Virtual DJ is widely considered one of the best DJing programs for beginners. The user friendly interface and overall simplicity make this software a great learning tool. Learning how to DJ in Virtual DJ is the perfect place for up and coming performers to get started.
About Virtual DJ
The Virtual DJ software is full of features for mixing digital audio. Virtual DJ’s technical capability ranges from basic turntable/mixer to automatic BPM and key calculation, three-band equalizer, pitch control and built-in CD to MP3 encoder.
Virtual DJ Sections
The Virtual DJ interface can be easily divided into five sections: two turntables, the mixer, the waveform display, the effects box and the file window.
Turntables are the section where DJs load the tracks in. Besides the basic self-explanatory ‘Play,’ ‘Pause’ and ‘Stop’ controls, there are also ‘Sync,’ ‘Cue’ and ‘Tap’ options.
The mixer lets DJs transition between tracks playing in each deck. The main elements of the mixer are the crossfade switch slider, volume gains and EQ filters.
The waveform window displays an audio frequency picture of the tracks, as well as phrase indicator markers.
The effects box includes all the filtering and processing elements DJs need to make transitions smoother. Popular effects include reverb, echo, distortion and delay.
The file section contains all the information of a particular track.
How to DJ in Virtual DJ
After searching for tracks in the file window, import them into the program. Select all tracks and scan them using the ‘Batch’ and ‘Analyze for BPM’ tools. Make sure the BPMs and keys are displayed for both tracks. Keys might be disabled by default, so make sure you enable them by right clicking details above the tracks.
Using the Camelot wheel (see below), pick two tracks that are harmonically compatible. They should also have similar tempos, no more than 5 BPMs off. Set cue points for your tracks. Usually, cue points mark the intro and the outro of the track, marking every 4th, 8th or 16th bar.
Play the first track. When a particular section of the song begins, use the cue button to start playing the second track. Beatmatch both tracks by using the sync button. Transition between the two song by using the crossfading slider. Be gentle here, as in most of the cases this will take around four to 16 bars to complete.
Use effects like EQ, reverb and delay to take your transitions to the next level. Virtual DJ also comes with lots of looping, backspin and beat-grid effects. The main thing here is imagination. Dance floors love creative transitions.
Virtual DJ’s vinyl emulation feature allows DJs to control music files on their computer through physical turntables. This is far more powerful than simply using the keyboard and mouse.
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