Ahead of his course on how to DJ trance with Digital DJ Tips, Dutch superstar DJ/producer Ferry Corsten shares his secrets for having a long, fruitful career in the music industry and looks back on what's changed over the decades that he's been right at the top of his game. We talked music, tech, culture, and life philosophy in a wide-ranging and fun chat.

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

02:12 Ferry's journey: from bedroom hobby to trance pioneer

05:53 Cut & paste culture: making mixes before turntables

08:55 When simple tracks ruled

12:52 "My poor attempt at Italo disco"

17:06 The trance explosion & Ministry of Sound era

22:29 What Ferry misses (and doesn't) about vinyl days

27:35 The secret to 30 years of music industry survival

34:11 Reinvention: why you must follow your heart

38:57 "DJs taking journeys": trance gets it right

45:31 Advice to young Ferry: grow thick skin

48:28 Why every DJ sounds the same now

53:37 Message to older aspiring DJs

55:19 Rapid-fire questions

58:39 What's next for Ferry Corsten?

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 episode, Laidback Luke joins us to talk about his 30-year career and how he's stayed at the forefront of DJ technology throughout this time, championing new features and systems when no-one else believed in them and always looking for ways to push the culture forward. He talks about more than gear, though, covering music, mental health, how the scene has changed, and what the future holds. 

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

02:15 - Luke's artistic reinvention & Dimmak Records

04:40 - "Dance music hit age 7 and never grew up"

06:19 - Then vs now: from dancing crowds to phones

07:36 - Why this generation feels so alone

08:33 - DJ gear evolution: producer to tech pioneer

12:48 - Can a CDJ-4000 keep up with AI?

15:16 - Most pro DJs want familiarity, not innovation

19:08 - The truth about DJing on vinyl

22:16 - Mentoring legends: Avicii, Afrojack & changing times

26:19 - Mental health & escaping hustle culture

29:04 - "Lockdown made me appreciate touring again"

30:51 - What drugs & phones did to dancefloors

35:32 - Teaching evolution: from forums to structured courses

38:37 - The DJing fundamentals that never change

45:55 - Luke's one piece of timeless advice...

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 episode, DJ reviewer extraordinaire Mojaxx (whose gear reviews have informed generations of DJs) joins us to chat about all the changes in DJ gear since vinyl was replaced by CDs, and to reminisce about long-forgotten kit that still has a place in our hearts, while also looking to the future.

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

02:05 - Meet Mojaxx: From Hi-Fi systems to DJ gear obsession

05:16 - The digital revolution: DVS, controllers & the last 15 years

09:18 - The two parallel worlds of DJing converge

12:09 - Simplicity vs complexity: Have we lost something important?

15:10 - Gear Acquisition Syndrome (G.A.S): Want vs need

20:56 - Stop chasing the perfect gear - it doesn't exist!

25:07 - Pioneer DJ's secret: 25 years of consistency

32:06 - Failed innovations: The Red Sound triple crossfader

35:19 - When DJ technology gets too complex

40:00 - The truth about using more than two decks

42:53 - AI and DJing: Art vs craft

46:40 - Preserving DJ culture in the tech age

52:33 - The backwards DJ journey: From apps to vinyl

56:16 - Closing thoughts + vinyl episode teaser

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.

If you've been wondering whether you're too old to start DJing, DJ Jazzy Jeff has news for you: mature music lovers are driving the biggest DJ renaissance in decades, and it's the young crowd that's missing out.

Fresh from a European tour that saw him playing everything from Wembley Stadium to intimate beach parties in Portugal, Jeff observed something remarkable happening in dance music...and we chat all about it with him on today's special podcast episode. Enjoy! 

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

01:02 Why the OGs are getting booked everywhere

03:54 The first hip hop cruise: Rock The Bells success

06:00 The thing that keeps DJs in the game for 40+ years

11:04 Curating from more new music than ever

13:46 The right conditions for listening to music

17:41 What it was like playing with Will in front of 80,000 at Wembley

23:19 MagMob VIP origins & where to catch Jeff's livestreams

27:45 The purpose & evolution of Playlist Retreat

32:12 What Jeff has learned from hosting a creative DJ retreat

35:03 How AI will change DJing (and what will stay the same)

39:04 Making music for the FIFA 2026 World Cup

40:58 What it was like filming two DJ courses with us

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 help you fix your messed-up music libraries, explain why yes, it is still important to use headphones as a DJ despite what some "young cats" might tell you, and help a new DJ who is feeling completely overwhelmed by all the possibilities that modern DJing presents. 

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

00:14 Episode overview

02:08 How to keep on top of your DJ music library

16:46 Why headphones are still important for DJs

26:24 How to conquer overwhelm when you're returning to 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.

In this edition of our Your Questions podcast, we have a mobile DJ asking if it's even possible to play like James Hype for 5-6 hours...and whether he should...

We then tackle the classic gain staging issue of not going "into the red" before discussing harmonic mixing and whether DJ gear should always be horizontal! (Yep, you heard me right.) 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

00:53 Should mobile DJs mix like James Hype?

08:53 Mixed In Key, DJ software analysis, or both?

17:27 Advice for setting the gain on DJ gear?

23:35 Pros & cons to bringing your own booth monitor?

27:52 Why do DJs mix "flat" (aka horizontally)?

31:54 How long does it take to complete your online DJ training?

36:30 What's the audio quality like on standalone DJ gear? 

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 explored whether Calvin Harris ripped off Chicane for his latest single, diving into the ongoing debate around the derivative nature of pop music sampling versus simply copying the feel or essence of a track. 

Next, we discussed the importance of DJs learning to use all different types of DJ gear. With so many formats and technologies out there, versatility remains a crucial skill for any serious DJ.

Finally, we wrapped up with a conversation about the three key things that need to happen for someone to truly get hooked on DJing for life.

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

00:17 Episode overview

00:59 Does Calvin Harris' new song copy Chicane?

17:25 Why DJs should be able to play on all gear

30:05 The three things that make you a DJ for life

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 how to deal with inappropriate music requests to the biggest challenges facing DJs in 2025, we answered a whole range of student questions here at Digital DJ Tips this week. Enjoy!

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 real-time 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

01:16 How should DJs handle tricky requests?

08:09 What do you think about DJing with the Rekordbox iOS app?

16:57 Will Apple Music streaming work on my older DJ gear?

24:29 What are the biggest challenges facing DJs in 2025?

42:02 Tips for DJing festivals when you're used to open-format sets? 

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 kick things off with the question, "Why are DJs always expected to be doing something? Is looking busy really that important?" 

We also dive into why popular software platform VirtualDJ sometimes gets a bad rep among the wider DJing community. And finally, we look at the importance of recording DJ sets, alongside some of the challenges that come with it.

As always, this pod is supported 100% by the students of Digital DJ Tips, and it was recorded in a live webinar with lots of valuable student feedback. If you enjoy the 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

01:32 Should DJs always be "doing something"?

14:41 Why VirtualDJ software is so divisive

23:13 The challenges of recording DJ sets

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.

By combining the best of the old way of DJing with modern technology, Phil feels he has an opportunity to entertain and educate a new generation of DJs about some of the most important fundamentals - and as you'll hear, he's taking it to a massive stage this summer. All is revealed in this special episode...

Read the full article here: https://www.digitaldjtips.com/first-gig-on-vinyl-in-22-years/

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

01:02 How it started

02:40 Creating a custom system

04:15 Sourcing DJ gear

06:20 Building the booth

07:35 SKAA speakers

08:37 Digging for records

11:00 Practice sessions

12:41 Finding a "test site"

14:50 Gig takeaways

20:18 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.