DJ SHORT COURSE w/ Nick Toth

10 weeks / sessions

2 hours each

Week 1:

• Introduction - course overview - learning outcomes / dream & aspirations

• Brief history of DJing & electronic music – from reggae to hip hop, house, EDM, trap & drill

• Equipment overview – from turntables to CDJs & controllers – different software options

• P.A. set up – signal flow – jargon – troubleshooting

• Intro to your equipment – basic features of DJ controller – loading tracks

• Intro to Serato DJ – file types & management – sourcing your music

• Cueing a track – how to locate the first ‘cue point’ – practice time & questions

• Homework: use tracks supplied, set the first cue point

Week 2:

• Revision of key points week 1 & questions

• Basic beat matching techniques – cue points – jog wheel – learning to listen

• How to correct out of sync tracks – how to read waves forms

• Beat matching with 2 copies of the same instrumental – practice time

• Your first beat mix transition – using volume faders / monitors / headphones

• Serato DJ – file management on your HD – importing & analyzing files

• Homework: practise beat matching with instrumentals

Week 3:

• Revision of key points week 2 & questions

• Setting BpM – beat matching using pitch tempo slider

• Jog wheel modes & techniques – practise time & feedback

• Intro to music structure – beats/bars/intro/outro – different genres of music

• Serato DJ – setting hot cue points – how to use the performance pads

• Homework: Set hot cues for your tracks based on structure

Week 4:

• Revision of key points week 3 & questions

• Beat mix transitions using intro & outro markers – practise time & feeback

• Finetune your beat matching/mixing/cueing – troubleshooting

• Sourcing your music – file types (MP3/WAV/AAC/etc) – sample/bit rate – dos & don’ts

• Planning a set – concept – dynamics

• Serato DJ – organizing your music – crates/sub-crates/track info

• Homework: download 10 tracks you might use for your 20min set & prep them

Week 5:

• Revision of key points week 4 & questions

• Enhancing your performance with EQ mixing/bass transitions

• Serato DJ – how/when to use internal mode – FX basics

• Start building your set – practise time & feedback

• Homework: prepare 3 tight beat mix transitions for your set

Week 6

• Revision of key points week 5 & questions

• Working with different genres of music / different styles of Djing

• Intro to scratching & other turntable techniques

• Build your 20min set – practise time & feedback

• Homework: rehearse your set & record/film yourself

Week 7

• Revision of key points week 6 & questions

• Review your recorded set & give feedback

• Serato DJ – advanced features – ‘setup’ tab – FX

• Music industry intro – roles (artist/manager/agent/booker/etc) – professional conduct

• Business admin basics – invoicing – tax

• Rehearse your 20min set – practise time & feedback

• Homework: rehearse your set & record/film yourself

Week 8

• Revision of key points week 7 & questions

• Review your recorded set & give feedback

• Copyright basics – composition vs master rights – licenses (APRA)

• How to create your own live remix/mash-up

• Rehearse your 20min set – practise time & feedback

• Homework: source files & produce your own mash-up

Week 9

• Revision of key points week 8 & questions

• Marketing for DJs – ‘you are your brand’ – free/paid platforms – social media

• Prep for week 10 – performance tips & hacks

• One on one practical – 20min set run through – fine tuning

• Where to from here? - career options – further study

• Homework: rehearse your set & record/film yourself

Week 10

• LIVE Performance at external venue (Your Time To Shine)