If you’re introverted, DJing may seem like a bad fit – but is it really? Here’s the surprising truth (and some tips).
⚡ TIMESTAMPS ⚡
0:00 Intro
0:56 Can introverts become DJs?
21:08 Any tips on using the mic?
22:30 In general, where should DJs place their hot cues?
26:40 What’s one thing new DJs should avoid?
31:30 Can you export a streaming playlist to download stores?
33:15 What are the digital outputs for on CDJs?
38:12 How do you DJ a warm up set before a band?
42:51 Best way to start making mashups?
44:08 Is using a Denon DJ Prime Go considered professional?
45:20 Pros and cons to using AI in music production?
47:56 Why doesn’t Engine DJ provide offline lockers?
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⚡ TIMESTAMPS ⚡
0:00 Intro
0:56 Can introverts become DJs?
21:08 Any tips on using the mic?
22:30 In general, where should DJs place their hot cues?
26:40 What's one thing new DJs should avoid?
31:30 Can you export a streaming playlist to download stores?
33:15 What are the digital outputs for on CDJs?
38:12 How do you DJ a warm up set before a band?
42:51 Best way to start making mashups?
44:08 Is using a Denon DJ Prime Go considered professional?
45:20 Pros and cons to using AI in music production?
47:56 Why doesn't Engine DJ provide offline lockers?
I think a lot are.
I am a split personality I'm an introvert and an extrovert. A lot of times I am an introvert while I'm DJing I just want to hide behind my music and be left alone and and mix good music on the way home from gigs I drive in silence and don't want to be talked to by anyone
I'm an introvert by nature and find in a social setting its very draining. BUT. I've been a Dj for 32yrs, and my DJ persona is almost an extrovert, put me incharge of a room with a set of decks and a microphone inbetween me and the crowd and my social awkwardness disappears for those few hours…… but its definitley very draining.
Your personal skills are 100% more important than your skills behind the decks. If you can't promote yourself or learn how to manage to talk to club owners you'll get better at the craft while going nowhere. It's also really dependent on location, you have to have those type of people available to make it work, it's not really feasible to go a state over and try to get booked at a little show since your costs will outweigh your income by a huge factor unless you can make that gig spawn others. At that point your just playing for fun and that's great but it's never gonna pay back the 10k in equipment or thousands in tracks that it costs to manage this hobby as a dj that is fully equipped to throw a small show. (I had plans and made purchases, then covid hit)
Aren’t most DJs introverts? As a young man I was able to be part of the party without being in the party..
well apparently so… hardcore clinically diagnosed INFJ with a side of this and that and been a DJ since 1999. probably helped me get good and shaped my sound, introspective progressive deep/house that sounds like trance and trance that sounds like house.
hey ya digweed is definitely one of us. has anyone ever seen him do a dance move behind the decks? in all the decades of playing the best dance music every day I dont think he's danced to any. ive seen him start pacing intensely during a build up but not even a head bob.
I want to be around the music, and not always have to do the chit-chatting in the club (from being introverted but also it’s such a PITA to try to talk over loud AF music). When I’m behind the decks, I don’t generally have to talk to anyone, so it kinda works out well. I’m not the kind of DJ that ever gets on the mic, so that helps.
Been Djing since 1984, still do. Only discovered I have the traits of introvert-ness at 50. And acknowledged that I don't like being in crowds or cues and being a lover of electronic dance music, which means? Being in a Dj booth playing music allowed me to party and be separated from the energy chaos. I am in a 2 year recovery from spinal surgery after 7 years waiting, so Djing out has been arse for me. I just do weekly shows on Mixcloud theses days to keep me occupied, as I have no family or friends, due to having to relocate for medical reasons. So music saves my sanity. Arohanui from New Zealand.
I live in the woods. No neighbors. This account is not linked to my professional career in anyway. On stage I can be whoever, whatever, however as my face is anonymous. On stage I love the attention. Off stage I cannot maintain eye contact. I stutter and want nothing more then quiet. The stage, is my release. Off stage, I add trepidation to every single instance of movement. It is torture. I am a hermit. It doesn't mean I want to be. Mushrooms write my music for me. They also make the playlists for me to mix. I just double check grid and key accuracy, the rest is them. I'm 38, about to turn 50. Life does not interest me. Music moving humans is the only thing I care about. And if I get to control how you move, the little ego I have left is satisfied and I can continue moving forward.
Yes. I’m one of them.
Phil thank you for reminding me on how I started dj, I was using my gears in front as a guard, headphones to block, how ever things changed Djing at Night clubs & bars in Philadelphia, which opened up the doors to wedding, corporate events etc.
Great show Phil, sad that Night clubs aren’t doing well these days.
An introvert 100% describes me, while I do like socialising, I only like it to a point e.g I would struggle attending a nightclub as a clubber while sober, same with any kind of parties.
I’m also not the best at starting up conversations with total strangers.
I’ve explored a few areas of djing over the years and decided that being a DJ/Producer that does live streams is the route that I want to go down.
Being a student at digital dj tips and taking a few courses has gave me this knowledge of route I want to take with my djing.
Producing music I’ve also dabbled with in the past and the courses I’ve took at digital dj tips has re-sparked my passion for this as well.
Mic tips are definitely helpful as all commercial venues want mic work. For me it was the most terrifying part of being a working DJ. 😂
yep yes we can. Aye!
Phil quick question, have you and your crew looked into CrateHachers app?
Great show once again Phil!
As an introvert I would argue that we can make the best djs because we can “hide behind” our music and let it be center stage.
I would just be weary of free drinks. I used alcohol to cope for my introversion and it lead me down an path of alcoholism until I finally sobered up.
But yeah, I would argue that introverts make great djs
My wife is extremely introverted and she is so at ease behind the decks
What about age? Can you be too old to DJ?
Djing is the best way to enjoy a party has an introvert.
A Very interesting concept-Personally i myself consider to be a Introvert i use to be very quiet im a person who just prefers to be alone or in very small crowd while also spending time alone. Definitely DJ barriers-set backs. Large crowds is something scary-takes you out of your element-Comfort zone. But would like to work around this. IDK 😩 I like what DJ DeadMau5 said “Ware a mask 😂 I have your books on Audio-Appreciate you. 👍🏽🎧😉
Guilty as sin. I don’t like too much attention because I live inside my head, always thinking about music and mixing, but not just music but mixing different things: genres, media, groups of people, videos, technologies, etc I even mixed bicycles, I built a long cargo frankenbike, 20" folder at the front, 26" mountain bike at the back with a banana seat and a sissy bar 🤣🤣🤣I guess it’s why I love mashups so much. It’s the second most advanced genre in my book, UK drum n bass is tops. As many here have mentioned, socializing drains me. It’s one of the reasons that I’m not reliable as a DJ, I burn out from partying very easily and I’m too moody. Plus I’m too eclectic for most people, I can’t pigeonhole myself to just one genre. I feel like I’m missing out if I devote my life to just one genre. I can force myself to be an extrovert with alcohol. If I smoke cannabis I become catatonic and quiet because ideas and visuals become so strong that I can’t see. I love smoking cannabis and listening to music but it’s not a social thing for me, I smoke at home and just put the headphones on and close my eyes, think Jim Kelly in Enter the Dragon. I even joined the USMC because I wanted to learn how to be an extrovert Alpha Male but it didn’t work. I preferred to eat by myself, even in bootcamp. They were very suspicious of me, but they eventually warmed up to me and respected my abilities. That was long ago but it’s only recently that I learned what a Sigma Male is, and I’m so glad because I thought there was something wrong with me.
Sasha is another dj who said in an interview a few years back the he was really insecure and shy as a young dj and felt really uncomfortable with all the attention yet he’s was arguably the biggest dj on the planet in the late 90s. He played the biggest clubs in the world like twilo, space, and the hacienda. Just believe in yourself and abilities as a person and a DJ.
Of course, anything that gets you to interact with others around something you enjoy is good for humans 😉
I believe it was Robert Smith (the Cure) who said he couldnt create anything musical without being "in character" he needed the hair, the makeup, the clothing etc.. to in effect put on the persona he needed to be that creator
I’m introvert borderline Asperger’s maybe, I’ve been DJing 29 years the last 8 of those live broadcasting on internet radio, yes I even talk too😂
When your streaming on Twitch make sure to keep the listeners involved by watching the chat every once in a while and answering via mic or chat
Im a nervous person,i used to get fairly nervous before a gig but my way of getting around it was the 3 pint rule,id have 3 pints before i go on and it always calmed me
I am transgender and over the years, have developed social anxiety for various reasons and incidents. However, when DJing all that anxiety is thrown out the window and for the majority of events I DJ for, I usually get positive feedback. Mostly relate to the set but also for my transition. It's almost like the music helps the audience see past my situation.
Ive met lots of introverted DJ's, theres plenty of socially awkward ones that are out there working. As soon as they're not in the booth, they're all at sea. No problem with that, but it is what it is. End of the day, like producers, its usually people who dont mind spending time on the computer doing the big time suck of DJing, tune research.
Sasha was extremely shy and introverted as a young DJ in the limelight . He’s clearly spoken about his problem overcoming his DJ anxiety in front of crowds.
Before continuing to watch the rest of the video, I would like to answer the very first question.
Yes, you can. When I started DJ'ing, I was kind of an einzelganger. I was extremely introvert, didn't have many friends and was a victim of extreme bullying throughout my teens, twenties ánd thirties. I didn't have too much self confidence and I sure as heck didn't stand up in a crowd to say something. That said, I always knew music was my passion. It's in my genes, both my parents were professional musicians and I've always had a feeling for rhythm. I didn't go out, I didn't spend money on alcohol, didn't do (never have) drugs, never entered a huge crowd alone, never really liked to attend birthday parties. BUT… I díd become a DJ and I did perform in front of thousands of dancing people. The thing is, if you're confident enough to do whatever admires you the most, you can succeed in anything. Now, in my 40s, I am no longer introvert. Music changed that. But my fanbase changed that as well. Most of all, my wife changed that. She believed in me from the first day we met. And she keeps supporting me in every aspect and purchase I do regarding my music studio. Now, let's watch the rest of the video as of 0:06 🙂
Yes 100% true
I’m Dj Digital “The Original”
The idea of the dual CD 💿 Dj mixer with flywheel controller (CD 1+2) was my idea.
Idea was stolen after l spoke on my idea on a WABC talk radio show.
I’m a “techky” and nerd too. 🤓
Slot Machine 🎰 Technician,
Electrical Engineering Technician/ Inventor and musician. I used to play trombone and baritone horns. I’m also a Digital Keyboard 🎹 Synthesizer player.
I’m 59 years old and been wearing headphones 🎧 everyday from the time l was 15 when l got the first Sony FM Walkman. Today l wear my Bose 700 headphones.
I've been that type of DJ all my life… had problems to sell myself though.
I started spinning and getting paid for it at age18. I have seen almost 5 decades of dance culture and trends in my past. By the time I was 21 I had two residencies that lasted for years, not to mention countless events, parties and weekend festivals over the years. Since I was a child I was obsessed with music and sound and therefore spent a huge amount of money and time manipulating music with whatever equipment I could afford at the time. More often than not the isolation of the DJ booth was a very comforting environment for me even though there may be thousands of people reacting to the sound that I was creating at any given time. Over the years I worked with many many DJs and I found it the majority of them were also introverted. When a musician or Dj or producer is working with music at any level they must be absorbed in their work, therefore social interaction becomes a massive distraction. Musical collaboration however is completely different and often two or more people can be completely tuned in to the sound that they are creating and I find this to be my Nirvana. At this age I any kind of social gathering where there is chance to discussion of music, I find myself looking for a polite exit almost as quickly as I arrive.