5 best MIDI keyboard controllers under $500 Finding the best MIDI keyboard controller for your music production and live gigs is one thing, but finding one that’s affordable and value for money is something else. Here at DJ City, we provide DJ equipment for artists at all stages of their careers. Whether you’re just starting […]
7 Best Audio Interfaces Under $800 If you’re in the market for the best audio interface, rest assured you’ve come to the right place. An audio interface is an integral piece of equipment that connects an audio source- think microphone or your mixer, or a destination, like speakers- to a computer. As a DJ, you’ll […]
6 best budget DJ turntables under $500 At DJ City, we’ve been working with DJs of all levels of skill and experience for years. We understand what it’s like getting started in the business and trying to find the best budget turntable. And we know how important it can be for even professional artists to […]
Get your DJ Booth Halloween Ready Whether you have an upcoming gig at a Halloween party as a DJ or you’re simply trying to get into the spirit of the scary season, decking out your DJ booth doesn’t have to be expensive, time consuming or difficult. In fact, there are a number of ways in […]
Semi-Modular Synthesizers for Beginners Let’s face it- the world of modular synthesis is vast and daunting. There is almost unlimited possibility for sound exploration through unique combinations of modules. It can also be overwhelming for a beginner, who might struggle to plan out exactly the combination of VCAs, mults, attenuators and oscillators that will bring […]
DAWless Production Units: Making Music Without a Computer Digital Audio Workstations, known by the acronym DAW, are used by DJs all over the world to create and produce music. However, DAWless music production is becoming more and more popular. DAWless production is increasingly common among DJs who are just starting out and may not have […]
Cover Song Licensing Checklist Cover songs can be fun and creatively cathartic to make. We all have favourite cover versions of some classic or popular songs, and as an artist–whether you’re a musician, singer or DJ–at some point you may want to release a cover song to your audience as well. But you need to […]
How Much Does Spotify Pay Per Stream? There’s little doubt that if you’re an aspiring DJ or musician, Spotify is one of the main platforms you’ll need to utilise. As one of the largest streamers of music, it is a significant revenue stream and publicity network for DJs across Australia. There is, however, a bit […]
How to Start A Record Label in 2022 What is a record label? Record labels carry out a number of different functions in the music industry, but in its most basic form, its role is to market trademarked music recordings, songs and videos. A record label–also called a record company–functions as a brand in and […]
Monophonic vs. Polyphonic Synthesisers Once upon a time, there was no such thing as monophonic, polyphonic, analog or digital synthesisers. There were simply synthesisers, in their monophonic forms with similar electrical circuitry and rather complex designs. Nowadays, the range of synthesisers available and used is much wider. But understanding the difference between monophonic and polyphonic […]
A Complete Guide to GarageBand: Apple’s Free DAW If you’re a DJ, musician or podcaster, you’ve probably heard of GarageBand even if you don’t necessarily use it. As Apple’s free DAW, it’s among the more popular of music and audio production software used in the industry. While there are many reasons for using GarageBand, and […]
A Guide to Live Looping Have you heard of live looping? Whether or not you recognise the technique by it’s name, in all likelihood you’ve seen live looping at a gig or concert. Live looping continues to be a rising trend in the musical world with everyone from online musical influencers to big superstars like […]
How to Get on Top of the Spotify Algorithm In many ways, Spotify has changed the way the music industry works and revolutionised the opportunities available for young and up and coming DJs. As a consumer, Spotify is a wonderful resource for finding new music, discovering new artists and searching for tracks that are similar […]
Rekordbox Tips and Tricks Do you use Rekordbox for your DJing, music making and track mixing? In this handy guide, we’ll introduce you to some handy tips and tricks to make your entire Rekordbox experience easier and more productive. The better your ability to mix and play, the better a DJ you’ll be! Introduction to […]
The History of Broadcast Mics Broadcast microphones have been used for many years, including throughout the DJing industry. But where did they come from? How have they developed over time? In this article, we’re going to take a deep dive into the history of broadcast mics from the 1660s all the way to the present. […]
What is a Ghost Producer? Whether you’ve been working in the music and DJ industry for a while or not, you may have heard the term “ghost producer”. There are many misconceptions about what a ghost producer is, what they do and, to be frank, whether they’re good or bad for artists and the industry […]
FM Synthesis – An Introduction If you work with or plan on using an FM synthesiser, it’s important that you have at least an introductory understanding of what FM synthesis is. While the theory underpinning this type of synthesis is a bit technical, it can be broken down into different sections to help you understand […]
Intermediate and Advanced DJ Techniques You Should Know Have you mastered all the basics of DJing? Do you feel like you know the fundamentals of mixing tracks and producing original, banging music? If you’re interested in expanding your DJing skills and learning some new techniques that fall in the intermediate-to-advanced categories, you’re in the right […]
What is Audio Phasing? When you’re working with music, tracks and sound waves, you may notice that the timing between two tracks differs when you layer one over the top of the other. The sound waves themselves might be nearly identical, but once they’re played together, audio phasing occurs. Audio phasing can be a difficult […]
How to Create an Affordable DJ Studio It doesn’t matter whether you’re an ambitious young DJ looking to make their mark in the industry or just interested in engaging in music making and mixing as a hobby, putting together a studio in which to work is a must. However, there’s a lot that goes into […]
The Re-emergence of Vinyl Vinyl records have remarkably made a comeback in the music-listening world. What was quite recently thought to be an extinct form of audio has re-emerged and all but come back from the dead. What is vinyl? What’s special about it? And why do more and more music lovers take up collecting, […]
Cables & Connectors – Everything You Need to Know While cables and connectors may be the unsung heroes of any DJ’s set of gear, you should by no means just ignore these essential accessories. As you will undoubtedly know, DJs rely on and use a variety of different equipment and devices to create, mix and […]
A Guide to DMX Basics: Everything you need to know to get started Being a DJ requires you to learn many skills in the mixing, creation and production of music and also when it comes to general gig performance, party management and event hosting. DMX, and by extension, DMX controllers, play an important role here. […]
The Different Types of Party Light Effects Whether you’re a DJ or an event coordinator, creating a party atmosphere requires you to take many different factors into account. Lighting and light effects is one of the most significant ways in which you can set the tone and mood of a particular event. As the industry […]
A Guide to Ableton Midi Mapping Basics As with many different devices and interfaces used by DJs, there are a lot of handy tools and features available but finding your way around the basics can be overwhelming. In this article, we’ll go through all the basics and clarify just about everything you need to know […]
Dynamics, Condensers and Ribbons: How to Choose the Best Mic Type For You An essential piece of equipment for the performing and aspiring DJ is the microphone. Like all DJ gear, there is a wide range of options on the market when it comes to mics: from features to sound quality, price and type, […]
Compressions: Everything a DJ Needs to Know Working as a DJ entails using a variety of different musical tools and techniques to create original sounds, mixes, and tracks. Compressions are one of those very important and increasingly popular tools that can be used to effectively enhance a musical track. However, unlike adjusting the pitch or […]
Top 10 MIDI Controllers for DJing From speakers to microphones and turntables to MIDI controllers, DJs use a lot of equipment to help them mix and create the perfect music. Whether you’re a new DJ looking to purchase your first MIDI controller or simply wanting to upgrade to a new piece of gear without having […]
A Brief History of Sampling in DJing There are many different techniques and methods employed by DJs to create original, heart-thumping, and awesome musical tracks. Sampling is one of those techniques. Like many aspects of being a DJ, the development of sampling occurred over time and took different forms during different periods. In this article, […]
What is Up-lighting and Why You Should Offer it as a Mobile DJ? As a mobile DJ, you’ll be working at a wide variety of venues and DJing for a wide variety of functions. While your mixing, music and actual sets are the foundation to your success, every good DJ knows that a great performance […]
Learning to DJ: Your Guide to DJ Software As part of your journey learning to DJ and into the music industry, you will need to become familiar with the different DJ software options out there, the benefits of each one and how to use them. There are many online courses and videos that offer crash […]
What is the Best DAW for Recording Vocals? When you’re recording vocals, rapping, or music, having a robust digital audio workstation (DAW) is not a luxury, it’s a must! The term DAW refers to any electronic device or software that is used for the recording, producing, and/or editing of audio files. As a DJ, you’ll […]
7 Ways to Record your DJ Sets One of the ironies of being a DJ or musician is that you can never really experience your performance like a member of your audience can. That’s why knowing how to record DJ sets is very important. If you recoil at the idea, don’t worry – you’re not […]
Are DJ Lessons Worth Paying For? Are you looking to kick-start a career as a DJ or club DJ? There’s a lot to consider when you’re getting started, from equipment set up to scoring paying gigs, but one of the initial questions that many up and coming artists have is “are DJ lessons worth paying […]
How To Make House Music: A Crash Course The House Music Genre What is the house music genre? In its simplest form, house music can be described as a form of electronic dance music (EDM), often with a regular and heavy beat. According to some classifications, house music is also categorised by its typical 120-130 […]
Why You Should Throw Your Own Parties There are a lot of skills to learn on your journey to becoming a successful DJ. Of course, the technical skills and techniques needed to actually perform at your DJ, as well as the associated self-promotion and gig management, is of prime importance, but knowing how to throw […]
It will come as no surprise to you that DJs spend a significant amount of time behind their tables, decks or booths. Whether your DJing is a hobby or a job (or both!), you’re bound to be spending countless hours standing behind your set-up working away at creative mixes. That’s why getting the DJ table […]
Mobile DJ Tips Mobile DJ Tips – It’s becoming more and more common for DJs to invest in getting a proper mobile DJ system to allow them to get out on the road, play at various attractions and events, or broaden their professional capabilities. Being a mobile DJ can be financially lucrative as well as […]
The Importance of Cleaning Your Microphone Do you know how to clean a microphone? It might not be something you enjoy thinking about or even something at the forefront of your mind, but keeping your microphone clean, hygienic and sanitised is a vital component of your equipment maintenance. Even if you are cleaning your microphone, […]
Social Media Marketing Guide for DJs Social Media Tips for DJs; Like many professionals, you’ll find DJs on Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok and more social media platforms. For a number of years now, curating a strong social media presence has been important for furthering your career, especially when it comes to DJing and the wider […]