{"id":3860,"date":"2024-03-18T23:57:13","date_gmt":"2024-03-18T22:57:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/?p=3860"},"modified":"2024-08-19T21:09:00","modified_gmt":"2024-08-19T19:09:00","slug":"how-to-dj-with-a-laptop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/articles\/how-to-dj-with-a-laptop","title":{"rendered":"How to DJ with a laptop: step-by-step beginners guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>If you want, you can DJ with just a laptop for free.<br>If you are wondering what kind of laptop you need, read my <a href=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/articles\/computer-djing-buying-guide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">DJ laptop buying guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are the steps:<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"simpletoc-title\">Table of Contents<\/h2>\n<style>html { scroll-behavior: smooth; }<\/style><ul class=\"simpletoc-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#1-choose-software\">1. Choose software<\/a>\n\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#2-choose-hardware\">2. Choose hardware<\/a>\n\n\n<ul><li>\n<a href=\"#dj-controller-optional\">DJ Controller (optional)<\/a>\n\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#sound-card\">Sound card<\/a>\n\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#headphones\">Headphones<\/a>\n\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<li><a href=\"#3-source-music\">3. Source music<\/a>\n\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#4-import-music\">4. Import music<\/a>\n\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#5-learn-basic-controls\">5. Learn basic controls<\/a>\n\n\n<ul><li>\n<a href=\"#rekordbox\">Rekordbox<\/a>\n\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#layout\">Layout<\/a>\n\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#play-a-song\">Play a song<\/a>\n\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#cue-button\">Cue button<\/a>\n\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#change-tempo\">Change tempo<\/a>\n\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<li><a href=\"#6-practice-beat-matching\">6. Practice beat matching<\/a>\n\n\n<ul><li>\n<a href=\"#step-1-find-2-compatible-tracks\">Step 1 &#8211; find 2 compatible tracks<\/a>\n\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#step-2-match-tempo\">Step 2 &#8211; match tempo<\/a>\n\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#step-3-start-the-second-track\">Step 3 &#8211; Start the second track<\/a>\n\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#step-4-adjust\">Step 4 &#8211; adjust<\/a>\n\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#step-5-transition\">Step 5 &#8211; transition<\/a>\n\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#next\">Next<\/a>\n\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<li><a href=\"#7-record-your-mixes\">7. Record your mixes<\/a>\n\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#8-perform\">8. Perform<\/a>\n\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#9-continue-learning\">9. Continue learning<\/a>\n<\/li><\/ul>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-choose-software\">1. Choose software<\/h2>\n\n\n<p>The first thing you need is software.<br>I would recommend <a href=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/articles\/virtual-dj-review\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Virtual DJ<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" src=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-virtual-dj-stem-separation-mixing.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3868\" style=\"width:488px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-virtual-dj-stem-separation-mixing.webp 600w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-virtual-dj-stem-separation-mixing-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-virtual-dj-stem-separation-mixing-150x85.webp 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Virtual DJ is fast, feature-rich and very easy to use for beginners.<br>Most importantly: it&#8217;s free!<br>So you can get your feet wet without any risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can download Virtual DJ from their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.virtualdj.com\/download\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other software I would recommend is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/articles\/rekordbox-review\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rekordbox<\/a>.<br>The reason for this is: Rekordbox is: industry standard.<br>Rekordbox allows you to perform, but also to export that library to a USB drive and use it on the professional CDJ players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There is more other DJ software, I&#8217;ve compared them <a href=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/articles\/best-dj-software-apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>.<br>For this tutorial I&#8217;m using Rekordbox.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-choose-hardware\">2. Choose hardware<\/h2>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"dj-controller-optional\">DJ Controller (optional)<\/h3>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-controller.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3867\" style=\"width:382px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-controller.webp 600w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-controller-300x180.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-controller-150x90.webp 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Do you need a DJ controller?<\/strong><br>No technically you don&#8217;t need a DJ controller to DJ with a laptop.<br>With some software like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/articles\/virtual-dj-review\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Virtual DJ<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/articles\/rekordbox-review\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rekordbox <\/a>you can do anything you need.<br>(Virtual DJ b.t.w. charges you a license fee for using a DJ controller, Rekordbox not).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the speed and convenience of a controller makes it a no-brainer to buy one.<br>That you <strong>CAN <\/strong>dj with only software, that doesn&#8217;t mean it is easy to pull it off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A DJ controller is basically a board with knobs to control your DJ software.<br>But it is also a dual channel sound card, which I will talk about later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Jog wheel<\/strong>. <br>There is no equivalent to the physical touch of a jog wheel for 2 reasons:<br><strong>1. <\/strong>A jog wheel allows you to temporarily speed up  or slow down a track very quickly to match the tempo of your other track. <br>So, not impossible to pull of with software alone, but hard to do quickly.<br><strong>2.<\/strong> You can also scratch with a jog wheel. You can&#8217;t with software.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Hot cues<\/strong><br>Also here, yes, you can do it with software.<br>But the physical touch of a button is 200% easier to get into the groove of a track to jump in-tempo to another part of the song.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Inputs and outputs<\/strong><br>Sometimes you want to shout something inaudible to your audience.<br>Most DJ controllers have a Mic-input, which makes it easier for people to hear what they can&#8217;t understand \ud83d\ude09<br>Controllers have an output for an amplifier and a headphone output, more on that later.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to go the route of DJ controllers, you definitely want to check out my article on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/recommended-dj-equipment\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">recommended DJ equipment<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem\">Free DJ tips in your inbox?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a bonus gift I will send you a <strong>FREE <\/strong>E-book on how to kick-off your DJ career!<\/p>\n\n\n<!-- MailerLite Universal -->\n<script>\n(function(m,a,i,l,e,r){ m['MailerLiteObject']=e;function f(){\nvar c={ a:arguments,q:[]};var r=this.push(c);return \"number\"!=typeof r?r:f.bind(c.q);}\nf.q=f.q||[];m[e]=m[e]||f.bind(f.q);m[e].q=m[e].q||f.q;r=a.createElement(i);\nvar _=a.getElementsByTagName(i)[0];r.async=1;r.src=l+'?v'+(~~(new Date().getTime()\/1000000));\n_.parentNode.insertBefore(r,_);})(window, document, 'script', 'https:\/\/static.mailerlite.com\/js\/universal.js', 'ml');\n\nvar ml_account = ml('accounts', '1691580', 't0j5q7h5d7', 'load');\n<\/script>\n<!-- End MailerLite Universal -->\n\n<div class=\"ml-form-embed\"\n  data-account=\"1691580:t0j5q7h5d7\"\n  data-form=\"6052713:y7m2e8\">\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"sound-card\">Sound card<\/h3>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"396\" src=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-soundcard.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3916\" style=\"width:378px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-soundcard.webp 700w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-soundcard-300x170.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-soundcard-150x85.webp 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>For DJing, you need 2 sound channels:<br>1. for the audio that your audience hears<br>2. for the audio of your headphones<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This can be 2 sound cards, or 2 separate audio outputs.<br>Most laptops have only one 1-channel-sound card built-in, so you need a second sound card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is why DJ controllers are so helpful, they have the separate outputs for the amplifier (&#8220;master&#8221;) and the headphones:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"446\" src=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-controller-master-output-1.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3917\" style=\"width:267px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-controller-master-output-1.webp 600w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-controller-master-output-1-300x223.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-controller-master-output-1-150x112.webp 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"391\" src=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-controller-headphone-output.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3918\" style=\"width:268px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-controller-headphone-output.webp 600w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-controller-headphone-output-300x196.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-controller-headphone-output-150x98.webp 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"headphones\">Headphones<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>You use headphones to:<br>1. preview tracks and compare their compatibility with the current<br>2. align your next track with the current (beat matching &#8211; see later in this article)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In contrast to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/articles\/difference-dj-music-producer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">music production<\/a>, the quality of the headphone really doesn&#8217;t matter.<br>You only need to be able to hear what is going on.<br>A proper DJ knows his music library and what a track sounds like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What <strong>does <\/strong>matter is how well the headphone shields music from &#8216;outside&#8217;.<br>When they &#8220;leak&#8221; sound, it is harder to hear the music in your headphone, unless you turn up the volume and expose yourself to hearing loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over-the ear headphones that sit on top of your outer ear are bad &#8211; they leak.<br>Over-the-ear headphones that completely encapsulate your outer ear are good &#8211; they shield.<br>Over-the-ear headphones with an open back (often used in music production) are bad &#8211; they leak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In-ear headphones that go into your auditory canal also work really well <strong>when they don&#8217;t leak sound<\/strong>.<br>That&#8217;s why Apple earbuds are no good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" src=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-inear-headphones.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3914\" style=\"width:466px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-inear-headphones.webp 700w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-inear-headphones-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-inear-headphones-150x100.webp 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>My in-hear headphones are masters at sealing sound, and thus ideal to avoid hearing loss.<br>But they are terrible for communicating with people when you wear them.<br>(The idea is that you don&#8217;t take them off to avoid &#8220;scaring&#8221; the hairs in your cochlea that cause <a href=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/articles\/tinnitus-hearing-loss-dj\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">tinnitus<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 1.6rem\">Free DJ tips in your inbox?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a bonus gift I will send you a <strong>FREE <\/strong>E-book on how to kick-off your DJ career!<\/p>\n\n\n<!-- MailerLite Universal -->\n<script>\n(function(m,a,i,l,e,r){ m['MailerLiteObject']=e;function f(){\nvar c={ a:arguments,q:[]};var r=this.push(c);return \"number\"!=typeof r?r:f.bind(c.q);}\nf.q=f.q||[];m[e]=m[e]||f.bind(f.q);m[e].q=m[e].q||f.q;r=a.createElement(i);\nvar _=a.getElementsByTagName(i)[0];r.async=1;r.src=l+'?v'+(~~(new Date().getTime()\/1000000));\n_.parentNode.insertBefore(r,_);})(window, document, 'script', 'https:\/\/static.mailerlite.com\/js\/universal.js', 'ml');\n\nvar ml_account = ml('accounts', '1691580', 't0j5q7h5d7', 'load');\n<\/script>\n<!-- End MailerLite Universal -->\n\n<div class=\"ml-form-embed\"\n  data-account=\"1691580:t0j5q7h5d7\"\n  data-form=\"6052713:y7m2e8\">\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-source-music\">3. Source music<\/h2>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"347\" src=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatport.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3925\" style=\"width:536px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatport.webp 700w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatport-300x149.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatport-150x74.webp 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, you can use your existing MP3 collection, but when you DJ you want new and fresh songs as well to accommodate every request your audience throws at you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most DJs buy their songs, or use DJ pools.<br>And no, they download them from YouTube because of the bad audio quality (and it&#8217;s illegal of course).<br>You can buy songs on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Apple Music<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.beatport.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">beatport.com<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>But those are far from the only one&#8217;s.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>DJ pools are<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.beatport.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">beatport.com<\/a> (yes, again)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>DJ city<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>BPM supreme<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>DJ music is different than commercial music.<br>DJ music is often marked as &#8220;extended mix&#8221; or &#8220;club mix&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"316\" src=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-extended-mix.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4000\" style=\"width:455px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-extended-mix.webp 700w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-extended-mix-300x135.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-extended-mix-150x68.webp 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Since 2005, DJ music started to have a 16 bar intro and 16 bar outro (this equates to 30 seconds at 128 bpm).<br>This way it is easier for a DJ to mix-in or mix-out a track more seamless, than with commercial music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>DJ pools and DJ download sites offer extended mixes most of the time, while commercial music stores (like Apple Music) do not.<br>Also commercial music stores might use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/dj-terminology-glossary#drm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">DRM <\/a>(Apple was notorious for that in the past), which prohibits you from playing the song with DJ software or DJ hardware.<br>Something to keep in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Download stores offer their music in either high quality .MP3 format at 256 kbps.<br>Or use lossless formats like .FLAC or .WAV for the best quality (but bigger file sizes).<br>What the best audio format is for you, you can find in my article: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/articles\/audio-file-formats-dj-players\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">file formats for DJs<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-import-music\">4. Import music<\/h2>\n\n\n<p>The next step is to import music and to organize your collection so you can find the tracks you want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you import tracks it will analyze the songs.<br>It analyzes the waveform to see how fast the tracks is, which key and where the first beat of a bar is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In most DJ software, like Rekordbox you can just drag-and-drop music files from Explorer (Finder on Mac) to Rekordbox.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"507\" src=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-drag-and-drop-music-960x507.webp\" alt=\"drag and drop music into Rekordbox\" class=\"wp-image-4032\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-drag-and-drop-music-960x507.webp 960w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-drag-and-drop-music-300x158.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-drag-and-drop-music-150x79.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-drag-and-drop-music-768x406.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-drag-and-drop-music.webp 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-learn-basic-controls\">5. Learn basic controls<\/h2>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"rekordbox\">Rekordbox<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;m talking about DJ software in general, but when you use Rekordbox, go to the &#8220;Performance&#8221;-mode to get the right layout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"509\" src=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-switch-modes-960x509.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4033\" style=\"width:596px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-switch-modes-960x509.webp 960w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-switch-modes-300x159.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-switch-modes-150x80.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-switch-modes-768x407.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-switch-modes.webp 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"layout\">Layout<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>Most DJ software has basically the same layout: 2 players on top, sources on the left and the collection at the bottom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"509\" src=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-gui-layout-960x509.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4034\" style=\"width:591px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-gui-layout-960x509.webp 960w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-gui-layout-300x159.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-gui-layout-150x80.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-gui-layout-768x407.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-gui-layout.webp 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"play-a-song\">Play a song<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>To play a track, you need to load it either in player-deck 1 or player-deck 2.<br>You need at least 2 player decks, because you are going to mix from one player to the other and vice versa.<br>Just drag-and-drop a track from your collection to one of your player-decks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"507\" src=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-drag-drop-player1-960x507.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4035\" style=\"width:595px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-drag-drop-player1-960x507.webp 960w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-drag-drop-player1-300x158.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-drag-drop-player1-150x79.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-drag-drop-player1-768x406.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-drag-drop-player1.webp 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cue-button\">Cue button<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>We have 2 types of &#8220;PLAY&#8221;-buttons.<br>The actual play button, you are probably familiar with: a track starts playing until you hit &#8220;PLAY&#8221; again, then it pauses the track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But there is a second type: the &#8220;CUE&#8221;-button.<br>This is a weird hybrid between a &#8220;STOP&#8221;-button and a &#8220;PLAY&#8221;-button.<br>Both deck 1 and deck 2 have one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"612\" src=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-cue-button-explanation-960x612.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4038\" style=\"width:549px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-cue-button-explanation-960x612.webp 960w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-cue-button-explanation-300x191.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-cue-button-explanation-150x96.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-cue-button-explanation-768x490.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-cue-button-explanation.webp 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>How the CUE-button behaves:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Starting point<\/strong><br>When a track is stopped and you press &#8220;CUE&#8221;, it makes a CUE-point.<br>This spot is now marked as the new starting point of the track.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Stop the track<\/strong><br>When a track is playing and you press &#8220;CUE&#8221;, it stops the track and rewinds the track to the CUE-point.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Play and rewind<\/strong><br>When a track is stopped and you press &#8220;CUE&#8221;, it starts playing, but only as long as you press the button.<br>When you let go of the button, it rewinds to the CUE-point<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The idea is that you can quickly preview a track, without having to rewind manually to your starting position.<br>Most DJs tap the CUE-button to beat-match and get the second track in the rhythm of the first track (see later in this article).<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"change-tempo\">Change tempo<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>You can change the tempo of a song.<br>This way you can match the tempo of another song, a technique that comes into play with beat-matching (later in this article).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tempo is shown in BPM (Beats Per Minute) in the white circle:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"455\" src=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-change-tempo-960x455.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4040\" style=\"width:543px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-change-tempo-960x455.webp 960w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-change-tempo-300x142.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-change-tempo-150x71.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-change-tempo-768x364.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-change-tempo.webp 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>110.59 BPM <\/strong>= is the tempo. Click on it and type a new BPM<br><strong>-13.9% <\/strong>= the deviation from the original tempo of the track<br><strong>\u00b1 16 <\/strong>= tempo range. Click on it for another range.<br><strong>MT-button<\/strong> = Master Tempo. Do you want to keep the key of the original song? (Normally, when you change speed, you automatically change the key with it. The MT-button will mitigate that.)<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"6-practice-beat-matching\">6. Practice beat matching<\/h2>\n\n\n<p>Beat matching is a basic DJ skill that every DJ should master.<br>You should practice this so much that you can do it in your sleep.<br>A good DJ should be able to beat-match by ear, and not looking at the screen, but for the sake of this tutorial, making it visual helps to understand what is going on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With beat-matching you align 2 tracks with each other in a way that the tempo at beats align with each other.<br>So the first beat of the bar of both tracks sound at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;m going to show: <strong>how to beatmatch with Rekordbox<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"step-1-find-2-compatible-tracks\">Step 1 &#8211; find 2 compatible tracks<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>1. In Rekordbox: go to the Performance mode<br>2. Find 2 compatible tracks and load them in deck 1 and 2 of your DJ software.<br>3. Play the first track<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69d9a59e7818b&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69d9a59e7818b\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"507\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-find-2-compatible-tracks-960x507.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4012\" style=\"width:562px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-find-2-compatible-tracks-960x507.webp 960w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-find-2-compatible-tracks-300x158.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-find-2-compatible-tracks-150x79.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-find-2-compatible-tracks-768x406.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-find-2-compatible-tracks.webp 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"step-2-match-tempo\">Step 2 &#8211; match tempo<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>1. Set the tempo of the second track to match the tempo of the first track.<br>Most DJ software and DJ hardware have a &#8220;beat sync&#8221;-button to do this for you automatically.<br>(I told you before that you should buy a DJ controller)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can click on the BPM and type in a number, or use the + and &#8211; icons on the top and bottom of the BPM. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-match-tempo.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4013\" style=\"width:558px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-match-tempo.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-match-tempo-300x158.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-match-tempo-150x79.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-match-tempo-768x403.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"step-3-start-the-second-track\">Step 3 &#8211; Start the second track<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>1. On track 2: use the Cue button to set a cue point on the first beat of the bar.<br>The red triangles on top of the waveform indicate the first beat of the bar<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69d9a59e78852&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69d9a59e78852\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"515\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-cue-first-beat-bar-960x515.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4019\" style=\"width:558px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-cue-first-beat-bar-960x515.webp 960w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-cue-first-beat-bar-300x161.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-cue-first-beat-bar-150x80.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-cue-first-beat-bar-768x412.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-cue-first-beat-bar.webp 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>2. Make sure you see the faders in the middle of the screen.<br>If you don&#8217;t see the faders, click on the fader-icon in the tool bar<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"482\" src=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-dont-see-faders-960x482.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4039\" style=\"width:556px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-dont-see-faders-960x482.webp 960w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-dont-see-faders-300x151.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-dont-see-faders-150x75.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-dont-see-faders-768x386.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-dont-see-faders.webp 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>3. On track 2: make sure the fader is down, so the audience won&#8217;t hear it<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"614\" src=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-fader-2-down-960x614.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4018\" style=\"width:555px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-fader-2-down-960x614.webp 960w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-fader-2-down-300x192.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-fader-2-down-150x96.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-fader-2-down-768x492.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-fader-2-down.webp 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>4. On track 1: Start counting the beats of the bar: 1,2,3,4 &#8230; 1,2,3,4 &#8230; 1,2,3,4 etc.<br>5. On track 2: Press &#8220;Play&#8221; on the &#8220;1&#8221;-beat of the bar (of the first song)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"614\" src=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-press-play-960x614.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4020\" style=\"width:556px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-press-play-960x614.webp 960w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-press-play-300x192.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-press-play-150x96.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-press-play-768x492.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-press-play.webp 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>6. When you started track 2 at the right moment, the first beats of the 2 tracks should align:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69d9a59e78f19&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69d9a59e78f19\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"135\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-tracks-align-960x135.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4021\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-tracks-align-960x135.webp 960w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-tracks-align-300x42.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-tracks-align-150x21.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-tracks-align-768x108.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-tracks-align.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>7. You don&#8217;t hear track 2 (because the fader is down).<br>To preview if track 2 aligns with track 1, listen with your headphone by pressing the CUE-button of the second track:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"614\" src=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-headphone-cue-960x614.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4024\" style=\"width:544px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-headphone-cue-960x614.webp 960w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-headphone-cue-300x192.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-headphone-cue-150x96.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-headphone-cue-768x492.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-headphone-cue.webp 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>8. Practice starting the second track over-and-over again, until you have an acceptable timing difference.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"step-4-adjust\">Step 4 &#8211; adjust<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>Although you will become better at starting the second track at the right time with a lot of practice, even the best DJs have timing differences.<br>Now you need to adjust!<br>The big question is: do you need to adjust it forwards or backwards?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1. Hover with your mouse over the big wheel of the second player: tiny small arrows will appear<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"373\" height=\"282\" src=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-nudge-jogwheel.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4027\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-nudge-jogwheel.webp 373w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-nudge-jogwheel-300x227.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-nudge-jogwheel-150x113.webp 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 373px) 100vw, 373px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>2. Click-and-hold the arrow-up to temporarily speed up.<br>Click and hold the arrow-down to temporarily speed down.<br>(again, this is why you need a DJ controller, because you just turn the big jog wheel on the controller to do this 10x faster)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>3. It can take a while to synchronize the tracks.<br>But when you do, do the transition.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"step-5-transition\">Step 5 &#8211; transition<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>Yes, finally we are going to do the actual mix.<br>The rest was all preparation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1. Over the span of the 8 bars (or 16 bars): push fader 1 down, pull fader 2 up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"589\" height=\"282\" src=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-fader1down-fader2up.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4030\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-fader1down-fader2up.webp 589w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-fader1down-fader2up-300x144.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-beatmatching-fader1down-fader2up-150x72.webp 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 589px) 100vw, 589px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>2. Congrats, you have made your first mix!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;ve also created a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/articles\/how-to-beat-match-dj\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">step-by-step tutorial to beatmatch with a DJ controller<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"next\">Next<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>Beat matching is just 1 mixing technique, there are more:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/articles\/song-structure-arrangement-for-dj\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Song structure<\/a><\/strong> &#8211; know how songs are structured<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Good mix in\/out points<\/strong> &#8211; intros and outros are a good place to start<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Phrase mixing <\/strong>&#8211; beatmatching 2.0: but instead of bars you mix on phrase<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Harmonic mixing<\/strong> &#8211; mixing only songs that are compatible in key<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>EQ mixing<\/strong> &#8211; mixing low, mid, high frequencies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>FX mixing<\/strong> &#8211; knowing where and when to use FX to create a smooth mix<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Hot Cues<\/strong> &#8211; allows you to jump in songs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Looping<\/strong> &#8211; shortening loops as mixing technique<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"7-record-your-mixes\">7. Record your mixes<\/h2>\n\n\n<p>By recording your mixes you can poll your &#8220;temperature&#8221;.<br>Listen back your mixes and learn from your mistakes.<br>What can you do better next time?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can upload your mixtapes to a site called <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mixcloud.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">mixcloud<\/a>.<br>Here you can share your mix with your friends and get some feedback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In Rekordbox you can record your mixes:<br>1. Go to the Performance mode<br>2. On the top of the screen you can find a grey icon that resembles a record button.<br>Click it, it well turn blue and will show a recording panel in the middle of the screen.<br>3. Click the record-button to record.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"507\" src=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-press-record-button-960x507.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4006\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-press-record-button-960x507.webp 960w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-press-record-button-300x159.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-press-record-button-150x79.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-press-record-button-768x406.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-press-record-button.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Regretfully, most DJ software hid the record feature behind a paywall, including Rekordbox.<br>Here is a step-by-step <a href=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/articles\/record-dj-set-rekordbox\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">guide to record your mix with Rekordbox<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"8-perform\">8. Perform<\/h2>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"464\" src=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-dexxter-performing.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4005\" style=\"width:503px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-dexxter-performing.webp 700w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-dexxter-performing-300x199.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dj-with-laptop-dexxter-performing-150x99.webp 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, it&#8217;s time for the real thing, perform!<br>Don&#8217;t wait to long.<br>When you wait until you think you are ready, you&#8217;ve already waited to long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Try to get a gig at your local bar or club.<br>The less people in the crowd, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>only <\/strong>way you learn REAL DJing is to go out and actually do it!<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"9-continue-learning\">9. Continue learning<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/articles\/rekordbox-getting-started-beginners-guide\">NEXT: Getting started with Rekordbox &#8211; Beginners guide<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you want, you can DJ with just a laptop for free.If you are wondering what kind of laptop you need, read my DJ laptop buying guide. Here are the steps: Table of Contents 1. Choose software 2. Choose hardware DJ Controller (optional) Sound card Headphones 3. Source music 4. Import music 5. Learn basic &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3912,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[70,59],"tags":[12,57],"class_list":["post-3860","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-beginner-dj-tutorials","category-dj-skills-and-techniques","tag-rekordbox","tag-virtual-dj"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/thumbnail-v1-dj-with-laptop.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3860","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3860"}],"version-history":[{"count":68,"href":"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3860\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5771,"href":"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3860\/revisions\/5771"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3912"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3860"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3860"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.deejayplaza.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3860"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}