Publisher Description

DJ like a pro?without skipping a beat 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

Notes

3rd edition. Walks the reader through the basics of mixing, the techniques and tricks to create a personal style and how to make DJing work. This revised edition covers all the latest equipment, technology and software.

Back Cover

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

Flap

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

Author Biography

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.

Table of Contents

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

Long Description

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

Details