Making your set better than other DJs in a nightclub is an activity that is made up of your art, skill and dexterity, and it has to be done just like playing vinyl. You can learn to be the best by learning how to structure your sets, mix on the fly to keep people having fun, and stand out from your fellow DJs.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Structuring a set
Step 1. Start with the basic theme
A club may have a specific style request, although it will depend on the venue and your experience and style as a DJ. Similarly, you may have more freedom to reproduce what you want. However, regardless of the nature of the deal, you have to take the time to sketch out a basic theme with at least five fixed music tracks.
- Will you stick to club tunes or add a few surprises to the mix? Will you stick to old disco songs that get people excited? Will you stick to rock songs? Make sure you have the shifting sounds ready on your disk drive or record case.
- You have the option to ditch the plan, but at least you will have something to start with and have a chance to analyze the crowd. If you play an explosive trance sound and no one is dancing, you know you have to switch genders. If the crowd goes wild, you've found your groove.
Step 2. Check out the crowd
If you are tucked into your vinyl box and your mixes all the time, you will lose the crowd. It's important for a nightclub DJ to pay close attention to what the crowd is responding to, how they react, and the energy level in the venue. It won't always be obvious, but a good DJ can learn to identify the crowd's needs before they know it.
- Notice the explosive sounds. Some songs get people to go on the dance floor, which you will need to follow up with at least 2-4 similar songs to keep the party going. After that, you may start to move slowly to another Style, but by matching the bars so that people don't miss a beat.
- Look at the people who leave. Similarly, look at the poor musical choices you make. If you're playing something singing and people suddenly lose a beat, consider picking up your instrumental set. Find out what people don't like.
Step 3. Pay attention to the music charts
You might think you're over the top 10 singles if other DJs play it, but if people want to hear the latest dance tunes, you'll be doing the crowd a disservice by not playing them. Try to stay on top of commercial dance music that people want to hear.
You don't have to play a basic song, but rather consider playing a remix or mix, or remix live. You can do some edits to the most popular songs before playing them at the club
Step 4. Determine the right time to play some old songs
Each crowd will be different, and even this one can change overnight or for an hour. Some crowds will want to switch to house music playing all night long, while others will want to listen to the music of the Jackson 5 group. Pay attention to what works and what doesn't, and have a steady stream of old dance songs available to you.
Sometimes a crowd that seems "older" might seem like a group that obviously wants classical songs, but this is not necessarily the case. When performing as a DJ in a setting other than a nightclub, where the crowd isn't necessarily enthusiastic about dance music, you might win it over with some well-timed classic songs
Step 5. Try to keep everyone happy and focused in the moment
People go out for fun, not to think hard about the brash, artistic set of dance, electronic, and experimental music you play. Give them the music they need, make them dance, and reflect their energy in your mixes. This is your job.
There is no "bad crowd", but there is a bad DJ. Good DJs can analyze the venue and provide appropriate music. People may or may not dance, but it is your job to endeavor to analyze the venue and reflect the impression it makes
Part 2 of 3: Pacing a Set
Step 1. Make your transitions smooth
If you try to cut between an industrial remix of a Led Zeppelin tune mixed with chants and the new Katy Perry song, you might have people scratching their heads in confusion, even if the beats per minute match. Try to make your stylistic transitions as smooth as possible by matching the sounds, styles, energy, and beats.
Step 2. Make your mixes subtle
Don't mix too obvious between the music tracks to create one if they are both clearly audible. Cut one sound from a music track and slowly introduce the rest. Cut the bass and leave the drums alone, and slowly increase the bass.
Some tracks, like Mickey Slim's "Jump Around" remix, change dramatically, so use this to your advantage. If the song slows down, combine some slow music tracks in between and then pick it up again
Step 3. Maintain a steady rhythm with a few subtle variations
If your set is going fast, keep it that way and only slow down if you want people to calm down for a second. If you increase the speed, do it slowly or unexpectedly, don't just obviously increase the whole speed from 90 to 125 beats per minute in the middle of a music track to turn it into a house style recording.
It is advisable to turn a prominent part in the song, and then speed it up slowly and combine it with the next record. Don't confuse people. Regarding the change of speed, it is made faster, not slower, and always gradually or unexpectedly
Step 4. Stay sober
Everyone wants to have fun, including the DJ. However, if you are drunk, it will be very easy to lose track of the place. Save your free drink tickets until after your set is done and celebrate a job well done. Don't get drunk and think you can put together a solo set of weird song mixes with a Finnish TV theme. That's weird and your sober self would agree with this.
Part 3 of 3: Being Unique
Step 1. Use some effects for live surprises
If you have a professional set and only cut from track to track with a crossfader and a beatmix, then you're lazy. All turntables and mixers have at least some effects, and even the most basic rigs today have at least three. You have effects, so use them.
- You can count on some echo effects, some spin buttons, some sample disc buttons on your rig, so learn how to add them to your mixes and sets.
- All mixers have EQ knobs, so you can use them to cut the bass or remove everything but the vocals.
- Experiment with all the buttons on your mixer. Even the play and pause button can be used; In the end and regardless of whether you decide to use it, it will be part of your personal style as a DJ.
Step 2. Do more than just play music
It's not about just mixing music tracks. You have to put all of yourself into the mix by using a few hand gestures to lead the crowd. Some waving hand motions go a long way, but you can clap your hands, put your fists up, and use other motions to get the whole crowd moving to the music.
Move on. If a DJ seems to enjoy what he hears, people will react favorably. If you sound like a button-adjusting scientist, people can be intimidated. Make it appear that you are having fun
Step 3. Talk to the crowd
You are the master of ceremonies, so master it. Talk to people, accept requests, chat with friendly dancers, announce people's birthdays, and ask if everyone is having fun. Be the face of the party and facilitate the good vibes.
Similarly, it is good to know when to shut up. Talking to a crowd can be great, but no more than an hour is a good rule of thumb. You ruin the atmosphere if you talk between each song
Step 4. Study the teachers
Uniqueness is important, but it is not the most important thing about being a DJ. Animate a place is a skill. You can make your own changes, but it's also important to get acquainted with the great DJs of the past to learn as much as you can about the steps you follow. This will make you a more humble, talented, and interesting DJ as you go along. If you want to make your set better than other DJs in a nightclub, you have to know and listen to the styles of the following DJs:
- Chemical Brothers
- Grandmaster Flash
- David mancuso
- DJ Andy Smith
- Ram Jam Rodigan
- Dj chuckie
- DJ Cash Money
- Dj marky
- Carl Cox
- Jam Master Jay
- Cut Chemist
Advice
- Change the speed gradually.
- Use effects.
- Get a feel for the club by going to it beforehand and seeing other DJs playing there.
- Practice your set a few days before introducing yourself.
- Don't be afraid to try new music tracks or even your own.
- Classic music tracks work well.
- Scan the crowd.
- Act like you have control over everyone on the dance floor because you do, in case you don't know yet.
- Add a few surprises and suspense to your mix.
- Stick with remixing instead of the original music tracks (other DJs play this version).
- Be yourself, reproduce what you want, what you like and in the way you want to do it. Make sure you stick to the organizer's guidelines.
- Keep the same average time for your music tracks.
- Always try to mix your music tracks.
- Keep increasing your speed instead of slowing it down.
- Interact with the crowd.
Warnings
- Drinking alcohol doesn't help you become a better DJ.
- Don't do anything stupid that will put the crowd off.
- If you don't put together an excellent set, don't worry and keep trying to be better.
- Don't be too arrogant before, during and after the set. You may think that you are excellent, but you don't know how true that is.
- Always focus on the music, and then the crowd and your surroundings.
- Don't be obvious with your mix.