The Art of DJing: Skills, Techniques, and Equipment

art of djing

If you’ve ever been to a party with great music and an amazing dance scene, you may have taken for granted the underlying elements that pull everything together into a seamless, cohesive whole. But beneath the surface of any perfect party is an interconnected web of skills, techniques and equipment wielded masterfully by a DJ who makes it all seem effortless. So what are some of the skills, techniques and equipment working together to create that unforgettably electric experience? Check out the art of djing with DJ KMBRK!

The Skills Beneath The Thrills – The Art of DJing

  • Beatmatching – Ever notice how the songs at a great party seem to blend seamlessly together, never leaving you with clunky gaps or rhythmic fumbles to disrupt the flow? That’s no accident! It’s actually a DJing technique called beatmatching. The name comes from the fact that the DJ actually adjusts (matches) the tempo (beat) of each song so that there are no awkward transitions, keeping the energy up and the party popping.
  • EQ Control – All great DJs are on a journey of mastering their EQ control, which is essentially the art of manipulating elements of audio to give you the ultimate party experience. Have you ever been at a party where you hear a familiar song, but the bass is somehow much louder, more vibrant, and 100% dance-worthy? That’s the work of a great DJ, adjusting audio levels to alter the familiar into something extraordinary.
  • Library, Library, Library – At the end of the day, people rush the dance floor in excitement and passion because they hear a song they love. As such, a DJ’s library of songs is the most important tool in the belt, and the one that will make or break the night.

Tools of the Trade

All great workers and artists employ a blend of techniques and tools. DJs are no different, bringing along tools of the trade to help them bring their skills to life. Any DJ worth their salt is likely to have a decently powerful laptop housing their music library and running DJ software that allows them to alter the sound and speed of music. You’ll also notice a device called a controller, which is roughly a modern day turntable that gives the DJ a tactile platform to work musical magic. Headphones, speakers, and mixers are some other usual suspects you’ll likely find in a DJ’s arsenal.

If you’re in the Chicago Metro area looking for a DJ with a perfect balance of techniques and tech, fully capable of turning the tables of any party, go with DJ KMBRK! Just check out the rave reviews on his website.