Digital DJ’ing & Performance

Digital DJ’ing 101 with Traktor

I really enjoyed the class. I feel I can go into any venue now and rock it, CDJs or my custom setup.

- Peter Clark

Course Overview:

This ground-up look at the art of DJ’ing begins with the basic fundamentals of beat matching, followed by more advanced techniques such as 4 deck mixing, Traktor, effects, EQ, levels, stage presence and psychology, track selection, setup and more. With classes capped at no more than 10 people, students get ample time with the instructor and the opportunity to practice on Pyramind’s DJ rig and sound system during evening hours.

The class culminates with each student performing a 15 minute mix. The highest scoring student earns the opportunity to DJ at a Pyramind or partner event in San Francisco.

Topics include:

• DJ Fundamentals & Equipment Overview
• CDJ 2000 & Zone 92 in-depth look
• Integration of Traktor with CDJs
• EQ, Effects & Traktor overview
• Song Structure, Harmonic Mixing & Genre Mixing
• Track Selection, Crowd Read, Stage Presence & Promotion
• Midi Mapping & Advanced Traktor Techniques

Equipment Used:

Digital DJ’ing 110 with Ableton Live

I felt it was necessary to write this letter and express how I felt because my concept of Ableton has completely changed thanks to Pyramind’s approach to teaching Ableton.

- Serg R. (Pyramind Student)

This powerful new class explores the creative capacity of Ableton Live in a performance environment. Expanding on Pyramind’s Live 101 & 110 classes as well as the DJ 101 class, the course will initially establish a working knowledge of many of Ableton’s core performance tools including warping, looping, clip management, effects and DJ set layout.

Moving onto more advanced techniques, students will explore topics including:

• DJ technique with clips in Ableton
• Live looping
• Multi-Sample Mapping
• Synthesis Tools for live sets
• Real-time instrument processing
• Interfacing Ableton with other musicians on stage
• Effect rack creation and customization
• MIDI setup and customization
• MIDI controller overview and customization
• Touch OSC for custom MIDI interface creation and control with the iPad