‘MAKE ME A DJ’

USING THIS RESOURCE

‘MAKE ME A DJ’
USING THIS RESOURCE

CONTENTS

1. Classroom Setup
2. Running Lessons
3. Schemes of Work Outline
4. Student Assessment Criteria
5. Student Worksheets
6. DJS Tutorial Videos
7. Tutorial Tracks
8. DJ Spoony Top Tips
9. Installing and Configuring DJS
10. Entering the Prize Draw
11. Useful Tunes and Extra Information

APPENDICES

Appendix 1: The friendly teachers Guide to DJS

DJS Features
Installing the software
Loading the software
Importing songs from CDs
Auto Mix a track
Manual Mix a track

Appendix 2: Schemes of Work

Lesson 1: The role of a DJ
Lesson 2: The basic functions of DJS
Lesson 3: Music Styles & Basic Mixing
Lesson 4: Advanced Mixing & Effects
Lesson 5: Building your 5 minute Set
Lesson 6: My Mix & Class Competition

Appendix 3: Student Worksheets

Student Worksheet 1: Importing & Using the Auto-Mix function
Student Worksheet 2: Mixing Songs Manually
Student Worksheet 3: Using the Equaliser function
Student Worksheet 4: Using the Effects Function

Appendix 4: DJ Spoony Top Tip Sheets for students

Appendix 5: Student Information leaflet and posters

Appendix 6: The DJ Dictionary

2
1. CLASSROOM SETUP

We suggest you have the following setup in your classroom to

teach the lessons: NOTE:
2 separate Soundcard outputs are
• 1 x Teacher PC with DJS installed required to use headphones and
• 1 x Projector and Screen (not essential but handy)
speakers at the same time. Your
• Student PCs with two soundcards, speakers and
headphones ICT technician should be able to
• Photocopied student worksheets help you set these up. Internal or
• Photocopied Top Tip sheets external Audio Output Board or
• Printed Student Information Leaflets & Posters Device can be used. Some midi
• All tutorial and video clips downloaded and burnt to disk as
keyboards can act as a second
detailed in the lessons
• Sample tracks for students audio card (e.g. m-audio Ozone).

2. RUNNING A LESSON

The lessons are quite simple to run and involve activities,

brainstorms, watching videos and listening to tracks. Often they
refer to the student worksheets and the tutorial videos so
always have these to hand.

• This guide outlines the lessons’ objectives

• The worksheets provide diagrams with clear labels that
students can use as a reference point
• Teachers monitor work through class discussion and judging
final mix
• There are 2 optional assessment sheets in this document
which you may like to use to assess your student’s learning

3
3. SCHEMES OF WORK: OUTLINE

LESSON 1 LESSON 5
• Students understand what the ‘Make me a DJ’ course will • Students create their own 5 minute mix
teach them using their 5 chosen tracks
• Students focus on DJing and MCing
• Students motivated to learn through using the resources Focus 1: Introduction to competition and
rules
Focus 1: Video Focus 2: The 5 minute mix
Focus 2: Class Discussion about the role of a DJ/MC Focus 3: Show work
Focus 3: Look at DJS as a class on the main screen and look
at main functions LESSON 6
• Students mix live for their classmates
LESSON 2 • Peers will judge to select 1 class winner
• Students understand the basic function for DJS
• Students know how to rip tracks to DJS and use them with Focus 1: Mixing Session
each Player Focus 2: Competition Judging
• Students learn the basic DJS mix function using the auto mix
feature EXTENSION TO ‘MAKE ME A DJ’
Focus 1: The DJ as a performer (Video Clip) Following the course a lot of students will
Focus 2: Teacher demonstration of how to setup tracks on want to continue expanding their DJing skills.
player. We recommend you start a DJ club as an extra
Focus 3: Follow Worksheet 1 (Importing music, placing curricular activity. You may like to invite DJs to
tracks, simple 2 track auto-mix). come into your school
Focus 4: Show work

LESSON 3
• Students are able to recognise and understand the different
styles of music people listen to and that a DJ will play in
clubs and on radio
• Students start to learn about manual mixing using DJS

Focus 1: Brainstorm music genres

Focus 2: Listen to sample genres
Focus 3: Student explore manual mixing including pitch with
different styles from music bank
Focus 4: Show Work

LESSON 4
• Students understand the equaliser
• Students start to try out effects

Focus 1: Teacher and students listen and learn different

effects
Focus 2: Worksheet 3 & 4 Equaliser & Effects
Focus 3: Show Work

4
4. STUDENT ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Through each lesson you can monitor levels of student

attainment through their contribution in discussion activities and
skill development.

KS3 ASSESSMENT

STUDENT RESPONSE GRADE 1 TO 5

Introduction Discussion
(1 - very effective, 3 - good, 5 - unsuccessful)

Music Genre Discussion

(1 - very effective, 3 - good, 5 - unsuccessful)

Tracks Chosen to Mix and Style

(1 - very effective, 3 - good, 5 - unsuccessful)

Manual Beat-Mixing
(1 - seamless, 2 - good sense of timing, 5 – rhythms not matched
and interrupted)

Use of Faders
(1 - fluid use and appropriate volumes, 2 - good transition but not
clearly balanced or 5 - Poor sense of balance)

Effects and Equaliser

(1 – explored and confidently used a range of different sounds, 3 -
good use of some effects but lacked any sense of style, 5 - poor or
no use of effects)

TOTAL /30

5
GCSE ASSESSMENT (BASED ON THE EDEXCEL
COMPOSITION CRITERIA)
Ask all students to write a brief for their mix.

Criteria for Compositions and Arrangements

COMPOSING COMPOSING

COMPULSORY CORE CRITERIA

A Use and development of ideas A /5
COMPULSORY CORE CRITERIA

B Exploitation of the medium B /5

C Structural interest C /5

D Understanding the brief D /5

E Melody OPT 1 /5

F Harmony/ accompaniment OPT 2 /5

G Texture TOTAL /30

OPTIONAL CRITERIA

H Tempo/Rhythm
To mark students work using the above grid please
give a grade for A, B, C, D and E. Then choose 2
I Dynamics
areas to mark (e.g. H and I).

J Use of technology

TEACHERS COMMENTS

6
5. STUDENT WORKSHEETS

Worksheets for the students are included to help you teach the
lessons and for them to learn at their own speed. We
recommend you print these out and install them on the student’s
computers:

Student Worksheet 1: Importing & Using the Auto-Mix function

Student Worksheet 2: Mixing Songs Manually
Student Worksheet 3: Using the Equaliser function
Student Worksheet 4: Using the Effects Function

6. DJS VIDEO TUTORIALS

For use in class and by the students for extra information

Tutorial 1 – Importing tracks into DJS

Tutorial 2 – Cue points, finding the kick drum
Tutorial 3 – Beat mixing using two tracks of the same tempo
Tutorial 4 – Using different effects (The Effector)
Tutorial 5 – A demo mix
Tutorial 6 – Creating a play list

HOW TO USE THE VIDEO TUTORIALS:

Whiteboard with Projector – If you have this option you can play
each tutorial to the class and talk through the relevant stages.

Student Computers – Install the video files on to each computer

or the school's network and allow your students to access them
throughout the lessons.

7. TUTORIAL TRACKS

• Dogman.MP3
• Inbetween Your Choice.MP3
• PSCO.MP3
• Rocket.MP3
• Soundz.MP3
• Techno Monster.MP3
• You Are Me.MP3

The tracks used in the Tutorials and within the lessons can be
downloaded from our server and used as part of your lessons.

7
8. DJ SPOONY TOP TIPS

DJ Spoony has written some Top Tip sheets that the students
can use as and when they wish. Print these out so students
can go through them at their own pace

• So you wanna be a DJ?

• Starting Out
• Styles of Music
• Listen Hear
• Creating a Set
• Show off your skills

9. INSTALLING & CONFIGURING DJS

We recommend you consult with your IT technician to set up

DJS on your school PC’s.

MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:

Operating System: Operating System: Windows 2000/XP
Home/Prof
CPU: IBM PC/AT compatible computer with 1.5
GHZ or higher
RAM: 512MB RAM
Hard Disk: 250MB (Plus space for MP3, etc)
Display: XGA (1024 x 768 Pixels) and High Colour
(16 bit)

Soundcard: Internal or external Audio Output Board

or Device (2 separate Soundcard outputs
are needed for headphones and speakers)
Some midi keyboards can act as a second
audio card (e.g. m-audio Ozone).

CD-Rom Drive or Network

INSTALLATION
Follow the installation notes in the Friendly Guide for teachers

If you have any problems during your installation please

contact the Pioneer team via email who will be happy to help:
[email protected]

8
10. ENTERING THE PRIZE DRAW

‘Make me a DJ’ offers your students the chance to compete

against each other in a class ‘mix-off’ and then you can enter
the classes winning mix into a prize draw each term.

There are 3 prize draws in 2007, you can enter each one with
a different mix. Closing dates for entries are:

First prize draw: 23rd July 2007

Second prize draw: 15th October 2007
Third prize draw: 17th December 2007

At each prize draw 1 entry will win a pair of HDJ-1000

Headphones and a full version of Pioneer DJS Software.

At the end of the year a final ‘schools’ prize will be drawn

from all entries. One school will win a fantastic Pioneer Pro
DJ Equipment setup for the school and a visit from the
Pioneer Pro DJ Team to come and teach a live mixing class.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. To Enter - Schools participating in the National Schools Project must submit a 5 minute
mixing sample on CD for each prize draw to the following address: ‘Make me a DJ’,
Pioneer GB Limited, Pioneer House, Hollybush Hill, Stoke Poges, Bucks SL2 4QP. Only 1
entry per year group per school will be accepted for each prize draw. Completed entry
forms must be included inside each CD case. Entries for the student draws must be
submitted by the following dates, 13th July, 12th October & 14th December 2007, failing
which they will be void. All entries will become the Promoter’s on receipt and will not be
returned. By submitting their entry, entrants will be deemed to have agreed to be bound
by these rules. No purchase necessary. To take part in this promotion, all entrants must be
participating in the National Schools Project.

2. Winner Announcement - The winner’s school will be notified by email within 14 days of
each draw to take place on the following dates; 23rd July, 15th October and 17th December
2007. There will be one student winner per draw. These winners will be the sample picked
at random on each of the draw dates. Winners will win a pair of HDJ-1000 headphones and
a full version of Pioneer DJS Software. An additional School prize draw will take place on
the 17th December 2007 where all previous student entries will be entered into the draw
for the school to win a training session with the Pioneer Pro DJ Team and the very latest
Pioneer DJ kit available in the UK, comprising of 2 x Pioneer CDJs and 1 x Pioneer mixer.

3. Eligibility - The prize promotion is open to all pupils/schools participating in the

National Schools Project except those entrants who are directly related to employees of
Pioneer GB Limited (the “Promoter”), any of its subsidiary, affiliated or associated
companies, its agencies or any member of their households.

4. Validity - There is a limit of one entry per year group per school per student prize draw.
Responsibility cannot be accepted for any entries lost or delayed in transit.
Correspondence will be entered into only at the absolute discretion of the Promoter.

5. The Prizes - The prizes consist of 3 sets of 1 x pair HDJ-1000 headphones and DJS
Software Pack. The school that wins the final prize draw will also be provided with 2 x
Pioneer CDJs and 1 x Pioneer mixer and one training session with the Pioneer Pro DJ
Team, who will visit the winning school. The Promoter may in its absolute discretion
substitute cash value for the prize or offer alternative prizes or equal or greater value.

6. Winner Publicity - Entrants accept that, if they win, the Promoter will have the right,
without additional payment or permission to use their name, and the schools name and
likeness for the purposes of announcing the winner of this prize promotion.

7. Winning entry details - The name of the winner will be sent to

anyone who writes within 3 months after the closing date, enclosing a stamped addressed
envelope, to the address in rule 9 below, requesting details of the winning entry.

8. The Promoter - The Promoter is Pioneer GB Limited whose registered office is at

Pioneer House, Hollybush Hill, Stoke Poges, Slough, SL2 4QP.

9
 MAKE ME A DJ MAKE ME A DJ
COMPETITION COMPETITION

SIMPLY COMPLETE THE FORM BELOW AND POST TO: SIMPLY COMPLETE THE FORM BELOW AND POST TO:

MAKE ME A DJ, PIONEER GB LIMITED, PIONEER HOUSE, MAKE ME A DJ, PIONEER GB LIMITED, PIONEER HOUSE,
HOLLYBUSH HILL, STOKE POGES, SLOUGH, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE SL2 4QP HOLLYBUSH HILL, STOKE POGES, SLOUGH, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE SL2 4QP

NAME: NAME:

SCHOOL ADDRESS: SCHOOL ADDRESS:

SCHOOL TEL: SCHOOL TEL:

MUSIC TEACHER: MUSIC TEACHER:

TERMS AND CONDITIONS - Prize Promotion Rules TERMS AND CONDITIONS - Prize Promotion Rules
1. To Enter - Schools participating in the National Schools Project must submit a 5 minute mixing sample on CD for each prize draw to the following address: Make me a DJ, Pioneer GB Limited, 1. To Enter - Schools participating in the National Schools Project must submit a 5 minute mixing sample on CD for each prize draw to the following address: Make me a DJ, Pioneer GB Limited,
Pioneer House, Hollybush Hill, Stoke Poges, Bucks SL2 4QP. Only 1 entry per year group per school will be accepted for each prize draw. Completed entry forms must be included inside each Pioneer House, Hollybush Hill, Stoke Poges, Bucks SL2 4QP. Only 1 entry per year group per school will be accepted for each prize draw. Completed entry forms must be included inside each
CD case. Entries for the student draws must be submitted by the following dates, 13th July, 12th October & 14th December 2007, failing which they will be void. All entries will become the CD case. Entries for the student draws must be submitted by the following dates, 13th July, 12th October & 14th December 2007, failing which they will be void. All entries will become the
Promoter’s on receipt and will not be returned. By submitting their entry, entrants will be deemed to have agreed to be bound by these rules. No purchase necessary. To take part in this promotion, Promoter’s on receipt and will not be returned. By submitting their entry, entrants will be deemed to have agreed to be bound by these rules. No purchase necessary. To take part in this promotion,
all entrants must be participating in the National Schools Project. 2. Winner Announcement - The winner’s school will be notified by email within 14 days of each draw to take place on the all entrants must be participating in the National Schools Project. 2. Winner Announcement - The winner’s school will be notified by email within 14 days of each draw to take place on the
following dates; 23rd July, 15th October and 17th December 2007. There will be one student winner per draw. These winners will be the sample picked at random on each of the draw dates. following dates; 23rd July, 15th October and 17th December 2007. There will be one student winner per draw. These winners will be the sample picked at random on each of the draw dates.
Winners will win a pair of HDJ-1000 headphones and a full version of Pioneer DJS Software. An additional School prize draw will take place on the 17th December 2007 where all previous student Winners will win a pair of HDJ-1000 headphones and a full version of Pioneer DJS Software. An additional School prize draw will take place on the 17th December 2007 where all previous student
entries will be entered into the draw for the school to win a training session with the Pioneer Pro DJ Team and the very latest Pioneer DJ kit available in the UK, comprising of 2 x Pioneer CDJs entries will be entered into the draw for the school to win a training session with the Pioneer Pro DJ Team and the very latest Pioneer DJ kit available in the UK, comprising of 2 x Pioneer CDJs
and 1 x Pioneer mixer. 3. Eligibility - The prize promotion is open to all pupils/schools participating in the National Schools Project except those entrants who are directly related to employees and 1 x Pioneer mixer. 3. Eligibility - The prize promotion is open to all pupils/schools participating in the National Schools Project except those entrants who are directly related to employees
of Pioneer GB Limited (the “Promoter”), any of its subsidiary, affiliated or associated companies, its agencies or any member of their households. 4. Validity - There is a limit of one entry per of Pioneer GB Limited (the “Promoter”), any of its subsidiary, affiliated or associated companies, its agencies or any member of their households. 4. Validity - There is a limit of one entry per
year group per school per student prize draw. Responsibility cannot be accepted for any entries lost or delayed in transit. Correspondence will be entered into only at the absolute discretion of year group per school per student prize draw. Responsibility cannot be accepted for any entries lost or delayed in transit. Correspondence will be entered into only at the absolute discretion of
the Promoter. 5. The Prizes - The prizes consist of 3 sets of 1 x pair HDJ-1000 headphones and DJS Software Pack. The school that wins the final prize draw will also be provided with 2 x the Promoter. 5. The Prizes - The prizes consist of 3 sets of 1 x pair HDJ-1000 headphones and DJS Software Pack. The school that wins the final prize draw will also be provided with 2 x
Pioneer CDJs and 1 x Pioneer mixer and one training session with the Pioneer Pro DJ Team, who will visit the winning school. The Promoter may in its absolute discretion substitute cash value Pioneer CDJs and 1 x Pioneer mixer and one training session with the Pioneer Pro DJ Team, who will visit the winning school. The Promoter may in its absolute discretion substitute cash value
for the prize or offer alternative prizes or equal or greater value. 6. Winner Publicity - Entrants accept that, if they win, the Promoter will have the right, without additional payment or permission for the prize or offer alternative prizes or equal or greater value. 6. Winner Publicity - Entrants accept that, if they win, the Promoter will have the right, without additional payment or permission
to use their name, and the schools name and likeness for the purposes of announcing the winner of this prize promotion. 7. Winning entry details - The name of the winner will be sent to to use their name, and the schools name and likeness for the purposes of announcing the winner of this prize promotion. 7. Winning entry details - The name of the winner will be sent to
anyone who writes within 3 months after the closing date, enclosing a stamped addressed envelope, to the address in rule 9 below, requesting details of the winning entry. 8. The Promoter - anyone who writes within 3 months after the closing date, enclosing a stamped addressed envelope, to the address in rule 9 below, requesting details of the winning entry. 8. The Promoter -
The Promoter is Pioneer GB Limited whose registered office is at Pioneer House, Hollybush Hill, Stoke Poges, Slough, SL2 4QP. The Promoter is Pioneer GB Limited whose registered office is at Pioneer House, Hollybush Hill, Stoke Poges, Slough, SL2 4QP.
 11. MUSIC EXAMPLES AND HELPFUL WEB LINKS

List of suggested tracks that your students will have heard

recently:

• Eric Prydz Vs Floyd Proper Education

• Mason Vs Princess Superstar Perfect (Exceeder)
• Booty Luv Boogie 2Nite
• Freemasons Rain Down Love
• Sharam PATT (Party All The Time)
• Fedde Le Grand Put Your Hands Up For Detroit
• Bob Sinclar & Cutee B Feat. Dollarman & Big Ali &
8.Makedah Rock This
• David Guetta Vs The Egg Love Don't Let Me Go (Walking
Away)
• BeatFreakz Superfreak
• Armand van Helden Feat. Fat Joe & BL Touch Your Toes
• Ben Macklin Feat. Tiger Lilly Feel Together
• Alex Gaudino Destination Calabria
• Space Cowboy My Egyptian Lover
• Dance Nation Move Your Love
• Superfreak - Beatfreakz
• Voodoo Child - Rogue Traders
• Hush Boy - Basement Jaxx
• Rain Down Love - Freemasons & Siedah Garrett
• Boogie 2nite - BootyLuv
• Turn Me On - Dirty Old Ann
• DYOT - Dab Hands (1)
• Movin' Too Fast - Supafly Inc.
• My Life - Chanel
• MyMyMy - Van Helden, Armand & Tara McDonald

Websites:
• http://www.djdownload.com
• http://www.recess.co.uk
• http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disc_jockey
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/onemusic/djing

11
‘MAKE ME A DJ’
APPENDICES
‘MAKE ME A DJ’
APPENDICES

CONTENTS

Appendix 1: The friendly teachers Guide to DJS

DJS Features..........................................................................3
Installing the software ..........................................................4
Loading the software ............................................................5
Importing songs from CDs ....................................................6
Auto Mix a track ....................................................................7
Manual Mix a track ................................................................9

Appendix 2: Schemes of Work

Lesson 1: The role of a DJ ..................................................11
Lesson 2: The basic functions of DJS ..................................13
Lesson 3: Music Styles & Basic Mixing................................15
Lesson 4: Advanced Mixing & Effects ..................................17
Lesson 5: Building your 5 minute Set..................................19
Lesson 6: My Mix & Class Competition................................20

Appendix 3: Student Worksheets

Student Worksheet 1: Importing & Using the
Auto-Mix function ................................................................21
Student Worksheet 2: Mixing Songs Manually ....................27
Student Worksheet 3: Using the Equaliser function ..........30
Student Worksheet 4: Using the Effects Function ..............32

Appendix 4: DJ Spoony Top Tip Sheets for students ................35

Appendix 5: Student Information leaflet and posters ..............41

Appendix 6: The DJ Dictionary ..................................................44

2
 Appendix 1
‘MAKE ME A DJ’
THE FRIENDLY TEACHERS’
GUIDE TO DJS
‘MAKE ME A DJ’
A FRIENDLY GUIDE FOR TEACHERS

Do not fear DJS! With this simple

guide you’ll be able to get your CONTENTS OF THIS GUIDE
students going with this software
within minutes. 1. DJS Features 3. Loading the software 5. Auto Mix a track
2. Installing the software 4. Importing songs from CDs 6. Manual Mix a track

Create Function Transfer Function

1. DJS FEATURES Allows you to create Allows you to transfer
loops and save them as songs in the MP3 format
separate tracks. to a SD memory card.

Ripping Function
Converts music CDs,
WAV files and the sound
from line inputs into
MP3 files and then
imports them.

Music Management Functions

Allows you to edit the information on
songs in a track list. Allows you to classify
each of your songs into their respective
categories.

3
2. HOW TO INSTALL THE SOFTWARE ON YOUR COMPUTER

IF YOU GET STUCK, SEE THE IT TECHNICIAN IN YOUR

SCHOOL. YOUR COMPUTER MAY NOT ALLOW YOU TO INSTALL
THINGS.

Place the DJS CD-ROM in the DVD/CD drive. After a few

1
moments, the [DJS Installation] screen will open.

Click the [Install DJS] button. Once you click on the [Install
2
DJS] button, the screen for selecting the language is
displayed.

Select [English] and click the [OK] button.

3
• Depending on the user’s Windows environment, you may
be able to select from a number of languages.
• The [Preparing to install DJS.] screen opens.
• Once the preparation is complete, the [Commencing
installation of DJS...] screen opens.

4 Click the [Next] button. The [Usage Agreement] screen

opens.

5 After reading the End User License Agreement, select

[Agree] and then click the [Next] button. The [Inputting the
Installation Key] screen opens.

6 Enter the installation key and then click the [Next] button.
• The installation key is printed on the Installation Key
Sticker that comes in the package.
• The installation key will be printed in green. Be careful to
input all numerals and letters correctly. The [Installation
Destination Folder] screen opens.

Click the [Next] button after you check the destination

7
folder for the installation.
• The [Confirming Installation Information] screen opens.

Click the [Next] button after checking the [Installation

8
Information].
• The installation begins and the [DJS is being installed]
screen opens.
• Once the installation is complete, the [Installation of DJS
is now complete.] screen opens.

9 After clicking the [Yes, I want to restart my computer now.]

button, read the message that is displayed and click the
[Finish] button. The [Installation of DJS is now complete.]
closes and your computer restarts.

4
3. STARTING UP DJS

5
4. IMPORTING SONGS FROM CDS

WATCH - TUTORIAL VIDEO 1 - IMPORTING TRACKS INTO DJS.

Before you get started you need to have a library of mp3’s. This
software allows you to insert a CD into the computer and then it
‘rips’ (technical term) the track off the CD and makes it into an mp3
file – couldn’t be easier hey?

Here’s how you do it:

1 Put a Music CD (CD-DA) in the DVD/CD drive.

Click [File] and then click [Ripping] – [CD-DA]. The [Ripping]

2
screen opens.

Click the tick boxes of songs you wish to import. Once you click
3
a box, a tick mark is displayed in it.

4 Click the [Ripping Start] button.

Click the tick box and after reading “Copyrights,” click the
5
[Agree] button.

When importing has finished, the recording symbol displayed

6
between the CD list and the track list turns off.

6
5. THE EASY ONE FIRST – AUTO-MIXING TRACKS

WATCH TUTORIAL VIDEO 2 - SETTING A CUE POINT.

When you have started DJS go to [File] and select [Import]

1
and [mp3 audio file] – in that order.

Click on Song A Name and then [Open] and then Song B

2
Name [Open].

You have now put two songs in the play list. The next step is
3
to move them across to the players.

4 Drag the slider to Player A side.

5 Left-click on Song A and drag it to the left player.

6 Select the first song to play and drag and drop it from the
track list to player A. Drag and drop means left click on the
track, keep it held and move the mouse to the middle
• The song will start to play on player A.

7 If the song keeps jumping and doesn’t play properly don’t

worry. Go to [File] then [Preferences] and increase the
buffer size to 10 frames.

8 Now, relax and carry on!

9 Select the next song to play and drag and drop it from the
track list to player B.
• The song will start to play on player B.

Click the headphone cue for player B.

10
• The headphone cue will light up.

About the Headphone Cue When you click a headphone cue,

11
you can output the sound from that headphone. Functions
that have a headphone cue: Player A, Player B, List Player,
Master, Effector.

7
 Listen to the song over your headphones and search for the
12
playback start position.

Clicking the [ / ] button of player B at the playback start

13
position pauses it.

Click player B’s [CUE] button to set up the place where

14
playback is to start.

Click player B’s [BPM SYNC] button and it will match the
15
speed of player A’s song.

Using the [Beat Indicator] of Player A as a guide, gauge

16
when playback is to start for Player B.

Click on the [ / ] button of Player B to initiate playback for

player B.
• This enables you to monitor the sound from player B on
your headphones.

Click the [MIX] button to move the slider of the [Cross

17
Fader] to player B.

AND THERE YOU HAVE IT-YOUR FIRST MIX!

From here, you need to manually mix the two tracks

which means getting the players in sync with each
other.

8
6. TRICKIER BUT MORE REWARDING – MANUALLY MIXING TRACKS

WATCH TUTORIAL VIDEO 3 – BEAT MIXING.

WHEN THE BEAT IS NOT SYNCHRONIZED…

What you want to achieve is a smooth transition from Player A to
Player B. Matching beats and if necessary tempos.

If the beat is not synchronized, the drums make an out of sync

“bam-bam” sound and it all sounds fast and garbled. The timing
of the mixing of the songs is either too slow or too fast. Conduct
one of the following, ‘Adjusting with the [Jog Dial] before Mixing’
or ‘Adjusting discrepancies in the [Beat Indicator]’.

Here’s How:

If you check your headphones before mixing the songs, you will
notice if the beats are not aligned. If you use the jog dial, you can
make adjustments, like speeding the beat up or altering the
playback position.

SWITCHING JOG DIAL MODES

Click the [Scratch] button above and to the right of the Jog
1
Dial to switch between the Normal and Scratch modes.

When Off: Normal Mode.

When Lit: Scratch Mode.

Clockwise: The song plays faster the further you turn

the dial.
Counter Clockwise: The song plays slower the further you turn
the dial.
Rotate: The more you move the dial, the more the
playback position moves while sound
continues to be output.
Stop: When you stop turning the jog dial, playback
returns to normal.

9
ADJUSTING DISCREPANCIES IN THE [BEAT INDICATOR].
If the display of the [Beat Indicator] gets out of sync with the
actual beat, use the [Beat Adjust] button to redisplay it. The circle
on the left side of the [Beat Indicator] has the function of
displaying the starting beat and acts as the [Beat Adjust] button.

WHEN THE BPM (SPEED) IS NOT SYNCHRONIZED…

When it is difficult to synchronize the beats with the autodetected
BPM, use the [TAP] button to find the BPM.

USING THE [TAP] BUTTON TO RE-DETECT THE BPM.

It takes practice to get good at mixing songs smoothly. At first, mix
songs by using the [AUTO MIX] button and auto functions, so you
can gradually learn while enjoying DJing.

USING THE CHANNEL FADER TO MIX SONGS.

Leaving the [Cross Fader] in its central position, adjust the
volume of each player’s [Channel Fader] and change the song
that outputs sound.

Put the song you want to find the BPM of on a player and
1
play it.

While listening to the song, click the [TAP] button to

2 synchronize the beat.

The BPM is found by using the interval between clicks as a

3
basis and then is displayed.

It takes practice to get good at mixing songs smoothly. At first,

mix songs by using the [AUTO MIX] button and auto functions, so
you can gradually learn while enjoying DJing.

You now have all you need to start teaching pupils. We

suggest you get used to the DJS layout and controls.
You can watch the other Tutorial videos and further
information is available in the manual.

10
 Appendix 2
‘MAKE ME A DJ’
SCHEMES OF WORK
LESSON 1
INTRODUCTION TO ‘MAKE ME A DJ’

OBJECTIVES RESOURCES
• Students understand what the ‘Make me a DJ’ course will • Computers with Pioneer DJS installed
teach them • White Board and Projector, internet connected
• Students understand what a DJ and MC do • DJ Yoda Video
• Student ‘Make me a DJ’ Information Flyers,
INTRODUCTION enough printed for each Student to take home
• ‘Make me a DJ’ tutorial video 5
‘Make me a DJ’ • Student and Teacher Worksheets to hand
• Explain to the Students that over the coming 6 – 8 lessons you will • Starter Activity Print Out Sheets – optional
be teaching them a fantastic new music course called ‘Make me a extension
DJ’
• Explain that ‘Make me a DJ’ is a professional course that has been
created by Pioneer Pro DJ and Radio 1’s DJ Spoony
• Lessons will include:
® Learning about the world of DJing
® Styles of Music
® How to use Pioneer DJS Software
® Beat and pitch mixing
® Using Effects
® Building and choosing sets
• Explain that the course will end with a Student Mix-Off
competition, where each Student will make their own 5 minute mix
to enter into the class mix-off. Their mix will be judged by their
peers on:
® Choice of tunes
® Quality of mix
® Effects & Wow factor
• The classes winning mix will be entered into the national ‘Make me
a DJ’ prize draw where the winning Student could win a full copy of
DJS and a pair of Pioneer Pro DJ headphones
• At the end of the year there will be a final ‘Make me a DJ’ draw and
one school will win Pioneer Pro DJ kit, comprising of CDJs and a
mixer, as well as a visit by the Pioneer Pro DJ Team to come and
do a live mixing class at the school

BRAINSTORM
To create a base line of your Students current knowledge discuss the
following questions. You might like to write key words and statements
they make, and then repeat this exercise at the end of the course to
see the full extent of their learning.

1. What is a DJ? Disc Jockey, deejay

2. What is an MC? Linked to Hip-Hop music, Master of Ceremonies
3. Where do they work? Bedroom, radio, night clubs, online
4. What is their function? A DJ selects music to create a set,
manipulate sounds, beat-mix the tracks to create a seamless flow
of music, add effects. An MC uses rhyming verses, freestyles lyrics
(improvises), raps, hypes up the crowd, works alongside the DJ and
praises their work
5. What are the names of some popular DJs? Paul Oakenfold, Paul
van Dyk, Judge Jules, Armin van Buuren, Carl Cox
6. What are the names of some popular MC’s? Lil' Kim, Missy Elliot,
Queen Latifah, Eve, Run-D.M.C., The Beastie Boys, Rakim, Black
Sheep, Kanye West and Eminem

11
INTRODUCING DJS VIDEO
• Explain to the Students that the ‘Make me a DJ’ course uses the Play the DJ Yoda Video on the white board to show
Pioneer DJS software what a DJ does - 6 mins
• Show that it is installed on the classes computers
• Let Students know that they can download a free trial version for Download from
themselves to use at home http://www.pioneer.co.uk/uk/flash/products/Video
• Play Tutorial Video #5 to demonstrate what DJS can do Yoda.html
• Show the Students the ‘Make me a DJ’ section of the pioneer
website www.pioneer.co.uk/makemeadj . Show how they can
download a trial version of the software for them to use at home.
Show them how to download DJ Spoony Top Tip Sheets, get hold of
sample tracks and get a special ‘2 for 1 ‘ offer on more tracks from
djdownload.com
• Close the session by handing out the Students ‘Make me a DJ’
information leaflets

EXTENSION ACTIVITY – ‘YOU THE DJ’ HOMEWORK TASKS

1. Set the class up as a Human DJ  Think of your own DJ name
2. Split class into 2  Design a logo or tag to match
3. Half are Deck A – Clapping a rhythm (All Students - Right Side)  Find 2 tracks you want to use for your first mix,
4. Half are Deck B – Tapping another rhythm on knees (All Students - explain that they should be simple tracks with
Left Side) a strong clear beat. Students will need to bring
5. Choose 1 Deck A student to be the Deck A play and pause button these to the next lesson, either on CD, or on a
6. Choose 1 Deck B student to be the Deck B play and pause button USB memory stick
7. Choose 1 student to be the Cross-Fader L/R (One Student moves
arm from left to right to fade from Deck A to Deck B and back)
8. Choose 1 student to be Deck A Channel Fader - (One student moves
arm up and down to control vol. of A)
9. Choose 1 student to be Deck B Channel Fader - (One student moves
arm up and down to control vol. of B)
10. Choose 1 student to be the Tempo / Pitch Adjustment Slider –
(student claps tempo and Deck A matches)
11. Choose 1 student to be the Tempo / Pitch Adjustment Slider – LEARNING RECORD
(student claps tempo and Deck A matches)
You may wish to keep an assessment record for
This game is designed to introduce students to some of the different each Student or a class record sheet to record
functions on the DJ System their progress. Within the manual are KS3 and
GCSE assessment sheets for you to use if you
Step 1 Give each of the students a role and a role card. wish.
Step 2 Ask one member from Deck A to create a rhythm for the whole
class to clap
Step 3 Ask one member from Deck B to create a rhythm for the whole
class to tap
Step 4 Deck A / holds up their sign to start the rhythm
Step 5 Deck A Tempo Adjuster claps the same rhythm faster or slower
till they are happy with the beat.
Step 6 Deck A Channel Fader moves arms up or down till they are
happy with the volume.
Step 7 Deck B / holds up their sign to start the rhythm
Step 8 Deck B Tempo Adjuster claps the same rhythm faster or slower
till the beat matches Deck A
Step 9 Deck B Channel Fader moves arms up or down till they are
happy the volume compliments Deck A
Step 10 The Cross-Fader moves their arms from the middle to control
volume of players and the whole mix.

This game can be explored further by asking the different elements to

use their skills more. You could make the rhythms more complicated
and longer, write 2 rhythmic sequences on the board to be performed.

12
LESSON 2
INTRODUCTION TO DJS

OBJECTIVES ORGANISATION
• Pupils understand the basic function for DJS Whole Class
• Pupils know how to rip tracks to DJS and use then with each Player
• Pupils learn the basic DJS mix function using the auto mix feature

PREPARATION RESOURCES
 Review the teachers ‘Friendly guide to DJS’ • Computers with Pioneer DJS installed
 Watch all the tutorial videos • White Board and Projector, internet connected
 Practice yourself with DJS so you can get the hang of the basic • ‘Make me a DJ’ tutorial video 1
functions • Copies of Pupil Worksheet 1
• Sample Tracks (Download from
REVIEW www.nationalschoolspartnership.com/djresource)
• DJS Manual for extra information
‘DJ names and Tags’ • Pupil ‘Make me a DJ’ Information Flyers, enough
• Review the pupils homework from the previous session printed for each pupil to take home
• Have the class vote for their favourite DJ names and the favourite
DJ tags
• Review the learning points from last lesson
® What is a DJ?
® What do they do?
• Find out which students have gone online and downloaded DJS for
themselves and started trying it out
• Encourage those who have not done so already to try ASAP

INTRODUCTION
Explain that today you are going to teach them the basics of using the
software so they can explore it themselves in more detail.

13
INTRODUCING DJS BASIC FUNCTIONS VIDEO
• Show DJS on the projector and talk the students through the Watch
following key areas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErQuj9JfEPY to
® Tracks panel stimulate the class. This video shows to what
® Player 1 extent the DJ can become a performer in his/her
® Player 2 own right.
® Cross Fader
® Rip Function
• Use Tutorial Video 1 to help you do this
• Ask the students to copy the tracks they brought in onto their
computer
• Guide students through Worksheet 1 on the projector showing how
to bring a track into DJS and then how to use the auto mixing
function
® You can use Tutorial Video’s 1 – 3 to help
• Allow students to work through worksheet 1 at their own speed
• If student has no tracks then they can use the sample tracks
provided

EXTENSION ACTIVITY – ‘YOU THE DJ’ HOMEWORK TASKS

As a class you could listen to some mix CD’s and see if the pupils can  Write about the different genres of music that
work out where 1 track starts and another ends. people like
 Bring to the next lesson 2 sample tracks on CD
or USB stick from different genres
 Practice using DJS on the school computers or
at home

LEARNING RECORD

You may wish to keep an assessment record for

each pupil or a class record sheet to record their
progress. Within the manual are KS3 and GCSE
assessment sheets for you to use if you wish.

14
LESSON 3
STYLES OF MUSIC (YOU MAY WISH TO SPLIT THIS OVER 2 SESSIONS)

OBJECTIVES ORGANISATION
• Pupils are able to recognise and understand the different styles of Whole Class
music people listen to and that a DJ will play in clubs and on radio
® House
® Techno
® Trance
® Rap
® Hip Hop
® R&B
® Dancehall
® Grime – please be advised that a lot of grime music contains
adult lyrics
• Pupils start to learn about manual mixing using DJS

PREPARATION RESOURCES
 Review the teachers ‘Friendly guide to DJS’ • Computers with Pioneer DJS installed
 Watch all the tutorial videos • White Board and Projector, internet connected
 Practice manual mixing yourself with DJS so you can get the hang • ‘Make me a DJ’ tutorial videos 1 - 4
of the basic functions • Copies of Pupil Worksheet 2
 Gather some sample tracks with the help of your pupils for the 7 • Sample Tracks (Download from
genres covered www.nationalschoolspartnership.com/djresource)
• Sample tracks for music genres
• DJS Manual for extra information
REVIEW • Pupil ‘Make me a DJ’ Information Flyers, enough
printed for each pupil to take home
• Find out which students have tried out DJS since the last lesson
• Encourage those who have not done so already to try ASAP

INTRODUCTION
• Explain that today you are going to look at the different music
styles that DJs play and people listen to
• Start with a Brainstorm to draw out the following 8 styles:
® House
® Techno
® Trance
® Rap
® Hip Hop
® R&B
® Dancehall
® Grime
• Write each music genre onto the whiteboard in turn and ask the
pupils to tell you some artists for each. You can use DJ Spoony Tip
Sheet 3 to help you do this
• Now go through each genre and listen to a sample track for that
style. (If you get stuck visit www.djdownlaod.com where tracks are
listed by genre). Ask pupils to think about what makes each style
different and write each key element
® Timing
® Speed
® Instruments
® Vocal
® Harmony

15
DJS MANUAL MIXING HOMEWORK TASKS
• Show DJS on the projector and talk the students through  Practice manual mixing and explore the effects
worksheet 2 – Manual mixing function of DJS on the school / home
• Use Tutorial videos 2 & 3 to help computers
• Allow students to work through worksheet 2 at their own speed  Start to think about 5 tracks you want to use
• If student has no tracks then they can use the sample tracks for your 5 minute mix
provided

EXTENSION ACTIVITY LEARNING RECORD

Take the pupils through the basic elements of a track. Listen as a group You may wish to keep an assessment record for
and draw out: each pupil or a class record sheet to record their
progress. Within the manual are KS3 and GCSE
Here are the basic elements of a track: assessment sheets for you to use if you wish.
Kick Drum – This is what the bass drum on the drum kit would be doing
if a drummer was playing. In nearly all house tracks you will here it on
all the beats of the bar (1, 2, 3, 4).

In funk and hip hop you will hear it only on the first beat of each bar
(1, 2, 3, 4).

Snare Drum – The snare drum is the instrument found on a drummers

left and is defined by its steel springs found on the bottom skin which
produces a metallic sound.

Hi-Hat – This cymbal is also found on the drummers left side and is
controlled by a foot pedal to make the two cymbals open and close.
When you listen to house music it often plays on the off-beat.

Other Percussion – There is a huge amount of other percussion that you

will find in dance music and often this is what makes the track more
interesting.

Melody – This is the part which gets stuck in your head and you can’t
stop singing or whistling it when you walk down the street.

Harmonies – The harmony compliments the melody and adds more

interest and variation. Clever harmonies make you feel that the melody
has changed when it is exactly the same as when the track began.

Bassline – This is the DJ and the dance floor’s best buddy, if the dancer
can feel the bass line through their body as well as hear it you’re onto a
good thing.

Vocals – Whether singing or rapping, vocals have a huge emotional

impact on music; they can tell stories, give political meaning or just
create a sense of purpose.

16
LESSON 4
ADVANCED MIX TECHNIQUES

OBJECTIVES ORGANISATION
• Pupils understand the equaliser Whole Class
• Pupils start to try out effects

PREPARATION RESOURCES

 Review the teachers ‘Friendly guide to DJS’ • Computers with Pioneer DJS installed
 Watch all the tutorial videos • White Board and Projector, internet connected
 Practice manual mixing, using the equaliser and effects yourself • ‘Make me a DJ’ tutorial videos 1 - 5
with DJS so you can get the hang of their functions • Copies of Pupil Worksheet 3 & 4
• Sample Tracks (Download from
REVIEW www.nationalschoolspartnership.com/djresource)
• DJS Manual for extra information
• Find out which students have been practicing using DJS since the • Pupil ‘Make me a DJ’ Information Flyers, enough
last lesson printed for each pupil to take home
• Encourage those who have not done so already to try ASAP
• Ask who has started to get their set list together for the 5 minute
mix?

INTRODUCTION
Explain that today you are going to look at using an equalizer and
effects to alter the music being played and to add more to the tracks.

BRAINSTORM VIDEO
• Start with a Brainstorm about why DJs might want to use Watch the following video to show effects and
equalization and effects? scratching
® Control the sound for best clarity http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTWTy0Iy2U4&
® Add emphasis and style to their mixes mode=related&search=
• Discuss and then listen with pupils to show what the following do:
® Equalizer Hi tone – raise and lower hi tones
® Equalizer Mid tone – raise and lower mid tones
® Equalizer Low tone – raise and lower low tones
® Delay Effect – this delays the music and repeats it one, it
makes the music sound reflected, as if it is live or outdoors
® Echo Effect – The music is delayed a number of times, giving it
echo
® Pan Effect – Pans sound from right and left speakers
® Trans Effect – Synchronizes the sound to the rhythm and cuts
it off automatically
® Filter Effect – Filter alters the frequency and can have huge
changes on tone
® Flanger – A popular club effect, it adds the sound of a jet
taking off and landing
® Reverb – Adds a lingering echo effect
® Pitch – alters the musical range and can give a chorus effect

17
ACTIVITY HOMEWORK TASKS
• Play tutorial video 4 – Using effects  Practice mixing, equalizer and effects using
• Take the students through Worksheet 3 & 4 on the whiteboard DJS on the school / home computers
• Now allow students to work through worksheet 3 & 4 at their own  Prepare your 5 tracks and ideas for the 5
speed minute mix
• If student has no tracks then they can use the sample tracks
provided

EXTENSION ACTIVITY LEARNING RECORD

Listen to mixes using effects and Equalisation. See if the students can You may wish to keep an assessment record for
spot the different effects being used. Club mix CD’s will help. each pupil or a class record sheet to record their
progress. Within the manual are KS3 and GCSE
assessment sheets for you to use if you wish.

18
LESSON 5
YOUR 5 MINUTE, 5 TRACK MIX

OBJECTIVES ORGANISATION
• Pupils create their own 5 minute mix using their 5 chosen tracks Whole Class

PREPARATION RESOURCES

 Review the teachers ‘Friendly guide to DJS’ • Computers with Pioneer DJS installed
 Watch all the tutorial videos • White Board and Projector, internet connected
 Practice manual mixing, using the equaliser and effects yourself • ‘Make me a DJ’ tutorial videos 1 - 5
with DJS so you can get the hang of their functions • Copies of Pupil Worksheet 1- 4
• DJ Spoony tips 1 - 5
• Sample Tracks (Download from
www.nationalschoolspartnership.com/djresoure)
• DJS Manual for extra information
• Pupil ‘Make me a DJ’ Information Flyers,
enough printed for each pupil to take home

REVIEW HOMEWORK TASKS

• Find out how the pupils are getting on with their mixing  Practice your 5 minute mix and ready for the
• Review what tracks people are choosing mix-off next lesson

INTRODUCTION LEARNING RECORD

• Explain that we are now going to start the 5 minute, 5 track mix- You may wish to keep an assessment record for
off competition each pupil or a class record sheet to record their
• The class will have from now until the next lesson to each create progress. Within the manual are KS3 and GCSE
their own 5 minute mix assessment sheets for you to use if you wish.
• The rules of the competition are that only 5 tracks can be used and
the mix must end within 5 minutes. The pupils should mix live in
the next class

VIDEO

Watch the 2002 scratch mix champion video to inspire the pupils
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cfmh_f0LXB4&mode=related&searc
h=

ACTIVITY
• Watch Tutorial Video 6 – creating play lists and then Tutorial video
5 – demonstrating what DJS can do
• Give the pupils access to all videos and tutorials
• Let them practice for the remainder of the lesson

19
LESSON 6
‘MAKE ME A DJ’ – MIX-OFF

OBJECTIVES ORGANISATION
• Pupils will mix live for their classmates Whole Class
• Peers will judge to select 1 class winner

INTRODUCTION RESOURCES

• Set the mix-off up as if it were a competition at a club • Computers with Pioneer DJS installed
• Let a student be the MC, they can introduce each DJ • Microphone for the class MC
• Each DJ gives their 5 minute mix • White Board and Projector, internet connected
• Ask Students to judge the mix awarding points between 1 – 4 • DJ Spoony tips 1 - 5
(where 1 is poor and 4 is great) for: • Sample Tracks (Download from
® Choice of tunes www.nationalschoolspartnership.com/djresource)
® Quality of mix • DJS Manual for extra information
® Effects & Wow factor • Pupil ‘Make me a DJ’ Information Flyers, enough
• Add up the points for each category and write them up onto the printed for each pupil to take home
white board by the students name • Right up a list of all the DJ student onto the
• Have an awards ceremony at the end where the winning pupil is white board with columns for:
crowned the class DJ champion ® Choice of tunes
• Make a copy of the winning mix and send it to Pioneer following ® Quality of beat mix
the instructions in ‘Make me a DJ’ pack. The mix will be entered ® Effects
into one of the half term prize draws ® Wow factor

EVALUATION LEARNING RECORD

You may like to repeat the initial Baseline activity to see how much You may wish to keep an assessment record for
your pupils have learnt. Hold a final brainstorm and ask the following each pupil or a class record sheet to record their
questions, write up the student responses and compare them with the progress. Within the manual are KS3 and GCSE
original activity assessment sheets for you to use if you wish.
1. What is a DJ? Disc Jockey, deejay
2. What is an MC? Linked to Hip-Hop music, Master of Ceremonies
3. Where do they work? Bedroom, radio, night clubs, online
4. What is their function? A DJ selects music to create a set,
manipulate sounds, beat-mix the tracks to create a seamless flow
of music, add effects. An MC uses rhyming verses, freestyles
lyrics (improvises), raps, hypes up the crowd, works alongside the
DJ and praises their work
5. What are the names of some popular DJs? Paul Oakenfold, Paul
van Dyk, Judge Jules, Armin van Buuren, Carl Cox
6. What are the names of some popular MC’s? Lil' Kim, Missy Elliot,
Queen Latifah, Eve, Run-D.M.C., The Beastie Boys, Rakim, Black
Sheep, Kanye West and Eminem

EXTENSION
A number of pupils will probably want to continue developing their
DJing skills. We recommend you set up a school DJ club using DJS.
You might want to ask local DJs and MC’s to come into the school to
help teach the students.

20
 Appendix 3
‘MAKE ME A DJ’
STUDENT WORKSHEETS
WORKSHEET 1
IMPORTING & USING THE AUTO-MIX FUNCTION

• Use any of the tutorial tracks with this worksheet

• Use Tutorial Video 1 - Importing Tracks
• Use Tutorial Video 2 - Setting Cue Points
• Use Tutorial Video 3 - Beat mixing

21
3

22
8

10

11

12

23
13

14

24
25
26
WORKSHEET 2
MIXING SONGS MANUALLY

• Use any of the tutorial tracks with this worksheet

• Use Tutorial Video 1 - Importing Tracks
• Use Tutorial Video 2 - Setting Cue Points
• Use Tutorial Video 3 - Beat mixing

27
7

10

11

12

28
29
WORKSHEET 3
USING THE EQUALISER FUNCTION

• Use any of the tutorial tracks with this worksheet

30
31
WORKSHEET 4
USING THE EFFECTS FUNCTION

• Use any of the tutorial tracks with this worksheet

• Use Tutorial Video 4 - Using different effects (The Effector)
• Use Tutorial Video 5 - A demo mix

32
1

33
4

34
 Appendix 4
‘MAKE ME A DJ’
DJ SPOONY TOP TIP
SHEETS FOR STUDENTS
DJ SPOONY TIPS 1
SO YOU WANNA BE A DJ?
WHO? HOW?

ANYONE WITH A PASSION FOR MUSIC PROMOTE YOURSELF AND YOUR

Are you mad about music? Would you hate to be without it? And MUSIC
are you always on the hunt for new sounds? Yes? Then you Many DJs start by working for free to
could be a DJ – really! Imagine being on the decks in a packed establish a fan base. Radio DJs create
club, filling the dance floor and knowing you’ve smashed it. copies of their shows and use them like a
Amazing! CV when looking for a new job. Pay at
smaller radio stations is relatively low
and getting a job won’t be easy as
competition is fierce.
WHERE?

RADIO AND CLUBS

Club DJs can make a name for themselves just like radio DJs,
but the jobs are very different. A club DJ can see the crowd and
judge what they want. On the radio, you’ve got to second-guess
what they want to hear. There’s a real adrenaline rush when
you’re in a club, the dance floor’s rammed and you’ve really
cracked it, but some people will feel more comfortable in a
studio with a set they’ve planned beforehand.

WHY?

TO SHARE THE MUSIC YOU LOVE WITH OTHERS

There was a time when DJs weren’t really appreciated, but now,
good ones reach celebrity status. The profession is much more
glamourous than it used to be and you can make big money.
However, ask any successful DJ why they do the job and they’ll
say it’s because they love music.

SPOONY SAYS “Go out and make contacts”

DJ SPOONY TIPS 2
STARTING OUT
A DJ without tunes is like YouTube without videos. But where do
you get them? There are so many legal download sites, it’s TIP
difficult to know where to get the best deals and which ones to
trust. You have the obvious huge players - iTunes, Napster, Store your mp3s sensibly and file
HMV and Virgin, but here’s a list of some sites that won’t cost a
them properly because soon you’ll
fortune . Good sites allow you to try before you buy just like you
would in a record shop (all those years ago)… have masses on your hard disk and
you’ll never be able to find them.
www.djdownload.com
www.addictech.com GET SEARCHING, LISTENING
www.beatport.com
www.bleep.com
AND RIPPING…
www.clickgroove.com
www.playittonight.com
www.traxsource.com

DJS also allows you to rip tracks from CDs, a great way to get
some recent tracks is on demo CDs, so check out your local
newsagent and check out some DJ magazines like Mixmag, DJ
Magazine, Mobile Beat, IDJ, REMIX, Scratch and the DJ Times.

The DJ scene is massive and there are loads of ways to find out
about music. Look at the DJ charts that you can find in
magazines and websites like www.djhistory.com,
www.djmag.com and www.djzone.net.

With the new age of digital radio, listening possibilities are

endless; a few good stations to climb aboard are
www.voguefm.co.uk, www.undergroundfm.co.uk,
www.xperienceradio.co.uk and www.evolutionradio.co.uk.

SPOONY SAYS “Try and play at friends’ and family parties!”

DJ SPOONY TIPS 3
STYLES OF MUSIC
HOUSE GRIME
House music’s been around for a while, but it’s still huge in Grime is a sub-genre of urban music
nightclubs today. It’s up-tempo and in 4/4 time. which first emerged in the early 2000s.
It’s sparse with 2step breakbeats,
1 2 3 4 – 1 2 3 4 – 1 2 3 4 – 1 2 3 4 4 (Beat one is the strongest beat generally 130-140 beats per minute, and
and usually has a kick drum on each beat called four on the floor). an aggressive, fast rapping style.
It’s very repetitive and has many flowing rhythms and bass lines. Bring it on – Dizzee Rascal, Wiley,
Bring it on – Basement Jaxx, Groove Armada, Shapeshifters, The Streets
Calvin Harris

TRANCE
Trance music is generally faster than house at 130 – 160 beats
per minute. Tracks have heavy reverb and delay effects and use
one hook (catchy part) which is repeated continuously, creating a
trance-like feeling.
Bring it on - Paul Van Dyk, Chicane, Armin Van Buuren, Tiesto

RAP
Rap and Hip Hop are pretty much the same thing but come in a
variety of outfits. Hip Hop consists of MCing and DJing
Bring it on - Eminem, Beastie Boys, Jurassic 5

TECHNO
Techno has are lots of percussive and synthetic sounds with
strong melodies and touch bass lines.
Bring it on - Fergie, Juan Atkins, Derrick May and Blake Baxter

R&B
R & B means Rhythm and Bass (not blues) and combines
elements of soul, funk and pop.
Bring it on - Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, Craig David, Beyonce

DANCE HALL AND BASHMENT

Dance Hall and Bashment have Jamaican origins and are
characterised by a deejay singing and rapping or toasting over
raw and danceable music riddims.
Bring it on - Shaggy, Stephen & Damian Marley, Beenie Man

SPOONY SAYS “Be inspired by a DJ but don't copy them”

DJ SPOONY TIPS 4
LISTEN, HEAR!
What do you need apart from your passion for music? A pair of HARMONIES
headphones of course. You’ll be wearing them for hours, so
The harmony compliments the melody,
make sure they are comfortable and robust. The sound must be
adding more interest and variation.
clear and you should be able to crank up the volume without it
distorting - they should have a ‘wide frequency response’ [from
20-20,000HZ]. You need a closed back to cover your ears and BASSLINE
cut out background noise. This is the DJs best buddy. If the dancer
can feel the bassline through their body
NOW… PUT THEM ON AND LISTEN CAREFULLY as well as hear it, you’re rocking.

When listening to your first track, try and separate the various VOCALS
elements like the drum patterns, melodies, harmonies and Whether singing or rapping, vocals have a
basslines. Imagine these instruments and their players. Make huge emotional impact on music.
sure that the tracks you choose have a clear drum pattern -
there should be a kick drum at the very beginning.

Here are the basic elements of a track:

KICK DRUM
This is what the bass drum on the drum kit would be doing if a
drummer was playing. You will hear it on all the beats of the
bar (1, 2, 3, 4). In funk and hip hop you will hear it on the first
beat of each bar (1, 2, 3, 4)

SNARE DRUM
It’s defined by its steel springs found on the bottom skin which
produce a metallic sound.

HI-HAT
This cymbal often plays on the off-beat in house music.

OTHER PERCUSSION
There is a huge amount of other percussion in dance music
which helps layer the track and bring more colour to the mix.

MELODY
This is the memorable bit which gets stuck in your head,
sometimes referred to as a hook or Riff.

SPOONY SAYS “Study and know the music you're playing”

DJ SPOONY TIPS 5
CREATING A SETLIST
PICK AND MIX BE ORIGINAL
Your set list is crucial. DJing is all about playing the right song Another thing, don’t get stuck with a
at the right time. Don’t get so wrapped-up with the technical particular sound or style, keep a wide,
side of things that your forget this. open mind when it comes to the music
you select. The work you put into
Start your set with a statement that lets the audience know what selecting your set will bring rewards.
they are going to be getting in terms of vibe and energy and When you are more confident, try and
then, take them on a journey. It’s not just about thrashing out stay away from charts and reviews as
the latest tunes for a few hours. You want to leave the clubbers this will set you apart from the
hungry for more. thousands of other DJs out there and
give you that unique edge.

KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE

Be prepared! It’s not just about the tunes you know and love,
but also about what will work the crowd. Don’t play safe – throw
in something that’s really out there. You’re an entertainer, so
think about how you can add variety to your set without creating
a bumpy ride. Have a couple of tunes to hand that will rock the
floor and spread them through the set. Use samples and loops
of these to tease the crowd.

THE UPS AND DOWNS OF BEING A DJ

A good set has ups and downs, but don’t go too far one way or
the other. You must keep the groove going. Make sure that
when you bring the energy levels down, you keep things
simmering.

SPOONY SAYS “Practice your mixing and MIC work (if you use one)”
DJ SPOONY TIPS 6
SHOW OFF YOUR SKILLS
TO STREAM A MIX
SO, LET’S MAKE YOU A DJ!
www.streamingmedia.com/tutorials
There are thousands of wannabe DJs out there, so you’ve got to
stand out. You won’t know if you’re any good until you let people TO PODCAST
hear your tunes and see you in action. www.how-to-podcast-tutorial.com
www.jellycast.com
All the best DJs now have a MySpace profile, show their talents
on YouTube or on a huge number of DJ forum sites. Try
uploading a few mixes and see what the reaction is. Making a
podcast is an excellent way of getting heard.

Play at your local youth centre, in school or at your mates’

birthday parties. If someone’s looking for a DJ then make sure
you’re No. 1 on their list.

Find your own style and work on that. There are too many
copycats out there who don’t add anything new to the scene.
They stick to whatever their favourite DJ is playing and it won’t
get them recognised.

Make a mix CD to distribute, make it about 40 minutes long, with

an awesome opening, something unique to stop the listener
hitting Eject!

Have you ever shifted the dial from your favourite, but bland
radio station and heard some rudeboy shouting down the
microphone and playing his favourite tunes. This guy has set up
a pirate radio station. Nowadays with the web at your fingertips
there are endless ways to promote yourself.

CHECK OUT THE FOLLOWING SITES

TO SHOW OFF YOUR TALENT

www.myspace.com
www.yousendit.com
www.megaupload.com
www.rapidshare.de

SPOONY SAYS “And finally Love music!”

 Appendix 5
‘MAKE ME A DJ’
STUDENT INFORMATION
LEAFLET AND POSTERS
‘MAKE ME A DJ’
COMPETITION
SO YOU WANT TO BE A DJ?

00
10
J-
HD

DJ
SS
OF
TW
AR
E

CREATE YOUR BEST MIX USING PIONEER DJS SOFTWARE AND

YOU COULD WIN A PAIR OF HDJ-1000 HEADPHONES AND A FULL
VERSION OF PIONEER DJS SOFTWARE - WORTH OVER £250!
LAST ENTRY DATES: first prize draw: 13th July 2007
second prize draw: 12th October 2007
third prize draw: 14th December 2007
Your school could also win fantastic Pioneer DJ Equipment and a visit from
the Pioneer Pro DJ Team in the special prize draw on the 17th December.
Simply submit your 5 minute mix on CD with an application form to Pioneer and Good Luck!
See entry form for full terms and conditions.

www.pioneer.co.uk/makemeadj
‘MAKE ME A DJ’ ‘MAKE ME A DJ’
COMPETITION COMPETITION
SO YOU WANT TO BE A DJ? SO YOU WANT TO BE A DJ?

00 00
10 10
J- J-
HD HD

DJ DJ
SS SS
OF OF
TW TW
AR AR
E E

VISIT WWW.PIONEER.CO.UK/MAKEMEADJ FOR ACCESS TO VISIT WWW.PIONEER.CO.UK/MAKEMEADJ FOR ACCESS TO

ALL THE THINGS YOU NEED TO GET YOU STARTED: ALL THE THINGS YOU NEED TO GET YOU STARTED:
• You can download a Free trial version of DJS Software for your home PC • You can download a Free trial version of DJS Software for your home PC
• 6 Tips and Tricks sheets from DJ Spoony • 6 Tips and Tricks sheets from DJ Spoony
• Grab yourself some great offers on tracks • Grab yourself some great offers on tracks
• Watch videos of our DJs at work, and play! • Watch videos of our DJs at work, and play!

Get in the Mix - create your best mix using Pioneer DJS Software and you Get in the Mix - create your best mix using Pioneer DJS Software and you
could win a pair of HDJ-1000 Headphones and a full version of Pioneer DJS could win a pair of HDJ-1000 Headphones and a full version of Pioneer DJS
Software - worth over £250! Software - worth over £250!
Your school could also win fantastic Pioneer DJ Equipment and a visit from the Pioneer Your school could also win fantastic Pioneer DJ Equipment and a visit from the Pioneer
Pro DJ Team in the special prize draw on the 17th December 2007. Pro DJ Team in the special prize draw on the 17th December 2007.
Ask your teacher for more details Ask your teacher for more details
 MAKE ME A DJ MAKE ME A DJ
COMPETITION COMPETITION

SIMPLY COMPLETE THE FORM BELOW AND POST TO: SIMPLY COMPLETE THE FORM BELOW AND POST TO:

MAKE ME A DJ, PIONEER GB LIMITED, PIONEER HOUSE, MAKE ME A DJ, PIONEER GB LIMITED, PIONEER HOUSE,
HOLLYBUSH HILL, STOKE POGES, SLOUGH, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE SL2 4QP HOLLYBUSH HILL, STOKE POGES, SLOUGH, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE SL2 4QP

NAME: NAME:

SCHOOL ADDRESS: SCHOOL ADDRESS:

SCHOOL TEL: SCHOOL TEL:

MUSIC TEACHER: MUSIC TEACHER:

TERMS AND CONDITIONS - Prize Promotion Rules TERMS AND CONDITIONS - Prize Promotion Rules
1. To Enter - Schools participating in the National Schools Project must submit a 5 minute mixing sample on CD for each prize draw to the following address: Make me a DJ, Pioneer GB Limited, 1. To Enter - Schools participating in the National Schools Project must submit a 5 minute mixing sample on CD for each prize draw to the following address: Make me a DJ, Pioneer GB Limited,
Pioneer House, Hollybush Hill, Stoke Poges, Bucks SL2 4QP. Only 1 entry per year group per school will be accepted for each prize draw. Completed entry forms must be included inside each Pioneer House, Hollybush Hill, Stoke Poges, Bucks SL2 4QP. Only 1 entry per year group per school will be accepted for each prize draw. Completed entry forms must be included inside each
CD case. Entries for the student draws must be submitted by the following dates, 13th July, 12th October & 14th December 2007, failing which they will be void. All entries will become the CD case. Entries for the student draws must be submitted by the following dates, 13th July, 12th October & 14th December 2007, failing which they will be void. All entries will become the
Promoter’s on receipt and will not be returned. By submitting their entry, entrants will be deemed to have agreed to be bound by these rules. No purchase necessary. To take part in this promotion, Promoter’s on receipt and will not be returned. By submitting their entry, entrants will be deemed to have agreed to be bound by these rules. No purchase necessary. To take part in this promotion,
all entrants must be participating in the National Schools Project. 2. Winner Announcement - The winner’s school will be notified by email within 14 days of each draw to take place on the all entrants must be participating in the National Schools Project. 2. Winner Announcement - The winner’s school will be notified by email within 14 days of each draw to take place on the
following dates; 23rd July, 15th October and 17th December 2007. There will be one student winner per draw. These winners will be the sample picked at random on each of the draw dates. following dates; 23rd July, 15th October and 17th December 2007. There will be one student winner per draw. These winners will be the sample picked at random on each of the draw dates.
Winners will win a pair of HDJ-1000 headphones and a full version of Pioneer DJS Software. An additional School prize draw will take place on the 17th December 2007 where all previous student Winners will win a pair of HDJ-1000 headphones and a full version of Pioneer DJS Software. An additional School prize draw will take place on the 17th December 2007 where all previous student
entries will be entered into the draw for the school to win a training session with the Pioneer Pro DJ Team and the very latest Pioneer DJ kit available in the UK, comprising of 2 x Pioneer CDJs entries will be entered into the draw for the school to win a training session with the Pioneer Pro DJ Team and the very latest Pioneer DJ kit available in the UK, comprising of 2 x Pioneer CDJs
and 1 x Pioneer mixer. 3. Eligibility - The prize promotion is open to all pupils/schools participating in the National Schools Project except those entrants who are directly related to employees and 1 x Pioneer mixer. 3. Eligibility - The prize promotion is open to all pupils/schools participating in the National Schools Project except those entrants who are directly related to employees
of Pioneer GB Limited (the “Promoter”), any of its subsidiary, affiliated or associated companies, its agencies or any member of their households. 4. Validity - There is a limit of one entry per of Pioneer GB Limited (the “Promoter”), any of its subsidiary, affiliated or associated companies, its agencies or any member of their households. 4. Validity - There is a limit of one entry per
year group per school per student prize draw. Responsibility cannot be accepted for any entries lost or delayed in transit. Correspondence will be entered into only at the absolute discretion of year group per school per student prize draw. Responsibility cannot be accepted for any entries lost or delayed in transit. Correspondence will be entered into only at the absolute discretion of
the Promoter. 5. The Prizes - The prizes consist of 3 sets of 1 x pair HDJ-1000 headphones and DJS Software Pack. The school that wins the final prize draw will also be provided with 2 x the Promoter. 5. The Prizes - The prizes consist of 3 sets of 1 x pair HDJ-1000 headphones and DJS Software Pack. The school that wins the final prize draw will also be provided with 2 x
Pioneer CDJs and 1 x Pioneer mixer and one training session with the Pioneer Pro DJ Team, who will visit the winning school. The Promoter may in its absolute discretion substitute cash value Pioneer CDJs and 1 x Pioneer mixer and one training session with the Pioneer Pro DJ Team, who will visit the winning school. The Promoter may in its absolute discretion substitute cash value
for the prize or offer alternative prizes or equal or greater value. 6. Winner Publicity - Entrants accept that, if they win, the Promoter will have the right, without additional payment or permission for the prize or offer alternative prizes or equal or greater value. 6. Winner Publicity - Entrants accept that, if they win, the Promoter will have the right, without additional payment or permission
to use their name, and the schools name and likeness for the purposes of announcing the winner of this prize promotion. 7. Winning entry details - The name of the winner will be sent to to use their name, and the schools name and likeness for the purposes of announcing the winner of this prize promotion. 7. Winning entry details - The name of the winner will be sent to
anyone who writes within 3 months after the closing date, enclosing a stamped addressed envelope, to the address in rule 9 below, requesting details of the winning entry. 8. The Promoter - anyone who writes within 3 months after the closing date, enclosing a stamped addressed envelope, to the address in rule 9 below, requesting details of the winning entry. 8. The Promoter -
The Promoter is Pioneer GB Limited whose registered office is at Pioneer House, Hollybush Hill, Stoke Poges, Slough, SL2 4QP. The Promoter is Pioneer GB Limited whose registered office is at Pioneer House, Hollybush Hill, Stoke Poges, Slough, SL2 4QP.
 Appendix 6
‘MAKE ME A DJ’
THE DJ DICTIONARY
12. THE DJ DICTIONARY

Whatever you need to know you’ll find it explained in the DJ Blend, to When a DJ mixes two tracks during
Dictionary… the ambient or beatless part of one or
both tracks, they are blending the two
2 Step This sub genre of break beats is typified by R'n'B vocals tracks, as opposed to beatmatching or
and a prominent snare drum. any other method of mixing.

Acapella A track containing only vocals - with no drums, melody Body The main part of a track's tune -
or other accompaniment. between the build up and the
breakdown. The "theme."
Acid Prefix to a number of genre names (such as acid house,
acid trance etc) in which the use of the infamous Roland BPM Short for beats per minute. The bpm
303 drum machine creates a distinctive sound. indicates the speed of an individual
track. An easy way to count the bpm of
Ambient Ambient, or atmospheric electronica is background a track is to count the number of beats
music: it was meant to be heard rather than listened to. in a 15 second timeframe and multiply
The term is now extended to the more atmospheric that by 4 to get the number of beats in
techno music from 0 to 70 bpm. Illbient is a sub genre one minute. This is not especially
of ambient music invented by DJ Spooky in which the accurate, and electronic beat counters
feel of the track is more disturbing then relaxing. Nu are available to do this also.
jazz is another sub genre of ambient.
Ambient also refers to the beginning and end sections Break The part of a track where the song
of a track where there are often no beats, or audible generally fades down to an ambient, or
percussive rhythm. beatless section, or the main
percussive elements are reduced or
Anthem A track with a serious tone, having a dramatic left standing by the removal of the
crescendo, or build. Also a very well-known track that melodic part of the track. Most tracks
has come to typify a certain genre due to its popularity. have two breaks in them, one at the
Originally referred to choral arrangements, and other beginning and one at the end, several
religious songs of praise. bars before each end.

Bassline This is the DJ and the dance floor’s best buddy, if the
dancer can feel the bass line through their body as well
as hear it you’re onto a good thing.

Bashment A music style with Jamaican origins, characterised by a

deejay singing and rapping or toasting over raw and
danceable music riddims.– Shaggy, Stephen & Damian
Marley, Beenie Man, Same as Dancehall.

Battle A hip hop or drum and bass DJing competition in which

DJs compete against each other in short sets
showcasing their skills and track selection.

Beat A unit of rhythmical noise in music, it can be made up

of several notes or fractions of a note. The most
common beats come four per bar (a 4/4 time
signature).

Beat Counter An electronic device that counts the beats per minute
(bpm) of a track. Usually this is done by the user
tapping a special pad with their finger in time to the
music. The beat counter then works out how many
beats per minute this would equate to. Very often beat
counters and metronomes are combined in once device.

Beatmatch, to The art of synchronizing and blending two separate

tracks which to start off with had totally different
speeds or tempos.

44
Breakbeat This genre is basically a beat with a "break" or gap in Cue mix The cue mix allows you to hear what is
the continuity of the snare drums. The most common being played on each channel through
criteria for breakbeats are clear drums and percussion the headphones. You can also listen to
in a 4/4 measure. The snare usually plays on 2 and 4: so both channels simultaneously and
. 2 . 4. There may also be other snare hits in the some mixers allow you to pan between
measure that create even more complexity. Examples of the cue and what is currently being
breakbeat music include the genres breaks (also called heard through the main speakers.
breakbeats), funky breaks, nu skool breaks, dark
breaks, the Bristol sound, trip hop, big beat, jungle, Dancehall A music style with Jamaican origins,
drum and bass and 2 step and their variants. characterised by a DJ singing and
rapping or toasting over raw and
Breakdown Part of a track after the intro and before the outro danceable music riddims.– Shaggy,
where the beat slows or stops, creating tension before Stephen & Damian Marley, Beenie
the next section. Man, Same as Bashment.

Breaks Or: Breakbeat. A genre of music that incorporates a Demo A tape or CD made by a DJ to show off
breakbeat rhythm and a bpm of around 120-140. her skills to a promoter or other
person who may want to hire them for
Build, build up The areas after the breaks in a record where the track a gig. Learn how to make a good one
builds in melodic tension, before hitting the main body here!
of the tune. This part of a tune is often considered
sacred as they are the most exciting part of a track, Digital A description of data which is stored
alerting the dancefloor to the ensuing mayhem. or transmitted as a sequence of
discrete symbols from a finite set,
Burning Making a recording of your mix or music, usually most commonly this means binary
burning onto a CD. data represented using electronic
or electromagnetic signals. The
CD Compact disc. opposite of analog (also: analogue.)

CDR Recordable compact disc. DJ Disk jockey.

CDRW Re-recordable compact disc. DJS Pioneer Pro DJ Software.

Channel One line on a mixer, representing one deck’s output into Downtempo Also: Down tempo, down beat. Any
the system. genre of electronica of about 50-90
bpm.
Channel fader The channel faders allow you to control the individual
volume of each channel by the use of a slider or knob.

Channel This allows you to choose between different input

selector sources you have plugged into the back of your mixer.

Climax The rise in tension within a track that begins in the first
break and culminates in the start of the main theme of
the tune. The exciting build up!

Closed back In reference to headphones, this means that the ear

cups are closed to keep out surrounding noise and keep
in the noise of the music. It is essential that your
headphones are closed back when playing in loud
environments.

Crossfader Also: fader, x-fader. The crossfader is the main

component of the mixer allowing you to fade between
individual channels or play two channels
simultaneously.

Cue, to The act of finding the phrase within the next record you
intend to play in the headphones.

Cue level The cue level controls the volume of sound playing
through the headphones. Normally found on the mixer.

45
Drum and bass Also: D'n'b; drum'n'bass. The genre could be described Flight case Or crate. A carrying case designed to
as speeded-up breakbeats with a slower bassline. The protect from the effects of heat and
speed of the drums varies from 140-170 bpm; the rough handling during transit.
bassline is - sometimes - half of the speed of the drum.
The drums have the breakbeat 1 2 33 4, which means Gabber A sped-up type of techno with a 4/4
that the 2 and 4 are snare or kick drum `on the floor', beat, generally around 175 bpm.
while the 1 sometimes and the 3 hardly always are
syncopated drums (i.e. off the measure). The bassline is Garage Not to be confused with "garage rock",
flowing smoothly or pumping energetically, originating a genre of punk music, "garage" is one
from dub/reggae. of the most mangled terms in dance
music. The term derives from the
This genre came from jungle and evolved from the early Paradise Garage, a legendary club
1990s onwards. Today different sub genres of drum and which was located at 84 King Street,
bass are: atmospheric, intelligent, dolphin, 2 step, jump New York from 1976 till 1987.
up, dark, ragga, and jazzy drum and bass.
However the word garage has meant
Dub Essentially reggae in the raw, this cultish, perennially so many different things to so many
popular form strips out the majority of the music's different people that unless you're
melody at the mixing desk, leaving behind the rhythm talking about a specific time and place,
section and the residue of other instruments, often with it is virtually meaningless. Part of the
massive layers of echo. Reggae records with crashing reason for this confusion (aside from
effects and decidedly eccentric arrangements date back various journalistic
to the ska era. misunderstandings and industry
misappropriations) is that the range of
Electronica This is a genre of music created using electronic music played at the Garage was so
devices such as drum machines, samplers and broad. The music we now call
synthesizers. "garage" has evolved from only a
small part of the club's wildly eclectic
EQ 1) Noun. Equaliser. Three dials on a mixer used to soundtrack.
adjust the levels of bass, mid range and treble. There is
a set of dials for each individual channel on the mixer. Genre A category of music, marked by a
distinctive style, form, or content. A
2) Verb. "To EQ" is to adjust the equaliser on a mixer or subcategory within a particular genre
sound system for the optimal sound quality. is called a subgenre. E.g. nu skool is a
subgenre of breaks.
Equaliser See EQ.
Grime A sub-genre of urban music which
Exit or Outro Part of a track's structure, the exit is the last bars first emerged in the early 2000s. It’s
where several elements are usually dropped out to sparse with 2step breakbeats,
leave a simpler version of the track to mix out of. generally130-140 beats per minute,
and an aggressive, fast rapping style. –
Fader See crossfader or channel fader. Dizzee Rascal, Wiley, The Streets.

Filter Also: effects. A device by which a tune can be modified

on output without altering it's tempo - many mixers
come with effects filters, such as flange, reverb, echo
etc. which can be applied to one or more channels at
will to alter the sound of the track. Additional effects
devices can also be routed through your mixer to add
filters to tunes while you play.

Flange A cousin to the chorus effect, flanging operates on the

same time-delay principle. This time, though, the
distance between the two identical inputs is constantly
manipulated, creating distance between the sounds.
The end result is - unlike the smooth, seamlessly-
layered chorus - a discordant, textured wave of sound.

Flare The flare scratch, named for DJ Flare, breaks up sound

like the transform scratch. The DJ begins with the
sound on, then bounces the fader to cut sound then
bring it back in a split second. Each bounce equals one
click. Measure your flare speed in the number of
“clicks” you can manage in one stroke of your record
hand.

46
Happy Fast and furious four-beat hardcore with wacky, Hook 1. A catchy motif or refrain in a tune
hardcore speeded-up, cartoony vocals added. that is easily recognisable and
instantly likeable.
Hardcore Hardcore has several meanings:
1. A lifestyle and subculture within the electronic music 2. To hook (up): The connect a
scene, revolving around hard and experimental musical mechanism (your mixer or CDJs) to a
styles, appreciation not only of hardcore techno, but power source by wiring. E.g. "I have
other forms of hard music, as well as abstract music hooked up the decks to the mixer but
such as noise. The sub-culture itself borrows you can do the monitors."
extensively from goth and punk.
House 1. A genre of music with a four quarter
2. Hardcore,'Ardkore, UK Hardcore, UK Breaks. Music beat: 1 2 3 4 at about 125 bpm - about
that was considered hardcore in the early 90s, and the the speed of the heart of the dancer.
small amount of music in the same genre that is still On the 2 and 4, there is a snare drum
made today. Characterised by intense breakbeats, synth or hand clap; in between 1 2 3 4 of the
stabs, strings, chipmunk vocals, and sometimes bass drum, you hear hi hats. The
hoovers, and big subbass. Around 130-160bpm. tracks are finished with some
happy/swinging sounds, generally
3. Hardcore (as an overall genre of electronic music): a female vocals and a simple melody.
style characterised by hard beats, and often aggressive Different sub-genres of house include:
melodies and vocals, encompassing numerous diverse acid house, Euro house, hard house,
subgenres,including: Acid techno UK Hardcore Happy progressive house, speed garage, and
Hardcore Rotterdam (Dutch Gabber) Rottertrance tribal house.
(Dutch Gabber + Eurotrance) Gabber (hardcore techno,
but also an umbrella term equivalent to Hardcore) 2. The word house also refers to the
Speedcore aka Brooklyn Speedcore, Deathcore, main club or event space, as opposed
Terrorcore, Doomcore, Demoncore, Noisecore, to the DJ booth. E.g. "The house
Breakcore, Raggacore (such as Criminal Minds - volume is too low but these monitors
Baptized By Dub, Genaside II - Narramine) Darkcore are blowing my eardrums!"
(such as Q Project - Champion Sound, Out of Order -
The Dark Sheep) Skinnercore (characterised by being Industrial A genre of electronica marked by
made by Robert Alan Skinner) and many others. harsh rhythms, little melody, and
nihilistic lyrics, if any. Industrial is
Harmonies The harmony compliments the melody and adds more characterised by deep and densely
interest and variation. Clever harmonies make you feel layered mixes that use samples of
that the melody has changed when it is exactly the machine noises and industrial sounds.
same as when the track began. Industrial is also a subgenre of several
other genres of music, such as
Headphones Placed on your head so you can hear an incoming track industrial rock, industrial goth, etc.
while mixing, headphones are an essential part of
DJing. Choose a good quality pair with closed backs for
better bass response and their ability to shut out
external noise. Pioneer make great HDJ-1000
headphones.

Hi-Hat This cymbal is also found on the drummers left side

and is controlled by a foot pedal to make the two
cymbals open and close. When you listen to house
music it often plays on the off-beat referred to as
closed and open hats.

Hip Hop Hip hop is a cultural movement that began among

urban African American and Latino youth in New York.
The four main elements of hip-hop are MCing, DJing,
graffiti and breakdancing. Some consider beatboxing
the fifth element of hip hop; others might add political
activism, hip hop fashion, hip hop slang or other
elements as important facets of hip hop. The term has
since come to be a synonym for hip hop music and rap
to mainstream audiences. They are not, however,
interchangeable - rapping (MCing) is the vocal
expression of lyrics in sync to a rhythm beneath it;
along with DJing, rapping is a part of hip hop music.

47
Input selector The input selector is found on the mixer normally Melody This is the part which gets stuck in
situated along side the channel fader. The input your head and you can’t stop singing
selector enables you to switch from different input or whistling it when you walk down the
sources, another turntable or CD player for example. street.
This means that a mixer with two channels can make
use of more than two inputs. MIDI Musical Instrument Digital Interface. A
standard for synthesized electronic
Intro The beginning of a track before the main theme is music.
introduced.
Mix 1. Noun. A mix is when two songs are
Jungle The Jungle was the name of a notorious area in the city mixed together using beatmatching,
of Kingston, Jamaica where reggae and dancehall beats beat juggling or a simple fade across
evolved into what we now know as a form of drum and the breaks in two tracks. It can be as
bass called jungle. Typified by rolling basslines and long or short as the DJ likes. DJs often
percussive snare drums, the style became popular in try to make their mixes as individual
the early 1990's. Jungle is a genre in which MCs are and as interesting as possible.
popular.
2. Verb. "To mix" is the act of creating
Junglist A jungle DJ or someone who enjoys jungle or drum and a mix.
bass music.
Mixer One of the main pieces equipment
Jump start, to Starting a track at full volume (audible on the house needed to DJ. The mixer allows you to
speakers) exactly at a beat, exactly when you want to combine multiple sound sources and
(also referred to as cue starting). The track comes in play them as one.
and you have two tunes running in phase.
Monitor A speaker in the DJ booth that allows
Kick Drum This is what the bass drum on the drum kit would be the DJ to hear what they're doing.
doing if a drummer was playing. In nearly all house
tracks you will here it on all the beats of the bar (1, 2, 3, NRG NRG is an early evolution of new-style
4). In funk and hip hop you will here it only the first disco. Simple, fast, danceable early
beat of each bar (1, 2, 3, 4). house where the bass often takes the
place of the high hat. Considered to be
Kill switch These switches will instantly drop one channel's output, a cheesy, obsolete form of house by
or the bass, mid range or treble of a channel, from the underground fans but still played in
mix at the flick of a switch - useful for effects where the some of the more commercial clubs or
DJ drops one track out for a bar, or a beat or more. Kill by DJs with a highly developed sense
switches accomplish this more cleanly than trying to of irony.
slide the crossfader over quickly.
NRR Noise Reduction Rating. This is the
Levels The relative levels of highs, mids and bass output decibel level reduction that a set of
through the channels of a mixer when DJing. If you're earplugs gives you - anything less
asked by a sound engineer, the owner of the sound than an NRR of 20 dB (decibels) is not
system or another interested party to "check your much use.
levels" you should take that as a subtle hint that you are
playing with too much treble, bass ect. and should
adjust the equalisers to improve the sound of your set.
If someone takes the extreme measure of stepping
behind the decks and adjusts the levels on your mixer
for you, they are either being quite rude, or your
ignorance of your levels is so great that the equipment
is at risk of blowing.

Live PA Playing live is producing music on the fly with the use of
drum machines, synthesizers and so on. In reference to
a CDJ, if a deck is live, it is the one currently playing out
through the house speakers.

Loop Part of a track's structure, a loop is usually made of 4-8

bars which can be performed on any CDJ.

MC Master of Ceremonies. This is the individual that speaks

or raps over the music. Very popular in hip hop and
jungle genres.

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Nu jazz Could also be called "intelligent breakbeats" for it's Rap Rap and Hip Hop are pretty much the
more complex, or less commercially acceptable break same thing but come in a variety of
beat rhythms and subtler themes. Good nu jazz can be outfits. Hip Hop consists of MCing and
flawlessly enjoyable, but bad versions contain nothing DJing - Eminem, Beastie Boys,
more exciting than passé chill-out beats, generic Jurassic 5.
rapping, hammy vintage jazz samples and hackneyed
funk guitars. Reggae Born in Jamaica in the late 50's this
music was first an emulation of
Output display This is the LED display that shows which channel the American rock and roll and rhythm
crossfader has more bias towards, and/or the level of and blues. The tempo of the music was
the master volume. fast and was created for dancing. Out
of this emulation of American music
Outro Also: Exit. Part of a track's structure, the outro is the mixed with African and Caribbean
last bars where several elements are usually dropped influences was birthed "ska". In the
out to leave a simpler version of the track to mix out of. sixties, as ska music progressed it
evolved into a similar yet slower style
PA Abbreviation for Public Address System. In short this is called "rocksteady". The only
the equipment used to get the show on the road such significant difference between ska and
as, your speakers, amp, and subs etc. See also "live rocksteady was the tempo: both styles
PA." had the famous Jamaican rhythm
guitar and organ bubble
Phrase A group of multiples of four bars (in 4/4 time) which complemented by drums, bass, horns,
make up a complete melodic or rhythmic segment. vocals and a groove that kept you
Usually 4 or 8 bars, after which the melody or beat moving.
pattern repeats itself, or vocals enter a new line.
As the music in Jamaica continued to
Phrase A technique useful in house and hardcore, as well as evolve, it slowed down in tempo once
matching old skool jungle, consisting of matching up the again, giving birth to "reggae music".
beginning and end of a phrase, rather than just the "Reggae" was a phrase first coined by
beats, so that changes occur simultaneously in the two Toots and the Maytals and means "to
tracks being mixed. the King" in Latin. The only other
significant differences between reggae
Pitch 1. The relative position of a tone within a range of and its predecessors besides its tempo
musical sounds is determined by pitch. were its strong emphasis on a treble-
less bottom end bass line, a one drop
2. The percentage speed at which a track is playing on the drums and its new spiritual
relative to it's intended speed. The pitch can be altered emphasis in Rastafari. This reggae in
using the pitch control and is referred to as "plus 4" or its early or traditional state is what
"minus 6," etc. many now call "roots". This style was
made famous worldwide by Bob
Pitch bend On CD mixers the pitch bend allows the pitch of the Marley.
track you are manipulating to be sped up or slowed
down as required to match it's tempo to another track.

Pitch control The pitch control by convention is a slider situated on

the right hand side of the CDJ allowing you to change
the speed that the CD is played. Typically the pitch can
be altered +/- 8%.

Progressive An adjective used to describe a certain style of trance,

techno or house.

Promo This is a track that has not been officially released by a

record label. It is commonly a white label and is
generally given to well known DJs to play before the
tune is released in order to generate excitement about
the release and a demand for the tune. The industry
depends on these for the promotion of new music.

Ragga A particular form of dancehall, which is a sub-genre of

reggae. Ragga is short for raggamuffin, which means a
tough guy, ganster, and this also describes the sound of
ragga which is tough, hard hitting rap-like vocals. It's
basically the Jamaican equivalent of gangsta rap.

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Remix 1. To remix a track, one would heavily sample, or Selector Also Selecta, Record Selector. Slang
remake the track leaving enough similarities that it is term for a DJ. Commonly used in the
recognisable as a variation on the original. in the drum and bass scene.

2. A remix is the name given to the product of remixing. Set The tunes chosen and played by a DJ
at an event. Usually a DJ will play a
Resident The DJs and MCs who make up the regularly one to two hour set at a club or event.
performing core of a series of parties or events. A DJ or Scratch DJs often play shorter, more
MC can be a resident of several events in different clubs complex sets, and ambient DJs quite
and cities and even countries. often get stoned and play much, much
longer sets.
Rewind A rewind is performed when the DJ stops a CD or
record with her hand and rewinds it quickly. This makes Ska A brisk form of Jamaican-born rock
a garbled noise and cues the audience that the DJ is derived from reggae and rock energy.
about to replay an especially good part of the track It was popularised in the early 1980s
again. Rewinds are most common in drum and bass by British “black-and-white”
DJing and are often requested by the crowd. multiracial bands that formed a lighter
faction of the punk movement.
Rhythm Movement in musical time, with periodical recurrence
of accent; the measured beat or pulse which marks the Snare Drum The snare drum is the instrument
character and expression of the music; symmetry of found on a drummers left and is
movement and accent. The speed of a rhythm is defined by its steel springs found on
referred to as it's tempo. the bottom skin which produces a
metallic sound.
Ripping Copying a track to your PC or computer software.
Speed garage See: UK garage.
Rocksteady In the sixties, as ska music progressed it evolved into a
similar yet slower style called "rocksteady". The only Spinback Performing a spinback (also known as
significant difference between ska and rocksteady was a backspin) is when the DJ enhances a
the tempo, besides this, both styles had the transition between two tracks by
famous Jamaican rhythm guitar and organ bubble spinning the outgoing track backwards
complemented by drums, bass, horns, vocals and a for a few bars using her fingers, and
groove that kept you moving. quickly crossing the fader over to the
new track, which is already playing.
RPM Stands for revolutions per minute (the amount of times
the CD revolves in any given minute). Syncopated A shift of accent in a track or mix that
occurs when a normally weak beat is
Sample An extracted phrase from another source. eg another stressed.
record, CD or a sound you have burnt to CD, which is
added to a live or pre-recorded mix to create a new Tag team Also: tag. When two or more DJs play
sound. alternate tunes (or every two or three
tracks) they are said to be tag
To sample: to drop sampler from one track into another. teaming, or tagging.
Sampling can be carried out without the use of a
sampler machine by the use of the crossfader.

Sampler An electronic device used to play pre-programmed

samples by the pressing of buttons.

Scene All the people, clubs, raves, web sites, forums, zines,
magazines and so on that revolve around a certain type
of music. The scene is what you make it.

Scratch, to The sound produced when the sample is run back and
forth. Many variations exist and can really liven up your
set if performed well. The segment played could be any
part of the track, for example a single beat, phrase or
vocal sample.

Seamless This is a term used to describe the quality of a DJs'

mixing. If done perfectly without interruptions it is said
to be seamless.

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Talk over When this button is pushed on the mixer it reduces the Turntable This is the piece of equipment that is
music to a minimum so the DJ can talk to the crowd. used to play the records. They are
most commonly used in pairs and in
Techno A genre of music featuring mechanical beats and found conjunction with a mixer. There are
sounds that range from apocalyptic sirens to sampled two main types - direct drive and belt
TV and movie dialogue. It was founded in Detroit in the drive, both of which are very different.
early '80s and has a tempo of around 126-130 bpm. Like
house, the original techno is characterised by the four UK Garage When, around 1997, some London DJs
quarter bass drum: 1 2 3 4, but in techno the feel of the took the descendant of garage and
track is harder, darker and more driving. Sub genres of latched it to some cavernous, half-
techno include: Detroit techno, minimal techno, tempo basslines, speed garage or UK
experimental techno, hardcore and gabber, the latter of garage or the London Sound was born.
which can go up to 220 bpm in speed. Just to make things even more
complicated, this actually took its first
Tempo The speed of a track measured in bpm (beats per steps thanks to records by New Jersey
minute). producer Todd Edwards and adopted
New Yorker Armand Van Helden.
Theme In the structure of a track, themes are usually 16 to 32
bars (2 to 8 loops). They make up the main body of the The Armand Van Helden remix of CJ
tune, carry the melody and are the part you generally Bolland's "Sugar is Sweeter" defined
hum when remembering a tune. the whole speed garage sound with
that huge breakdown and massive
Track One tune on a CD. bass-line. He was the first one to
really come up with any sort of
Track structure 4 beats make up a bar, several bars make a loop, formula for the music.
repeat the loop a few times and you have the theme (the
characteristic melody of the track) and repeat the Vinyl 1. What records are made of. Vinyl is
theme a few times and you have a stage. Loops are 4 or susceptible to heat and compression:
8 bars, most of the time, themes are 16 to 32 bars (2 to store records in their sleeves, leaning
8 loops) and 2 to 8 times the theme makes the intro, upright against a flat surface, or
body, break, build up/climax or outro/exit. loosely packed in a record crate out of
the sun or a hot car.
Trainspotting Wannabe DJs crowding the DJ booth and attempting the
see what track is playing, often asking the DJ, or 2. Also another colloquial name for
otherwise interfering with the DJing process. They can records themselves.
be very annoying. The best way to show your
appreciation for a DJ’s choice of tunes is to dance. Vocal Vocals are the singing or spoken voice
part of a track. Some genres of
Trainwreck Term used to describe a sound made when failing to electronica are typified by they type of
match beats in a mix that can only be compared to vocals they use, but not all tunes have
listening to a pair of tennis shoes in the dryer. vocals. Very often when a track is
Trainwrecks happen to the best DJs at times, but are to released with several remixes on the
be avoided at all costs. CD, there will be versions with and
without vocals. Acapella tracks contain
Trance A genre of electronica with a tempo of about 130-160 only vocals, with no accompanying
bpm whose repetitive beats and thumping bass create drums or melody.
the "trancelike" state some listeners experience.
Subgenres of trance include psytrance (or "psy") hard
trance, Goa trance, deep trance, acid trance, epic trance
and tribal trance.

Transform, to The use of a crossfader or on/off switch to produce a

very fast stuttering sound of the input source (usually
used in scratching). Using the crossfader and starting
with the sound off, the DJ moves the CD with one hand
(scratching) while tapping the fader with the other as
sound increases. The result is what DJ Cash Money
called the “transform” or “transformer” scratch; sound
cuts in and out -- the scratching version of tremolo,
rapid repetition of a single pitch.

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Wax Another name for records. The compulsion to buy them
can lead to financial hardship and happiness at the
same time.

Wheels of Colloquial name for turntables.

steel

White label This is a CD that has no information on the label.

Generally a promo it is usually given to well known DJs
to play before the tune is released in order to generate
excitement about the release and a demand for the
tune. The industry depends on these for the promotion
of new music.

X-Fader An alternative name used for the crossfader. The X-

Fader is the main component of the mixer allowing you
to fade between individual channels or play 2 channels
simultaneously.

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