How To Use Booth Monitors (And What To Do When There Aren't Any!)

[@googlerep366]

Dont forget to turn your booth down when turning your mic on

[@DJ-Coma]

Google User and you can also turn off the mic in the booth output in some controllers and mixers. Usually have to start it in a setup/utility mode to access that setting.

[@radioraccoon5922]

I don’t know if this is the case with all controllers but my Numark NS7III mutes the mic on the booth output by default. Very handy but I’d check with the manual if you can defeat the mic on your hardware.

[@Anthony-sn9kl]

Yes

[@Axelfre1988]

This guy sound like an english teacher teaching a lesson hahaha good content though

[@digitaldjtips]

Class is in session 😎

[@fallingsounds3455]

Definitely recommend talking in your normal tone of voice that you used in the on-site explanation for the whole video. The forced "you tube voice" from the studio shots is inauthentic and gets irritating. Thanks for the content though!

[@MightySquirrel]

At home, I don't have the luxury of having booth monitors. I always had to use headphones only. I just did double cueing, I didn't monitor the master. I continued this into the local raves when I played out, and no one had an issue. Having monitors or not didn't matter, being that I always just used headphones.

[@digitaldjtips]

Nice one, I'm much the same. Often thought about giving IEM's a try - Scott

[@johnparker8270]

I do this too. 🙂

[@MrG_DJ]

i also monitor in headphones... this way I can play everywhere regardless of the setup! But I like having a nice booth monitor, so I can keep an ear on the music all the time with less fatigue, and use headphones only for mixing or for cueing songs for selection of the next track.

[@haydnr1631]

Very informative video. Thanks!

[@digitaldjtips]

No problem!

[@karslichtenberg3432]

Exactly what I was looking for, thanks!

[@digitaldjtips]

Glad to help

[@creativespecies7032]

what size are best booth moniters?

[@digitaldjtips]

Depends on the booth and venue

[@SevenBeatsmusic]

Great content. Any suggestion on choosing right speakers for djing at home? I tried yamaha hs5, but that totally lack bass

[@digitaldjtips]

We've got a lot of reviews here that can help: www.digitaldjtips.com/reviews-all/accessories/#type=speakers :)

[@HarryMonk01]

Good advice! Back in the day, tipped up at a venue, sound guy had been/gone, spaghetti everywhere & system sounding dire... turned out the amp by me was controlling the chillout upstairs/ I'm playing main room basement /my adjustments were making chillout people's ears bleed & I couldn't hear my set! Never did find amp I was connected to... Ability to split-cue even tho I don't play that way saved my blushes (& nobody ever saw sound guy again!)

[@digitaldjtips]

Oh no! 😅

[@viktorroos1637]

By cuing master in headphones you don’t need booth monitors. In combination with inear headphones you can use lower volume and this saves your hearing over time.

[@digitaldjtips]

Yep, a few DJs these days using IEM's

[@djflakoelmonstruo9908]

@@digitaldjtips yeah very few im one of the few i never had have to use monitors

[@Lycan_24_7]

DJed for a long time, always used monitors

[@digitaldjtips]

Good for you :)

[@brandonwingate7915]

I love booth monitors..

[@digitaldjtips]

Definitely nice to have!

[@DJ-ui2cn]

Great tip bud! Thanks for sharing.

[@digitaldjtips]

No problem!

[@mazework]

Do booth monitors work the same as headphones in the sense that you can listen to 2 channels to beatmatch via the cue buttons, whilst only 1 channel is being played out of the main output? Or are they just so the DJ can hear what's going on more clearly, and they're the same as the main output?

[@digitaldjtips]

Yes they're the same as the main output just closer to minimise latency

[@djtlotoka]

Very Good❤

[@digitaldjtips]

Thanks 🔥

[@cosmicpuma1409]

Loving this series of Tips vids. Keep em coming! Thanks so much!

[@digitaldjtips]

Glad you like it :)

[@_Stilo]

Is 1 booth monitor enough? Do I “ have” to have 2?

[@digitaldjtips]

No, one is enough

[@maximilianhohl412]

Excellent! Instantsubscription

[@digitaldjtips]

Awesome :) Thanks for watching

[@terrancekayton007]

Thanks man, this was really helpful and easy to sit and listen through.

[@digitaldjtips]

Glad it helped!

[@funkmachine1984]

I don’t have monitors where I DJ, I’ve always wondered if I could bring the likes of a krk rokit with me to use as a makeshift monitor. Would it work??? I think the main PA would drown out the monitor.

[@digitaldjtips]

Probably wouldn't be up to the job if it's too loud in there, you could definitely get a cheap little powered speaker to take with you though - our Ben uses a cheap Behringer one and swears by it!

[@giovannigalveston6852]

KRK rokit won't be able to keep up with a FOH sounds system. It's best to bring something like a QSC K12 or something like this that also has bass. Ideally, a subwoofer KW181 and KW152 on a pole for the booth. Then that will keep up with any sound system. I normally rent them at the local guitar shop if I know there aren't going to be monitors.

[@jparppimenta1020]

thank you

[@ekclay7]

Thanks for the insight

[@digitaldjtips]

No problem!

[@jparppimenta1020]

I love booth monitors and active speakers

[@coolfxtr5419]

thanks for very clean information as everytime.

[@digitaldjtips]

You're welcome :)

[@gregbrown543]

Great Tips

[@digitaldjtips]

Thanks Greg!

[@Xylume]

If you're beatmatching by ear then monitors are the way to go. If you're using sync then I guess it's not as important.

[@digitaldjtips]

Sure, though I learned to mix exclusively in headphones without split cue and still have no problem doing it that way - weirdly even if split cue is available I don't use it :) Knowing your tracks really well (as always) is the key so you can differentiate between the different elements

[@Xylume]

@@digitaldjtips I didn't use split cue also. I can use both methods and I'm all for saving our hearing.

[@digitaldjtips]

Completely agree, I'm thinking of moving over to IEM's for that reason!

[@SherwinBajao]

@@Xylume Nah. The louder the better. lol

[@Xylume]

@@SherwinBajao Some booths are so loud and impressive.

[@gh0stmthd13]

So I found that a lot of venues in my area rely on the Dj to bring in their own speakers. Im not really sure what speakers (size, brand, setup) would be good to begin with for djs that are trying to get out of the bedroom.

[@digitaldjtips]

We like the LD Systems Dave PA: www.digitaldjtips.com/reviews/ld-dave-12-g3/

[@chris12321222]

Using booth monitors as small portable speakers a good idea? I have big EV speakers but would like something that is easy to move around and quieter for home practice instead of a Best buy Bluetooth speaker.

[@digitaldjtips]

Yes they'll be fine for quiet(er) home practice

[@micksumo]

Great video I've always mixed with headphones listening out for mostly midrange.

[@digitaldjtips]

Cool :)

[@HoneyO]

thank you. when doing a radio show in the studio, how do i set the master volume, and still have my booth volume? as i want the Master to be constant level but not interfere with my booth level. i would prefer the Master ti be straight to broadcast ad not hear, just the booth. in a club its fine but recording studio is a different sound space.

[@digitaldjtips]

Booth has a volume control, and so does Master. Set Master to what you want, then don't touch it again. Control the level of your booth speakers using the Booth level.

[@DJActionVasquez]

Like I said in another video, nowadays dj's have NO excuse when it comes to booth monitoring. I have a couple of bluetooth speakers that I've used as booth monitors. Every dj should have one. Just make sure you have the proper wires and load it with your regular equipment. Boom, it's that simple!

[@digitaldjtips]

Yeah so easy to get a cheap, light speaker these days you can take with you :)

[@philthyanamalz449]

Hey is the at the Gold Spike in Las Vegas? My boy Dj Paradice rocks there

[@digitaldjtips]

It's Commonwealth :)

[@TheDiolulaLife]

@@digitaldjtips I was there years ago in old town, do you know Jeff Rimando?

[@marshmallow5481]

So We Need To Down The Volume Of Booth Monitors While Micking ?

[@tlalves1]

cheap monitor with a good BASS!! thank you.

[@digitaldjtips]

No problem!

[@DjBrownSugarV]

I think alot of Dj's use headphones. We have gotten used to it so that monitors arent really needed. However i was forced to use monitors when i was at a church event. Only because I was in a room and the speakers werent near me. So i definitely couldnt hear how the main speakers were sounding to the crowd. But that one experienced showed me that I need to carry monitors with me just in case.

[@digitaldjtips]

It can definitely be handy to

[@eritluxofficial]

How does this work with ddj 400 setup?

[@digitaldjtips]

It doesn't really which is why controllers with only one output are seen as less useful from a professional standpoint

[@eritluxofficial]

@@digitaldjtips But ive seen so many youtubers saying that ddj 400 can be used in clubs too ... Is that true?

[@digitaldjtips]

Yes, though it has limitations. You could run this to a PA mixer with several outputs or you could mix in headphones

[@eylon951]

How is kali lp 6 for dj ?

[@digitaldjtips]

We rated the Pioneer's higher, either would be great for DJing

[@eylon951]

Why u think piooner better for djing ?

[@digitaldjtips]

Read the reviews they're on our site :)

[@djdennisfey2953]

👌

[@MrSouleater5000]

I only use my headphones to mix 2 song. Using a Studio monitor for listening with my friends to the music

[@jjsagemode5652]

Good video.

[@digitaldjtips]

Thanks :)

[@DanielleKingdjdinosaur]

its funny i learned to mix without monitors when i did mobile work but its amazing how many clubs never had booth monitors or usually had them in the wrong place though of course different djs like them in different places.Personally for me its either side of the booth pointing in and slightly raised or if not then same position but pointing up .If above then same position either side and pointing down at a slight angle.Some like them behind but thats not good for me.

[@digitaldjtips]

It is funny how you get attached to having your monitors in a certain position.

[@hot4futureyears2come]

I use close back iso headphones listening to master cue and cue , so i can correctly mix my tracks. but a booth monitors are very useful.

[@digitaldjtips]

Yeah learning to mix exclusively in headphones is another great skill to have, it all helps!

[@djstylez7392]

What scares me about only using headphones to mix, is if something happens to my main sound I want to know right away. I don't want to be jamming out in my headphones and the crowd is hearing something different or nothing at all.

[@hot4futureyears2come]

@@djstylez7392 the music will be too loud for you NOT to notice. i use single cup most of the time. but full cup when blending, old school music with drummers i use my headphone on all the time

[@djstylez7392]

@@hot4futureyears2come I use single cup all the time. I'm a mobile DJ. The music isn't always super loud at Weddings and corporate events or bars.

[@hot4futureyears2come]

@@djstylez7392 yep. you are right about that. but i never had a problem., once you set the room you can go all night,.

[@DaneTS24]

I use headphones fader between CUE and PGM when syncing up a song to crossfade

[@tyronebrown8971]

I love that I didn’t no booth was for but go it now thank you for that I love watching you it’s helps me out special that ♥️♥️♥️♥️🕒🔈🔈🔈🔈

[@digitaldjtips]

Glad to help :)

[@keithlcartel6307]

Mixing at a university and the monitors popped 😵 played for 10 mins more then left. lol, I've had bad dreams since then about playing out with no monitors 😭😭😭 very bad nightmares

[@HarryMonk01]

in the 90's people would hire a system without even considering booth... only established clubs had monitors, so I used to get there early & drive everyone nuts by moving all the speakers & furniture about until I could hear properly 😂

[@keithlcartel6307]

@@HarryMonk01 it was the 90s big hall sound bouncing everywhere turntables only, I think now with different sources of music files I prefer just having the monitors then split cue, I know my vinyl more than my files

[@digitaldjtips]

Yeah not ideal 😞

[@gilboogie]

Bruh your dressed like your in NYC. LOL. Wishing i could be out in shorts and a tee and your in Vegas rocking a hoodie and ski hat. LOL. But seriously though one of the reasons I beat grid all my tracks is incase there is no monitor. It makes mixing so much easier if there is no monitor. Id hate to have to DJ the whole night wearing headphones the entire time. BOTH ear cups at that. Im surprised at how many folks commenting that they mix the whole night in loud clubs/parties strictly using headphones. Ive been DJing for 25+ years & Ive never enjoyed having to play events using headphones only/ no monitors.

[@digitaldjtips]

Yeah it can take some time but it's worth the extra effort to have all your tunes correctly beatgridded :)

[@thetortillachips]

Just use in-ears. Best decision I ever made.

[@digitaldjtips]

Nice! I'm debating making the switch why was it such a good decision for you? - Scott

[@TheSaabClinicUK]

Same here, @laidbackluke does as well. Beats Tour II. They have the clips that keep them in your ears, so even if you jump around alot they wont fall out.

[@ST_SINCE_82]

Agreed, I actually turn off the booth Monitors or turn them away from me. In-ears are the way to go, thanks to @laidbackluke

[@thetortillachips]

@@digitaldjtips I don't have to concentrate to hear. I just put in my noise cancelling ear buds. Turn the master cue on and play. Crisp, clear sound all the time.

[@digitaldjtips]

Yeah the consistency is a big plus point 👍

[@hexstaticloonatic4194]

Idk man, I'm used to working everything via headphone due to circumstance and also because at least I always have the same acoustic reference no matter where I play. I do spend a lot of time on sound checking the room beforehand too though. Never used monitors yet. Don't know if it's good or bad, but I guess it's what I'm used to

[@digitaldjtips]

Nothing wrong with that :)

[@rodriguesdosantosglorioso9391]

Friend.I am from Brazil I am a layman in the sound subject, but I want to be a DJ. I have 02 Gradient Gca-203 boxes. I would like to use the GEFEN AUDIO EXTENDER for these two boxes. Could the friend give me some guidance? How can I do this without losing quality? Thanks! Stay with God in the Peace of Christ and in the Love of Mary! Obs: Teach me a step by step please.

[@digitaldjtips]

Sorry never used any of those products!

[@TeeBizz]

I have been DJing for 25 years and have never used monitors....headphones only for me

[@digitaldjtips]

Nice, means you never have to worry :)

[@davidpereto4664]

Same..headphones all the way..

[@TeeBizz]

@@digitaldjtips true

[@mr594468]

You talking about this,what are head phones for

[@eyespy3001]

To cue the next track. Pretty obvious, no?

[@rozzville]

Ok, so it wasn't me during my last gig. There weren't any monitors and it sounded like there was a delay all night. It threw off my mixing. It caused over correcting. Thank you. It wasn't me damnit.

[@digitaldjtips]

Glad to shine a light on it for you :)

[@kitanuh7865]

Ooooo you at Common Wealth

[@digitaldjtips]

Yep! :)

[@DJDRFUNKJUICE]

Its funny. I use my headphones for my main output on the DJ controller I got and I use that to listen what everybody else listen to get a better clean transformation mix that's what I did for all my mixes. Now I got monitor speakers which I will plug them in when I get to my new house I can't not wait to enjoy using them to get a better idea on how I want my monitor speakers to aim at my ears correctly when I do my DJ set at a even. Great tip keep up the work. Funk up Salute Peace

[@digitaldjtips]

Nothing wrong with doing it that way but good to have options :)

[@DJDRFUNKJUICE]

@@digitaldjtips oh I don't got the big big speakers no the way u show it for Venus was great. I got mini speakers kinda like a desktop speakers I got them the way I set them to do I might had to show it to you when I get to my new house. But I like the way you set it up for your events which that's a very good. I am just talking about mini speakers forgot to put that in lol

[@TheSaabClinicUK]

Unless your a Denon DJ user, then you just hit Split and have your headphones, or in-ears on all the time and booth monitors set to Zero. Thats what i do.

[@digitaldjtips]

Yep :)

[@princeaudiolightsandsounds2820]

👍👍👍

[@java2894]

I Realize u like that player

[@digitaldjtips]

What do you mean? :)

[@java2894]

Digital DJ Tips mixar primo

[@digitaldjtips]

Yeah Marc did take a liking to that! It's a great little controller, lots of features but portable :)

[@omarw007]

I always mix in headset because i have a baby at home that is the only way i can practice

[@digitaldjtips]

Yeah I got used to it because of living in a small apartment and needing to keep the noise down, comes in handy as a skill though! - Scott

[@12tribes61]

Only headphones will provide accuracy! Booth monitors are not sound treated! I record all my mixes in my headphones!

[@digitaldjtips]

Depends how you define accuracy I suppose, most headphones aren't particularly accurate either but I do a lot in them as well

[@12tribes61]

Headphones don’t have echoes and noise.

[@XEinstein]

I remember a few eons ago I was at a massive rave somewhere dancing close to the stage when the dj turned off his stage monitors. I'm serious: half of the raves sound was gone! Those stage speakers were LOUD!

[@digitaldjtips]

😅

[@MrChris9830]

Shitty sound system!!!

[@SherwinBajao]

I don't know how anyone can mix without booth monitors.

[@digitaldjtips]

Definitely nicer to have them!

[@smokemachines666]

Some how i trust you

[@digitaldjtips]

Glad to hear it, you should :)