Dj FAQs

In the traditional sense, a DJ (short for disk jockey) is a person that actively plays prerecorded music for an audience - be it at a party, for patrons at a nightclub, radio, or TV shows. DJs are known to use audio equipment to simultaneously play at least two songs and mix them to create a seamless transition of one song to the next while developing unique mixes.

In most cases, DJs align the beats of the different music in their playlist so that their tempos and rhythms do not clash to enable a smooth transition from one song to the next.

Over time, the role of a DJ has also evolved into various other aspects of a musical performance. Today, people that carry the title ‘DJ’ are not only involved in the playing of recorded tracks but are also in charge of remixing tunes, production, and live presentation of the music and all its components. 

Deejaying is an art, which means that it mostly relies on a person’s creativity and a knack for musical skill and not their educational background. You only need to have a good ear to listen to the precise rhythm of the music and know how to introduce the next song without jarring.

While there are so many self-taught DJs around the world, some would require a little bit of training at DJ academies to understand how to operate the seemingly complicated turntables and equipment. This training lasts between a month and three, or until the student fully understands the nitty- gritty behind DJ equipment. 

Some of the best DJ software to own are:

• Serato DJ Pro
• Rekordbox
• Traktor Pro
• Virtual DJ 
• Algoriddim Djay
• CrossDJ 
• Mixxx

There is a lot of software out there for DJs to use, and every one of them will find one better than the other, mostly based on what they intend to do with it. Some of the most popular DJ software packages are the Serato DJ Pro, Rekordbox, and Traktor Pro. 

Other tools such as Virtual DJ and Algoriddim Djay are common among the mobile and home deejays. CrossDJ and Mixxx are other popular choices among general DJs. Before purchasing or downloading the software, you should first try out its demo or watch others use it before settling on it.

The most common challenges that DJs go through are:

• Having stage fright
• Faulty equipment at a set
• Lack of financial security
• Difficulties finding work

Becoming a DJ is easy but being one is quite challenging - meaning it is not for everyone. Apart from the common issues such as having stage fright, dealing with unresponsive equipment, dealing with a rowdy crowd, etc., DJs face various other struggles. 

One example is the lack of financial security. There are no retirement benefits or insurance cover in deejaying, and once you retire, you cease making money. However, you can channel the money you get as a freelance DJ into an investment that you can focus on after retiring. 

Another major challenge is finding work. Getting started as a freelance DJ can be quite challenging, more so if you do not command a huge following or lack good management. However, with experience, you start to learn ingenious ways to find clients and get called to perform in numerous events. 

The amount of money a DJ charges is dependent on various factors such as where they are to perform(both the geographical location and venue), for how long they are to perform, how popular they are (their perceived value), and so forth. 

DJs that perform at corporate events and at festivals tend to make more money than their counterparts, followed by radio DJs. Wedding DJs take the next spot, as couples would want only experienced individuals so as to ensure that their special day goes through smoothly. 

Club DJs are also well paid, but if one isn’t the resident DJ, their terms of payment can be on a per hour basis, with some charging anywhere between $100 and $500 per hour in a major city. 

The more popular a DJ is, the more money they get to charge wherever they perform. The likes of Martin Garrix, Tiesto, Steve Aoki charge a lot more, compared to your local DJ that only gets called to house parties and basic events. Nevertheless, it doesn’t automatically mean that a DJ that isn’t so popular or charges relatively lower prices will let you down in your event. They might actually be good, just that they lack the necessary expertise to skyrocket their career.

The three main types of DJs are club DJs, Radio DJs, and mobile DJs. Mobile DJs are also referred to as freelance DJs and do not have a specific employer or work station. They are called in to perform at random events such as weddings, parties, events, etc.

Most club DJs are resident DJs employed to work at a particular nightclub, entertaining the patrons. They may perform at other gigs too, but only when they are not entertaining guests at their clubs.

Radio DJs are more popular and are in charge of playing and mixing the music we hear on radios and TVs. These DJs have extra responsibilities, including taking in requests from the listeners, interviewing guests and celebrities, etc. 

The main things you’d require as a freelance DJ are:

• Having a laptop
• Access to DJ software such as Serato
• A mixer
• Controllers
• Speakers 

As a rule of thumb, every DJ must own their own laptop and external hard drive to store all their music collection. The laptops are crucial for running DJ software such as Serato and Traktor. However, some modern DJs do not heavily rely on laptops as they can control the software via a tactile hardware interface when using a controller. Others also run the software using synthesizers or studio programs such as Ableton when performing live.

The other equipment required by the DJs are mostly provided by the employers, especially in the case of club and radio DJs. However, if you are a freelance DJ, it would be prudent to have your own full set of machines and software. 

Some of the must-haves are a mixer, a controller, headphones, and speakers (although you’ll find the speakers in most events brought by event managers). The controller and mixer let you blend the music, the headphones are necessary while cueing the music, and the speakers are, of course, the sound output. 

Becoming an amateur DJ is now much easier and a lot cheaper than it used to some years back. Today, all you need is a laptop, the right DJ software, a music playlist, and some free time. Once you have mastered the basic tenets of deejaying, you can upgrade to better equipment, such as getting a simple controller. For a start, you can begin with a good laptop which you can find at less than $500, purchase the software at $100, and you’re good to go.

 The easiest way to pick a suitable DJ candidate for your event is by: 

• Listening to their pre-recorded music
• Inquiring about their style of music
• Understanding what their favorite genre of music is.
• Finding out if their rates match your budget

 There are many freelance DJs all over, and settling on the best one for your event is often a daunting task. However, it is actually a simple process. All you need to do is to have the DJ provide you with their pre-recorded mixes and listen to their style of music. 

If you want to hire one to perform at your wedding, you can ask to browse through their music collection. If you find it appealing and liked their prerecorded mixes, then that’s the right candidate for you. Also, ensure to understand their budget and rates before giving them the work. In most cases, it would be more advisable to agree on a per-day payment basis and not a per-hour basis. 

The main role of a DJ during an event is to ensure a smooth transition of music from one song to the next, taking into consideration factors such as rhythm and tempo. However, they also play other vital roles that often go unnoticed, such as:

• Ensuring that the audio output levels are consistent throughout the set and in between songs. The audience barely knows that some songs have much louder while others have a softer element, and when these two types of songs are played back to back, it can be jarring. A DJ’s role is to ensure that the sound levels are consistent to keep the music flowing without distractions. 
• Another major role that DJs play is to ensure that the event runs smoothly with the help of an MC. However, if there isn’t an emcee for the event, the DJ takes charge, making announcements as the event progresses and sticking to the schedule. 
• DJs are also trained to read the crowd and change the playlist based on how they react. Unlike simply plugging in your phone to the audio jack and letting the music play, a DJ can change the music genre depending on the crowd’s moods. If the energy levels are beginning to droop, the DJ can change the music to a more upbeat genre.