Every Dj discovers their own special way of creating DJ mixes. As a DJ, you’ll have to pick your preferred DJ production software and hardware. Assuming you already have all the tools necessary, I’ve put together some basic steps to help you stitch together your next great DJ mix.

Step 1.   Pick 15 to 25 songs

Step 2. Put your songs in Order

Step 3. Practice your transitions

Step 4.   Record your set

Step 5. Review, and Post

Step #1 

Pick 15 to 25 songs

How long do you want your DJ mix to be?

15 to 25 songs are typically the amount of songs you need for a 1 hour DJ set. That number can vary of course, depending on your style of DJ’ing. For instance, House music tracks generally have a slower build up in the music making those tracks run almost twice as long in duration compared to your average radio pop track; so 15 House music songs on average will land you at around a 60 minute DJ mix. Whereas the duration of most pop tracks are shorter requiring about 25 or more songs to reach that 60 minute mark.

This does not apply to those who quick mix; such as playing short snippets of each song (90 seconds or less). Dancehall DJs and Hip Hop DJs are notorious for the quick mix. Turntablist do this too. They can run through 3-4x more songs in the span of an hour-long DJ set.

Place your chosen songs into a digital music crate or playlist and title your list. Take into consideration how well the songs flow together and then narrow-down the list more from there. 

This is your compilation step, the “digging for gold” step.

You are compiling songs for your mix. This includes looking through the music you already own, and shopping for more records that you may want to include in your mix. 

If you are creating your mix to play at a party as oppose to creating your mix to upload to the internet, consider adding songs to your party mix that are crowd favorites, and some good remixed versions of them too.

For mixes uploaded on the internet I tend not to pick many crowd favorites to include in my mix due to online copyright laws. Be the creative true DJ that you are and show us your style on your internet mixes. Find some amazing hidden gems out there in the vast ocean of music, and showcase your own original music as well. Be you.

This step can be a bit time consuming but don’t rush it. Put in some quality time, and you’ll enjoy the outcome.

Step #2

Put your songs in Order

Once you have a desired list of songs, practice mixing them together. Do they mix well together? If not maybe rearrange your tracks a bit. Take out, replace, or add songs if necessary in this step.

Are the BPMs (Beats Per Minute) close in tempo from song to song in your list? Most DJs transition songs based on the BPM of each song being similar to each other. It is not necessary to transition every song based solely on the BPM, but if you are trying to actually blend songs together cohesively, then the BPMs need to match. If you are cutting through songs or quick mixing, then BPM doesn’t matter as much depending on the vibe you’re trying to create.   

Consider matching the keys of the songs for a better mix. Article: How to properly find and match the key of songs for DJ mixing.

Order your songs and prepare to put together a masterpiece.

Step #3

Practice your transitions

Once you’ve settled on your track-list, get comfortable mixing the songs together. Figure out where you want to mix in-and-out of each song. Set your cue points to those spots in the tracks if needed.  Familiarize yourself with the songs so that you get to know each song like the back of your hand.

This step is all about the blend. How are you going to cohesively stitch each song together?

Feel it out. What kind of vibe do all the songs create when mixed together?

Where’s the best spots in the mix to add your DJ drops?

Get creative in this step by adding extra effects, samples, and DJ tricks. Don’t force it though, these extras aren’t always necessary. Especially if your tracks are produced with a lot of effects already in it. Too much effects can distract from the vibe. Make sure you’re adding to the quality of the music, not distracting listeners away from it.

Step #4

Record your set and Equalize it

Once you have a good gist of your mix, record it so you can listen back to it. After listening back to it, you’ll be able to decide whether you want to keep it as is or if you should go back and make some edits/improvements to it before finalizing your mix.

Things that will make you want to go back and redo your mix may include volume equalizing, undesirable transitions, or a wave of new inspiration on a particular part of the mix that you didn’t think of at first.

Programs like Ableton make is easier now for DJs to EQ and correct their recorded mixes without having to go back and redo the whole thing. I personally do not use Ableton for this, I still use Logic Pro X to finalize my mixes which is a bit more tedious, but I’m use to doing it that way, at least for now.

Step #5

Review and Post

Once you’ve got your mix recorded and sounding the way you like it, then I suggest you listen to it on many different speaker types to make sure things like the volume are equalized and consistent. I like to listen on flat sounding speakers, DJ headphones, cellphone headphones, bass heavy speakers, and so on.  I like to know what it’s sounding like in each situation so that I know what my listeners may be hearing.  I have no control over how people listen to their music. I can only assume many people will be listening on headphones or flat speakers so I like to make sure it is all balanced out for each situation.

Next, post your mix to a music streaming site like Mixcloud and share your mix with the world. Blast it out to friends, family, and your clients to hear. Remind your listeners to share, like, repost, and support your music so that it helps push your music out there to new listeners.

In Conclusion:

Making these mixes consistently will help boost your DJ and production skills,

I promise. I challenge you to set aside time on a consistent basis to put together some great DJ mixes. Best of luck to ya!