PLEASE READ FIRST: I notice this page is getting more and more hits and that is cool, but I no longer have time to moderate this site – I am now running a not- for-profit DJ School in the UK. Please click here to see the most up to date version of the jargon and glossary:
https://djschooluk.org.uk/dj-jargon-dj-dictionary-dj-terms-dj-terminology-dj-glossary-of-terms/
You can use the contacts page on DJ SCHOOL UK to get in touch for definitions too.
If you really feel like you want to read more here then go ahead, but I won’t answer your queries – sorry.
This list of terms is not supposed to be exhaustive or complete, please feel free to poke me with a comment if there is something you want defined or explained. Wherever I have noticed that I have had to explain a term by using a term that is also in the glossary I have put the term in “inverted commas.”
The list is alphabetical so scroll down to find what you are looking for.
Balancing Levels – this is a technique professional DJs use to make sure they get their music as loud as possible without it distorting or sounding rubbish. If you don’t know how to do this, the “sound manager” at a venue will have to turn you down in case you damage the “sound system”. Sometimes this is known as sorting the “Gain Structure”.
Bar – in dance music a bar is 4 “beats”.
Bass – The lower end of the Frequency range you can normally control on a dj mixer.
Bassline – The driving force to most dance music. Produced by Bass frequencies.
Beat – if you nod your head to music you are nodding to the beat, if you count 4 nods at a time you are counting 4 beats to a “bar”. The beat is also called the “pulse”
Beat match – set the “tempo/speed/pitch” of two songs and play them so they are at exactly the same speed and time, making them sound like just one song.
“BOOTLEG” – this term comes from the days pirates used to smuggle illegal items in their wooden legs. It means the copy of a song is illegal or pirate. Also see “original mix” “Remix” “Re-master” “edit” “radio edit” “bootleg” “re-rub” “White-label” and “Mash-up” – The Biggest issue with all these terms is that they have often been used by fashions or scenes to imply more than what they were originally. This has led to confusion as some producers now release their own mashups which are actually re-edits, or remixes which are actually mash-ups etc. The term bootleg can now mean any edit or remix of anything but originally was only used to describe illegal copies. Language evolves, especially amongst current fashions and trends. This list is not trying to say what things are, we just want to give some basis from which people can choose how they use language.
BPM – stands for beats per minute. If you nod your head or tap your foot to music you are following the “beat”. If you count how many nods or taps you do in a minute you have calculated the BPM.
Break – 1) a bit of a song which sounds great and could maybe be used as a sample to make a new “hook” or “riff” with. 2) A change in a song where one or more instruments stops playing. 3) A change in a song where one instrument does something different eg a drum fill.
A break is distinguishable from a solo as the change will normally not last too long.
Breakdown – a bit of a song where things change and some instruments stop to let the bass and drums take over.
CD – a format of disc that contains music.
Chorus – the bit of a song that is repeated by the singer a few times in the song.
Copyright – the legal proof that someone wrote the song you are using and that you should not copy, lend or borrow bits of their work without asking and/or paying them first.
Controller – “USB Controllers” are hardware units which utilise “DJ Software” on PC or MAC computers. USB Controllers should have all the controls a DJ may want. Some of the best controllers also provide audio out for a computer, Some controllers act ad DJ “mixers” and allow other CD or Vinyl “decks” to be included. There are also USB Controllers which act as midi controllers over other elements of DJ Software. Big players in the Controller market are: Pioneer, Vestax, Numark, and most other hardward manufacturers. Big players inDJ software include: Traktor, Serato, ITCH and others.
Controllerist – A DJ who uses a “USB Controller” to make their own music by scratching, juggling, sampling etc instead of just playing the songs. See also “Turntablism” but note that as controllerists have many more functions at their disposal the sound of controllerism is often much more dominated by cue point juggling than scratching. That said good controllers have platters which can also recreate the sound of real scratching.
Cross-fader – fades between two songs with just one hand.
Cue -1) to prepare a song to be played. Normally a Dj chooses a point from which to begin a tune that is the beginning of the first beat of the first bar, or occasionally the beginning of the audio if these are not the same. More experienced DJs get creative by cueing from anywhere 2) to cue up can also be used to describe the action of setting an audio path so you can hear something in your headphones 3) on a CDJ, DVS or Controller deck the cue button is used to stutter the beginning of a song or to set a “cue point” which is where the song will begin to play from 4)On some DJ mixers the cue button for a channel will select that channel to be played through the headphones.
Cut – to swap instantly from one tune to another at a good place.
Deck – Player of CDs or vinyl records. Sometimes called a “turntable”.
Digital Vinyl System – Also known as DVS a digital vinyl system contains DJ software running on a computer which plays back music contained on the computer but which is controlled by using either “CD” or “Vinyl” “decks”.
DJ Software – Working with “Digital Vinyl Systems” or “USB Controllers” DJ Software uses the processers on Computers to play and manipulate sounds. Some DJ Software is intended to act alone without any “CD” or “Vinyl” players at all.
Echo – a type of FX.
“EDIT” is generally used to mean the activity of altering any audio or video, also used for a version of a song where parts of the song may have been removed, extended, looped or otherwise altered, but without the addition of any new musical elements. Also see “original mix” “Remix” “Re-master” “edit” “radio edit” “bootleg” “re-rub” “White-label” and “Mash-up” – The Biggest issue with all these terms is that they have often been used by fashions or scenes to imply more than what they were originally. This has led to confusion as some producers now release their own mashups which are actually re-edits, or remixes which are actually mash-ups etc. The term bootleg can now mean any edit or remix of anything but originally was only used to describe illegal copies. Language evolves, especially amongst current fashions and trends. This list is not trying to say what things are, we just want to give some basis from which people can choose how they use language.
EQ – controls that let you affect different frequencies of sound on your songs. On DJ mixers these are normally “HI/High/Treble/Top”, “Mid” and “Bass/Low”
Fade -turn volume up or down so song begins or ends smoothly.
Fader- the fader is the controller we use to “fade” a song. It can either increase or decrease volume smoothly.
Filter – a type of FX.
FX – controls that let you do all kinds of things to the sound of your songs.
Gain – a control which can be used to boost or cut volume levels. This is different to the fader as it has much more power and is normally set using headphones and warning lights before you play any sound through your speakers.
Gain Structure – this is a technique professional DJs use to make sure they get their music as loud as possible without it distorting or sounding rubbish. If you don’t know how to do this, the “sound manager” at a venue will have to turn you down in case you damage the “sound system”. Sometimes this is known as “Balancing Levels”.
Headphone Monitor – a control on a DJ mixer for choosing which channels sound is heard from in the headphones. Sometimes this is called the “Headphone Selector”.
Headphone Selector – a control on a DJ mixer for choosing which channels sound is heard from in the headphones. Sometimes this is called the “Headphone Monitor”.
Hi – HI/High/Treble/Top
High – HI/High/Treble/Top
Hook – the recognisable bit of a song you remember, hum, sing along to.
Intro – the beginning bit of a tune before all the instruments, riff or hook have really started.
Juggle – a technique used by turntablists to rearrange musical samples to sound like something new. This requires two copies of the same songs and lots of skill, or two different songs, lots of skill and incredible creativity. For examples of juggling search youtube for “DMC Champions”
Line – line level is all CD players, MP3 players, TVs, DVDs etc. Be sure you put the cable from a line level device into a line level input on your DJ mixer.
Loop – any bit of a record that you repeat. CD decks have buttons which let you set any part of the song to loop. A good loop can become the basic beat or riff of a whole new song.
Low – The bottom end of the frequency range usually controllable by the “EQ” controls on a DJ mixer. This is also called “Bass” and is where you will hear the kick drum and Bassline.
“Mash-up” – Generally means a piece of music made by using two or more other recordings, thus not a “remix” as that is only one piece of recorded music with other musical things added to it, and not a re-edit as that would be only one song edited but without anything added to it. Also see “original mix” “Remix” “Re-master” “edit” “radio edit” “bootleg” “re-rub” “White-label” and “Mash-up” – The Biggest issue with all these terms is that they have often been used by fashions or scenes to imply more than what they were originally. This has led to confusion as some producers now release their own mashups which are actually re-edits, or remixes which are actually mash-ups etc. The term bootleg can now mean any edit or remix of anything but originally was only used to describe illegal copies. Language evolves, especially amongst current fashions and trends. This list is not trying to say what things are, we just want to give some basis from which people can choose how they use language.
Mid – the middle part of the frequency range usually controllable by DJ mixers “EQ” controls. If you only hear the Mid range thinks sound a little like you are under water.
Middle-8 – part of a song that lasts 8 beats which is different to the rest of the song, sometimes called a break.
Mix – any way you choose to swap between two songs.
Mixer – piece of equipment which mixes the music from two decks as the DJ requires.
MP3 – a lower quality digital format for music. Downloaded music often comes in MP3 format which you can burn to your own CDs. 128 Kbps MP3 is the lowest quality you should use.
Outro – the end of a song, often the same few words being faded out.
“Original mix” – This is the original version of a song as composed and produced by the artist. Also see “original mix” “Remix” “Re-master” “edit” “radio edit” “bootleg” “re-rub” “White-label” and “Mash-up” – The Biggest issue with all these terms is that they have often been used by fashions or scenes to imply more than what they were originally. This has led to confusion as some producers now release their own mashups which are actually re-edits, or remixes which are actually mash-ups etc. The term bootleg can now mean any edit or remix of anything but originally was only used to describe illegal copies. Language evolves, especially amongst current fashions and trends. This list is not trying to say what things are, we just want to give some basis from which people can choose how they use language.
P.A. (System) – Another word for a “sound sytsem” the initials P.A. used to mean Personal Address but also get confused with Power Amplifier. So P.A. actually means Personal Address System. P.A. became the recognised nickname for all kinds of “sound reinforcement” equipment. A portable P.A. can be simply two speakers with internal amps while a P.A. (not prefixed with the word “portable”) normally means a larger “sound system” which will require a professional “Sound man” or “Sound Engineer” to set it up and control it.
‘Phones – nickname for headphones
Phono – phono level relates only to vinyl decks – be sure to put the cable from any vinyl player into a phono input on your DJ mixer.
Phono Cable– also called RCA, the industry standard cable for DJ and home hifi equipment.
Phrase – any bit of music you can hear repeating during a song, normally each instrument has its own phrase, the drums do a beat, the bass does a bass line etc. Each repeats the same thing during the chorus or verse but may change in the break/middle-8.
Pitch – sometimes confused with speed or tempo, the pitch of music is actually the frequency of the waveform which enables us to hear music. The pitch of a sound defines it’s note. A high pitch is a high note (the “chipmunk” vocal sound- effect is achieved by increasing pitch to very high levels). A low pitch is a low or bass note. On old record players if you increased speed or tempo you always increased pitch too so the speed control was called the “Pitch Fader”. Modern CD decks can alter speed without changing pitch but still sometimes call the tempo/speed adjuster the “Pitch Fader” because of the way it used to work.
Pitch Fader – the control used to alter the speed or tempo of music. See also “Pitch”
Pulse – same as “beat.”
“RADIO EDIT” – is normally the version of a song made specifically for radio play, i.e. any explicit language has been bleeped or otherwise edited out and the whole song has probably been reduced to approximately 3 minutes in length. Also see “original mix” “Remix” “Re-master” “edit” “radio edit” “bootleg” “re-rub” “White-label” and “Mash-up” – The Biggest issue with all these terms is that they have often been used by fashions or scenes to imply more than what they were originally. This has led to confusion as some producers now release their own mashups which are actually re-edits, or remixes which are actually mash-ups etc. The term bootleg can now mean any edit or remix of anything but originally was only used to describe illegal copies. Language evolves, especially amongst current fashions and trends. This list is not trying to say what things are, we just want to give some basis from which people can choose how they use language.
“REMIX” – This is a version of a song which uses some of the original parts of the song but may have other musical elements to it. “remixes” can be done by the original artist or other artists. Often a dance music release will have several remixes done in various styles to suit different audiences. Also see “original mix” “Remix” “Re-master” “edit” “radio edit” “bootleg” “re-rub” “White-label” and “Mash-up” – The Biggest issue with all these terms is that they have often been used by fashions or scenes to imply more than what they were originally. This has led to confusion as some producers now release their own mashups which are actually re-edits, or remixes which are actually mash-ups etc. The term bootleg can now mean any edit or remix of anything but originally was only used to describe illegal copies. Language evolves, especially amongst current fashions and trends. This list is not trying to say what things are, we just want to give some basis from which people can choose how they use language.
“Re-master” – Normally used to describe an old song which has had some up to date sound production techniques used to brighten up and add depth to recordings made on old technology. You would not expect a re-master to have any additional elements or pets on it. It should be the same as the original with just up to date sound processing. Also see “original mix” “Remix” “Re-master” “edit” “radio edit” “bootleg” “re-rub” “White-label” and “Mash-up” – The Biggest issue with all these terms is that they have often been used by fashions or scenes to imply more than what they were originally. This has led to confusion as some producers now release their own mashups which are actually re-edits, or remixes which are actually mash-ups etc. The term bootleg can now mean any edit or remix of anything but originally was only used to describe illegal copies. Language evolves, especially amongst current fashions and trends. This list is not trying to say what things are, we just want to give some basis from which people can choose how they use language.
“re-rub” – Similar to an edit, often with some kind of mastering so the sound quality is improved. Sometimes with additional elements. Also see “original mix” “Remix” “Re-master” “edit” “radio edit” “bootleg” “re-rub” “White-label” and “Mash-up” – The Biggest issue with all these terms is that they have often been used by fashions or scenes to imply more than what they were originally. This has led to confusion as some producers now release their own mashups which are actually re-edits, or remixes which are actually mash-ups etc. The term bootleg can now mean any edit or remix of anything but originally was only used to describe illegal copies. Language evolves, especially amongst current fashions and trends. This list is not trying to say what things are, we just want to give some basis from which people can choose how they use language.
Requests – the public and the people dancing at clubs or parties may often request a song from the DJ. It depends what type of request it is, what type of party it is, and what type of DJ you are whether you play it or not.
Rewind – spinning the song back to the beginning to play it again because the crowd liked it.
Riff – the recognisable bit of a song you remember, hum, sing along to.
Sample – any bit of music used to make new music, often a break or stab.
Scratch – move the disc back and forth with your hand to alter the music, normally done with another song playing as a background. Scratch techniques can also use two hands with the second hand using the “cross-fader” to “transform” the scratch sound.
Scribbling – a basic scratch technique where you just move back and forward around a sound – experiment, you may find you like it!
Set – A DJs “set” is the selection of songs he or she plays during a performance. A good “set” takes listeners on a musical journey, through several different moods, hopefully climaxing one or more times. The “set” also refers to the selection of records a DJ plans to play, i.e. a DJ can plan a “Set” but then during a performance he or she may change the order of songs in their “set” or change songs entirely to suit the mood of the crowd. Unless you are playing to a stadium of people who expect you to deliver exactly what they expect a “Set” should never really be decided before a performance as this would leave no room to react to the crowd.
Song – a track or tune.
Sound Desk – An external array of faders and controls for the audio signals being generated by instruments on a stage or in a studio. DJ mixers are all “Sound Desks” but with the outstanding addition of a “crossfader”.
Sound Engineer – A qualified and/or extremely experienced self-taught professional who manages the “Sound System.” The term sound engineer is also applied to the person who uses a “Sound Desk” to mix the signals coming from a band on stage or during a studio recording.
Sound Manager – Another name for a sound engineer. Although instances may occur where a sound manager runs the system and a sound engineer runs the desk.
Sound Reinforcement – The term given to all the processes which are needed to amplify sound for projection at events. Sound reinforcement will require a “sound system” or “P.A.”
Sound System – The amplifiers, speakers, outboard units and crossovers that together create the sound in clubs and venues. Not in anyway like a home HiFi or a portable P.A. The Sound System requires a “Sound Engineer” to correctly use it.
Speed – also called tempo or sometimes pitch. This is the speed a song is playing in, it is measured in BPM.
Spinback – spinning the disc backwards to finish a mix with a flourish!
Stab – a short sound used as a sample, normally for scratching.
Stem – Stems are individual parts of music productions – usually created or recorded at different times into a multi track recorder or Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). Stems used to be privately shared between producers so individuals could do “remixes”, “mashups” etc from the original source recordings of a song – rather than having to “bootleg” or copy the original illegally. In 2015 “Stem mixing” has become available to DJs live via several software systems – unlike the old use of the word these “stems” have been individually mastered to release quality sound rather than left until the final production stages of mastering, this enables live DJs to isolate individual parts of songs and use only what they want to create remixes on the fly. Certain producers are now releasing their latest work in “stem format” meaning they are allowing and encouraging other DJs to remix their work rather than use the original arrangement.
Stutter – using scratching on vinyl decks or the cue button on CD decks to rapidly repeat a sound like a drum roll or a voice.
Tempo – also called speed and sometimes called pitch. This is the speed a song is playing in, it is measured in BPM.
Tears – A “Scratch” Technique involving pulling and pushing a sound while altering the speed of the pull or push by hand during the scratch.
Tip – when beginning to learn how to scratch try to use just the tip of a sound to get used to how little you should move when scribbling.
Top – HI/High/Treble/Top. Also used to describe something good 🙂
Track – a song or tune on a CD.
Transform – A “scratch” technique which uses the cross-fader the turn on and off the audio signal from a deck during “scratching”.
Treble – HI/High/Treble/Top. The upper part of the frequency range which is controllable by DJ mixers. This range normally contains hi hats, shakers and some parts of voices.
Trim – another word for Gain.
Tune – a track or song.
Turntable – a “deck.”
Turntablism – using records or CDs to make your own music by scratching, juggling, sampling etc instead of just playing the songs.
USB – A standard port on computers which can be used to attach music production or DJ Controllers to a Computer.
Verse – the bit of a song where the singer/ rapper sings the main part of the song.
Vinyl – A format of disc that contains music for playback.
WAV – a high quality digital format for music on CDs, all bought CDs have WAV quality sound.
“White-label” – Comes from the days when vinyl test pressings were made without labels as promotional tools – DJs would play songs that were so new they still only had white labels. If these songs were good dancers would come and ask what the new song was, but only the DJ would know and it would be up to the DJ what he/she told the dancer. Fools who didn’t know what they were looking at assumed that being called a “white label” was something cool. Also see “original mix” “Remix” “Re-master” “edit” “radio edit” “bootleg” “re-rub” “White-label” and “Mash-up” – The Biggest issue with all these terms is that they have often been used by fashions or scenes to imply more than what they were originally. This has led to confusion as some producers now release their own mashups which are actually re-edits, or remixes which are actually mash-ups etc. The term bootleg can now mean any edit or remix of anything but originally was only used to describe illegal copies. Language evolves, especially amongst current fashions and trends. This list is not trying to say what things are, we just want to give some basis from which people can choose how they use language.
PLEASE READ FIRST: I notice this page is getting more and more hits and that is cool, but I no longer have time to moderate this site – I am now running a not- for-profit DJ School in the UK. Please click here to see the most up to date version of the jargon and glossary:
https://djschooluk.org.uk/dj-jargon-dj-dictionary-dj-terms-dj-terminology-dj-glossary-of-terms/
You can use the contacts page on DJ SCHOOL UK to get in touch for definitions too.
See here: https://djschooluk.org.uk
djworkshops 
Pingback: How useful is the DJ Jargon? | djworkshops
Helpful info. Fortunate me I discovered your site accidentally, and I’m stunned why this accident did not took place in advance! I bookmarked it.
cool stuff, my 1st non spam comment!
I’ll try book mark you too but i’m pretty new to all this wordpress stuff.
I actually teach kids Djing and my site is more supposed to be a resource for them but do feel free to use as you please.
nice.
An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a co-worker who had been conducting a little homework on this. And he actually ordered me dinner because I discovered it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending the time to discuss this subject here on your internet site.
Ah! I take a teensy time off from the blogging cosmos and come back to find that you have turned awesome?
! Wow, times have changed! Keep up the superb work!
Can you define the terms that Gaga uses in Starstruck?
NOT SURE IF SRS!!
Do you mean Lady Gaga?
I’m not familiar with her work to be honest. You list the terms, and if they have any relation to DJing, I will define them.
But yes, of course I mean Lady Gaga. Her are the term she uses in Startsruck:
Groove slam,
work it back
Filter that
bump that track
pull the fader
Here are additional lyrics that may contain DJ lingo:
Cherry cherry cherry cherry, boom boom
Stylin’ out to the beat that you’re freakin’
Fantasize on the track that you’re tweakin’
Run it back with original flavor
Queue me up, I’m the twelve on your table
Wanna scratch it back and forth, back and forth, uhuh
shawty
Put your hands on my waist, pull the fader
Run it back with original flavor
Put the breakdown first
Up into the chorus to the verse, bick a bick a reverse
BTW “not familiar with her work”? Seriously? She is a musician’s musician. In fact, the war of words with Madonna probably started when Gaga disparaged of lip-syncing. (I don’t know why Madonna would take that personally–she’s hardly the only one who does it.) On this particular song Gaga’s highly trained voice is synthesized the way so many vocals are done today, which is uncharacteristic for Gaga. I suspect that she is poking fun at all the overworked vocals so popular today.
Also, please define: SRS
Thanks.
Ok then, first things first “SRS” is internet shorthand for “serious”
I posted “not sure if serious” because I honestly wasn’t sure if the comment was spam or some kid playing around. Especially as so many of the terms are already defined if you had looked in the alphabetical list. But now you have answered in such detail, and true to the ethos of this page, I’ll do my best to answer. Please be aware this is just me, answering to the best of my ability. That is all.
I’m not familiar with her newest work, or Madonnas current releases, or the war of words you mentioned. It doesn’t mean I wouldn’t like her or have judged her or her music in anyway. I am just not familiar with it. I have heard “bad romance” and “poker face” so I am aware of her style. It isn’t to my personal taste but I would never let my personal taste affect how I thought of an individual or the music they had made which I hadn’t heard.
One of the great things about DJing is that as selectors we can choose to use or ignore music (however good or bad that music is) simply because we are the DJ.
Anyway, in regard to the lyrics you posted. Some of the jargon she uses is “street” or “urban” slang and so not covered by this DJ terminology. Some of the jargon she uses has it’s roots in DJing and so I will try and define these below. But it should be made clear that all these terms are being used by her in this song with a certain amount of artistic license. By which I mean she isn’t talking about DJing per se. She is using current “urban” slang and words relevant to DJing to generate a theme for her lyrics which I guess she hopes will help her attract the audience she desires.
Words used by Lady Gaga in the song you posted which have some connection to DJing:
“Groove” – Every vinyl record has a physical and manifest groove through which a needle pass travel to produce sound. A good piece of dance music will have an audible groove which is the result of the interplay of instruments and sounds and which makes people want to dance. To groove is to dance in a certain way to “groovy” music.
“Filter” – Is listed on my list of terminology already.
“Fader” – Is listed on my list of terminology already.
“Tweakin” – small adjustments made to effects, equaliser settings or a mix to produce the best quality sound available according that DJs taste.
“queue” me up – If this is supposed to be spelt “cue” then it refers to the action of a DJ when they prepare the next record. “Cueing” is the process of preparing the next song. Is also listed on my list of terminology already.
“twelve” or “12” refers to the fact a vinyl record can be 12 inches across, and is often nick-named simply a “12”. She is claiming she is the next record.
“cue me up I’m the twelve on your table” is a good example of how she is using the theme of dj terminology to artistically add interest to her lyrics. What she is actually saying here is “get me ready I’m the next thing for you to attend to” essentially repeating a common theme in pop music which is heavily reliant on innuendo.
“scratch” – Is listed on my list of terminology already.
“breakdown” “chorus” and “verse” are all defined in my main list.
“bick a bick a” is an attempt to vocalise the sound of a scratch with a simple onomatopoeia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onomatopoeia
“reverse” is the act of playing a song backwards. “rewind” is spinning a song backwards quickly enough to achieve a sound effect common to DJs. I guess she s alluding to the technique of doing a “Rewind” by using the word “reverse”
SO: I hope that helps you in some way. I ought to reiterate: I am not interested in individual lyricists work, only in defining terms used in DJing. All the terms which are specific to DJing in the lyrics above already were posted in my list of definitions. If these explanations have not helped I think a better place for you would be a Lady Gaga fansite where they probably discuss her lyrics in more detail and try harder to ascertain what she is alluding to.
Wow!! I never thought of her song Starstruck as having so much DJ slang!!!
You said her style wasn’t really to your liking, but I’ll assume that you’re into like EDM and other dance music because you know a lot about DJ-ing. You may want to check out her new album Artpop. I don’t think its her best album singing-wise, but she worked some INCREDIBLE EDM producers such as Zedd and Madeon. They did an amazing job producing the music on her album. You may want to check out her songs just for that.
Anyway, thanks for the help! This is an awesome website!
Hey thanks for that, i’ll check it out no doubt.
Hi! What are: hi hats, shakers? Should these be defined here in your DJing jargon too? Thanks 😉 xo
Thanks for the comment Jivana. That’s an interesting question. Hihats and shakers are elements of a drum kit/percussionists equipment. They are very prevalent in Dance music and all DJs listen to them. We also use them in production via samples. But if I were to start defining every individual sound we hear in music I would have to define the whole orchestra and all the various sounds each instrument makes. As there is plenty of information elsewhere on the internet about musical instruments I think I’ll leave this one. Unless there is something specific you really want to know about hihats and shakers from the point of view of a DJ? Is so can you rephrase your question so I know exactly what to talk about?
Pingback: Links to Music Training and Colleges | bsharplyme
Thanks for your DJ site. I came across it from your post in ENYAN back in October 2011. I’ve added a link in the ‘Music Training and Colleges’ section of our B Sharp resources website: http://bsharplyme.wordpress.com/2013/02/14/links-to-progress-your-music-interests-and-journey/
Regards, Ayvin
How would you define a “spinning whip”?
Wow, you got me there Mike! As far as I know a “spinning whip” is a kick performed in martial arts. I have honestly never heard of that term used in DJing.
Can you use it in a sentence so I can understand the context please?
I need a DJ name, can some one please help me selecting it. My full name is Gaurav Doshi. Suggestions are most welcome.
What is ‘impact mixing’?
Hey mate, you’ve stumped me here – I’ve heard of DJs called “DJ Impact” and I know what “making an impact” is but I’ve never heard of “impact mixing” as a term in DJing – Can you give me an example of it in context or link to where you heard/read it please?
I’m looking for something and I dont know the correct term to search for.
What I would like to do is overlay some lyrics from old pop or rock songs over other music, and searching for “a capella hooks” is not turning up any results that I can use unless I’m going fishing. Is there a specific term I should be looking for?
Search for “acapella” and add the title of the song you are looking for.
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What is the difference between hot cues and slicers? On controllers?
Hi Elias, If you mean the Slicer effect (which is only available on Serato DJ systems) then they are very different things.
-Hot cues are essentially cue points set by the DJ anywhere in a song, When activated the song is played from the hot cue instantly. This allows stuttering, jumping to drops/breaks etc.
-The Slicer effect cuts a part of a playing song into 8 parts and allows the DJ to activate any of the 8 parts, either in a loop or while the song is playing. Watch this vid for more info on the slicer – SERATO SLICER VID
If you don’t mean the slicer effect on Serato DJ then please link to whatever piece of kit you have that uses slicer. Some terms are used by different manufacturers.
hey, your site is cool, but didn’t really helps me, my question about deejays jargon and the world of dance music is more commercial ! and i think you most add it to your list, so what’s the definition of
“ORIGINAL MIX”
“REMIX”
“EDIT” example: Martin garrix – Animals ( botnek EDIT )
“RADIO EDIT”
“BOOTLEG”
???? and many more…….
hey thanks for that, I have been wondering how to approach all those terms – the original list is now updated but to save you finding them all here you go –
“ORIGINAL MIX” – This is the original version of a song as composed and produced by the artist.
“REMIX” – This is a version of a song which uses some of the original parts of the song but may have other musical elements to it. “remixes” can be done by the original artist or other artists. Often a dance music release will have several remixes done in various styles to suit different audiences.
“Re-master” – Normally used to describe an old song which has had some up to date sound production techniques used to brighten up and add depth to recordings made on old technology. You would not expect a re-master to have any additional elements or pets on it. It should be the same as the original with just up to date sound processing.
“EDIT” is generally used to mean a version of a song where parts of the song may have been removed, extended, looped or otherwise altered, but without the addition of any new musical elements.
“RADIO EDIT” – is normally the version of a song made specifically for radio play, i.e. any explicit language has been bleeped or otherwise edited out and the whole song has probably been reduced to approximately 3 minutes in length.
“BOOTLEG” – this term comes from the days pirates used to smuggle illegal items in their wooden legs. It means the copy of a song is illegal or pirate.
“re-rub” – Similar to an edit, often with some kind of mastering so the sound quality is improved. Sometimes with additional elements.
“White-label” – Comes from the days when vinyl test pressings were made without labels as promotional tools – DJs would play songs that were so new they still only had white labels. If these songs were good dancers would come and ask what the new song was, but only the DJ would know and it would be up to the DJ what he/she told the dancer. Fools who didn’t know what they were looking at assumed that being called a “white label” was something cool.
“Mash-up” – Generally means a piece of music made by using two or more other recordings, thus not a “remix” as that is only one piece of recorded music with other musical things added to it, and not a re-edit as that would be only one song edited but without anything added to it.
NOTE – The Biggest issue with all these terms is that they have often been used by fashions or scenes to imply more than what they did originally. This has led to confusion as some producers now call their own releases mashups which are actually re-edits, or remixes which are actually mash-ups etc. The term bootleg can now mean any edit or remix of anything but originally was only used to describe illegal copies. Language evolves, especially amongst current fashions and trends. This list is not trying to say what things are, we just want to give some basis from which people can choose how they use language.
Surylok dj ke nam se mix song
banaye
Mere name se dj song banaye bhi
Hey Surylok, Sorry I only speak English.
hey very great article thanks a lot for sharing, but what about VS? like Hardwell VS Tiesto for example
or like Avicii vs Nicki Romero in I could be the one?
Thanks Arrantxa. I didn’t think “Vs” was a specifically DJ enough term to include. Like “Feat.” or “Featuring” it’s just a way of showing that two equally popular artists have been involved in a production. “Vs” is actually an abbreviation for “Versus” i.e. at boxing matches when you have a fighter Vs another fighter, or in “Predator Vs Aliens” etc. I guess in dj terms the producers are trying to imply that the two artists are trying to compete to try and generate a little excitement about the release, but in reality the two artists are clearly cooperating as they are producing one piece of music. Hope that helps.
Hey @ djworkshops
So as a producer i thought id help you out a little, A Remix is as you said although its done in a more ”legal” sense, E.g. Calvin Harris asks me to Remix his song or im approached by the label to remix a song theyve released into my genre or style etc…
A bootleg is where i like a song, but wanna make it my own, so without asking the original composer i ‘remix’ it but label it as eg Julian Jordan-Angels X Demons (CounterF8 Bootleg)
also in cases of two artists or DJ’s Versing each other it is infact sorta like a boxing match but without the aggression… for example in I Could Be The One you could hear almost two different drops or approaches in the buildup maybe even the style of drop is different etc…
cheers for the comment Ilyas. Always nice to have someone back me up.
You forgot “Stem”
excellent – and thank you – the use of the word “Stem” is relatively new – I will update now.
What is a Throwback. I have an idea but I just want to confirm it
Hey Cabula – I haven’t heard this one about DJing before but do know it from “throwback thursday (TBT)” posts on Facebook etc. According to urban dictionary it’s not a term specific to DJing but basically it means anything that reminds you of something old. So in DJ terms it basically means dropping an old track. Hope thats helps, let me know if that isn’t what you thought or if I’m wrong please.
hello, helped me out a lot. but could you explain to me what “mapping” is?
Mapping is where you choose to change the function of a button, switch, fader or whatever on a controller by altering it’s function in the software you have it connected to. The software and controller you are using will need to be set up to allow you to “map” but if it is you can go ahead and change things. This is an exact science and if you are going to try mapping I would research a few basic tips, and start slowly with small changes – and as usual when using software – regularly save and back up your work so you can roll back if you make a mess of things.
What do we mean by controllers.
Controllers are any device which control software. They cannot do anything without connection to a computer and relevant software. Although some controllers will also play CDs or USB sticks these are combined controllers. A controller alone cannot play any format of music – basically it is just a layout of buttons made to suit a purpose. DJ Controllers generally have two areas for decks and a mixer part combined. Key board controllers (for music production) look just like a piano keyboard and control synthesiser software. Other controllers (such as “Push” from ableton) control other music prod. Most controllers work via the MIDI protocol and so if you know how to map your functions you can choose pretty much any controller to work on any software – just pick something you like the layout off.
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ts very dope indeed i luved it
What is the moniker of DJ, and what synonyms derive from it?
It stands for Disc Jockey. Not sure of any synonyms or a moniker!