Enjoy DJing at home - Mix recording

If you're a DJ, you're probably wondering how your mixes sound. Some people want to keep a record of their own mixes. Listening to your mixes objectively can be a great learning experience, and you'll discover new things about yourself that you may not have noticed while you were DJing. Due to the effects COVID-19, more and more people are enjoying DJing at home. I enjoy DJing "at home" but I want to send it to others and have someone listen to it! I'm sure some of you may think the same way. In this article, I'm going to explain how to record your own DJing!

PCDJ

If you are a DJ on a PC, the prerequisite for DJing is to use DJ software, such as SERATO DJ PRO, rekordbox or Traktor Pro 3. Recording and listening objectively to your own practice is a great way to improve. It's a shortcut to improving your skills.

Sound House has a page with a detailed comparison of DJ software, so be sure to check it out.
→ Sound House beginner's lesson / DJ Course / How to choose DJ software

Here's the controller we recommend.

Serato DJ

■ Pioneer DJ / DDJ-SB3 Serato DJ Lite

※Because Serato DJ Lite does not have a recording function, you have to upgrade to Serato DJ Pro if you want to record your mix.

rekordbox

■ Pioneer DJ / DDJ-400 rekordbox

Traktor Pro 3

■ Native Instruments / TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 MK3

Analog, CDJ

By connecting the line out of the mixer to an audio interface, you can take the sound from the Master Out or Booth Out, record it and convert it to data.

Here's an introduction on how to record in an analog DJ environment that uses records.
→ Sound House beginner's lesson / DJ Course

The wiring and concept is the same as when recording a DJ performance on a PC! Maybe it's unique to DJs, but the question arises as to whether you should use a standard audio interface or a DJ audio interface. The answer is that you can use either: a DJ audio interface will allow you to record to compatible DJ software, while a normal audio interface will allow you to record to compatible DAW software.

【Audio Interfaces for DJs】

■ Pioneer DJ / interface2 rekordbox

■ DENON DJ / DS1 Serato

【Audio Interfaces】

■ FOCUSRITE / Scarlett 2i2 (gen. 3)

Example of how to connect everything

You want to make the most of your audio system!

If you want to actually record in a club or music bar, or if you have high performance speakers at home, you can use a combination of mic and audio interface or a mixer with mic and audio interface capabilities. Mic directly from monitor speakers or speakers aimed at the dance floor and adjust the volume level on the audio interface side. The procedure is to connect to a PC with a DAW software and record. Depending on the arrangement of the microphone settings and number of microphones, you may be able to preserve the atmosphere of the venue as well as the sound source.

■ AKG / C214
■ FOCUSRITE / Scarlett 2i2 (gen. 3)

■ AKG / C214
■ Soundcraft / Notepad-5

I wouldn't start without upload a mix before I practice recording first. There are other ways to record, but I encourage you to try whatever method works best for you!