DJdownload.com presents How to DJ

Episode 2 in the How to DJ series continues with Phil K. This time Phil looks at creating music loops – showing us exactly how to do it and explaining why it can be an important skill to add to your DJ set. From the reasons why DJs loop tracks during a set and how to complete a loop using features on the CDJ, to rocking out a tight four-beat loop using the roll effect on the DJM-700 as a sampler. The man behind such high-impact mixes as Balance 004, Y4k, and The Therapy Sessions, and such production wonders as ‘Burma’ and Because We Can (with Luke Chable as Lostep) shows exactly how to fix it in the mix. Also coming soon to DJsounds, James Zabiela presents his secret weapons in Episode 3. Subscribe with iTunes RSS Feed

DJdownload.com brings you exclusive access to Episode 2 of the How to DJ series with the Australian DJ wizard Phil K. Here Phil takes it the next level by expanding on the basics introduced by Sarah Main in Episode 1. From counting (and feeling!) those beats, bars and phrases, to assessing wave forms on the CDJs, complete with an introduction to the time remaining/time elapsed feature, to tips on cueing up tracks and getting it tight in a 'real world' setting... The man behind such high-impact mixes as Balance 004, Y4K, and The Therapy Sessions, and such production wonders as 'Burma' and 'Because We Can' (with Luke Chable as Lostep) shows you exactly how to fix it in the mix. Also coming soon, the UK’s James Zabiela presents his secret weapons in Episode 3. Subscribe with iTunes RSS Feed

Episode 1 in DJdownload.com's exclusive How to DJ series comes to a close as Pacha Ibiza resident DJ Sarah Main explains about getting the best from your digital downloads before she shows us two different ways to mix two tracks together. First up Sarah demonstrates the straightforward intro/outro mix, which is great for beginners. This is followed by an example of a more complex blending mix technique, as Sarah illustrates how to progressively layer elements of the incoming track over the outgoing track. Now that Sarah has covered the basics of entering the scene, the How to DJ series takes a more advanced turn in the hands of two international DJ Jedi: Australia’s Phil K reveals his tips next in Episode 2, while the UK’s James Zabiela presents his secret weapons in Episode 3. Subscribe with iTunes RSS Feed

Tune into the penultimate part of Episode 1 as Pacha’s first lady Sarah Main dispenses yet more helpful advice on How to DJ. Here Sarah looks at constructing a set and file formats, and demonstrates how to use the cross fader and up faders to mix two tracks. Sarah also shows how to use gain trim (which is often set at 0dB, or 12 o’ clock) and each channel’s VU meter in order to keep tracks at similar volume levels for a smooth mix. Sarah furthermore illustrates how you can manipulate a mixer’s EQ controls, which on the DJM-400 allow complete control over low, medium or high frequencies. How to DJ is produced by Ministry of Sound TV and features Sarah Main (Episode 1), Phil K (Episode 2) and James Zabiela (Episode 3). Subscribe with iTunes RSS Feed

Want to know how Pacha resident Sarah Main buys tunes and catalogues her music digitally? Need to find out how to use your DJ headphones properly, or how time spent out clubbing in the field can help you develop a better ‘ear’? Then click on, and check out what Sarah has to say! Yes, it’s time for the third instalment of How to DJ with Sarah Main in Ibiza. Here, Sarah speaks about sourcing tracks online and shows how to use the headphones to mix two tracks together. How to DJ is produced by Ministry of Sound TV and features Sarah Main (Episode 1), Phil K (Episode 2) and James Zabiela (Episode 3). Subscribe with iTunes RSS Feed

We're back with Pacha DJ Sarah Main at her villa in Ibiza for another instalment of How to DJ. Remember, this episode is all about helping those who are starting out and focuses on the fundamentals of DJing; things only get truly tricky in Episodes 2 and 3, when Phil K and James Zabiela show off more advanced tweakin'! After covering such topics as music monitoring and beatmixing, here Sarah returns to fill us in on the best way to cue up tracks in the mix. This is done by learning to recognise the structure of music and by drawing upon the beat/bar/phrase counting techniques outlined in Part 1 (4 beats in a bar, 8 bars in a phrase etc). Sarah also explains auto-cueing, the creation of cue points, and the 'correct and adjust' mixing technique. Look out for parts 3, 4 and 5 with Sarah Main, coming soon. Subscribe with iTunes RSS Feed

For Episode 1, Part 1, Sarah Main has the 400 series set up in her villa and talks us through the basic skills you need to get started as a DJ, step by step. So hit play to find out more, from entering the scene to setting up your DJ kit, accessing different audio formats, and the basic principles of mixing (music monitoring using headphones, beatmixing through counting beats, bars and phrases, and so on). Look out for parts 2-5 with Sarah Main, coming soon. Subscribe with iTunes RSS Feed