The Digital DJ Tips Podcast

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.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro00:15 Episode overview01:10 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.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro00:14 Episode overview02:21 What's special about 7" records?05:38 Creativity through restriction07:06 Why digital DJs love the challenge of 45s09:23 "You've taken it too far, Phil!"12:11 The hip-hop origins of 45s culture14:15 Do people actually care about the medium?16:03 Mojaxx's "gateway drug": DJ Shadow & Kenny Dope20:12 Building a collection: from £1 bargains to Discogs23:15 "Music was just a tool for me"29:24 Tips for finding and buying 7" records35:26 45 adapters: the technical deep dive41:05 Dr. Suzuki Donuts aka "the greatest invention ever"44:19 Organising music: from obsessive to practical49:16 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.

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.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro00:15 Episode overview02:12 Ferry's journey: from bedroom hobby to trance pioneer05:53 Cut & paste culture: making mixes before turntables08:55 When simple tracks ruled12:52 "My poor attempt at Italo disco"17:06 The trance explosion & Ministry of Sound era22:29 What Ferry misses (and doesn't) about vinyl days27:35 The secret to 30 years of music industry survival34:11 Reinvention: why you must follow your heart38:57 "DJs taking journeys": trance gets it right45:31 Advice to young Ferry: grow thick skin48:28 Why every DJ sounds the same now53:37 Message to older aspiring DJs55:19 Rapid-fire questions58:39 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.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro00:14 Episode overview02:15 - Luke's artistic reinvention & Dimmak Records04:40 - "Dance music hit age 7 and never grew up"06:19 - Then vs now: from dancing crowds to phones07:36 - Why this generation feels so alone08:33 - DJ gear evolution: producer to tech pioneer12:48 - Can a CDJ-4000 keep up with AI?15:16 - Most pro DJs want familiarity, not innovation19:08 - The truth about DJing on vinyl22:16 - Mentoring legends: Avicii, Afrojack & changing times26:19 - Mental health & escaping hustle culture29:04 - "Lockdown made me appreciate touring again"30:51 - What drugs & phones did to dancefloors35:32 - Teaching evolution: from forums to structured courses38:37 - The DJing fundamentals that never change45:55 - 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.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro00:14 Episode overview02:05 - Meet Mojaxx: From Hi-Fi systems to DJ gear obsession05:16 - The digital revolution: DVS, controllers & the last 15 years09:18 - The two parallel worlds of DJing converge12:09 - Simplicity vs complexity: Have we lost something important?15:10 - Gear Acquisition Syndrome (G.A.S): Want vs need20:56 - Stop chasing the perfect gear - it doesn't exist!25:07 - Pioneer DJ's secret: 25 years of consistency32:06 - Failed innovations: The Red Sound triple crossfader35:19 - When DJ technology gets too complex40:00 - The truth about using more than two decks42:53 - AI and DJing: Art vs craft46:40 - Preserving DJ culture in the tech age52:33 - The backwards DJ journey: From apps to vinyl56:16 - 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.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro00:14 Episode overview01:02 Why the OGs are getting booked everywhere03:54 The first hip hop cruise: Rock The Bells success06:00 The thing that keeps DJs in the game for 40+ years11:04 Curating from more new music than ever13:46 The right conditions for listening to music17:41 What it was like playing with Will in front of 80,000 at Wembley23:19 MagMob VIP origins & where to catch Jeff's livestreams27:45 The purpose & evolution of Playlist Retreat32:12 What Jeff has learned from hosting a creative DJ retreat35:03 How AI will change DJing (and what will stay the same)39:04 Making music for the FIFA 2026 World Cup40:58 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.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro00:14 Episode overview02:08 How to keep on top of your DJ music library16:46 Why headphones are still important for DJs26:24 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.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro00:15 Episode overview00:53 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.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro00:17 Episode overview00:59 Does Calvin Harris' new song copy Chicane?17:25 Why DJs should be able to play on all gear30:05 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.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro00:14 Episode overview01:16 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.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro00:15 Episode overview01:32 Should DJs always be "doing something"?14:41 Why VirtualDJ software is so divisive23:13 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.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro00:14 Episode overview01:02 How it started02:40 Creating a custom system04:15 Sourcing DJ gear06:20 Building the booth07:35 SKAA speakers08:37 Digging for records11:00 Practice sessions12:41 Finding a "test site"14:50 Gig takeaways20:18 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.

We get all philosophical right at the beginning this week, with a question about when (if ever) DJs should finally hang their headphones up. We also talk about music curation vs. creativity, what to do when the gear in venues is unreliable, and we try to answer the question, "Why does no one make separates in the DJ world anymore?"These and other queries asked by our wonderful DJ community are all answered in this wide-ranging April 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.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro00:15 Episode overview01:07 When is it time to quit DJing?12:39 Where's the new modular DJ gear for consumers?18:36 Any tips for balancing music curation with creativity?29:19 Should DJs pre-plan transitions or mix on the fly?34:47 How do you deal with unreliable equipment at a DJ gig?  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.

The big news this week, of course, was the arrival of Apple Music as a streaming platform on all major DJ hardware and software. We then looked at the absolutely essential software that all DJs need before finishing up with a discussion on using laptop-free gear in 2025. 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 valuable student feedback. We'd like to extend a special thank you to everyone who participated in this very busy show! 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.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro00:15 Episode overview01:30 Apple Music arrives for DJs13:54 What software do you REALLY need as a digital DJ?33:21 All-in-one/standalone vs laptop DJing 2025 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 show, recorded live to an audience of Digital DJ Tips students, we tackle some of the big questions our community has asked our tutors in the last few weeks.We cover how to record great mixtapes effortlessly, what to do when you've established a mobile DJ business but want to grow further, how to set all the different volume controls on DJ gear (so that your mixes sound loud and clear), 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.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro00:15 Episode overview01:09 Advice for growing an established mobile DJ business?10:58 Any tips for improving "poor quality" DJ mixes?16:32 Which music prep software do you recommend for DJs?23:38 How do DJs pick which songs to include in their mixtapes?26:06 When releasing mixtapes, should DJs focus on quality or quantity?30:36 What's the process for setting volume controls on 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.

On the Digital DJ Tips DJ school Inside Track podcast this month, we're looking at three topics that the DJ community is talking about at the moment. This month we've got:1. The real price of DJing - What does it really cost to take up DJing as a hobby? Not only getting the equipment but keeping up with subscriptions and so on. We do the numbers for you.2. Lossy versus compressed music - What's the difference between a lossless and a lossy file, and an uncompressed and a compressed file, and do DJs need to know? We dive deeper..3. Rekordbox subscriptions still down - They've been down for a while now, meaning people can't subscribe, cancel, upgrade, or downgrade their subs. What's going on? And what issues for DJs using software does this highlight?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.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro00:15 Episode overview02:05 The real price of DJing14:25 Lossy versus compressed music27:31 Rekordbox subscriptions still down 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.

An unusually busy podcast today with lots of questions so varied that I had to scattergun through them to a certain extent, but that made it more vibrant, and there was an awful lot of feedback from the community as well.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.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro00:14 Episode overview01:12 Is a DJ considered an artist?06:21 How does songwriting fit into music production?11:00 Best way to mix house music into drum & bass?14:00 What separates hobby and pro DJs?21:50 I'm ready to upgrade - which DJ controller should I get?27:29 Do you have training for DJ.Studio software?31:12 For DJing with stems, should I use Mp3 or WAV files?36:29 Should I DJ with streaming services on my phone?39:35 Tips for getting more DJ gigs?  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.

Should DJs scratch? - Some love it, some hate it, some can do it, some think they'll never be able to - but at the end of the day, how important is scratching for DJs?Have you got G.A.S.? - Gear Acquisition Syndrome is a trait that for some reason particularly affects hobby DJs. What is it? Is it a problem? And if so, how should you deal with it?The 3 ways to market yourself as a DJ - None of these promo strategies are wrong, but knowing what you are (and aren't) prepared to do will make it easier for you to decide which route is right for you.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.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro00:15 Episode overview01:13 Should DJs scratch?16:46 Have you got G.A.S.?29:30 Three promo strategies for DJs 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 first edition of our Your Questions podcast for 2025, Digital DJ Tips students ask questions ranging from how to play charity events, to what laptop is right for DJing, to whether record pools are a good way of building a music collection, and many more. If you would like your question to be featured in one of these shows, become a Digital DJ Tips student - just head to the website and pick the course for you.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.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro00:14 Episode overview01:21 Best laptop specs for DJing?11:49 Any tips for playing charity gigs?21:04 How good are record pools for music discovery?27:43 Is modular DJing the way forward?31:13 Advice for playing to crowds that won't dance?  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 final Inside Track podcast of 2024, we're looking back at the year. All the big stories, the culture changes, the software, the hardware, shifts in how DJing is done, AI of course, and some trends that we think will carry forward into 2025. It's all covered in this final end-of-year wrap. Let us just take this opportunity to thank everyone for being part of this podcast, whether you're a subscriber or a student, and I look forward to seeing you as we continue in the new year.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.TIMESTAMPS0:00 Intro00:15 Episode overview00:56 DJing is broader than ever04:44 Software innovation & accessibility10:39 Advancements in real-time stems14:52 Cloud library acceptance18:43 Wireless tech improvements25:02 AI tool adoption30:52 Our DJ school roundup  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.