How To Avoid Ever Panicking About What To Play Next At A DJ Gig - TuesdayTipsLive - Online DJ School

[@househeadspeakz]

This is why you prepare a playlist. You can play up to 16 tracks for an hour set. Double it. That way you have plenty of tracks to choose from. Organize for the first 16 and have the remaining on reserve. Always Hot cue your tracks and practice them before your gig. Preparation is key.

If you're mixing popular house music, for an hour of entertaining mix you need at least 30 tracks. 60 minutes / 3 minutes per track = 20 tracks, if you play intro-to-outro. Obviously, you wanna mash up a little, you want to mix acapellas, you want double drops, you want some ambience...

[@donaldccannon1]

30 songs per hour i wish hip hop or reggae was like that you talking close to 70-100 with reggae alone lol crowd will boo you for playing 2 long

[@kingvybz8479]

@@donaldccannon1 I guess we're both Caribbean lol btw we dont organized playlist either...

[@gotopshelf8]

Alway keep an "emergency" HIT on an extra deck (4th deck) just in case. I also use the PREPARE section (Serato) for requests or tracks i want to play coming up, so i don't have to search for them again.

[@bboymac84]

Condence your selection and playlist of certain moods. High energy, build ups, mellow/chill vibe. Sexy mood, commercial clean and kids.

[@digitaldjtips]

Solid tips 👍👍

[@bboymac84]

Digital DJ Tips i produce and DJ at the same time. I can show you how to DJ and produce live beats.

[@kevinkimucha7742]

Mac Joseph great idea

[@djmsagar5272]

This is very true. Well explained. I cannot put in words, how annoying it is when DJs are working in a flow that is not this logical. It's human to panic and worry but the skill is in dealing with it. Preparation is one thing but we must always have logical reactions. As you explained, using the unused decks as optional next tracks or in case of Virtual DJ for those who use it, a side list which you can make on the go. But, always have a next song loaded in the other deck! Simple. Oh! and yes, please avoid overlooping 🙂🙂. Great video as usual Phil.

[@digitaldjtips]

Glad you enjoyed the content! We're working on the production values, lol! :)

[@djdigital3806]

I whip out my Krog Wavestation EX synthesizer🎹 Now as a 80's DJ I don't any problems finding a track to play. I use Digital and Analog equipment🤔

[@techsavvyhero]

Smart advice! You're so right about pre-packing flight case of vinyl records back in the day. Good way to do it

[@digitaldjtips]

Cheers!

[@Guachum]

I have a crate for everything, with music: by language, by country, by genre, best songs by genre, by decade, by type of event, by activity during an event, by specific event, etc. During an event, I just go through these crates. Even though it takes a lot of time to do all this work beforehand, it's so easy to find the "right" song to play during an event.

[@done.8373]

I follow the "two times rule" as well! It's a habit from my time with vinyl. In fact, I think that this planning phase is the one thing that made vinyl special; you just couldn't bring all your stuff so you had to do some pre-planning. This is something that wedding/private party DJs still do well, and club DJs definitely have something to learn from them.

[@digitaldjtips]

Wise words Don!

[@Bryanegreenlee]

Preparation is the key to success!

[@geneonmusic5986]

These videos are giving me so much confidence 🎵

[@digitaldjtips]

Really glad they're helping you, geneon music.

[@buddafingaz9403]

Very helpful Phil, much thanx, Happy Holidays..... 🔥💯👍🙏🎄🐺🎶

[@digitaldjtips]

No problem! Thanks a lot :)

[@systembooms69]

Nice topic! Everyone is going to face it, at least once....

[@digitaldjtips]

Yep, one less thing to worry about this way :)

[@brettcooper3893]

Solid tips, and I already do 2 of these without even realizing it.

[@digitaldjtips]

Awesome! Glad to hear it :)

[@dlboy2008]

Thats when playlists matter, along with a playlist for each mood type of the genre not just every genre.

[@digitaldjtips]

With you 100%.

[@erikstcroix]

Beat jump is great for shortening tracks that are too long but awesome too!...skip undesirable sections.

[@digitaldjtips]

Very true :)

[@rickysavage9328]

I can't count how many times I've decided to switch songs 5 - 10 seconds before the mix point. My library is 3000+ so good crates are essential. Dragging songs into the "prepare" library in serato is great for when you see a song that could work at a later time but you don't wanna forget it under pressure. Also that flashing light that comes on the jogwheels doesn't help calm you down at all haha.

[@digitaldjtips]

Yeah, the prepare window can definitely be your friend. Thanks for the feedback Ricky!

[@BudiSetiawan-id9en]

I put some mark as "good" on some various bpm best song , so when panic i just type "good" on search textbox pick the nearest bpm, load it up and play

[@digitaldjtips]

Nice tip :)

[@jordanstevens3927]

You know I was also just thinking. If you have pre recorded mixes or short mixes saved to your laptop would you recommend maybe throwing in a mini mix that you pre recorded and that will give you some time to look for a track that you could throw into the end of the mini mix that you pre recorded and that way it doesnt sound like you panicked at all because nobody will be able to tell it's pre recorded if you don't act like it.

[@digitaldjtips]

Not a bad idea to have something short on hand for emergencies

[@CrakerzANDcl1tz]

I use 3 decks for my mixes sometimes. 1st track playing on deck 1. Deck 2 is just for some background claps or basslines. And I'll have my next track ready on another deck. Check them out (x

[@nabusintox2627]

My 4th cue point is always the "exit" so I know when it's safe to start bringing in the new track, and as a bonus it can buy more time if you need it. BUT I find the only one really obsessed with not letting the beat stop is us: if the next song you planned really isn't working, or you just can't find one, an awkward silence can actually build tension - just make sure you find something absolutely killer (with preferably an intro or break to start it) and people will lose their minds when you bring the beat back. Good opportunity to completely change tempo/key/genre - chances are if you've got Serato face you've worn out that section of your collection.

[@digitaldjtips]

Good advice :)

[@flamencopeko]

I love basics videos. Great, great stuff.

[@done.8373]

One other saving technique? Load not a track, but some form of background sound or ambient. Think sort of like Oakenfold's use of the Blade Runner sample; if you have something cool that is relevant to your audience, you can fade something like this as a palette cleanser and go instantly from anything to anything.

[@DJKOOLBREEZE]

Easy way we do it in reggae if a song runs out is make a speech on the mike and bring the same song back from the top.

[@digitaldjtips]

Nice trick!

[@djgingecoldwell10]

It's called Jump Back, when working in the Caribbean , it was not uncommon for the crowd to shout Jump Back!!, so you just play it again.

[@kevinjean7699]

Pullllll uuuuppp. Rewind rewind rewind. Ok selectah bring it to the top. Way back when ppl were DJing in Jamaica 🇯🇲 they only had 1 turntable and a mic. So as the Selectah, soundboy was changing over the vinyl the MC (which is actually given the title of DJ in Jamaica) would go on the mic and get the ppl going. The new vinyl would then be played and so on. Go look up what a sound clash is in Jamaica.

[@kodojak7738]

Have a handful of "power combos" that you have songs handy to transition them in from and out to depending on what direction you want the set to go. Helps retune you back to something you're familiar and comfortable with and back in with the energy. :)

[@digitaldjtips]

Nice tip, thanks!

[@aoxjo-rebel8313]

My tips as a DJ in relation to this video: 1. Know your music very well. The more you know it, the easier it is to know what track to play next, how to mix it in, and also would help you improvise and deviate from your prep work in live mixes when you really need to. It will even make YOUR experience as a DJ in the booth a lot more fun, on point, and focused on delivering pure joy, which will certainly reflect on the crowds and make you stand out. 2. Prepare. Always have a prepared track line up to start from and come back to when things are in line, with substitute tracks on the side - you never know when you're going to need them. Sometimes in gigs the energy levels aren't as you would expect. The crowds aren't responding as you imagined and at that time you can't keep going with what you're doing, you have to improvise a twist to catch the crowds and then take it from there. You can always get back to your original prepared mix once you feel the crowds are in line with your vibes. 3. Fix your track keys. Use "Mixed in Key" or do it manually if you have to, and always keep your substitute tracks within easy reach. On emergencies when you have no clue what to play next, mixing another track just by key would buy you more time and can never really go terribly wrong. Nothing is worse than mixing two tracks that aren't harmonically compatible.

[@digitaldjtips]

Solid advice :)

[@ls4life544]

Phil, what will be your approach in selecting music for your crate. Now we have mixed in key, lots of new music, bangers, old favorites . Considering all that I mention what you think will be a 1 to 5 step process to accomplish getting a good number of songs.

[@soundscapes6914]

I play Deep Tech/ Minimal.. use loops for layering as it gives a good rich mix. Therefore have to use all four decks. Its so much fun to play with all 4 channels. Just have to be musically correct about managing the breaks in the mix.

[@digitaldjtips]

Great, thanks for sharing Sound Bug.

[@liyahbxby1234]

DJ karm from Jamaica just observing, good job

[@digitaldjtips]

Thanks for watching :)

[@djelib]

I'm new too but I'm like this. Thanks a lot for the tips. Dj E from Liberia

[@digitaldjtips]

You're welcome DJ E :)

[@hot4futureyears2come]

people don't do this cause they have this "i read the crowd" "no need for crate sets" mentally. i was one that took one hour to pack three crates of records (banger (fast)) slow stuff. and just in case crate. back in the vinyl days. software has been a god site to someone like me. create playlists and USE them.

[@digitaldjtips]

Yes - it's a good discipline to get into!

[@RollYourOwnProductions]

I started as a solo DJ, in my mid teens but by the time I got to 18 I had joined a sound system with friends and the sound system philosophy (back then, anyway) was to bring the kitchen sink and some extra pipes - I literally carried my entire record collection to many a gig in those days. Mind you, we used to play for 12 hours or more (house parties), so it was actually necessary, especially because being a young, skint teen my record collection wasn't massive (hundreds rather than thousands) at that time. I used to pride myself on not playing the same tune twice, which in the early days meant that a lot of b-sides and album tracks got drawn out, but as long as you kept the crowd on your side through the night they would usually accept the odd track that they didn't know (or didn't know that they knew) as long as it was in keeping with the preceding and following tracks. These days it's very rare for me to play out and when I do, it's never for 12+ hours straight. However, you know what they say about old dogs, so I still over pack my crates (virtual or otherwise) for my radio shows and usually only play about a third (or less) of my 'selection' by the end of the show.

[@SureshKumar-do2kj]

Spy da Man ....I take it as inspiration buddy but I'm stucked between my family and my goal I always wanted a DJ and enjoy the music I don't think about that all stuff (girls, drinking, smoking,etc...) I'm a music lover but u know I'm from poor family and my parents wants me to study......but u r awesome bro u started DJ in u r teen

[@RockstahRolln]

Ha! EXACTLY what I used to do back in the vinyl days!

[@kingvybz8479]

Real talk, I build create. Not create playlist, you can build a playlist and the crowd isn't feeling that vibe...you watch the crowd and play...

[@timmytopman8827]

I love the show, lots of great incite. From Toronto ❗️

[@digitaldjtips]

Glad you found it useful!

[@ClectaSkiMusic]

Good content as always

[@digitaldjtips]

Thank you!

[@jordanstevens3927]

What I would do is if you don't have a song on deck 2 and your song on deck 1 is ending I would at least find a song that is in the same key of the song playing no matter what song it is and just eq it real quick so it's quieter than the song playing and then start bringing in the song that you loaded onto deck 2 and then it should have some kind of drop or build up when the song on deck 1 ends.

[@digitaldjtips]

Nice idea, thanks Jordan :)

[@djenphuze558]

Or u could make a loop at the end of the track and use it for emergencies, which will give enough time to find the track ur looking for and mix it in or blended of cut it in one either way works!!!! Plus u can use that loop if you are changing genres or high or low bpms as well!!!

[@ReboyGTR]

So basically *sort your music?*

[@digitaldjtips]

Yeah... but by gig rather than just in general.

[@krissymarklewis1793]

What I like to do is have history from a similar genre/set that I keep on the side. I think all DJs have a WTF do I play moment and I find that gets me out of trouble if I'm truly stuck.

[@digitaldjtips]

Good idea!

[@martinherrera1066]

Thanks for the tips ...great info

[@digitaldjtips]

You're welcome Martin :)

[@djbykonz5531]

I always use 4 decks cuz most times I create live remix on the go and that makes it easier and crazy

[@digitaldjtips]

Nice 👌

[@hot4futureyears2come]

How much do you love that Controller ? looks perfect for me

[@digitaldjtips]

Yeah, it's a great controller Jose

[@OfficialDJWolve]

#DDJ1000 😎

[@TanzBarKeiten]

My Tipp:Look for the DDJ-RX Jose 😉more Features for same Price😎

[@itsXZY]

@TanzBarKeiten aka T.B.K. LOL NO. DDJ-1000 is so much better.

[@mrcrud118]

I regularly use 3 and 4 when playing dubstep

[@djhaboogie2k18themusicmaes8]

hey, Phil your convo is Great, but i would Rather see you Do... the Live... Examples And Show.. What to actually.. Do???, Show US, i owns The DDJ-1000 myself, and I wants and would like you To Show by Example on What to Actually Do??? Thanks, this would Help ... millions of DJ’s ... thanks my Veteran DJ, Salute

[@digitaldjtips]

That's what our courses teach DJHaboogie2k18 The Music maestro :) Also check out our DJ Skill Sessions video on this channel.

[@nybpl]

save time => 11:05

[@gymarines]

if i dont have a playlist or ran out of it, I would load the next song right after i would look for the second one and i would look for the 3rd one. and when i played the second i would look for the the other almost within 1 minute of having the 1st one playing.

[@reddepo]

Some practical advice here, thank you! Is there an easy way to mark your track as the favorite with the Denon Prime Series?

[@digitaldjtips]

Good question! Not sure on that one, we don't have it set up to test now - hopefully another user can help with this on here... 👍

[@stevebutterworth6722]

Add them to the prepare list by swiping to the left! I have my whole nights playlist in the prepare folder which still gives me my whole music folders incase of any awkward requests which also then get added to the prepare list.

[@khaoyanelson4849]

Nice Advice

[@digitaldjtips]

Thanks!

[@hot4futureyears2come]

you can also put a track into the sampler deck if you only have two channels and have that ready just in case i have mine on the E bank in serato

[@digitaldjtips]

Yet again, great tip - thanks :)

[@bboymac84]

Jose Lugo i use previewer in traktor

[@partycity55]

Great ideas !

[@digitaldjtips]

Thanks :)

[@CosticaKristianDiVogli]

I wish I had this video, back in 2012, when I've started. However, I pulled the USB out, in Ministry Of Sound (2013)

[@digitaldjtips]

Ouch! You live and learn :)

[@ToxikDnB544]

I always use decks 3 and 4 for double drops and big live mashups (Drum and bass)

[@digitaldjtips]

Nice :)

[@blackspider2274]

I was trying virtual dj8 here in Canada, and was thinking about buying it, but it cost over $300. Do you know where one could buy a legal version for a decent price? Thanks.

[@t.kahraba763]

blackspider ditch vdj and upgrade to serato, traktor or rekordbox much more professional than vdj. If you buy a controller it usually comes with a software depending on the brand

[@digitaldjtips]

It's pretty much the same price no matter what, purchased directly from VDJ. You could also just buy a single controller license for a bit cheaper

[@XBASS247]

i use all decks on ddj1000 ,big mash up mix

[@digitaldjtips]

Nice!

[@_cr8ive_]

Gr8 advice as always...Hi Phil and team.... #bestonlinetraining #digitaldjtipsrules

[@digitaldjtips]

You're welcome, thanks for the kind words and hashtags :)

[@OfficialDJWolve]

Man I wish you did a school, you and the Digital DJ Tips crew should totally be teachers, I would pay to do that school 😃

[@digitaldjtips]

LOL we do - check out our courses :)

[@OfficialDJWolve]

Digital DJ Tips no I meant like face to face, like being at a college course

[@digitaldjtips]

Gotcha!

[@12tribes61]

This why you need a 4 channel controller

[@MovieCaveDave]

I have a question and I have Asked All The DJ’s I know (6) and even Tweeted Serato & Pioneer, I have the SX2, but this is a Serato Question, I know about midi mapping BUT, I like to have my echo effect using 2 other effects, the shorter delay and I can’t Remember The other lol, anyways, Is there anyway to midi map all three effects as a preset on a button. Knob or pad.. I have to always keep going in and setting it up again manually everytime I start a mix, scratch or set.. PLEASE HELP.. It’s the only thing I can’t get right.. Cheers

[@cleverdaft]

Buenos Dias from Burton Upon Trent..! 🎧🥑

[@ahdzfernandez2344]

Nice

[@digitaldjtips]

Thanks!

[@TheDex64]

DJ Vise Royal from Trinidad hi thanks for the info

[@digitaldjtips]

Hey :) You're welcome!

[@luckyjohnson4625]

Am d.j soft am new I like what u do

[@victorpadilla9444]

Can you type in history of your last gig? That helps a little.

[@digitaldjtips]

Agreed Victor - gig history is an awesome "secret weapon".

[@dj2clean514]

1: How to dj with music you don't know or like and keep a vibe so the people keep the people dancing . 2: what to do if you drop a song that clear the floor 🤔

[@digitaldjtips]

You'd hopefully never be going number one for a long period of time, number 2 is when you go into your "guaranteed floor fillers" crate and win them back :)

[@jeffreydouglas7504]

hello from miami fla

[@digitaldjtips]

Hey Jeffrey :)

[@kingvybz8479]

Djs in Europe etc have it really easy... 30 songs a hour etc lol walking with prepared music... yall need to come to the Caribbean and DJ lol

[@digitaldjtips]

James Hype is an English DJ and often fits in 90 tracks in an hour (including acapellas and layering that is), we're all quite different as I'm sure they are on the Caribbean :)

[@kingvybz8479]

Definitely different lol we play 10 - 15 songs in 10 minutes lol but our djing is way different thou

[@bboymac84]

I use deck 3+4 plus remix decks

[@digitaldjtips]

Nice!

[@gotopshelf8]

HEY.... you just took my tip! LOL

[@digitaldjtips]

😄

[@samberliner-sachs7160]

What controller are you using

[@digitaldjtips]

DDJ-1000

[@philbradley4278]

Phil Hi from Horley, Surrey

[@digitaldjtips]

Hi Phil!

[@afxtwin1337]

I use deck 3 and 4.

[@digitaldjtips]

Yeah good way of doing it :)

[@BudiSetiawan-id9en]

Is it also work for situation when you need to go pee in middle of the play?

[@digitaldjtips]

Always have a 7 minute + song in your crate for that one :)

[@CDAFishboy]

The seven minute song is a good idea, but who plays 7 min songs without cutting them when interest wanes? I hit automix and make sure it switches over and one transition in automix goes, then I know it will go well when I am gone. I never leave the booth without engaging automix. You get hung up and start running and it looks stupid

[@CrakerzANDcl1tz]

This controller should be allowed at clubs 🙄🙄🙄

[@chrislindley5469]

Hi Phil

[@digitaldjtips]

Hey Chris :)

[@djcvmusic1]

Thats why I dont care about 2 decks DJ gears...

[@uonadtehrrocks]

Hit shuffle on your iPod plugged in? lol

[@digitaldjtips]

High risk business, that!

[@djshaneomac573]

Dj Shane O Mac Missouri lfw

[@digitaldjtips]

Thanks for watching :)

[@glennrothwein8583]

Dj Glenn Croydon pa

[@digitaldjtips]

Thanks for watching :)

[@treezybeats602]

The audio on this video is terrible I’m so distracted by that buzzy static 🎶🤯🔫

[@digitaldjtips]

Yeah we know, the perils of being live on new gear., We'll fix it for next time :)

[@tripzincluded8087]

(if you dj so mentally; you probably cannot mix yet.. (::)