How to prepare your DJ music for a gig 💃🏽

In this tutorial I teach you guys:

1. How to use Cue Points
2. How to Prepare your songs with Cue Points
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► SCRIPT:
When you download a new song, they look pretty plain...

Technically, we can DJ with these songs no problem. But if you’re a beginner sometimes you just don’t know where to mix in, and mix out of a song.

This is where cue points come in, what they are is this:

They are control points on songs which you make, and they give you the ability to control and manipulate specific song sections.

So let’s say we put a cue point here, we can then activate, and play with that section like this, this or this. It’s totally up to you.

To make cue point, simply click a button here, or press anywhere here. To delete one you can either click it here, or press shift and that cue point which you want to delete.

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Now cue points have a ton of uses, but my favorite thing to do with them is use them as visual guides for songs

So when I download a song, I put at least 3 cue points:

1. Where I should mix in (intro)
2. Where the song begins
3. Where I should mix out

Let me show you an example:

So here’s a song I just downloaded. Let’s load it up.

Now I prefer to mix in with a 32 beat intro, so the first cue point will go here. How do I know? Let’s count…..

So the beginning of the song is here. This is where I’m going to place my second cue point which I will use as a visual guide. It’s exactly 32 beats from our first cue point.

My third cue point is going to be here, because this is the outro section of the song. I know this because from here on out, there is nothing but beats.

Keep in mind that, we can put a total of 8 cue points so don’t be shy in cue pointing your songs.

[erwinmatic]

The best thing about your videos is you put in the effort to edit it in a way that makes it easy for us to understand the complexity in an elementary manner. Great upload.

[DJ-ktbk]

I know everyone has their cue points set differently but I have mine set going across and like this
(Ext edits)
1: start of extension
2: where the vocal starts or ext ends
3: 8 beats before drop
4: at the drop
5: 8 beats before second drop if there is one
6: on the second drop
7: A transition opportunity for example echo out or an opportunity to introduce a small bit of the next song
8: the start of the extension out

Hope this helps anyone
Have a nice day

[MrThechavez]

I am a complete beginner and the way you explain it makes all of this feels so easy. Thank you!

[tjshock]

I like the fact that you are covering the very basics and not jumping to the advance stuff right away.. love your videos

[michgaviola]

My little nephew’s been always inspired to be a DJ. We always stay tune to your channel. Keep inspiring :)

[genesisnacua]

Idol, Im a begginers dj, but I got my dj skills by standing deside a dj on a street party in phillippines since I was a kid, thats what I do using quepoint as my technique making sampler and etc: nobody taught me but when the day I touch a dj controller thats the first thing I notice, but what you just teach is more knoledgeable! Thank u so much:)

[druthedj]

Good tip. I always do exactly that every time I get new tracks: Tag & Rename, Analyze using Mixed In Key, Analyze in Serato, then set cue points for mixing in, and a couple of exit points. Great videos man

[juanpablotintaya]

excellent tips Carlo, I remember that at the beginning it only marked the beginning of the topic, later I lost the fear to play with the cue points and it was the best, greetings from Bolivia

[jobrwibs]

This video just confirms one of the daily things I overthink about mixing. I always thought about djing was more about picking the right song at the right time. This video just told me "Listen, you're doing what you're supposed to and practice more" Thanks a lot.

[adamg]

As always love your videos. Super helpful. Im 43 and started to DJ a few years ago and your tutorials have been invaluable to this process. I know everyone asks what age is too old to start learning to DJ - my answer is never - you should always want to enhance yourself and do whatever makes you happy - there are so many haters out there and they all have terrible opinions - my advice - ignore them all and do what makes you and only you happy!!! As DJ's - our job is to translate our happiness to the crowd!!!! Best job/hobby ever!!! Keep the tutorials coming!!!!

[freddyleftyou]

This is crazy dude! This video has helped me to understand cue points like nobody has ever explained before. Thank you

[madelineestor]

You're heaven sent for me DJ Carlo.. This is actually one of my struggle. Thanks for sharing everything you know about DJing. Keep on posting vids like this.. :)

[fredb]

I like your way you explain stuff, so everybody understands it.

[juandockery]

This is a really important tip as it just makes it easier to know exactly when you're gonna transition the next song. I found myself missing a specific part that I wanted to mix in and then having to wait.

[terrancekayton]

Most underrated “Beginner DJ “ video on YT

[DJPoppeLive]

Thanks DJ Carlo. This is something I do now, but not as detailed as you showed. Thank you for the great advice.

[coreyhall]

Coming back to dj’ing after many years in hiatus this was very helpful. My background is turntablism. I never was a digital mixer but now I use a combination of equipment. Turntables, a controller and computer, samplers and more but I have been too embarrassed to ask for help from my old friends because they all evolved way back. I’m playing catch-up with all of them but it’s fun. Thank you so much for all of your great tips. Love the videos

[Hellstriker]

Totally love it when you kinda remix let me down, sounds damn good! What a great tutorial once again from you!!

[RobertoVidal]

Thank You Carlo. GREAT video on understanding intro / verses / outro . Most people don't take the time to do that however it is so important especially if while you are mixing someone is talking to you. There is nothing better than visuals. (Cue Points)

[loveking]

Insightful for beginners, now they know how sometimes seamless mixing and transitioning is achieved you have to do the work with every track