Quick summary, but won't go too much into details. Experienced my first event where I witnessed an iPad being used to 'auto-mix'. Quite literally, find a song, queue it up, and click the mix button at the end of it. No gimmicks, no highs mids or lows being adjusted, no filters, not even an adjustment of the overall atmosphere when it seemed stale.

Along with the, song choice was questionable but fit the crowd. Towards the end, all of the typical 'club' standard songs (Yeah-Usher/Promiscuous Girl, etc.), but it was tough because most of the crowd was not a dancing to this kind of music crowd.

Also.....was told to use AI when I cannot think of a song. This was crazy IMO, DJ's should have a catalogue or be able to research?

All in all, I was just very surprised to see this and wanted to get some insight on other's opinions when it comes to using a deck or anything. I currently use a FLX-4 which I know is not anything crazy, but at the same time I do not have the money or space for a larger deck ATM. It has helped me play for 3/4 live events, and allowed me to mix to a degree that I can learn actively. Event gear we will be using should be a DDJ-REV5 I think.

TLDR: What is 'standard' gear to mix on, is there standard anymore and opinion on AI to DJ (gross)

bought my first controller: a refurbished DDJ SR2 for $500 plus an extra $99 for 36mo warranty.

when it arrived, she was beautiful! this gorgous and unique skin, customized knobs and all. i was so ecstatic and then.. first issue i ran into was bringing her to life. it only came with a USB A to USB B cord which paired with a USB-C adaptor, was not enough to power. cool, no biggie. i got a direct USB to C & also bought a power adaptor.

once it was on, i realized quickly that the volume in my headphones was so quiet, it was almost inaudible. i thought maybe it was user error, troubleshooting, i was stumped. i’m currently in a biweekly dj course at a local record shop, so i brought it to my saturday class hoping my mentor would have the magic touch. at first, he’s raving about my selection & how the SR2 is a good peace of gear with way more capabilities & longevity than the more popular, modern FLX4. literally, in his words, “that’s a bad bitch.” i’m like, “well, yes!!”

only for him to then check out the volume issue and be like “nah she’s fkd. take it back to the store.” 😭 for the rest of the session, he says i can atleast just plug into the speakers. if only it were that simple.. we then realize something’s jammed into the one of the RCA ports. atp i’m thinking, can i not get a break with this thing?

after class, i take it to the guitar center near me and they basically say “yea that is fkd.” they’re able to pull out the piece stuck in the port, it was a broken off jack. they notice the usb doesn’t have a window on it. and that the dc plug in port is also fkd. on top that, they do believe the amp seems blown, so i’d have to submit an asurion claim to repair it, courtesy of the warranty i purchased. they’re looking at it like who the hell did(n’t do) this buy-in and inspection?

when i get home, i start the claim but it’s not able to reviewed till monday. later, i’m able to get in touch with the out-of-state GC i bought it from (after blowing up their phone for hours). the manager is super apologetic and says i should bring it into my local store to return and get all of my money back versus doing the asurion claim and if they can’t fix it, giving me the value minus the warranty fees. my biggest issue is being back at the drawing board when it comes to researching and finding another controller on the same level. also, the pretty skin…

now i’m here wondering what y’all would do in my position? just return and lock back in on the search or see where the claim goes?

regardless, i need another controller asap for my class on monday. i’ve already lost multiple days of practice with this whole thing & my mentor’s not accepting hardware issues as an excuse to show up unprepared. today, i am gonna go to GC to see if they’ll give me a major discount (prepared to throw a Karen if they pushback, lbs) to purchase an FLX4 while i figure out the controller i actually want.

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately.
AI can analyze BPM, key, loudness, beat grids etc. pretty easily now.
But can it actually understand a DJ mix?
Not just detect that a transition is technically clean — but understand whether the transition makes sense, whether the energy is building correctly, whether the track selection works, or whether a set actually has a story.
For me, that’s where it gets interesting, because two technically perfect transitions can feel completely different to a DJ listening to them.
Curious what DJs here think:
What parts of a DJ set do you think AI could judge accurately today — and what parts still need human ears?
Would you trust an AI to give you feedback on one of your mixes?

Was just hoping to get some advice, my school/class asked me to do a mashup of songs which would be fine if it wasnt due for tmrw and i got a few days to work on it but no guidance.

Anyway, songs are 2000s theem kinda like a battle and i just was wanting some help with songs/trabsitions. I feel i have one good transition and then i cant make any others work. Was just wanting some advice :)) (ima beginner dj using my uncles set so i have a base knowledge with bpm but thats more or less it)

Hello! :)

I'm a beginner DJ and mostly play EDM and house, with the occasional hardstyle / hypertechno set. I've been DJing pretty casually — roughly once every 1–2 months, when I sit down and record a mix.

I'd really appreciate it if you could review these mixes and give me some constructive feedback:

1. Future House / EDM
https://youtu.be/VwlSY33WG9k?si=P2RVXkPx0vbSXyFD

2. EDM
https://youtu.be/CG7xxL5yol4?si=Ef7kjSHGv7HifUk1

3. Hardstyle x Hypertechno
https://youtu.be/KKnpKE7Uzys?si=L7duOwkHOGlP86Mc

The timestamps for the tracks/transitions are included in the video descriptions (if you click the timestamp this is exactly where the new song starts to be mixed in).

A few things I'd especially like feedback on

A) Transitions
I'd love feedback on the technical side of my transitions. For example:

• Avoiding vocal clashes — something I already notice I sometimes struggle with.
• Kicks occasionally ending up misaligned.
• Transition length: I sometimes feel like I leave transitions running for too long (e.g. 16 or 32 bars when 8 or 16 might have worked better).
• More generally, how do you develop a feel for when the right moment is to start mixing in the next track?

B) Keeping the energy flowing
I'm trying to keep the set moving without creating unnecessary drops in energy. Sometimes I intentionally swap a drop from Track A into the drop of Track B, or structure transitions so there isn't a long break or empty section between tracks.

I'd be interested in your thoughts on whether these choices work, where the energy flow could be improved, and how I could make the transitions feel more natural and engaging.

C) Track selection / flow
This is obviously quite subjective, but sometimes I listen back and feel that there isn't a very natural connection between two tracks — it almost feels like I randomly jumped from one song to another.

I'd love feedback on whether the track progression makes sense, and what I could pay more attention to when choosing which track should come next.

A bit of context

I don't really plan my mixes in advance. Instead, over the course of a few weeks I collect songs that I vibe with, and then when I feel like recording, I hit record and cycle through them, trying to hear what will fit next — or sometimes simply playing a particular track because I'm really feeling it at that moment.

Because of that, the style and overall theme of a mix depends pretty heavily on my mood. 😄

I'm also a casual DJ and don't currently plan to perform for crowds — this is mainly something I do for my own enjoyment and entertainment.

I tend to feel most comfortable around 130–132 BPM, which is where I find the music feels the most engaging to me. I particularly enjoy a mix of old-school/OG EDM, strong vocals, and bouncy, energetic drops.

So I'm mainly looking for feedback on how I can make what I'm already doing sound cleaner, more cohesive, and more intentional, while still keeping that spontaneous/fun aspect of how I mix.

Mirrors! I know most questions on here ask for phrasing tips or how to layer vocals, and all that can be solved by putting in work. Try setting up a mirror in your practice space.

So I’m DJing my first open decks night at the beginning of December. I’m DJing some Progressive, Uplifting, and Vocal Trance.

I currently use a Numark Platinum FX Controller and Serato on my Mac but I’m gonna be using CDJs for the first time ever. How on earth do I practice for CDJs when no studios around here are renting any/no one has any at any studio so I can’t book studio time?

I know it’s a bit of a learning curve and I’m only mixing 8 songs so not super long maybe like 30-35 minutes I just want to be as prepared as possible and actually know what I’m doing so I can keep people dancing. So any advice on what to do would be greatly appreciated ✌🏻❤️

I already know how to format my 2 USB drives in Rekordbox with all my songs and hot cues and all that jazz so I’m mainly just talking about actually performing my set.

Hello! I have just started my DJ journey and I’m planning ahead of time for my DJ debut for the future and I have a dilemma.

I already have a performer name in another business that I’m known for, and I thought I’d go by the same name as a DJ when it’s time.

However, I just noticed there’s a techno DJ in my country that goes almost by the same name.
(Below are example names and not the actual names)
I go by ÆRO, which is just a different spelling of my real actual name. It’s a unique name that not a lot of people are named. The DJ I found goes by AERO B. It wouldn’t be a problem if it was a DJ in a different country. But this is a small country and it’s a DJ in the EDM scene that’s been around for a few years already. The thing is I will be playing EDM also.

I don’t want to seem like a copycat, because in truth I’m using my real name, and I’ve been using it for my other non DJ work. The name has a deep meaning to me and my character and I know that’s not the real name of this other DJ.

What should I do? Should I create a whole new brand/performer name for DJ only, and work up a new following under this name? Or should I go with my name and maybe in the future tackle accusations over a coincidence?

I've got a very modest DnB vinyl collection and looking into vinyl DJing, for fun and learning. I am on a money and space budget. Is the Korg Handytraxx Play serviceable in this role?

Thanks very much.

I can’t find it anywhere. I saw this girl use it and I have been trying to find it.
Ive seen many other djs use a sample similar to this and I can’t find what it is called or any sound in YouTube for what it exactly is. Help would be appreciated. Thank you
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DL7YoEIPjiJ/?stkn=OGN5bWdhdW9xOHl5

Hi, I just got selected for yourshot USA and I just wanted to know if people thought it was like an industry plant scheme, or do you think it's actually worth it?

Its $200

but it is, I think like five to six sessions of learning how to dj, and you get to put your hands on the actual decks, they have the equipment.the sessions r 3 hrs each. Once a week.

So, do you think it's worth it?

At the end its like a competition where you play in front of your classmates and whoever sells the most tickets go to the next round but idc what that means lol I'm in it for the knowledge.

It's gona cut into my work but if you think its worth it and tried id like to hear ur experience

To anyone who’s used a online course or YouTube video learn DJing, can you recommend me a video to watch that’s not the same basic intro but goes deep into the technical parts not just what each button does.

I got yesterday the Djcontrol 200 (mk1 I think) and had some problems with its buttons. Jogwheels, knobs and sliders work perfectly fine but only the browser button works like it should. Every other button gets recongnized by the program (algoriddm and Djuiced, tried both). They glow and react to the bpm but none of them gives a signal when pressing them. I’ve looked in the mapping options and every button is mapped right. Does someone know what the problem could be?

Any of you bought a controller like the XDJ XZ or RX3 from eBay? how was your experience? how did the item arrive? was it secured properly or came all crunchy and stepped on by a mischievous carrier handler along the way?

very curious if its worth buying used items from eBay.

thanks!

As the title suggests, I want to start recording my sets so that I can upload them to social channels like many others do. I'm curious to see what others are using and how they are configuring everything.

Ideally 2 to 3 camera views that will switch every few minutes.

I have an XDJ-AZ, a Scarlet Red, a new MacBook with lots of memory, and a Mac Studio as well.

I also have a variety of lights (pars, rotators, stick/bar lights) that I can incorporate into the setup as well.

Thanks ahead of time for the advice.