To be a successful wedding DJ, it is essential to have the right equipment and software. A good laptop is crucial for DJ setup, as well as the right hardware such as a DJ controller (optional), sound card, headphones, source music, import music, and learn basic controls. It is also important to be over-prepared and have a backup plan, even if it means exploring how to DJ with Spotify or switching to an old laptop.
To organize your music library, start by setting up your laptop, installing the software, and plugging in your USB audio interface. Ideally, get 16GB of RAM for your DJ software. If you plan on using more technical DJ software like Traktor, Serato, and Abelton Live, consider 16GB Ram.
Assign a music captain or emcee to help with the logistics of your wedding. Choose software that suits your needs, such as VirtualDJ, Serato DJ, and Traktor Pro, which allow you to mix and blend tracks seamlessly while providing effects that enhance your sound.
Rekordbox is a relatively newcomer to the laptop DJ scene, but it has great library management tools. For beginners on a tight budget, Pioneer DJ XDJ-RX2 is one of the best DJ software applications for beginners on a tight budget.
Professional DJs work to mix songs into smooth transitions, so they don’t overstay their welcome with a Spotify playlist. However, for guests, non-professional DJs can still play sets using a laptop and external sound cards.
In summary, being a successful wedding DJ requires a combination of proper equipment, a good attitude, and the right equipment. By following these tips, you can ensure your guests have a memorable and enjoyable experience.
📹 DJ AT YOUR FIRST WEDDING | WEDDING DJ TIPS & ADVICE
Hey Beat Hackers, As some of you may know I used to do wedding DJing on the side and it was a great way for me to make some …
What software do DJs use on laptop?
What’s the best DJ software in 2024? The two most used platforms among the Digital DJ Tips community are Rekordbox and Serato. Other names include Traktor, VirtualDJ, djay Pro, and Engine DJ. Others are also available.
- ✅ Why you can trust Digital DJ Tips. We’re a DJ school, not a shopping site. We review DJ products and services to help our students make wise choices. We don’t have affiliate links or sponsors. We review all products and services in our lessons and training. We stand by our recommendations and will answer questions in the comments. Best DJ Software 2024 What DJ software does: Serato
- Rekordbox
- Traktor Pro
- VirtualDJ
- djay Pro
- Engine DJ
What is the best software to DJ on a laptop?
Best DJ Software: Serato DJ Pro. Serato is as popular as Rekordbox, but is different. … Rekordbox. Pioneer DJ is the biggest name in DJing, and Rekordbox is its platform. … Traktor Pro. … VirtualDJ. djay Pro. … Engine DJ. As a DJ, you need to choose a DJ software platform. This is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a DJ. It’s like choosing a music production software. There are many DJ software options, not just the three I mentioned (Cubase, Bitwig Studio, Reaper). What is the best DJ software in 2024? The two most used platforms among the Digital DJ Tips community are Rekordbox and Serato. Other names include Traktor, VirtualDJ, djay Pro, and Engine DJ. Others are also available.
Which laptop is best for DJing?
Best DJ laptop: Best for touring. Apple M2 13-inch MacBook Air … Best laptop for DJs. Acer Swift 3. … Best MacBook Pro alternative. Dell XPS 13 OLED. … Best for storage. Apple M2 14-inch MacBook Pro. … Best laptop for DJs. Asus VivoBook S. Best touchscreen. Microsoft Surface Laptop 5. If you’re looking for the best DJ laptop, you’ve come to the right place. Laptop DJ setups can be different depending on the DJ software and controllers. No matter what DJ software you use, you’ll need a laptop. You’ll need a computer to run your DJ software and host your music. Laptop DJ setups vary, but the best laptops for DJing are pretty consistent. Our lists of the best laptops for DJing and music production have a lot in common. Producers and DJs look for similar qualities in their machines. You might want one machine for both roles. Many of those in this guide can do that.
What is a good laptop for a DJ?
Best DJ laptop: Apple M2 13-inch MacBook Air … Acer Swift 3. Check Thomann. … Dell XPS 13 OLED. Check Thomann. … Apple M2 MacBook Pro. Check Thomann. … Asus VivoBook S. Thomann. … Microsoft Surface Laptop 5. Check Thomann. … Razer Blade 15 Studio Edition. Check Thomann. … Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro. If you’re looking for the best DJ laptop, you’ve come to the right place. Laptop DJ setups come in different formats, depending on the DJ software and controllers you use. No matter what DJ software you use, you’ll need a laptop. You’ll need a computer to run your DJ software and host your music. Laptop DJ setups vary, but the best laptops for DJing are pretty consistent. Our lists of the best laptops for DJing and music production have a lot in common. Producers and DJs look for similar qualities in their machines. You might want one machine for both roles. Many of those in this guide can do that.
Is Spotify DJ free?
You need to be a premium user to use Spotify AI DJ. You can’t use Spotify AI DJ if you’re on the free plan. If you’re a premium user and don’t have it, check if it’s available in your country. Spotify might not have released AI DJ in your country. Also, update your app. You can’t change the AI DJ’s voice on Spotify yet. Spotify said the current voice is the first version of the model, so more will come.
Can you DJ with Spotify?
1. Spotify for non-DJs. You’re not a DJ, but you have a party coming up and want to play Spotify music. You know the music you want to play, but Spotify will leave gaps between songs. You need a better solution. Spotify has a built-in “DJ Mode.” To use Spotify Premium at a party, you need to sign up for it. Otherwise, the ads will be annoying. Download the app. Don’t try to do this from the web player. The web player isn’t reliable.
Make a playlist for your party and then go to Preferences and set Spotify to “Crossfade Tracks” and “AutoMix.” This joins songs together. You can add, remove, and rearrange songs while playing. It’s like DJing, but not in real time. Spotify’s attempts at beatmixing aren’t very good, but it’s better than nothing.
Can I be a DJ with just a laptop?
I highly recommend it. You can learn all the basics on a laptop without spending thousands on expensive physical decks.
Learning used to be hard. You had to beat match on old decks and DJ hardware. With a laptop, automatic sync, and DJ software, you can start mixing right away.
Warning: It’s addictive. I’m not responsible for getting you hooked! It’s great to make something better than the sum of its parts. A perfect DJ mix is possible.
Do DJs use laptops?
You can also play gigs with DJ software like Rekordbox, Serato, Traktor, and Virtual DJ. You need a laptop for these DJ software apps. There are DJ apps for mobile devices, but they aren’t very useful. Read my article on the best DJ software for more info on DJ software and a comparison between the software on the market. For more information on laptops for DJs, see my DJ laptop buying guide.
How to connect DJ to laptop?
Connect the unit to your PC/Mac using a USB cable. Turn on your PC/Mac and the connected equipment. Start your DJ application.
Is Spotify DJ still a thing?
Spotify’s AI DJ was only available to US and Canadian fans in February 2023. In May, users in the UK and Ireland got access. As of August, users in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand could use the feature. Users in these regions can access DJ in English. Check here for the countries where Spotify’s AI DJ is available.
How to find Spotify AI DJ on your iPhone or Android. To see the Spotify AI DJ in the mobile app, follow these steps:
Are DJs allowed to use Spotify?
Spotify is for personal enjoyment, not for DJs. Spotify’s terms of service say you can’t use its music in public performances, including DJing at parties or events.
📹 HOW TO DJ ON A LAPTOP
Hi Guys in this week’s video, I teach you how to dj tech house on a laptop in ten minutes! If you would like to learn how to DJ on a …
I am a wedding dj in scotland and 99 times out of 100 the final song is always the same, loch lomond by runrig ” the live version” everyone knows without saying but always announce its the final song, at the end as its fading out i announce ” that brings our night to the end folks, thank you very much you have been great so lets give this happy couple 3 cheers..hip hip hurrayyyy…. then good night folks, take care and safe journey home…goodnight! finished. For those who have never seen loch lomond done at a wedding its brilliant, ..you will find it on here….its mental but such a feel of belonging and happiness. never get bored of playing it. 1 thing im now taking on board is the lights off part and main lights on during last song, i did it and instead of folk asking to play on they were all just clapping and hugging each other.
Ha ! spot on Phil, seems good advice is past down the ages, I’m in my 67 now, retired and did many many weddings, social nights, birthday parties and a good few clubs, all your points are spot and it’s what I did my whole career, sometimes you take a gig, do all the usual, keeping bride and groom onside and always clock where are in the venue in case you need them for cutting the cake, first dance always get their first before you turn up! – had a real curveball once where no matter what I did, played everything they asked for, tried to get them involved, no matter what I did, brides family, groom family the other and they took it in turns to have a little dance, but neither family mixed… thought I’d died on my backside, worst gig of my life, played the last song, and bride and groom wandered over big smile on their faces and thanked me for a great night best they had attended out of all the family weddings they had been to! Totally confused I asked “but no one was dancing!” Bride replied and said “I’ve had a few ask can you do theirs and you must have been good their wasn’t one fight between the families” and pushed £50 into my hand 😂 – go figure! Just for info I had pioneer sl1210’s and a couple of Sony CD players hooked to the mixer. Them where the day. Love your content by the way and have been eyeing up a cdj 800 to play around on loving the anjuna label these days – wish you well and p.S your Mrs is going to be great DJ!
I think I may have mentioned this in a comment on a previous article, but one wedding I did, I was given a list from the bride and groom of 5 and three quarter hours worth of music. I was booked from 7pm until 1am (6 hours if you haven’t already worked it out!), and then I was told I could also take requests……erm I don’t think so. After a few emails back and forth I was able to whittle their song choices down to around 20-30 (still didn’t get to play all of them as you know what tracks are going to work and keep the dance floor ticking over). You can even get the 80 year old Auntie Mabel’s of this world bopping along to 80’s tracks, because 40 years ago that’s what they would have been listening too. Great advice all the same Phil.
Some good valid advice here folks if you haven’t been a wedding DJ before. Take notes and listen carefully to Phil! However, with the risk of being the bitter old man i the room… haha. Many of the topics are also the reason why I quit DJ at weddings. I just get sick of all the drama. First, the playlist is usually micromanaged by the bride to a point beyond insanity. Usually good tracks, but none of them are suited for a dance floor. I’m always asked to be there by 20:30 at the latest. Doesn’t matter that I firmly state that the dinner won’t be finished before 23:00 (because of all the speeches etc). So what happens? I have to sit in the kitchen at the venue for hours, hoping to get a short conversation with someone from the catering company. Once you have start playing and finally find out what gets the crowd going, you have to stop. There is this nine year old that has taken three lessons in the local dance academy and the grandma wants her to show her new skills. After that it takes another hour to get back to the dance floor energy you had before the break. Then the drunk people starts to find you. After a couple of years you hate drunk people 😉 At some point the groom and his best friend approaches you with an ipod, demanding you to play some odd music that they have a very specific memory about from a high school trip. Nobody else at the party gets it, and starts blaming you for ruining the party with bad music. And the worst of them all. International weddings. Half of the party is from another country/culture and whatever you do, you loose.
One thing I was wondering that I ran into DJ ing a friends wedding is, should you not be in on the wedding rehearsal? This allows you to set the queue for all announcements and songs requested for specific areas of the wedding venue. I was operating off the cuff and made a lot of errors because I had no specifics as to what needed to take place during the event. I also learned that you want to provide only a few people that are allowed to make requests, the bride, the groom, and maybe one or two other people. This will stop the problem of everybody in the place coming up asking for requests.
Been DJing for a decade now, a $250 deposit and $750 due the night of the wedding. I’ve never had an issue getting the money the night-of with 40 weddings a year for the past 10 years. I think waiting helps you get a larger check because then they write it out bigger with a nice tip once you’ve done the job.
good tips, but one remark. If youre killing it and a drunk person, or any person asks you to keep on an extra hour, remember: People LIE to get what they want, especially drunk people. So make sure you get the OK from management THEMSELVES. Dont let one of the guests go ask management. At most, you can let the bride or groom check with management, or their parents/best men/bridesmaids. NOT any random guests, because youll run the risk they come back and say its ok, but they never even checked with management.
I have many years experience.. everything said here is good advice.. That last half hour of any gig is always a pain.. The better the night has been, the harder it is to end it.. one way i do it is to say its the last tune of the night ect .. then slip off into the background once the lighting has faded out and the last tune is playing.. by the time its faded out, im at the bar getting the riot lights ready…(and a quick drink lol)
Can someone answer this please. Do you need a buisness license to dj or provide sound at a wedding? I wont be mixing music or using a dj mixer. I would just be putting together a playlist of songs from apple music and have them play one after another for weddings. Would you need a license for that? If not where are you getting the information to assure you? And lastly do you need a license if you are actually using a dj Mixer and mixing music at a wedding?
had 4 of my gigs CANCEL / postpone on me yesterday… .. This is going tough time the next few months.. 2 of them, was booked last year, (weddings).. always get a DEPOSIT!! .. Also.. i hate going OT.. I feel like, that extra hour is usually paid for with my Tip money, So I’m losing money by going OT.. ill usually say 100$ for another hour, then when its time to collect the balance, my tip isn’t as much as i was expecting, all because that extra 100 is MY PAY…. Not MY TIP..
When doing weddings, I often am provided a list of music; a full list. Like 100+ songs that I have to play from. Oftentimes, I know the songs, but I do run into some music I do not know. I’ve recently started charging extra for a full list of songs I have to play from. I only request a dozen or so songs so I get a feel for the genre the couple like and then build from my list; which as never let me down. But, WOW! More and more I get a large list and am required to play from that. I know. What’s life without its challenges? Thought, Phil? OH! and great articles, too.
I know this article is old and I am probably not going to get a response but how do you go about building your music library for a wedding? I would take the bride and grooms list and download those songs as well as as many other songs I would think people would dance to at a wedding. But if the bride and groom or someone of significance requests a song you don’t have downloaded do you just not play it or explain to them it’s not downloaded?
Worst wedding DJ thing I ever did was play Chumba Wumba ‘I Get Knocked Down But I Get Up Again’ whilst the ambulance took the brides grandmother away after she slipped and banged her head on the dance floor. Suffice to say it did not go down well. Then had to play a 3hr set :/ (She had stitches and was ok)
Partys Banging, end it 15 minutes early….say your goodbyes and credits… then do an encore, then the party is still banging and do 1 more encore, give them a little more, then do an epic ending song when everyone knows its the end, then literally unscrew your needles, take them, and walk on the other side of the crowd, they will chant 1 more song, but you’ll be perusal them from behind, djs gone
Hi Phil I like to give credit where it’s due, So i would like to tell you that I think you are the best TUTOR on YouTube of the way you explained every thing, I am not good at web tutoring, and if I could have a one to one tutor in person, It would be you, I know nothing about DJing but I am about to start, You are the man. and I started to buy a Dj set up but would love to get your point a view, and I am an old bloke but have a vinyl collection and use valve amplifiers
Hi DJ Phil Harris. So I downloaded a DJ software (VirtualDJ 2021) and I tried my first mix but the track on the other deck I’m trying to precue keeps interfering with the track on the other deck playing. I was recording. And I must add that I don’t have a speaker yet, just headphones. Can you help me out please?
I understand what Beat Sync does, but doesn’t that also destroy the integrity of the song itself, especially if you want to include some of the Vocals of that song. Wouldn’t the song not sound right? Would you then want to restore that synced song to it’s original BPM so it will sound right as the song was intended. I think that I would just group all my songs into BPM categories, like: 124 BPM Songs, 128 BPM Songs, 132 BPM Songs, etc. Then you wouldn’t need Beat Sync at all – to alter the songs BPM.
Quantising eliminates something musicians call a “groove”, which is based on human touch and variations in tempo within bars …not to speak of mixing different keys or putting time stretch on human voices. Guess this mixing method is only for rudimentary music without all those essential elements of real music. With time, if you’re an open enough, and with experience (listening to a wider range of music), you will realise how limiting this mixing approach is. Good luck!