How to learn to DJ? What do you need? (for Beginners) – ‘From 0 to DJ’ #1 ✅

In this first chapter we are going to see what it takes to learn to DJ. It is common to think that it is necessary to make a large financial outlay to start, but not quite true. Below we will look at the main options with their pros and cons. You will see that you can start right away, with very little money 🙂

All this material is not essential to start DJing

Table of Contents

1. What is the first thing a DJ needs?

The first thing you need to become a DJ is desire, interest and passion, once you have this, you can start without too much material, just a computer and a software like Virtual DJ (which is free for home use). With this software or an equivalent you can start to familiarize yourself with the concepts and make small practices, it is enough if you are a beginner. You will be surprised at what can be done. Below we will see in more depth all the ways to start with or without material with its pros and cons.

You can download the latest version of Virtual DJ for free here.

If you are serious about it we advise you to buy a controller at some point, but it is not essential in the beginning.
Anyway, don’t worry because they come in all price ranges :).

To Start DJing you will need:

Desire, Interest and passion (We assume that you already have this point).
Knowledge, in this free course we can give you the basics.
A DJ software to start practicing with.
A controller (optional). It is not necessary to start practicing and understanding the concepts, but sooner or later it may be interesting to acquire one. Now we will go deeper into this.

1.1 Required Knowledge

To learn properly and with a good foundation you will need a set of knowledge, on which to start building yourself as a DJ. You can get it from the Internet, for free (but be careful, because you will find everything and in a messy way) or look for paid courses.

We offer you this series of ordered chapters, in which we can provide you with the basics you need to get started, accelerating your learning process.

In “From 0 to DJ” we will make frequent references to the aforementioned Virtual DJ software, about which we will put illustrative images, also some of the Traktor software, and of course we will also use illustrations of Pioneer mixers and controllers that are the most used at the professional level. The concepts are universal, there are small variations in some buttons and functionalities, but the bases are the same. You will get a foundation to begin to understand all the programs, controllers and mixers (essential functions).

Virtual DJ software

2. How to learn to DJ without equipment? (Minimum Material)

Once you are clear that you are interested in studying and learning about the subject, and you have the source of knowledge you need to decide what material you are going to start with. Without mixers or controllers, you can start in the following ways:

#A How to DJ with a Laptop, PC or Mac

From your computer, you can start working at zero cost with DJ software. By following a course like this, looking at examples and practicing a lot, you can get a good basis for when you decide to buy equipment. The simulation of DJ software is very good, getting better and better and with more and more options, so starting with no more equipment than your computer or laptop is no problem. It is true that it is not as fluid, nor do you feel the touch of the controls and roulettes, but I insist that today it is perfectly useful to learn.

Virtual DJ screenshot

PROS:

Very economical. Virtual DJ is free.
You learn perfectly the functionalities of a mixer.
You can get beginner-medium level skills.
It is perfect to start.

CONS:

Less fluid practices.
You don’t feel the touch of the controls, the knobs, the faders, the jogs…
You may have some difficulty setting up the pre-listening functionality.

#B How to DJ with a Smartphone or Tablet

If you’re serious, we don’t recommend you this option. Although there are more and more applications focused on the world of DJing and some are good, we recommend that you at least install a complete software on a computer, which simulates as much as possible the DJ experience.
However, if what you are looking for is to be able to mix in front of a group of friends and you are interested in automatic synchronization, it can be useful for organizing small parties.

Nowadays most of the famous programs in this sector are developing their App version for mobile devices and tablets as a complement to the computer and controllers. But not so much in offering a unique or complete software for deejays.

In order: RekordBox and Virtual DJ with Apps complementary to their Software. Traktor with a simplified version for Tablet.

PROS:

You learn some functionalities of a mixer.
It can be useful for small parties with friends.

CONS:

It is not focused on a student of the DJ world.
It is not focused on skill improvement.
It is further away from the DJ experience.
Much less fluid practices.
You don’t feel the touch of the controls.

3. Start DJing with a Controller

This is the best option. But as we said before, it is not essential in the beginning.
With a mid-range controller, you can start to simulate very well the DJ experience.
These controllers usually have the sound card integrated and you can perfectly perform functions such as Pre-cueing (the low-end ones, usually do not allow us that functionality).

Most of them come with their software, commonly Traktor, Serato or Rekordbox. But Virtual DJ generally works well with all of them.

Pioneer XDJ XZ Controller (High Range)

PROS:

You learn all or almost all the functionalities of a DJ equipment.
You can get advanced skills.
Some controllers perfectly simulate the experience.
You feel the touch of the controls and train your hands.
They allow you to pre-listen easily.
Very fluid practices.

CONS:

To be adequate, the price is not low. But it is not necessary to buy a high-range one either.
The cheap ones may not have some features that are important for a DJ trainee.
It is better to start with Virtual DJ, save a little and later buy a proper one for beginners than to start with a very cheap one that does not have all the important features for learning.

Now it’s your turn 👇

Choose how and with what material you can start, get Virtual DJ or equivalent software ready and see you in the second chapter. In which we’ll cover the main functions and buttons of a DJ mixer or DJ software.