Learn to DJ and sharpen your skills

Tutor Emma

Learn how to Scratch

with Emma from School of Scratch

Emma Short-E has been scratching since the year 2000, when she discovered she had a love for fr-fr-fresh scratching and funky hip hop. After much time spent learning techniques and developing her flow (which wasn’t always easy), she now loves to break things down for anyone that might be struggling with the art. Emma founded Studio Scratches in 2008 and is dedicated to assisting you become excellent at the art of scratching. She has a passion for sharing knowledge and encouraging and inspiring others to achieve their dreams.

Episode 1 - The Setup

Episode 1

The Setup

In this video you will learn how to setup djay 2 with the optimal settings for scratching with the Reloop Beatpad 2 controller.

Episode 2 - Baby Scratch

Episode 2

Baby Scratch

The baby scratch is usually the first scratch we learn and although it’s relatively simple, it’s the foundation for many other scratch techniques.

Episode 3 - Drops

Episode 3

Drops

Drops are taking our hand off the record completely and letting the sample play forward, then rewinding it back to the beginning.

Episode 4 - Forward Scratch

Episode 4

Forward Scratch

The forward scratch is the first scratch where we combine using the cross fader at the same time as using our record control hand.

Episode 5 - Reverse Scratch

Episode 5

Reverse Scratch

The reverse scratch is the second scratch where we combine using the cross fader at the same time as using our record control hand. It is the complete mirror opposite of the forwards scratch.

Episode 6 - Stab Scratch

Episode 6

Stab Scratch

The main difference between the stab and the forward scratch is that instead of taking our hand off the jogwheel like we do in a forward, we push the jogwheel forward with our hand in a fast movement.

Episode 7 - Military Scratch

Episode 7

Military Scratch

The military scratch is combination of baby scratches and stabs. It creates a regular, military marching feeling. It is simply a continuous baby scratch with random reverse scratches cut out and sounds like a marching drum pattern.

Episode 8 - Chirp Scratch

Episode 8

Chirp Scratch

The chirp is a symmetrical pattern which makes 2 sounds and differs from the other basic scratches because we concentrate on turning the sound OFF rather than cutting it ON.

Episode 9 - Transformer Scratch

Episode 9

Transformer Scratch

This scratch takes it’s name from the sound a cartoon transformer makes when it transforms into a different shape. We use the fader to chop up the sound into a rhythmic stuttering effect, cutting the crossfader on and off over the forward and reverse jogwheel movements.

Episode 10 - Flare Scratch

Episode 10

Flare Scratch

The flare scratch is an open fader scratch which uses one click to cut the sample in half, creating two sounds on both the forward and backwards jogwheel movements. It is also known as a 1 click orbit.

Episode 11 - Crab Scratch

Episode 11

Crab Scratch

The crab scratch is a fader hand technique which produces sounds by running your fingers over the fader to cut the sound in sharply.

Episode 12 - Slice Scratch

Episode 12

Slice Scratch

The slice scratch is an important foundation scratch which forms the basis for many combos such as see saws, boomerangs and the autobahn.

Episode 13 - Tear Scratch

Episode 13

Tear Scratch

The tear scratch is a faderless scratch which involves pausing the movement of your jogwheel hand during the forwards and backward movements to create a staggered motion, dividing the sound into two or more parts.

Episode 14 - Dice Scratch

Episode 14

Dice Scratch

The dice scratch or “dicing” builds on the tear scratch by combining it with transform style fader clicks to create a more controlled, sharper sound. Dicing is also sometimes referred to as “Transformed Tears”.

Episode 15 - 2 Click Flare

Episode 15

2 Click Flare

The 2 click flare is an open fader scratch which uses the same principle as the one click flare. We use 2 fader clicks to cut the sample into 3 parts, creating 3 sounds on both the forward and reverse jogwheel movements.

Episode 16 - Twiddle Scratch

Episode 16

Twiddle Scratch

The twiddle scratch is a fader technique rather than an individual scratch. It is simply a 2 finger crab, which uses the middle and index fingers to snap the fader off and on.

Episode 17 - Chirp Flare Scratch

Episode 17

Chirp Flare Scratch

The Chirp Flare is one of the first combos we learn. It’s simply a chirp followed by a one click flare.

Tutor DJ TLM

#AskTheDJ

with DJ TLM

Amsterdam born DJ and producer DJ TLM has been rocking crowds at clubs, festivals and corporate/private events for over 25 years. The open format DJ is best known for his ability to incorporate turntablism into his club sets. DJ TLM is also well known for performing as a tour DJ. You can frequently catch him live on stage with Dutch platinum selling Hip Hop artist Brainpower. They have done over 3500 shows in the last 19 years and still perform regularly. In this #AskTheDJ video series DJ TLM answers some of the FAQs for DJs.

DJ Equipment - AskTheDJ Episode 1

Episode 1

DJ Equipment

What do you need to start DJ'ing? In this video you'll learn about different equipment options to get started.

What kind of DJ do you want to be? - AskTheDJ Episode 2

Episode 2

Different kinds of DJs

What kind of DJ do you want to be? Bedroom DJs vs. Mixtape DJ vs. Radio/Podcast DJ vs. Mobile DJ vs. Club DJ

Music Sources - AskTheDJ Episode 3

Episode 3

Music Sources

Where do DJs buy music? Vinyl vs. iTunes vs. Beatport vs. CDs vs. Digital Record Pools vs. Streaming

Counting Music - AskTheDJ Episode 4

Episode 4

Counting Music

The importance of knowing how to count music. Why and how to count music for DJs

Checklist for your gig - AskTheDJ Episode 3

Episode 5

Checklist for your gig

Why it's important to have a list of what you need for your gig, the items that should be on the list and how this prevents you from forgetting anything that you need.

Don't mix everything - AskTheDJ Episode 6

Episode 6

Don't mix everything

Why it makes sense not to mix everything and how this can save you a lot of stress and headaches.

Warmup sets - AskTheDJ Episode 7

Episode 7

Warmup sets

Why the warmup set is one of the most underrated and overlooked elements of being a good DJ.

Checking your output levels - AskTheDJ Episode 8

Episode 8

Checking your output levels

Why it's important to avoid red lights on the mixer and how to get loud and clear hight quality sound.

Do DJs need to be a producers? - AskTheDJ Episode 9

Episode 9

Do DJs need to be producers?

Is it important to be a producer as a DJ? What's the connection between DJing and producing?

Scratching with controllers? - AskTheDJ Episode 10

Episode 10

Scratching with controllers?

Can you scratch on DJ controllers - what's possible and how controllers compare to turntables.

What's in my DJ bag? - AskTheDJ Episode 11

Episode 11

What's in my DJ bag?

What should be in your DJ bag, what you need for your gigs and why it's important.

Using Cue Points - AskTheDJ Episode 12

Episode 12

Using Cue Points

Everything you need to know about Cue Points, when to use them and how to use them in digital DJ software.

DJ Equipment - AskTheDJ Episode 13

Episode 13

How long to play a song?

How long should you play tracks during your set? This depends on common sense, scenario, type of event and your ability to read the crowd.

Tutor Phil

How to DJ on Your iPad

with Phil from Digital DJ Tips

A DJ since 1986, Phil Morse has DJed using vinyl, CDs and - for the past decade - software both on laptops and, lately, iOS devices. He has worked as a club resident, mobile DJ, and radio DJ. He has played hundreds of events in both his home town of Manchester, England, and around Europe, his personal highlights being DJing in Ibiza (at Privilege, the world’s biggest nightclub), holding a guest residency at U2’s Kitchen nightclub in Dublin, broadcasting on Ministry of Sound radio. As founder of DigitalDJTips.com, the biggest DJ training website in the world, Phil and his team have taught tens of thousands of students to DJ via online DJ training courses.

How to DJ on Your iPad - iBook

iBook

How to DJ on Your iPad

Want to know what if feels like to play a perfect DJ set to a full dancefloor, using just your iPad (or iPhone)? In this, the first book of its kind, Phil Morse of Digital DJ Tips - the world’s biggest DJ traning website - shows you step-by-step exactly how you can do just that, using Algoriddim’s powerful djay 2.

How To DJ with djay 2 - Welcome Message

Episode 1

Welcome Message

Phil Morse, the founder of Digital DJ Tips, welcomes readers to his iBook 'How To DJ with djay 2'. The book teaches how to DJ on the iPad using Algoriddim’s djay 2 software.

How To DJ with djay 2 - Intro

Episode 2

Intro

Not looked at the app yet? Not had time to really explore its features? In this brief overview video, you’ll find out how powerful djay 2 really is and get a sense of what you can do with it.

How To DJ with djay 2 - All About The Gear

Episode 3

All About The Gear

From headphones, speakers and cables to laptop stands, audio interfaces and DJ controllers, this video shows you some of the gear you may want to buy to use with djay 2.

How To DJ with djay 2 - Audio Setup

Episode 4

Audio Setup

Ensure the audio is setup correctly within djay 2 - Phil walks you through the steps using headphones, an audio interface, and a splitter cable. How to get independent outputs for headphones and speakers.

How To DJ with djay 2 - The Simple Cut

Episode 5

The Simple Cut

A video talkthrough of how to perform your very first transition. Phil demonstrates the "Simple Cut" mixing technique using Algoriddim djay 2 software.

How To DJ with djay 2 - Turntable Techniques

Episode 6

Turntable Techniques

Some cool ways to spice up your DJing using traditional and traditional-sounding vinyl techniques. Add a vinyl touch to iPad DJing - Phil walks you through the techniques in Algoriddim’s djay 2.

How To DJ with djay 2 - Filters & Effects

Episode 7

Filters & Effects

Add creativity to mixes using djay 2’s filter, pad, and instant FX. How Instant and Pad FX bring something to the (turn)table that simply wasn’t possible pre-touchscreen DJing.

How To DJ with djay 2 - Manual Beatmixing

Episode 8

Manual Beatmixing

Wonder how it’s possible to manually beatmix on an iPad? How what we call beatmixing is actually composed of two elements: tempo matching and beatmatching. How nudging helps DJs to keep their beatmixes on track.

How To DJ with djay 2 - Using Sync

Episode 9

Using Sync

Make the beatmatching process easier with djay 2’s sync function. How sync gets your tunes to the same speed and matches your beats up for you. How sync can remove the need to nudge.

Tutor DJ Happa

Learn how to DJ with your iOS device

with DJ Hapa for Scratch DJ Academy

After nearly two decades of performing throughout the world, Hapa continues to leave his mark and legacy in the DJ community and beyond. Hapa is currently the National Brand Director for the prestigious Scratch DJ Academy with locations in New York, Miami, and LA. The Academy was founded in 2002 by the famed Jam Master Jay from RUN DMC and is his living legacy. With Hapa’s direction, the Academy has grown into the world’s leader in DJ education and continues to raise the standard of DJs around the globe.

Learn To DJ with DJ HAPA Preparing Your Mix

Episode 1

Preparing Your Mix

In this video DJ Hapa teaches you everything you need to know about preparing your mix. You'll will learn about the tempo (BPM), music theory (beats, bars and phrases), beat grids, the structure of songs and cue points.

Learn To DJ with DJ HAPA Making Your Mix

Episode 2

Making Your Mix

In this video DJ Hapa teaches you how to mix two songs together, which mix points to use (in- and out-points). You'll learn how to sync and fade between songs for a seamless mix.

Learn To DJ with DJ HAPA Improving Your Mix

Episode 3

Improving Your Mix

In this video DJ Hapa teaches you ways how to improve your mix. You'll learn about using EQs, filters (high-pass and low-pass), looping and recording your mix.

djay Pro for Mac Handbook

This handbook guides you through djay Pro for Mac. It includes a quick start guide to get you up to speed quickly, covers all the core features and gives an in depth look at the advanced tools of djay Pro.

Download Handbook

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