THE DJ'S GUIDE
DICTIONARY
Pitch control
The ability of a device to change the tempo of a song. This is very important if you are beatmixing.
Pitch lock
The ability of a device to change the tempo of a song, without changing the pitch. This lets you drastically speed up songs with vocals without a "chipmunk" effect.
Pitch bend
The temporary changing of pitch to get beats in phase. Vinyl DJs typically use their fingers to speed up or slow down the record by pushing/pulling the record by the label. Some twist the spindle in the center to change the pitch momentarily. CD players offer this as buttons. Once the DJ stops bending the pitch, the decks will automatically snap back to the current pitch control settings. This is necessary since its possible for two songs to be playing at the exact same tempo yet have their beats out of phase. By bending the pitch momentarily, the beats come into phase and the DJ doesn't have to worry about readjusting the pitch control.
Tempo
The speed of a song. Usually measured in Beats Per Minute (BPM).
Mixers
The essence of a mixer is that it can combine two or more audio signals into one output signal. It should be noted though that most mixers can do much more than just combine signals.
Turntables (alias: TT's)
The proper term for a "record player." Now -- if you ever hear anyone say the "rec.. player" term again, you must take the time to either severely hurt them or educate them. Whichever you deem appropriate.
Beats Per Minute (BPM)
The number of beats during one minute of a song. An identifier of a song's tempo.
Cueing
Using your headphones to find the spot you want to start the next song.
Throwing
Giving a record a little push when it starts up so you don't have any lag time while it gets up to speed. CD players do this by featuring instant start. (normal CD players may take a few tenths of a second before a song starts) Throwing a record nulls the lag time while it accelerates from zero to 33ish RPM. It sounds silly at first but it is actually very critical for beatmixing.
Cross fader (alias: x-fader, fader)
A slider control which moves from one input channel to another in a very smooth fashion. The volume on each channel is inversely proportional to each other, so if the x-fader is completely on the left side, you will only hear the input for that channel. Once you start moving it to the right, you will gradually hear the right channel becoming louder. When the x-fader is in the middle, each channel will be of equal volume. As the x-fader continues to the right, the right channel will approach full volume, and the left channel will diminish.
Beatmixing (alias: beat matching, beat synching, hot mixing, mixing)
The art of bringing the beats of two different songs into phase with one another and fading across. For example, if the song the crowd is hearing is 130 BPM, and the next song you want to play is 132 -- you slow the second song down to 130 bpm using pitch control, and cue it up to the beat. When you are ready to bring the second song into play, throw the record so the beats stay aligned and listen to it on your headphones. MAKE SURE THEY ARE IN SYNC!!! Once you are sure things are in order, use your cross fader to let the new song blend into the old one, and eventually go completely across so only the new song is playing. This will give the illusion that the song never ended. Once you get the hang of getting beats into sync, you will quickly find many more interesting ways to fade in and out of songs.
Decks
A very generalized description of gear used by a DJ to play music. Most often referred to turntables and CD players.
Vinyl (alias: records, wax, 12" (reference to LP), 7" (reference to single))
If you aren't clear on what a record is, then this probably isn't the sort of thing you should be doing...
Phasing
Playing two copies of the exact same record at the exact same speed at the same time, then momentarily speeding up or slowing down one of the platters before returning it to the original speed (The zero mark on a 1200). Produces funky harmonics and can be varied during the cut.
Offset Phasing
Same as phasing, only one of the records is played a beat or two behind the other (but in sync). Can be faded in and out to produce an "echo" in the lyrics.
Crash mix
Rapidly ending one song and starting the next by synching the first beat of the new song with a strong beat on the song just about to end. Usually reserved for those moments when you realize that you either (a) Can't match the beats to make the mix or (b) spent too much time chatting up that little babe who was making the request, and you haven't even picked the next song, let alone cued it up.
Flow
The gradual raising and lowering of the tempo to keep the crowd moving but not be stuck at one BPM all night long.
Fuck the Flow
Drastically changing the tempo with a crash mix for effect. Usually because the tune you crash in with is a sure fire floor filler.
Back2Back (B2B)
When two or more DJ's mix in tandem. For example 2 DJ's mixing 4 tracks each and then swapping round. This is also a source of many funny moments, such as leaving about 30 seconds of a track when you swap round or pitch the track right up so your compatriot hasn't got a hope in hell of mixing anything in with it !
Back spin
Playing a record then spinning it backwards to create a sort of sample. This is very commonly used on the secondary table then faded or transformed in.
Transformed
To cut the audio on and off on a particular channel drasticly using the transformer on a mixer rather than a x-fader.
Cut
(a) To turn on and off without fading. (b) A section or selection of particular peice of music or a song played.
Spinning
Another word for DJ'ing. Refering to the spinning records.
Tech 12's
Refering to Technics 1200 mk2 turntables
Scratching
Also known as back cueing - to play a record backwards and forwards to create a sample getting various effects when used with a primary record for music and a x-fader or transformer to cut in and out. (don't try this on your parents records or stereo at home special stylus are used for back cueing)
TIPS
1. tip
Before you start the party be sure to check that all is orginized, you have checked that your equipment is set up correctly and that your volume/equilizer controls are set to the correct levels. What a let down it will be to find that when you start the party ,you have no Bass or even worse, no sound at all!!
2. tip
When the party has started, take some time to see how the floor reacts to different types of music. Watch the floor to make sure that everybody is still enjoying the party. Experiment with the different types of music, and when you see after playing a song that some people leave, try another song, and if they come back then you're on the right track, if not try again. (You should know what people like before hand)
3. tip
When mixing songs, try and look for a song with a similar beat to the previous one. Keep the mixing smooth at all times ...try dancing to a D.J. who has a shaky hand ...you don't know which song to dance to!! Try to vary the speed of songs like 3 fast, 2 medium and 1 slow.
4. tip
When you get the feel that everything is going to plan, then this is the ideal oppertunity to experiment. Yup I mean it, try putting two songs that are the same on. Start the 1st one, then start the 2nd one just after the first. This will create an echo effect. Play around a bit to get the right effect.
EQUIPMENT YOU NEED
Basiclly all you need to DJ are 2 turntables, a mixer, headphones, an amp, speakers, records & a lot of money. If you have indeed decided to become a serious DJ it is best that you buy the best. DO NOT settle for any old turntable & mixer. Bellow I have listed the equipment I use and HIGHLY recomend.
Technics SL-1200MKII Turntable
-----> The official Technics 1200 FAQ.
Featuring
Quartz Synthesizer Direct Drive Turntable
Numark DM1800X
Featuring
Sony MDR-7506
Featuring
Considered to be one of the standards in field monitoring applications. Closed ear, dynamic 40mm driver unit in a rugged design that folds for easy storage. Clear high quality sound. Supplied with 1/4" or 1/8" gold stereo unimatch plug. Headphone response 10hZ-20kHz
Headphone impedance 63ohms
QSC USA1310
Featuring
Power Specifications
Output Power (per channel):
Continuous Average Output Power Both Channels Driven:
8 ohms, 1kHz, 1% THD (typical): 400 watts
4 ohms, 1kHz, 1% THD (typical): 655 watts
2 ohms, 1kHz, 1% THD (typical): 1000 watts
Continuous Average Output Power Bridge Mono Operation:
16 ohms, 1kHz, 1% THD (typical): 800 watts
8 ohms, 1kHz, 1% THD: (typical): 1310 watts
General Specifications
Voltage Gain (dB): 34
Sensitivity (for rated power @ 8 ohms): 1.12 Vrms
Distortion: SMPTE-IM, Less than 0.05%
Dynamic Headroom: 2dB at 8 ohms
Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz, +0/-1dB, 1 watt
Damping Factor: Greater than 200
Noise: 106dB below rated output (A weighted)
Input Impedance: 20k ohms balanced and 10k unbalanced
Controls:
Front: AC Switch. AC Circuit Breaker. Back: Stereo/Bridge Switch. Ch.1 and Ch.2 Gain Knobs. 8 Position DIP Switch for Filter and Limiter.
Indicators:
PWR-ON: Green LED. CLIP: Red LED.
Connectors (each channel): Input: Barrier Strip and Neutrik "Combo" 1/4" TRS and XLR, tip positive. Output: "Touch proof" binding posts.
Cooling: Two-speed fan, rear-to-front air flow.
Amplifier Protection: Full short circuit protection, thermal, open circuit, ultrasonic, and RF protection. Stable into reactive or mismatched loads.
Load Protection: On/off muting. DC-fault protection.
Output Circuit Type: Class AB complimentary linear outputs.
Power Requirements: 120, 240 VAC, 50-60Hz
Dimensions: Faceplate Width: Standard 19" (48.3cm) Rack Mounting. Faceplate Height: 7.0"(17.8cm). Chassis Depth: 10.8" (27.4cm)
Weight: Shipping (lbs/kg): 57/25.9 Net (lbs/kg): 54/24.5
Gemini GSM-1852
Featuring
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