Steps to create your DJ mix
1. Download the App#
The DJ.Studio downloaded app offers the best performance and functionality. You can use it to connect your external DJ software and it is more stable and reliable than the web version.
For mac: Use Silicon if you have an Apple M1/M2 or M3, otherwise download the Intel version.
The DJ.Studio browser version is good if you don’t want to download anything, but it doesn't have the same feature set as the installed app.
You can find the download links here > Download DJ.Studio.
Learn more about how to Download and Install DJ.Studio here.
2. Start a New Mix Project#
The first thing to do in DJ.Studio is to create a new project.
You can click on the Home icon in the left top corner to open the DJ.Studio Dashboard.
Click Start New Mix to create a Local Music project.
- DJ mix projects work with files on your hard drive, which can be imported from a range of other connected DJ software.
- If you have a Beatport / Beatsource Streaming account, you can add Beatport/Beatsource files to your DJ mix projects. Before exporting your mix, you can buy the streaming tracks to export your mix to MP3, WAV or video.
3. Add Tracks#
After creating a mix, you will be prompted to import songs to your library.
If you’re making a Local File mix, you can add tracks with the yellow Import local files button or browse music from 3rd party software libraries like rekordbox etc.
Select the tracks you want with the + at the end of each row and click the yellow Add x tracks button in the bottom right corner.
4. Harmonize (Previously automix)#
After you’ve added enough tracks to your mix, you can let DJ.Studio’s Harmonize Tool work its magic to give you the best order of your tracks so that as many as possible transitions will sound in key.
If you want the mix to start and end with particular songs, move them into that position in the playlist.
Click Harmonize.
Adjust the options:
Set the priority balance between Key and BPM for Harmonize. We normally advise the setting in the middle.
Toggle whether to lock in the first and last track.
Choose how long you want the algorithm to calculate. Normally, 30 seconds will give you the optimal result
Hit Harmonize to start the process.
Now, just wait for DJ.Studio to calculate the ideal order for your mix!
5. Adjust Your Mix Arrangement#
When the Harmonize is complete, you will be taken over to the Carousel or Studio page, where you can start to Edit Your Mix.
Depending on how experienced you are with audio editors, you might want to switch to a different editor view style. The options are:
Carousel - A streamlined view for quickly editing mixes.
Playlist - A single view of the playlist for reordering your mix, and seeing detailed information. Drag the tracks with the 6 dotted handle to the right spot or the bin icon to delete a track.
Studio - The most advanced mode, giving you precise control over every element of your mix. In the Studio tab, you can make more advanced changes to your mix, such as tempo changes, stem separation, and adding effects. This is the most powerful screen for editing.
Find the view you like, and then start tweaking your mix.
Before adjusting transitions, you might want to:
Reorder some songs by moving and changing their order in the playlist.
Change the position of songs in the blue transition window so they start sooner or later.
Solve harmonic issues - by clicking the X in the Match column of the playlist, DJ.Studio can detect a new track to fill a harmonic gap if some track combinations do not match harmonically.
After you’re happy with the overall arrangement of the mix, it’s time to refine your transitions.
6. Edit Transitions#
DJ.Studio provides several tools for creating detailed and unique transitions. You can automate all of the parameters simultaneously to make expressive and impactful transitions in infinite detail.
It all revolves around the Transition Editor
Open the transition tab from the bottom tab of the Studio View.
In the timeline, click on the blue transition window of the transition you want to edit.
Adjust the window edges with the blue gripper with 4 dots to change where the transition starts and ends.
Now, choose some presets for your transition. For example, a volume crossfade, and/or a high-to-low filter. DJ.Studio also supports stem transitions, allowing you to transition from one song to another by disabling bass, drums, melody, or vocals.
Next, experiment with manual transitions. Here you can draw in a custom line for the parameter.
When you’re happy with the transition, click the Lock button to pin it in place.
If you’ve created a combination of transition settings that you’d like to reuse, save it as a preset for later.
Move on to the next transition with the > button, and repeat!
This explains the detailed process of editing transitions in Studio view. In the Carousel view, the process is a bit simpler. You just select the transition preset from the icon in between two tracks.
After you’re happy with the transitions, I’d suggest having one final run through your mix and making any final adjustments.
7. Save your Project#
DJ.Studio automatically saves as you work, meaning you won’t lose much time if your computer crashes or if you have a power cut!
That said, saving your project regularly is also a good idea, especially when you have finished making it. You can also save it as an extra mix, so you can work on different versions if you make large changes. You can also restore old versions using the project manager if you want to go to an earlier state.
8. Export and Share your Finished Mix!#
When you are happy with your mix, it’s time to export it out of DJ.Studio and onto the next stage.
DJ.Studio offers a couple of export destinations, all of which can be accessed by clicking the ‘Export’ button in the top-right corner.
Learn more about Exporting Mixes.
If you’re using the Local File mode, you can export to:
Local File - This creates either a WAV or MP3 audio file of the recorded mix. You can select the quality and set the final output gain.
DJ Set - Export your mix as a DJ set file, which can be imported into other software like rekordbox or Serato. This will include all information regarding the order of the playlist.
Ableton Live - Export the mix as a multitrack Ableton Live file for further editing. This is ideal for radio show producers who might want to add some extra audio jingles or voiceovers. The Live set will include all transition and automation parameters, recreated using Ableton’s effects!
Video – Export the video content directly to your hard drive, with options to choose the video quality ranging from 720p to 2160p. If you want to export your mix to YouTube, you can also download a description file containing timestamps with track and artist names.
Mixcloud - Record your mix and upload the audio file directly to your Mixcloud account!
Backup - Create a .DJS file, which can be stored on your hard drive, or shared with our supportdesk. A .DJS file can be imported back into DJ.Studio to restore your projects.
Congratulations! You just completed your first DJ.Studio mix project from start to finish!
Make sure to check out other resources in the DJ.Studio Academy to learn more tips and tricks!
Bonus options#
DJ.Studio has a lot more advance options for creative DJ mixing, so check out these articles:
Edit tracks: Create loops, and cut, copy, paste, and duplicate audio sections within a track.
Samples / voice-overs: add samplesadd samples to make your mix more energizing and add your own video-shorts
Advanced automations: Create automations to add an extra layer of expression between transitions.
Video creator : For mixes with local files, you can add audio-reactive visuals to accompany your mix. This is the perfect system for making engaging YouTube videos, or for making some visuals for a party!
Making mashups: Mashups: Use the integrated AI Stem separation to extract elements like drums from one track and layer them under another. Let your creativity shine with unique combinations!