DJs return songs to their original tempo after beatmatching?

24:42 How do you mix tracks that don't have proper outros?

30:13 What's the secret to recording professional DJ mixes?

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.

For this episode, we asked show favourite Mojaxx⁩ to return and to talk about a subject that might surprise some listeners: DJing with 45s. It's something that a surprising number of DJs still like to do, especially those who remember the 7" single the first time around.

It's a subculture within a subculture that might be a bit geeky, but it's undeniably cool. As DJing on 7" vinyl is something we both enjoy, we thought this topic would make a good twist on the "then and now" angle that these 15th birthday podcasts have followed.

If you enjoy this podcast 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

02:21 What's special about 7" records?

05:38 Creativity through restriction

07:06 Why digital DJs love the challenge of 45s

09:23 "You've taken it too far, Phil!"

12:11 The hip-hop origins of 45s culture

14:15 Do people actually care about the medium?

16:03 Mojaxx's "gateway drug": DJ Shadow & Kenny Dope

20:12 Building a collection: from £1 bargains to Discogs

23:15 "Music was just a tool for me"

29:24 Tips for finding and buying 7" records

35:26 45 adapters: the technical deep dive

41:05 Dr. Suzuki Donuts aka "the greatest invention ever"

44:19 Organising music: from obsessive to practical

49:16 Which genres work best on 45s?

53:42 Who's keeping the 45 culture alive?

58:59 Desert island 45s: Mojaxx's top five

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.