A vocal track without instrumental accompaniment, often used by DJs for remixing or layering over different beats.
Air Horn
A sound effect commonly used in DJ performances to energize the audience, typically mimicking the sound of a horn blast.
Auto-Gain
A feature in DJ software that automatically adjusts the volume levels of tracks to ensure consistent output, aiding in smooth transitions.
B
Backspin
A technique where a DJ manually spins a vinyl record backward to replay a section, creating a looping effect.
Beat Juggling
A turntablism technique where DJs manipulate two identical records to create a new, unique rhythm or beat.
Beatmatching
The skill of synchronizing the tempos of two tracks to ensure a seamless transition between them.
Booth Monitor
Speakers positioned in the DJ booth, allowing the DJ to hear their mix independently of the main venue sound system.
C
Crossfader
A sliding control on a DJ mixer that allows the DJ to fade between two audio sources, essential for seamless transitions.
Cue Point
A predetermined point in a track set by the DJ, used for starting playback or triggering samples during a performance.
Cueing
The process of preparing and previewing the next track through headphones before introducing it into the main mix.
D
Deck
Refers to a turntable or CD player used by DJs to play music. Modern setups may include digital decks in DJ software.
Digital Vinyl System (DVS)
A system that allows DJs to control digital audio files on a computer using traditional turntables or CDJs, typically through time-coded vinyl or CDs.
Drop
A point in a track where a sudden change or climax occurs, often introducing a heavy bassline or beat, creating excitement on the dance floor.
E
EQ (Equalization)
The adjustment of specific frequency bands (bass, mid, treble) to balance the sound of individual tracks within a mix.
Extended Mix
A version of a track that is longer than the original, often featuring extended intros and outros, providing DJs with more flexibility for mixing.
F
Fade
A gradual increase or decrease in volume, used by DJs to smoothly transition between tracks.
Filter
An effect that modifies the frequency content of a sound, commonly used to create sweeping effects or to isolate certain elements of a track.
Flanger
An audio effect that creates a swirling or whooshing sound by mixing the audio signal with a delayed copy of itself.
G
Gain
The control that adjusts the input level of an audio signal, ensuring consistent volume levels across different tracks.
Groove
The rhythmic feel or swing of a track that makes it compelling and danceable.
H
High-Pass Filter
An effect that removes frequencies below a certain threshold, allowing higher frequencies to pass through, often used to eliminate bass frequencies during transitions.
Hot Cue
A feature that allows DJs to mark and instantly return to specific points in a track during a performance.
I
Isolation Booth
A soundproofed area where DJs can practice or perform without external noise interference, ensuring accurate monitoring.
J
Jog Wheel
A wheel on DJ controllers and CDJs that allows DJs to manipulate the playback speed and position of a track, aiding in beatmatching and scratching
Jungle
A genre of electronic music that emerged in the early 1990s, characterized by fast breakbeats, heavy basslines, and reggae or dancehall influences.
K
Key Lock
A feature that allows DJs to change the tempo of a track without altering its musical key, maintaining the track’s original pitch.
Kill Switch
Buttons on a DJ mixer that instantly cut specific frequency bands (bass, mid, treble), allowing for dramatic effects during a mix.
L
Looping
The technique of repeating a section of a track seamlessly, allowing DJs to extend intros, outros, or create live remixes.
Low-Pass Filter
An effect that removes frequencies above a certain threshold, allowing lower frequencies to pass through, often used to isolate bass elements.
M
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface)
A protocol that allows electronic musical instruments and computers to communicate, commonly used in DJ setups for controllers and software integration.
Mashup
A creative blend of two or more tracks, combining elements like vocals and instrumentals to produce a new, cohesive piece.
Mix
The act of blending two or more tracks together to create a seamless listening experience, showcasing the DJ’s skill in track selection and timing.
N
Needle Drop
A technique where the DJ places the needle at a precise point on the vinyl record to cue a specific part of the track instantly.
Nu-Disco
A modern genre that revives and updates the sounds of 1970s and 1980s disco, incorporating contemporary production techniques.
O
Off-Beat
A rhythm or pattern that falls between the strong beats, often used creatively in electronic music to create tension or surprise.
Overdub
Adding additional layers of sound or effects to a track during live performance or studio production.
P
Panning
The process of adjusting the left-to-right balance of sound in a stereo mix, allowing sounds to be placed in specific spatial locations.
Percussive Loop
A rhythmic segment of a track, often used to build energy or create a hypnotic vibe in a mix.
Pioneer DJ
A leading brand of DJ equipment, including mixers, controllers, and CDJs, widely used by professionals in the industry.
Q
Quantize
The process of aligning beats and notes in a track to a consistent grid, ensuring precise timing and synchronization.
Quick Cueing
The ability to instantly prepare a track for mixing, enabling a DJ to smoothly transition between songs without delay.
R
Rackmount
A system used for mounting DJ equipment, such as mixers or effects units, in a standard 19-inch wide rack for easy storage and setup.
Reverb
An audio effect that simulates the natural echo or reverberation of sound in a physical space, often used to create depth or atmosphere in a track.
Reverse
A technique where the playback of a track or sound is flipped backward, often used to create unique effects or transitions.
S
Scratching
A turntablism technique where a DJ moves the record back and forth on the turntable to create percussive sounds and effects.
Sidechain Compression
A dynamic audio effect used to make space in a mix, often by reducing the volume of one sound in response to another (e.g., a kick drum lowering the volume of the bassline).
Slip Mode
A feature on digital controllers that allows DJs to temporarily “move” a track’s position without affecting the beat grid, enabling creative manipulation without losing sync.
T
Timestretching
A process of changing the tempo of a track without altering its pitch, or vice versa, used to align different tracks in a mix.
Track Prep
The act of preparing a song for performance, which can include setting cue points, looping sections, or editing the track for smoother mixing.
Turntablism
A DJ art form that involves manipulating vinyl records on turntables, including techniques like scratching, beat juggling, and blending, to create unique sounds and rhythms.
U
Underground
Referring to music or DJ culture that is outside the mainstream, often associated with niche genres, smaller venues, and alternative styles.
Up-Tempo
A track with a fast tempo, often used to energize a crowd and increase the intensity of a performance.
V
Vinyl
A traditional format for DJing, involving records played on turntables. Many DJs still use vinyl in performances for its tactile feel and distinctive sound quality.
Vocals
The vocal component of a track, which can be featured prominently or used sparingly in DJ mixes for effect.
W
Waveform
A visual representation of the audio signal in DJ software, showing the amplitude and frequency patterns of a track, allowing DJs to analyze and manipulate the track visually.
Wobble Bass
A subgenre of bass-heavy electronic music, known for its syncopated and modulated bass sounds, often used in genres like dubstep and trap.
X
XLR Cable
A type of audio cable commonly used in professional DJ setups for connecting equipment like microphones, mixers, and speakers, offering balanced sound and durability.
Y
Yo-Yo
A turntablism technique where a DJ quickly moves a record back and forth, creating a rhythmic effect, similar to the motion of a yo-yo.
Z
Zero Crossing
The point in an audio waveform where the signal crosses the baseline (zero level), commonly used as a reference point when editing audio for smooth transitions.
Zoning
The process of curating the energy level of a set by adjusting the style, tempo, or mood of the tracks played to align with the vibe of the crowd.
