Ready the set-up instructions carefully and
do everything they say – Even the easiest-
to-use DJ controllers need a modicum of
setting up, and if you miss out stages, your
controller won’t work properly. Pay
particular attention to the “audio routing” or
“audio set-up” sections – one of the biggest
beginner errors is failing to take this step,
which is essential if your headphones are
going to work properly (ie carry a different
track to the one playing on your speakers,
when needed)
Learn how to record everything you do –
Listening to recordings of your practising,
however messy or unorganised/unplanned it
is, is the single best way to get better. It
puts you in the shoes of an “audience”. So
learn how to record your sets, and play
those recordings in your car, on the bus, at
work, at the gym… you get the idea
Commit to practising little and often – Like
playing the guitar, or getting good at a
sport, or cooking, new DJs make progress
quickest when they practise regularly for
short periods, rather than every now and
then for a long time. So commit to as many
practice sessions a week as feels right to
you, and stick to it – you’ll see results
quickest that way
