Very nice explanation of how to create transitions in your set. I see you used a rewind and scratch transition. I was wondering if you will be explaining other transitions like echo out with and with out mixers with those effects? I’m really enjoying these tutorials.
Thanks Rob for the in-depth explanation on building a DJ set. The tips in this video will definitely improve my approach to building DJ sets. I tend to look at building a set like piecing together a jigsaw puzzle. Once I have an idea of the set I’m creating, I place all my songs in Serato’s Prepare crate in the order I want to play them. Regarding transitions, I use the echo effect on my mixer to give the transitions a little flare. Good stuff!
There’s definitely a formula to constructing a set. Actually there are many. However you do it, the main thing is to keep on nice vibe going from start to finish!
Rob this was a great workshop. I loved seeing you walk through the creative process, I definitely learned a couple things to add to my process to enhance it!
– Deejay Mot
You break everything down so well. This is the way I wish I started my career.
A great resource I picked up is using whosampled.com It will break down songs that were sampled or have been sampled. This def helped strengthen my sets. It improves your knowledge of music and creativity. Def something any aspiring DJ should add to their favorites.
This is just beautiful to watch. I understand every aspect of the lesson, and the setlist was FLAME ON!!! I remember all those tracks from the early 90s! I’m having so much fun on this journey!!!
This lesson is helpful in understanding the importance of not only setting up a strong crate of music but actually setting the crate up to perform from beginning to end with pre notioned transitions. I’m not new to DJing but new to serato scratch pro and all it’s advantages. I got a good feeling Brolic Arm is gonna leave no tables unturned.
Hi Rob, appreciated this tutorial. Thanks for showing opportunities to play music in a set.
I got two questions coming back to this video:
1. What is the main benefit of organizing music in itunes? At the moment, my approach is, I have my tracks in a folder (in “Documents”) on the hard drive of my mac and I drag&drop this folder into Serato (V. 2.5.0) – even if I have some updated tracks, but I could also d&g single tracks. In Serato I organize the library in Genre’s and crates. Do I miss something with not using iTunes?
2. Some of the DJ’s around me shout out: “You do not go and play a party with a set. Everything starts and happens in the event”. Fine, you may not design a set for the whole 5 hours. But it give me a comfort zone to have some prepared sets. What would be your advice on preparing for a party around 5 hours of a duration?
P.S.: remember, I am from Cologne, Germany. So, excuse some mistakes in language.
Thanks for sharing!
Ersin
1. For me, keeping my music in iTunes is just easier. That’s just my personal preference though.
2. I personally feel it’s better to be prepared and have an idea for what you’re going to play before hand. If when you get there the vibe in the room is different from what you expected, then you can improvise within the set you already worked out. Overall, it’s just important to have as much music in your library as possible. This way you’re never caught unprepared. As for playing for 5 hours, I have multiple sets arranged already. Each set is like 30 to 45 minutes. I have about 10 to 12. So I can play a 5 hour set without having to improvise if I want. That does take time to build though. IT could take months depending on how much music you have.
Excellent lesson A+. * Attention* to all ambitious aspiring turn tabalists. Do not skip this lesson!! It is worth its weight.. As someone who is familiar with some of these technics , it re affirmed and drove home the mixing skills to be a (great) well rounded DJ.
Wow…seeing this and then trying to put together a simple mix of 5 of my favorite songs REALLY showed me just how much time it takes to prepare for an entire 1 hour show, or even worse, a 2-3 hour party or night club set ! I have a lot more respect now for the work of all those DJs who spun during those parties and club nights.
One question about beat matching though…after you adjust pitch, mix, and then switch to the new song, I didn’t see you reset the pitch setting back to zero when cueing up the next song on the other turntable. Is that not important? Or did I just miss it?
It’s not necessary to reset the pitch back to ZERO, especially if you’ve set your Serato to “key lock”. On “key lock” the key of the song you’re playing doesn’t get affected even if you move the pitch dial on the turntable.
Even though I’ve been DJing for almost 20 years, I still went through and watched the entire Basic DJing module and still picked up a few things here and there too. Also, as a DJ who wants to start sharing his knowledge with other up and comers it’s great to see how simply you break everything down and take time to explain things that to veterans seem like natural no-brainers. I promised you I would sign up when I had the means, and well, here I am! Thank you!
Welcome to Brolic Army DJ School Chuy. I’m glad to hear you’re getting something positive out of the material, even the content you’re already familiar with as a 20 year vet. Respect!
The backspin w/ the fader pulldown is a good sounding transition in the bag. And the pullback the on the Pharcyde, 2 revs back to keep the right hand free to execute the scratch out was clutch as well.
Simply put, great for the culture! One of the best teachers around! No matter how much you know (Everyday) you learn something new! Thank You Bro 🙏🏽 I enjoyed every aspect of every video! Great way to break everything down! Much Respect! #BrolicArmyDjSchool 💪🏽
42 Comments on Basic DJing Lecture D: Building a DJ Set