How To CREATE a DJ SET From Scratch For Beginners | with Transition Ideas

DJ LiftOFF teaches you how to build a DJ Set from Scratch for Beginners! Included within the video are mixing techniques and transition ideas!
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[@stoobe]

Really great techniques!

[@zeenuf00]

You need a lot of songs to plan sets like this. Not only do you have to gradually transition into different BPM's, you have to do the same thing with keys. You can get stuck in the 'neighborhood' of a key and its relative major or minor if you don't have enough songs in adjacent keys to work your way around the wheel - so to speak. You basically get painted into a corner and wind up just having to spin out or use effects to transition. And that's all good, but it goes to show that you need like 3 times the amount of songs you think you need to build a set.

[@DJLiftOFF]

💯💯💯

[@hitaholicshitaholics3932]

Bro this a gem right here. This helped me out alot. I knew how to beat mix and do transitions just had no clue on how to set up a mix.

[@britneekristinebeauty]

Thank you ! I love the way you teach

[@DJLiftOFF]

You’re more than welcome 🙏🏾 glad it’s helpful 🙌🏾

[@Nthabeleng_thedj]

Thanks so much for taking your time and effort to make this highly informative and recommendable video!!

[@DJLiftOFF]

You are more than welcome 🙏🏾

[@123rock1]

real good mate, i hav been searching for this kind of tutorial for a while now. so happy i can come back to this.

[@DJLiftOFF]

Happy you landed here as well 🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@2cthedj441]

This was a very good video!! I love the way you explained everything so detailed and to the point. I would love to see more on doing set building for clubs and so on from all different angles such as a request is given and now you have to add that song that might not go with your set but your keep your crowd engaged and it's may or not be a hot so to you but more then 4 people asked for the same song. also keep up the awesome work 👏 💪🏾

[@DJLiftOFF]

Thank you bro! 🙌🏾 And wow, that’s a really dope suggestion. Definitely going to add that to my list.

[@C-Dub1906]

Thank you, Bro. Picking a vibe for mix, taking your time & pairing your tracks, and thinking about your entry and exit points was helpful. These have been things I’ve been slowly discovering on my own. It’s helpful to hear it from a Vet.

[@DJLiftOFF]

You’re welcome bro! 🙏🏾

[@ItsClarkGable]

Master Class. Great Job!!!

[@DJLiftOFF]

🙏🏾🙏🏾 thanks G

[@aj6761]

Bro, excellent upload and advice!

[@DJLiftOFF]

Thanks bro, appreciate the support 💯

[@shukranisherard7152]

This was dope, bro! Gracias.

[@DJLiftOFF]

More than welcome 🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@defaultname3432]

Good info bro. Much Respect!

[@DJLiftOFF]

Thanks bro!! Appreciated 🙏🏾

[@christinebuckie7122]

This video was so helpful!

[@DJLiftOFF]

Love to hear it 🙌🏾

[@skeetdog11]

Very in-depth tutorial, Ive been DJing since 1999 and Im still learning! Thanks man!

[@DJLiftOFF]

Love to hear it man! You're more than welcome 🙏🏾

[@TriplicateTrey]

I’m so glad I found your channel. You explain things in a way that doesn’t seem like you’re talking down to the less experienced, you include crucial details in basically every point you make, and I always leave your videos feeling like I have learned something. Thank you for that! Subscribed

[@DJLiftOFF]

I love to hear that man 🙏🏾 thanks so much! Glad I can break things down in a way that’s easily understood!

[@sammyguelly6227]

That was nice!! Thnx a lot!!

[@DJLiftOFF]

You’re welcome, thank you! 🙏🏾

[@damondangerous74]

Great tutorial! Appreciate the logic behind the methods. A lot of tutorials are informative with techniques but not the theories or ingredients you need to create the sets.💯👊🏿🔥🔥🔥

[@DJLiftOFF]

Much appreciated!!! I def try to go in depth as much as I can without the videos getting to lengthy. So I def appreciate this 🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@markgreenway2655]

Great video mate, really enjoyed it and it will help massively with my learning curve and understanding how to DJ . I will record a mix soon and post it. Thanks again

[@DJLiftOFF]

You’re more than welcome! Tag me the mix when you drop it 💯

[@xXMCRpwnsXx]

Hey man I love your scratch tutorials, you're a great teacher. You know how people learn. Keep it up

[@DJLiftOFF]

Much appreciated, truly 🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@caxorro]

That was really helpful. Tnks.

[@DJLiftOFF]

Glad it was helpful 🙏🏾

[@CharlieCoopertv]

Sooo helpful! Currently watching this on my tv but haaaad to hop on my phone and leave a comment. Appreciate all your help and willingness to share💙

[@DJLiftOFF]

Appreciate you for that lol 💯💙💙

[@hereismyusername007]

Great video, lot's of Info.

[@DJLiftOFF]

🙏🏾🙏🏾 thanks man!

[@djdaddyemm4158]

Great stuff 👌

[@DJLiftOFF]

🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@Clyde99]

This was very helpful and u a good teacher bro .... Keep it up

[@DJLiftOFF]

Glad I could help bro!! 🙏🏾

[@djclovisa8114]

Much love and respect

[@DJLiftOFF]

All love! 🙏🏾💯

[@ants8527]

Hey bro what up Hey i enjoy watching your video's because you get straight too the point while your demostrating what your doing by hands at the sametime you show and explain what your doing And i think thats what make your videos more simple and easy to learn more. Thanks Bro👍😎

[@DJLiftOFF]

Thank you bro 🙏🏾🙏🏾 really appreciate it!

[@jadesimeon7171]

Informative vid+tips LiftOFF,Im gonna list & arrage my set-crates how yuv mentioned,thanks bro!

[@DJLiftOFF]

You’re welcome bro! 🙏🏾

[@alfaganstha]

Best teacher ever🙏🏻

[@DJLiftOFF]

Much appreciated man, thank you 🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@downshiftmeedia]

That’s a very good vid gave me great insight as a beginner ❤

[@DJLiftOFF]

🙏🏾🙏🏾 glad it was helpful!

[@deonwilliams4823]

Best tutorial I’ve watched on Djing so far

[@DJLiftOFF]

🙏🏾🙏🏾 appreciate you man. Glad it was helpful

[@djzee2114]

thanks you dj liftoff

[@DJLiftOFF]

You’re welcome!! 🙏🏾

[@cashrulez101]

Great content

[@DJLiftOFF]

Appreciate you! 🙏🏾

[@rufuswoods9908]

My brother thank you very much, I have learnt new things from you.

[@DJLiftOFF]

Glad I could man!! 🙏🏾

[@KyoticDaOne]

Great advice

[@DJLiftOFF]

Thank you 🙏🏾 appreciate the comment!

[@hassandjhaboogiespin4550]

Good video, u teaches well bro

[@DJLiftOFF]

Thank you man 🙏🏾 - much appreciated!

[@Tryall200]

excellent !

[@DJLiftOFF]

Appreciate you!! 🙏🏾

[@djcharlybax]

Big up up bro great job 🤝🏾🤝🏾🤝🏾

[@DJLiftOFF]

Thank you bro!! 🙏🏾

[@DaKlubHK]

Too cold bro🥶🥶🥶🥶

[@DJLiftOFF]

Appreciate you bro!! 🙏🏾

[@JG-un3hr]

literally just got a ddj flx4 and thus vid has helped me so much! Is it possible for you to do video of a small hip hop mix with some unique transitions, in a step by step format so we can copy to learn? thanks brah

[@TheDuseNetwork]

Man I've been listening to your tutorials for a couple months now and i have to say you have the best! I've been Djing and still learning for about a year now and i have a question, what is your general rule about switching genres? Do you play a certain amount of songs first before switching?

[@DJLiftOFF]

Appreciate the continued support bro 💯🙏🏾 - for me personally, I’m not really an open format DJ so I don’t switch genres very often when I’m doing events, at least not back to back/song to song. A general rule of thumb, I’d say the answer could vary amongst different DJs but personally, I like to settle in to vibes before switching so I’d say at least 20-30 minutes before switching. And I may stay within a certain genre longer than others but usually I have a main vibe/genre then switch it up to other genres every 20-30 minutes or so, play a few tracks, then get back to the main genre. Hope that makes sense

[@michaelthorne7979]

From one dj to another great work and great teaching. I watch all your videos. I got a question. Where does you get your accapellas from?

[@DJLiftOFF]

Much appreciated man!! And thanks for watching and supporting! I’m gotten most of my acapellas from Acapellas4u.Co.uk

[@averymcdaniel423]

This is a lot of information to take in for a newbie like me.

[@DJLiftOFF]

Agreed! It can be a lot, but just take it slowly.

[@larrycoffey806]

Began using ur process early 80s w/vinyl. Always pulled 2-3 x/songs I'll need. Haven't used song pairs. Like it and will try it. Thanks! Do lots of open format. Use loops and hot cues for in/out. Def. use comments. Use Serato Flip to edit/cut length. Always look at key. I'm old-school - long beat matching mixes best in key. Pull beats from another song to extend mix time. Record on w/beats on controller, master in Audacity. Rarely do extreme BPM changes. Usually 4-5 BPMs max unless I'm in 135 BPM range. Been at this over 40 years. Everything you said/demo'ed is spot on.

[@DJLiftOFF]

You’re welcome!! Everything you mentioned is spot on as well 💯 - hope some people see this comment!

[@tupacshakur5646]

Thanks for your time and tutorial, i use the second cue button everytime and i dont need to write the time or the seconds

[@DJLiftOFF]

You’re very welcome 🙏🏾

[@Djbanogenre]

great vid, I just shared to some folks. quick suggeestion. Save the loop so that you do not have to create it every time at the whatever second mark.

[@DJLiftOFF]

Thanks for sharing!! And yup, wish I’d of said that in the video. Saving loops is definitely another game changer 💯

[@druthedj]

Your tutorials are awesome! Even for a seasoned DJ, there's always something new to learn. Nice one!

[@DJLiftOFF]

Thanks Dru!! I feel the same way. I literally feel like I’ll never know enough and I can appreciate like minded DJs 💯

[@drevolution4975]

Excellent video as usual but I didn’t see you mentioned mixing in keys

[@DJLiftOFF]

Appreciate you G! And yeah, didn’t think to add that to this video!

[@dr.labbejl1686]

Thanks dj! What I am still wonderig is why pairs I heard that you can move them around easily? So it could be also in trios. Or groups of 4?

[@DJLiftOFF]

I just have always done pairs, but when you think about it, after lining about 3 pairs, that’s technically a group of 6. So if thinking about it in larger group helps, I’d say definitely think about it that way!!

[@Marcela3170]

Love your tutorials!!! Where do you get you acapellas from, if you don't mind me asking?

[@DJLiftOFF]

I’ve accumulated acapellas overtime from just searching google for them over the years. However, I’ve always used Acapellas4u.co.ck for individual acapellas. They aren’t the newest, but they have a large catalog

[@Marcela3170]

@@DJLiftOFF thank you soo much!!

[@juanlabbe9236]

Great as always! One comment: I thought this video was more of a thing like the pairing songs tips. Like a tutorial on how to arrange a folder to play as a set. Ive heard some EDM artists spend 3 moths ( Garrix) doing a plan of what they will play . If possible can you do something like it or do you mostly go on the fly mixing Thanks

[@DJLiftOFF]

Thanks man! And ahh, got ya. That’s another video I can definitely do though, thanks!

[@djhotdecks9259]

Great video i really enjoy you teaching. But the section with the comments. Why not just set cue points? Or even use save loops?

[@DJLiftOFF]

Thank you! Great question. I always forget you can rename cue points so that’s definitely an easier option (viewing wise too). Savings loops works just as well!

[@Kikipetitback]

Very cool very clear Definitely usefull Do you use rekordbox also ? Would you give your top 5 Fx and parameters ?

[@DJLiftOFF]

Yo man! Thanks for the comment 🙏🏾 - I really want to do a video after using each software. Will try and get that done sooner than later and definitely include recordbox. As of now, I’ve just used DJUCED and Serato really.

[@jimmyhart5155]

Thank god someone teaching with songs that people actually want to hear in a club, and not just niche edm stuff

[@DJLiftOFF]

Most definitely 🙏🏾 - I feel like there’s some content with hip hop, but no where near as much as edm.

[@DJONDEX]

When he dropped that first acapella over Ms NewBooty.... I thought it was dammmn thats siiiiiick!!!!!!!! Then he says that is NOT a good one to choose. I was like damn😶 Fml

[@DJLiftOFF]

😂😂 you’re the second person to think that blend was good!! So like I told him, all our of ears are different. Now that I listen back. It wasn’t a “bad” blend, I just think it was the tone throwing me off. But honestly, I’m always mixing all kinds of different songs and keys and transitioning quickly so there’s I don’t even have time to notice a “bad” blend sometimes

[@DJONDEX]

@@DJLiftOFF ....I think you're just too good now that you don't know how to make a bad blend 🤣

[@DJLiftOFF]

@@DJONDEX 😂🙏🏾 aye, I’ll definitely take that! Hope that’s the case ahaha!

[@aj6761]

Yep, that blend was pretty dope lol

[@djsteel2033]

Nice tutorial bro, where do recommend getting clean accapellas such as yours?

[@DJLiftOFF]

In the past, I scavenged for acapellas so I’m not 100% if the big folders/zips are still floating around on the internet. But as far as a website, I’ve always used Acapellas4u.co.ck when downloading individual acapellas.

[@djsteel2033]

@@DJLiftOFF thanks bro, I'll check that out.

[@vadim_sharapov]

I am for sure not begginer enough :)))) Need to learn a few more month to get to that 'begginer'

[@donsmooth514]

Been djing for years love your videos. Keep making em. When I put my crate tracklist in mixing order when I reopen serato it’s always shuffled. Protect library is enabled. Is there a fix for this ?

[@DJLiftOFF]

Thanks for the support 🙏🏾 - I’ve had that happen to me a few times, but not often at all. I’m not sure what the fix would be for that 🤔

[@xGeHz]

YOu have to click the # column in serato and sort it by song number

[@DJLiftOFF]

@@xGeHz ahhh, thanks for the reply Josh. I over thought this fix! Within crates, you can’t re-order anything without clicking that “#” column either, so that’s definitely something to remember.

[@wieszo2112]

Cool

[@DJLiftOFF]

🙏🏾

[@ajspellmonthat1djguy622]

I agree you should have classes. While you kinda move quick on stuff for beginners you make it much easier to follow then 90% of others teaching.

[@DJLiftOFF]

Sorry for moving quickly sometimes. I think I speak too fast too. Always have to remember to slow it down. Glad it’s still relatively easy to follow along. Classes/courses definitely coming

[@filibertoserna3514]

I have a question, as you are done pairing the first and move onto the next. Would you be still piggy backing off the first pair? or would you just be gathering pairs at this point overall? Thank you

[@DJLiftOFF]

That is an excellent question! You can honestly do it either way. I recommend doing pairs that don’t piggy back so you can always hit whichever pair you want and jump around versus having to go in that piggy back order, if that makes sense? Or you could do piggy back groups of like 6 or so and color code them.

[@filibertoserna3514]

@@DJLiftOFF - Perfect, thank you Sir! Appreciate the time for the reply!

[@DjNice05]

Is you discord still open i didn't see a link. Beginner Dj looking for community. 😎

[@DJNYKUSTOMZ]

I would love to know what kind of video editing software do you use to get the multi screen for your videos

[@DJLiftOFF]

I’m using Final Cut Pro!

[@DJNYKUSTOMZ]

@@DJLiftOFF thanks so much...really appreciate it

[@DJLiftOFF]

@@DJNYKUSTOMZ no doubt!

[@djstylez7392]

At the end of the video. The apple kept moving. I didn't realize those were your monitor screens, I thought that was the back of the monitors with an Apple sticker. Thought I was bugging Great video!!!!

[@DJLiftOFF]

Ahahah appreciate you man! 🙏🏾

[@anewbetterme9277]

I don't use the comment section but I've created a system that tells me what it is by color coding my hot ques for my intros and outros. It works perfect! PERFECT!!!

[@DJLiftOFF]

Very smart idea!!! 💡

[@anewbetterme9277]

This may be a little long but hopefully it makes sense to you. I'll do green from the first bar and another green for the 8th bar 🟩🟩 no thinking for this transition. I'll use 🟧 if my vocals start on the 5th bar so it may look like this 🟩🟧🟩 Yellow for my outro 🟩🟧🟩🟨 Magenta for a "backup" outro 🟩🟧🟩🟨 ⬛⬛⬛🟪 So my 1st green I can either loop 2x or let play til the 2nd green. Transition out on the first yellow and if I miss that mark I have the magenta has a backup mark. Of course every song isn't the same so some I have to alter my cue points but for the most part this works perfect.

[@thefamouslorenzo]

What dj controller are you using in this video?

[@DJLiftOFF]

Two Rane Twelves and a S9 mixer

[@devijar7909]

Hey dj liftoff am trying to understand why you said the first trail wasn't a great blend. Thats what am trying to learn better. Please give me a bit more in depths insight on the next video on this topic in the future.

[@DJLiftOFF]

This particular is topic is hard to cover because a “good blend” truly varies from ear to ear. What I can say is, I personally listen to the tones, and the placement of the kicks and snares/claps and whether they compliment each other or work against each other. A lot of my people like to mix within key, but I never have and always feel like most blends sound pretty good. This particular topic is one where you may have to develop your ear and find what you like personally just by listening to a lot of different blends. If that makes sense?

[@devijar7909]

@@DJLiftOFF I got it . Once you said, “ listen to snares, drums, tones etc. I got it. I have being training my ears for the last month and I have improved on my selection. Thanks

[@DJLiftOFF]

@@devijar7909 cool! Glad it clicked!! You’re welcome!

[@toludaramola6834]

Where do you get your music/ songs from?

[@DJLiftOFF]

Most of my music I’ve downloaded is from mp3poolonline.com, or downloads from SoundCloud. I hear the best source music pool is good, as well as DJ city. I’m going to try out each record pool and make a video sooner than later.

[@cfernando0876]

is sync necessary to mix ?😁

[@DJLiftOFF]

Nope, not necessary. Just makes some things easier such as quick transitioning.

[@jermainesmith8138]

can you do that on Beatport DJ if so let me know ok.

[@DJLiftOFF]

Okay, so you when say do it on beatport, you just want me to use songs from beat port so you can emulate it?

[@jermainesmith8138]

@@DJLiftOFF yes can u do that for me so i can do it. let me know

[@djboz3002]

Practice at home !!!!

[@DJLiftOFF]

Yessir 💯💯

[@fleetwoodjones1225]

Where can I get Acappella

[@DJLiftOFF]

I use acapellas4u - and I also used to torrent files and got most of my acapellas some years back. I believe there’s new sites to get acapellas from though.

[@luogqirana1648]

Not sure I understand what you mean by blend.

[@DJLiftOFF]

Blend just means two songs that sound good together when played on top of each other! Like an acapella and instrumental from two different songs, or just two songs in general.

[@djkp2632]

What’s the discord

[@DJLiftOFF]

The discord is just a community of DJs! Def join, link in the description, just to check it out!

[@jeandumay3907]

Tutorial of seratp bro

[@DJLiftOFF]

Okay I got you 👌🏾

[@spinmoney101]

Thought the first blend was better. Mrs new booty vs baby boy.

[@DJLiftOFF]

Really? I didn’t like the tones together. But that’s the beauty of DJ’ing and creativity though.. we all hear different things and put things together in our own ways. It’s hard to “teach” some aspects such as blends because it’s truly a personal opinion you know?

[@DJHEV]

Ngl I used a notebook with time stamps for transitions for my first mix lmao

[@DJLiftOFF]

Aye, that’s dedication right there lol 💪🏾

[@raheembrevard2979]

Not to make myself sounds big put anything I do or want to do I want to be the best so with that being said I not going lie when people sleeping I be up practicing or doing research to help more I said I know a lot of good DJ but if I'm going DJ I don't want to be good I want to be great and I just only seen two of your video and trust me my people going be mad I get better then them

[@DJLiftOFF]

💯💯💯

[@DJLiftOFF]

I will be releasing a FULL VIDEO tomorrow where I talk through this entire set list while I go through it live to better understand my thought process as I'm DJ'ing. Follow-up Video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bprFoHifj66VZq8 Hope this video today helps. Please let me know under this comment!!

[@ajspellmonthat1djguy622]

Can’t wait!

[@mannygonzales2009]

Subscribe to your channel now. Want to learn how to DJ.

[@DJLiftOFF]

🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@jgwentworth5237]

Any DJ's out there that just plug in and Bang. Or is everything so scripted?

[@DJLiftOFF]

I freestyle almost every set. But I got to that point by making sets and understanding what flowed together until I knew my library/playlists like the back of my hand. It’s all a process in bettering your skills. The same a rapper may start off writing lyrics until they can freestyle in the booth. If you personally can mix from day 1 without creating a set list and everything flows, more power to you 💯

[@jgwentworth5237]

@@DJLiftOFF That's what I'm saying. So many times if I'm in a establishment. For example. Friday be lit. Then go back Saturday and DJ playing the same set. I'm like dayum mayne! Scripted.

[@DJLiftOFF]

@@jgwentworth5237 mannn, I feel you on that! I’ve noticed that so many times. I’ll hear a few sweet transitions one week, and identical transitions the following week. I feel like we all have songs that blend well and we use the same blends in multiple sets but doing 10 songs or so in the exact same fashion shows lack of wanting to freestyle/come up with new ways to transition, etc.

[@shawngreene1225]

What do you mean by telling my story or telling a story? I don't understand what that means. I have a professional dj at work that has told me this but I he hasn't explained it to me, he's supposed to show me our off aren't the same.

[@DJLiftOFF]

It’s kind of hard to explain, but honestly, you just have to think about it as if you’re literally making a music playlist to your life for example. When you’re a kid, you might play some oldies you heard growing up. Then as you grew up, the playlist may include songs you liked in your teenage years, etc. It’s really just about creating a vibe, but in a sequential order that flows. Idk, this may not help at all lol. It’s one of those things that you kind of just have to understand because only you can personally tell a story from the music you listen to or like. Also think about it like a book, intro, climax, outro. Each part brings out different feelings depending on the story - and what those feelings are depends on the story.

[@shawngreene1225]

@@DJLiftOFF thank u

[@joelfranco4946]

I use serato currently but having a hard time getting all the fx using a Roland 202