Hello everybody, from the administrator down to the absolute beginner like me! I just purchased the M-audio digital dj mixlab system yesterday. I should be receiving it in the next few days. From there, I should have all the tools I need to take on the Trance Music Industry, YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! JUST KIDDING! LOL! Actually this is my starting point. I am quite excited though it's not much, and I know I need much more to get the ball rolling! When I finally get the systerm, I'm really going to have no clue what is in front of me, but I'm admittedly more desperate to break out in the djing business than a prisoner who's been in jail for 10 years without committing a crime! So producers, dj's, and all other Trance aficianado's, Tell me what I bought, what I need in addition (under the poor man's budget realm!)  and the best way to get the ball rolling.
You guys have been very responsive on this site. Keep it going! It's like we're forming a trance music fraternity here! Thank you!

Congrats!

Well, start learning now. Do a search on google for tutorials on DJing. Skim through the threads on this forum, there are lots of tips hiding around.

And most important, practice a lot. I find trial and error the best learning method.

congrats man!
i used to have the mixlab, then went on to an xponent a few months later.
for just starting out you made a wise purchase, the mixlab is perfect for beginning. one thing i would have to say though is dont take advantage of the auto sync, learn to beatmatch right off the bat!
it will take a month or two to finally realize that you can tell which track is faster than the other and adjust it as so, but you will be better off learning to beatmatch right away.
have fun!

step one, leave auto sync alone! 

Get two of the same track, and practice getting songs started and synced together first.

Once you can have one track running, and start the next track pretty much in time and it sounds good, then move on to beat matching.  Basically you want to learn to drop the track on the 16th or 32nd beat.  this will allow for proper transitions, and the music to be lined up correctly.

With beat matching, you want to really practice on learning to match those two different tracks.  Try it first with two songs whose BPM's are not too far from each other.    If There is a way to shut of the BPM display for each song on the M-Audio Mix Lab UI, then do it.  This will only hinder you really, as you will never learn to really beat match music. 

When you have your two tracks, then drop in your second track.  Listen to the bass beats as they slip away.  Now, stop the second track, increase (or decrease) its BPM (so it will be faster or slower from the last time you did it) of the current track, drop it in time and listen to how the bass beats sound as they slip away this time. 

Notice how they make a different sound depending on if the its too fast or too slow?  This is key!  Really learn how to listen for this and adjust your track using the pitch adjustment accordingly.

This will put you in the right direction.

Nice tips R33, you should write "Getting into DJing for Dummies"

I picked up the Numark Total Control this week, should arrive Friday hopefully so I can play with it over the weekend, hehe

Congrats

When I had just started out, I found the book called "How to DJ (Properly)" (by Frank Broughton and Bill Brewster) quite useful for learning the basics. Perhaps you could have a look at it... Good luck

Thanks for the tip, I'll try to check it out

Awesome man. I've recently taken some baby steps myself. I was able to purchase Virtual DJ and  I've put together some of my own compilations that can be found on Youtube. I am thinking of making an Album titled 'The Nightlife'. Quick links are located below:

The Thrillseekers & Jamaster A
Mungo & Temple One
Bissen & Paul Van Dyk
Chicane & DJ Tatana
Mr. Sam & Solarstone

I have listened to a couple of these, and there are a few things you could work on.

#1  Be more smooth with your transitions.  I seem to notice that you just tend to bring your two tacks together and then switch to the other rather quickly.  This is a bit jerky and sounds on the rough side.

#2  Work on phasing your tracks.  Drop in the next track on a 32 beat or a 16 beat.  This way, when changes happen in each track, it sounds like its all one well put together in track.  Basically what I mean is this.  Your fading in track B.  A cymbal crash in track a, and at the same time a new addition in track B happens.  This also make it easier to mix out as you can really slowly fade out the last track and keep it sounding smooth.    best way to find out when your at a 32 beat?  In the first track, when you hear a new synth come in, or a sudden change in the track... (lets say the end of a breakdown, then the first bass beat after the breakdown ends)  at this time you want to start counting the beats. 1 for each drum kick.  at  the next 1  (counting... 30..31..32..1) on the "1" drop in the next song at its first bass kick or downbeat.     

#3  Use your pitch adjustment to perfectly match those bass beats.  I noticed that you can always hear the two bass kicks in each of your transitions.  the easy way to correct this is, after beat-matching the track, and bringing it in on the 32, use the pitch nudge or adjust buttons every so slightly until it sounds like there is one solid bass kick.  You can then twiddle with the mid and bass EQ's to really get it sounding tight!

Hope this helps out!   

Awesome, I appreciate the help. I'll definately take these ideas back to the turntables when I'm making my next compilations.

Also, I was a little unsure of the choice of songs, any suggestions for that?

Well what I try to do is build the set like the layout of one track.  I start off with a bit of an intro, build a bit, take it easy, then break it down to a massive build up then swell it out.

Thats my style, and I will choose tracks on how I am feeling at the moment and how the crowd is reacting.  I never pre-build my set, I always just pick the opening track beforehand. 

Some people love to pre-build their sets and just hit the decks with a track-list.  This works for some, but I cant do it myself.  Its too boring. 

So my advice on song selection will be a different piece of advice as others may feel.

Your best bet is to just grab your records, CDs, or files, lay them out and start mixing.  Look through them as you are playing the current song and try to feel them out.  Imagine which one would sound amazing after the current track is being played. 

Think about the outro of the current track, and how you want the next one to start.

Also the BPMS play a vital part as well.  Do not mix a track that is currently spinning at 136 BPMs with a track that is 127.  The 127 track will sound way pitched up and ruin the song.

Once again this is how I select tracks.  I would say give it a try, or perhaps put your own spin on.  Decide what types of styles you like most, and what you want to include in your set, and how your style will be.

Awesome, thanks alot.

your very welcome