- Making the jump from a controller
to using CDJs for the first time
can be a bit intimidating,
but it's not as bad as it used to be.
A lot of the controllers on the market now
share a very similar layout
to the modern CDJs that you
find in a lot of DJ booths.
Now, although a lot of the
feature set is the same,
there are some key differences.
So in this video, we go over
some of those differences
that we think you should be made aware of
before using CDJs for the first time.
Now, if you're interested in
more tips and tricks videos
just like this one,
make sure you subscribe to this channel.
So now let's go over
some of those differences
that you should check
before making the jump
from controllers to using CDJs.
Now, normally on the controller,
you'd find pads down here
at the bottom section.
Usually eight pads that
are two rows of four,
but, instead, on most CDJs,
if they have hot cues at all,
they're going to be right
here on the left side,
and they're going to be named hot cue.
And also, unlike the performance pads
that you find on most DJ controllers,
these pads really only have one
function and it is hot cues,
so you can't switch into
a looping mode on these
or a slicing mode, something like that.
They're really just going
to have one function.
So, just like you would on
(loud bass sound effects)
any of the other pads,
(bassy sound effects over pop clips)
Once you hit 'em, the
track starts playing.
Now, one other difference
when using these hot cue pads
is that unlike the performance pads
that you'd find on a controller,
as soon as you tap the pad,
the track will start playing.
So,
(track plays)
even though I had the track stopped,
(track plays)
the track will start playing.
Unlike if you use the
cue button down here.
(bassy sounds effects)
This is kind of the
behaviour that you're used to
if you're used to mashing
on the hot cues pads
to try to get a track in place.
It's more like this, rather
than just one tap and play.
So that's just something to keep in mind
when using these hot cue pads
instead of having the
performance pads here
down at the bottom.
So, on a controller you actually have
a keyboard connected to your computer
that you can type in and
search through tracks.
On most CDJs, you're going to have to use
this browse button right here
and then scroll through all of your tracks
using this browse knob.
Then, of course, it really helps
to have your music organised
into some nice organised playlists,
and then you can scroll
through a little bit faster.
One tip I have is don't
have too long of a playlist
so it makes it a lot
faster to scroll through.
Also, another tip, if
you hold down the knob,
you get this right here
where you can scroll through a lot faster
than just going one by one
which is really nice to have.
So, if I put this all the way to the left
it will make the jog
real light which means
(jog spins quick and smoothly)
really free-spinning, really
cool for some spinbacks.
If I go all the way to the
right where it says heavy,
(jog spins and stops)
it's a lot tighter, it gives
you a lot more control.
It's a little bit more precise.
I personally like having
it somewhere in the middle.
(scratchy sound effects)
I like a little bit of movement,
but I like a little bit of tension
so I feel like I have more
control over the jogwheel.
What's really cool is that
say you have the track playing
(pop music plays)
you can switch it all the way to light,
(quick spinback)
get that really cool
spinback effect, you know.
Shout out to the UK for the spinbacks,
pulling the song back.
If you ever wondered how they did that,
(quick spinbacks)
and how to sound really
seamlessly like that
and made it seem like
it's going on forever,
pulling the jogwheel all the way to light
and spinning it back is
one easy way to do it.
Now, one last one that I know
it's shift and then
hitting the cue button,
and that'll send you right
back to the beginning,
but on most CDJs you have
these track search buttons right here.
So instead of hitting shift and cue,
just hit that right there, hit back,
and it'll send you so that
the beginning of the track.
If you go forward,
it'll just go ahead and scroll
through different songs,
and then you can always just go back.
And, of course, these
ones down here below it.
You're just going to kind
of scrub through the track
which is kind of nice,
but like I mentioned,
instead of hitting shift and cue
to get back to the beginning of the song,
if that's something that
you like doing a lot,
use these buttons right here;
this track search button
and hit this left one to get back
to the beginning of the track right away.
Having to use CDJs for the first time
instead of your controller of choice
is much easier of a
transition than it used to be.
Now, although it is easier,
there are some clear differences
that you should be aware of
before your first set on CDJs.
Now, if you get familiar
with the feature differences
that we just listed,
we are sure that your first set
transitioning from a controller to CDJs
will go much smoother.
But now, we hand it off to you.
Have you made the jump
from a controller to CDJs?
If so, how'd that go?
And do you have any other tips
that we haven't listed above?
Go ahead and leave that
down in the comments below.
We'd love to hear what
you guys have to say.
And if you haven't already,
if you enjoy tips and tricks
videos just like this one,
make sure you subscribe to the channel.
Now, get good, get out
there, and make the moments.
(upbeat calm electronic music)
