If you're trying to keep people dancing, it helps to have the incoming song start in the same rhythm as the one that's already playing so people don't have to switch gears every time you play a new song. The main thing that distinguishes DJ software from iTunes is beat matching. Some software includes four decks.ĭownbeat: Play a standard dance song and count along, '1, 2, 3, 4.' The '1' in that rotation is the downbeat. Most DJ software uses two decks, allowing you to switch smoothly from one song to the next. Once you set a cue point in a program that supports them, the song will always contain it, so you only have to set it once.ĭeck: Think of a deck as one of the two turntables a DJ uses. Cue points are helpful for skipping past silences or intros at the beginning of songs, and are absolutely necessary when beat matching. Sure, you could use iTunes or any other playback program to create smooth transitions from one track to another, but programs designed specifically for DJs can make your sets tight and seamless.Ĭue point: A spot near the beginning of the song where the rhythm kicks in. The first step is to import your music into some DJ software. The techniques mentioned below take so many computer-assisted shortcuts that anyone can get going in a matter of minutes no matter what kind of music they're into.

I use the term 'spinning' here instead of 'DJ,' as in 'spinning records' (laptop hard drives also spin, for the record), because the term 'DJ' should only apply to those who have the above-mentioned skills. Instead, I want to address anyone with a bunch of digital music who might like to start 'spinning' music at parties, bars, weddings and the like. They create new songs out of others on the fly and they can use records (or CDs) as instruments, thanks to years of practice and dedication to their craft. DJs are highly skilled artists who can read minds.

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