Vinyl DJing is a captivating and fulfilling musical artform. It combines both technical skill and competency with creative expression and imagination.

Vinyl DJing refers to the use of both vinyl records and turntables to mix music live and in front of an audience. It is more than just making music though. It is about creating an immersive and unique auditory experience for audiences. 

In this blog, we will explore what vinyl DJing is, the skills required, how to get started in the field, the necessary equipment, and tips for success.

What is Vinyl DJing?

As mentioned above, vinyl DJing can be defined as simply the practice of playing and mixing music using vinyl records on turntables. 

Vinyl DJing is distinct in this way from digital DJing. 

Digital DJing uses software and controllers primarily. By contrast, vinyl DJing is about emphasising the tactile experience of manipulating physical records.

The methodology and the techniques allow DJs to showcase and stretch their creativity and utilise skills like beatmatching, scratching, and blending different tracks seamlessly.

What are the Skills Required for Vinyl DJing?

There are a few key skills that you will need to focus on to best set up your career as a vinyl DJ.

1. Beatmatching

The art of beatmatching is the ability to synchronise the tempo of two tracks. Being able to do so seamlessly and effectively allows for a harmonious listening experience and can take your DJing up a notch.

2. Mixing

The truth is that mixing, as well as other skills on this list, is far from exclusive to the world of vinyl DJing. Nevertheless, knowing how to mix effectively is critical. Take the time to develop a variety of mixing styles and techniques such as fading, cutting and EQ adjustments.

3. Theoretical Knowledge

The good news is that you do not need to be a musical genius to be an effective vinyl DJ. But the reality is that you will need competent levels of song structure knowledge. The more familiar you are with the various components of songs, such as the intro, breakdown or drop, the better able you will be to mix them to great effect.

4. Performance

There are a lot of different aspects to performing as a DJ. There is the technical side of it, spearheaded by the skills above, but there is also the soft side to it: i.e., the crowd reading. Having the skill and ability to gauge your audience’s sentiment and reactions will allow you to adjust your set accordingly and in the moment and make for a better overall performance.

How do you develop these essential DJing skills? There really is only one way: Practice.

The more you practice and the more experience you get, the more refined your techniques will be and the more confident you will be as a vinyl DJ.

How do you Get Started as a Vinyl DJ?

DJs use a variety of different equipment. However, we at DJ City know more than anyone just how wide the range of DJing gear is. So, how do you know where to start?

Here is a breakdown of the specific equipment and essential items you need to get started on your journey into vinyl DJing.

1. Turntables

Turntables are a classic tool of DJing, especially vinyl DJing – by definition. When you are looking for the right turntable option for you, focus on how durable and reliable the brand is as well as the torque of the particular model in question.

Shop for your turntable here.

2. Mixer

A good mixer will allow you to effortlessly and intuitively blend tracks smoothly. Each mixer comes with different layouts, controls, and features, so finding the one that suits your needs and preferences is important.

To view our range of mixers, click here.

3. Headphones

A good pair of quality and comfortable headphones are crucial for performing DJs. They allow you to cue tracks without disturbing your audience or ruining your set.

Buy your headphones at DJ City by clicking here.

4. Slipmats

Slipmats are helpful little items that help you to manipulate records with maximum control and minimum disruption or damage.

View our range of slipmats here.

5. Vinyl Records

Without a collection of vinyls, you will have all the equipment you need and no music to play with it. Start building up your collection slowly. There is no rush. Try sampling a variety of genres and be strategic based on the type of music and DJing you want to play.

Tips for Success as a Vinyl DJ

As we mentioned above, there is no success without good hard work and practice.

But we also have a couple of tips to help make your process of developing and breaking into the industry easier.

1. Practice your beatmatching – If you need to start somewhere, start here. Spend time learning how to beatmatch without relying on modern day technology.

2. Mark your records – A well organised library with stickers or other labelling system with BPM and key information will make your mixing and performance all the more smooth.

3. Record your sets – Closely follow your performances across gigs and look for ways in which you can continuously improve.

4. Network with other DJs – The more local events and networking opportunities you take on, the greater your connections and potential collaborations with fellow DJs in the industry.

5. Be creative – Don’t be afraid to experiment with other genres and try new skills. The more you are able to mix different styles, the better a vinyl DJ you will be.

 

Your Vinyl DJing Journey Starts at DJ City

Being a vinyl DJ is about more than just mixing music. It is about becoming a true artist, a passionate fan of music, and an entertainer of your audience.

From mastering skills to investing in the right equipment, there is a lot to do along your journey to becoming a vinyl DJ.

So, why not reach out to the DJ City team today? We will help you find the right gear you need to support your journey and are always happy to chat about all things vinyl DJing.