For this episode, we asked show favourite Mojaxx to return and to talk about a subject that might surprise some listeners: DJing with 45s. It's something that a surprising number of DJs still like to do, especially those who remember the 7" single the first time around.It's a subculture within a subculture that might be a bit geeky, but it's undeniably cool. As DJing on 7" vinyl is something we both enjoy, we thought this topic would make a good twist on the "then and now" angle that these 15th birthday podcasts have followed.If you enjoy this podcast and you can, please do give us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts. It really does make a difference.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro00:14 Episode overview02:21 What's special about 7" records?05:38 Creativity through restriction07:06 Why digital DJs love the challenge of 45s09:23 "You've taken it too far, Phil!"12:11 The hip-hop origins of 45s culture14:15 Do people actually care about the medium?16:03 Mojaxx's "gateway drug": DJ Shadow & Kenny Dope20:12 Building a collection: from £1 bargains to Discogs23:15 "Music was just a tool for me"29:24 Tips for finding and buying 7" records35:26 45 adapters: the technical deep dive41:05 Dr. Suzuki Donuts aka "the greatest invention ever"44:19 Organising music: from obsessive to practical49:16 Which genres work best on 45s?53:42 Who's keeping the 45 culture alive?58:59 Desert island 45s: Mojaxx's top five
Want to get your question answered on an episode of this podcast? Digital DJ Tips course owners get to ask questions in their student-only group. Your first step to getting involved is to buy a DJ course, so come and join our community at https://www.digitaldjtips.com.
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1:02:46
Ferry Corsten's secrets for a long music career
Ahead of his course on how to DJ trance with Digital DJ Tips, Dutch superstar DJ/producer Ferry Corsten shares his secrets for having a long, fruitful career in the music industry and looks back on what's changed over the decades that he's been right at the top of his game. We talked music, tech, culture, and life philosophy in a wide-ranging and fun chat.If you enjoy this podcast and you can, please do give us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts. It really does make a difference.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro00:15 Episode overview02:12 Ferry's journey: from bedroom hobby to trance pioneer05:53 Cut & paste culture: making mixes before turntables08:55 When simple tracks ruled12:52 "My poor attempt at Italo disco"17:06 The trance explosion & Ministry of Sound era22:29 What Ferry misses (and doesn't) about vinyl days27:35 The secret to 30 years of music industry survival34:11 Reinvention: why you must follow your heart38:57 "DJs taking journeys": trance gets it right45:31 Advice to young Ferry: grow thick skin48:28 Why every DJ sounds the same now53:37 Message to older aspiring DJs55:19 Rapid-fire questions58:39 What's next for Ferry Corsten?
Want to get your question answered on an episode of this podcast? Digital DJ Tips course owners get to ask questions in their student-only group. Your first step to getting involved is to buy a DJ course, so come and join our community at https://www.digitaldjtips.com.
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1:00:34
Real skills vs technology with Laidback Luke
In this episode, Laidback Luke joins us to talk about his 30-year career and how he's stayed at the forefront of DJ technology throughout this time, championing new features and systems when no-one else believed in them and always looking for ways to push the culture forward. He talks about more than gear, though, covering music, mental health, how the scene has changed, and what the future holds. If you enjoy this podcast and you can, please do give us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts. It really does make a difference.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro00:14 Episode overview02:15 - Luke's artistic reinvention & Dimmak Records04:40 - "Dance music hit age 7 and never grew up"06:19 - Then vs now: from dancing crowds to phones07:36 - Why this generation feels so alone08:33 - DJ gear evolution: producer to tech pioneer12:48 - Can a CDJ-4000 keep up with AI?15:16 - Most pro DJs want familiarity, not innovation19:08 - The truth about DJing on vinyl22:16 - Mentoring legends: Avicii, Afrojack & changing times26:19 - Mental health & escaping hustle culture29:04 - "Lockdown made me appreciate touring again"30:51 - What drugs & phones did to dancefloors35:32 - Teaching evolution: from forums to structured courses38:37 - The DJing fundamentals that never change45:55 - Luke's one piece of timeless advice...
Want to get your question answered on an episode of this podcast? Digital DJ Tips course owners get to ask questions in their student-only group. Your first step to getting involved is to buy a DJ course, so come and join our community at https://www.digitaldjtips.com.
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49:10
DJ Gear: Then & Now with special guest Mojaxx
In this episode, DJ reviewer extraordinaire Mojaxx (whose gear reviews have informed generations of DJs) joins us to chat about all the changes in DJ gear since vinyl was replaced by CDs, and to reminisce about long-forgotten kit that still has a place in our hearts, while also looking to the future.If you enjoy this podcast and you can, please do give us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts. It really does make a difference.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro00:14 Episode overview02:05 - Meet Mojaxx: From Hi-Fi systems to DJ gear obsession05:16 - The digital revolution: DVS, controllers & the last 15 years09:18 - The two parallel worlds of DJing converge12:09 - Simplicity vs complexity: Have we lost something important?15:10 - Gear Acquisition Syndrome (G.A.S): Want vs need20:56 - Stop chasing the perfect gear - it doesn't exist!25:07 - Pioneer DJ's secret: 25 years of consistency32:06 - Failed innovations: The Red Sound triple crossfader35:19 - When DJ technology gets too complex40:00 - The truth about using more than two decks42:53 - AI and DJing: Art vs craft46:40 - Preserving DJ culture in the tech age52:33 - The backwards DJ journey: From apps to vinyl56:16 - Closing thoughts + vinyl episode teaser
Want to get your question answered on an episode of this podcast? Digital DJ Tips course owners get to ask questions in their student-only group. Your first step to getting involved is to buy a DJ course, so come and join our community at https://www.digitaldjtips.com.
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57:17
DJ Jazzy Jeff On The Timelessness Of DJing
If you've been wondering whether you're too old to start DJing, DJ Jazzy Jeff has news for you: mature music lovers are driving the biggest DJ renaissance in decades, and it's the young crowd that's missing out.Fresh from a European tour that saw him playing everything from Wembley Stadium to intimate beach parties in Portugal, Jeff observed something remarkable happening in dance music...and we chat all about it with him on today's special podcast episode. Enjoy! If you enjoy this podcast and you can, please do give us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts. It really does make a difference.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro00:14 Episode overview01:02 Why the OGs are getting booked everywhere03:54 The first hip hop cruise: Rock The Bells success06:00 The thing that keeps DJs in the game for 40+ years11:04 Curating from more new music than ever13:46 The right conditions for listening to music17:41 What it was like playing with Will in front of 80,000 at Wembley23:19 MagMob VIP origins & where to catch Jeff's livestreams27:45 The purpose & evolution of Playlist Retreat32:12 What Jeff has learned from hosting a creative DJ retreat35:03 How AI will change DJing (and what will stay the same)39:04 Making music for the FIFA 2026 World Cup40:58 What it was like filming two DJ courses with us
Want to get your question answered on an episode of this podcast? Digital DJ Tips course owners get to ask questions in their student-only group. Your first step to getting involved is to buy a DJ course, so come and join our community at https://www.digitaldjtips.com.
DJ advice, industry info, tips on gear, music, mixing, performing... this is the official podcast of Digital DJ Tips, the world's leading online DJ school, presented by Phil Morse, founder of Digital DJ Tips and author of the Amazon best-selling book on DJing, "Rock The Dancefloor!". No ads, no sponsorshop, entirely funded by our amazing students.
Ireland