In this final instalment of the How to DJ series, James Zabiela continues where he left off last time: exploring mad-sounding effects – like the transform scratch effect. Now if you’ve seen James jamming then you’ve probably heard him rinsing the EFX-1000’s transform effect, which is a way to reproduce a transform scratch digitally. To demonstrate,…

One of James Zabiela’s trademarks as a DJ is the way that he scratches and transforms sounds. When done at the right time and place, this always turns heads. So the penultimate part of this series focuses on how to scratch it up, JZ-style. Taking certain techniques from turntablism and giving them a digital twist, here the super-dexterous star runs…

We’re back with more beats and bites from master blaster James Zabiela as he loops us something fresh in this latest instalment of the How to DJ series. Yes, after looking at various different facilities and looping functions on the EFX and DJM-800 mixer, JZ finally gets busy with the CDJ decks… Here, he demonstrates how to do all sorts of useful t…

Technophile James Zabiela continues the series with a demonstration of the beat roll effect on the DJM-800 mixer, which is a favourite for a lot of DJs. One of the many beat effects on the DJM-800, the roll (and reverse roll) effect is particularly useful as it also acts as a sampler for creating non-destructive loops, as James reveals. He furtherm…

If you have ever heard James Zabiela finish off one of his high-octane DJ sets with a mad mash up of ‘thank you’ vocals, then you may be interested to know how it’s done live. That’s right, we’re now halfway through Episode 3 as James returns to continue demonstrating yet more techy tricks involving the famous feedback loop! First up, James plugs h…

DJ wizard James Zabiela steps away from the decks and waxes lyrical about buying, acquiring and organising his tunes. Yes, it’s all about the music in this clip, filmed at London’s Ministry of Sound. So snuggle up to the speakers with James as he talks openly about working with music in the digital realm. Ever heard of ‘blind’ record shopping? If n…

James Zabiela continues flexing his skills and revealing some of his signature Jedi moves in part two of this new eight-part feature on How to DJ for more advanced artists. In the first clip, James looked at several effects and showed how to set up a feedback loop. Now he’s back to carry on where he left off, and to demonstrate what else you can do…

Top music manipulator James Zabiela introduces Episode 3 in the How to DJ series as we kick off with some hot EFX trickery from the grandmaster… In this clip, recorded at London’s Ministry of Sound, James looks at how to add and use effects to enhance your DJ set. Hands-on demonstrations include using the echo (one of James’ favourite effects) and …

Episode 2 in the How to DJ series concludes with Phil K running through a few essential aspects of DJing. These include how to read the crowd, how to programme your mixes and how to inject your own personality into your sets, which Phil believes is the real key to becoming successful and breaking the scene. So that’s all for now from Phil, folks. N…

The penultimate part of Episode 2 sees master K on the master tempo tip. In this clip Phil shows how to speed a track up or down by using the CDJ’s tempo slider and master tempo button. Master tempo basically locks the pitch of a track, allowing you to make changes to its tempo. So no more Darth Fader or Minnie Mouse vox – unless that’s your desire…

Phil K has taught young DJ Jedi James Zabiela a trick or two in his time and is now here to show you how to do strange things with effects – as you can see in this clip, which covers filtering and the echo effect. Not only a DJs’ DJ but also a clubbers’ favourite Phil reveals some techniques for filtering tracks for the dancefloor. These include lo…

Phil K is back with yet more tips on How to DJ. And this time around he’s looking at how up-and-coming DJs can get gigs and break into the scene… Are you experienced? If you’re seeking DJ experience in clubland and want to generate career-building exposure as a ‘warm-up’ spinner, then this is the clip for you. Having DJed since the mid-80s, Phil ta…

Want to know when to cut the bass or boost the treble? Then click on as Phil K demonstrates how he creates dancefloor drama by manipulating the low, midrange and high frequencies in a mix… In this clip the house and breaks master continues to expand on the basics covered in Episode 1. Phil explains more about bass, midrange and treble – and how con…

Phil K returns with some more tips on How to DJ. In this clip Phil shows how to create a breakdown loop and apply spin-backs in a mix. Learning how to mix out of a track early during its breakdown by using a loop can be a really useful way to lift the energy of the room and change the direction of your set. You can even add in extra digital effects…

In this clip (Part 3 of Episode 2 in the How to DJ series) the ultra-experienced Australian DJ Phil K gives up some valuable tips on playing your first gig in a club. From dealing with nerves before your set and preparing mentally and physically for what tracks you will play out on the night, to making a good impression on the crowd and promoters. …

Episode 2 in the How to DJ series continues with Phil K. This time Phil looks at creating music loops – showing us exactly how to do it and explaining why it can be an important skill to add to your DJ set. From the reasons why DJs loop tracks during a set and how to complete a loop using features on the CDJ, to rocking out a tight four-beat loop u…

DJdownload.com brings you exclusive access to Episode 2 of the How to DJ series with the Australian DJ wizard Phil K. Here Phil takes it the next level by expanding on the basics introduced by Sarah Main in Episode 1. From counting (and feeling!) those beats, bars and phrases, to assessing wave forms on the CDJs, complete with an introduction to th…

Episode 1 in DJdownload.com’s exclusive How to DJ series comes to a close as Pacha Ibiza resident DJ Sarah Main explains about getting the best from your digital downloads before she shows us two different ways to mix two tracks together. First up Sarah demonstrates the straightforward intro/outro mix, which is great for beginners. This is followed…

Tune into the penultimate part of Episode 1 as Pacha’s first lady Sarah Main dispenses yet more helpful advice on How to DJ. Here Sarah looks at constructing a set and file formats, and demonstrates how to use the cross fader and up faders to mix two tracks. Sarah also shows how to use gain trim (which is often set at 0dB, or 12 o’ clock) and each …

Want to know how Pacha resident Sarah Main buys tunes and catalogues her music digitally? Need to find out how to use your DJ headphones properly, or how time spent out clubbing in the field can help you develop a better ‘ear’? Then click on, and check out what Sarah has to say! Yes, it’s time for the third instalment of How to DJ with Sarah Main i…

We’re back with Pacha DJ Sarah Main at her villa in Ibiza for another instalment of How to DJ. Remember, this episode is all about helping those who are starting out and focuses on the fundamentals of DJing; things only get truly tricky in Episodes 2 and 3, when Phil K and James Zabiela show off more advanced tweakin’! After covering such topics as…

For Episode 1, Part 1, Sarah Main has the 400 series set up in her villa and talks us through the basic skills you need to get started as a DJ, step by step. So hit play to find out more, from entering the scene to setting up your DJ kit, accessing different audio formats, and the basic principles of mixing (music monitoring using headphones, beatm…