Become a Famous DJ/Producer in 6 Weeks: The Secret Guide
- 13/12/2023
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Discover the six-week plan that will propel you to stardom as a DJ or music producer, even starting from scratch. Learn how to master the tools, create powerful tracks, hone your skills with tutorials, develop your brand image, and much more.
Week 1: Acquiring and experimenting with tools
You want to DJ?
You’ll need a controller or turntable (usually supplied with software). You can download the software without the hardware, but that’s not going to help you… you might as well wait for the right moment to experience the pleasure of playing with your controller. Playing with it in the physical world will train you to use your hands. It’s best to start straight away with the right tools.
Want to get into production?
You’ll need digital audio workstation(DAW) software. Personally, I use Ableton Live or FL Studio, but there are other popular options like Pro Tools, Reason and Cubase.
Take your tools and try them out without relying too much on instructions. Let your brain get used to the feel of the software and hardware. Think about what you want to achieve and try to make it happen. At first, you may feel frustrated because you haven’t yet mastered the “landscape”, but this is a normal part of the process.
Week 2: Create something from start to finish
If you’ve followed the first week, you’ve probably understood the tools you’ll be using. Now, for the second week, the aim is to create a full production (3 minutes of music) or a DJ mix (30 minutes) and share it immediately online (Soundcloud, YouTube, Facebook, whatever), so that a few of your friends can review it. Bonus points if one of your friends is already in the music or DJing business.
Yes, it will certainly be mediocre. Chances are it’ll be a lot less mediocre than you expected, though.
Pay close attention to the feedback you receive. This will provide you with focus points for the following week…
Weeks 3 and 4: Use tutorials to work on your weak points
At this stage, start looking for advice to help you with the aspects that have caught the attention of those who have given you feedback.
Maybe you choose sounds in your DJ set that don’t transmit well from one to the other. Why is this? Search for “basics of musical transition for DJs”. Go to YouTube and learn how to equalize your tracks so they blend better. Whatever you think you need to know, the information is out there.
For music production, you may have received comments like “your percussion needs work” or “this mix is really quiet”. There are countless tutorials on tools you may not have used before, such as compressors, limiters and EQ. Start learning more about these tools and watch other producers create music to see what techniques they use. You may not understand everything at first, but it will start to make more sense the more you practice.
Oh, and as you gain knowledge, keep creating more. By the end of Week 4, you should probably have two more tracks or mixes ready. Send them to your friends for feedback. Always. Get. Get. Feedback
Week 5: Think about your brand image
By now, you’ve gotten used to developing your skills and receiving feedback. If you want to present these skills to the world, you’ll need to create a few outlets for people to discover you, and you’ll need to build a personal brand image to stand out among other people doing the same thing.
Creating a brand image is extremely difficult. Some people get university degrees in branding, and companies hire entire teams to manage branding. Branding can make or break a company and its future opportunities. Luckily for you, no one knows who you are yet, so you don’t have to nail it.
However, you need to choose a DJ/producer name that you’re 100% sure you won’t change soon. If it’s your own name, that might be easier. Some people prefer to make something up. Whatever you do, consistency will be your strongest asset as you build your audience, and changing your name will make things confusing. Fans really don’t care much about band names, unless they’re offensive or too long. I like to think of how ridiculous the name “Apple” is despite their success. It’s an arbitrary thing, like naming your company “Octopus” or “Gherkin.”
Once you’ve got that name, create a page on Mixcloud, Soundcloud, Facebook, YouTube, Bandcamp, or whatever (or a combination of these). Basically, it’ll be a place to post your sets/songs for the world to discover. Add an attractive photo and banner. Let your friends know that it exists. Try not to spam.
Week 6: Drop everything and do other things that aren’t music
Stop producing, stop mixing, stop listening to electronic music. For example, make cupcakes, read a book, do your laundry, go out with friends and see a movie, eat at a restaurant you haven’t been to yet, exercise, listen to Norwegian folk music on Spotify, read a blog post on TechnoMag:p, play ball with your guinea pig, clean your kitchen, Then go back to work and enjoy it.
If you’re serious about a career in music production or music production or DJing (the kind that involves making your own way, not commercial music, or DJing for weddings), you’re in for a long ride. Don’t forget to take a break from work and enjoy life. There’s no guarantee that you’ll get that golden opportunity, as with all things…
If, at the end of this journey, you don’t find the opportunity to make a living from your passion, does that mean all your efforts have been in vain? The answer to this question is of crucial importance. Substitute “making a living from your passion” with “investing in a passion” or “cultivating a hobby”, and you’ll understand better how it applies.
