Why You Should Learn Music Production as a DJ
November 19, 2024
Adding to your skill set in any business should be a no-brainer. That should also go without saying for DJs. Though they are two different industries, DJing and music production complement each other in more than a few ways. That’s why you, the DJ, need to learn how to make music, not just play it. Here are a few key reasons why.
Enhance Your Creative Process
When it comes to being the best in DJ entertainment, having a great library and knowing how to beat match are just the tip of the iceberg. Good DJs do that. GREAT DJs know and understand why songs are made in particular ways, and music production can help that. Knowing music production is knowing what songs to mix by the key of the record and not just the BPM. That extra knowledge allows you to understand why the correct keys together make your blends slide together as if it was part of the same song. Further more, you may know that crowds go nuts for the drop in songs. But do you know why? Do you know the importance of timing drops in a song? Do you know the types of effects used in songs and how they impact the sound of a track? Probably not, but producers do. It’s been proven that various sounds, along with a buildup and release of those sounds, release dopamine and create positive responses in the brain. Wouldn’t it be great to know how to do that with your songs and mixes? Understanding music production provides the road map for that to happen.
Create Unique Exclusive Remixes
Individuality is another great reason why you should learn music production. Having exclusive music has always been an unspoken advantage DJs want to have. Those who play the bangers no one else can play become commodities in and of themselves. Well, there’s nothing more exclusive than creating your own music or remixes.
EDM DJs are masters at this. Those who start as producers and go into DJing (and vice versa) make names for themselves by dropping hypnotic, high energy songs that no one could get their hands on. Not only is this great for real-time experiences, but the music only they play become heavily sought after songs. This only creates more demand for the music or the DJ who played (and created) it. Learning music production can be the key for next-level recognition.
Extend Your Revenue Sources
To piggyback off of that, it could be worth your time financially to sell your one-of-a-kind track or remix to the masses. Music production could be a great way to generate more revenue for your DJ business. You might want to polish up on your understanding music copyright laws before you sell any of your creations.
This is not to be confused with creating mash-ups or blends that some DJs do in digital record pools. Many of those efforts rely on known songs, instrumentals and acapellas. When you create tracks and remixes with your own sounds, however, you provide others a bit of original creativity. Your music will have more value because it is original. As such, you should capitalize on that! However, to do that well, you need knowledge of sound synthesis and music theory—in other words, music production.
Producing and DJing, as mentioned before, really do go hand in hand. The good thing for DJs is that music software companies are now starting to create software specifically for production. That means DJs can now get their music production feet (or hands, rather) wet with Serato, Ableton, and other digital audio workstations. Plus, many have 10 to 30 day trials for you to download and experiment with the software. Take advantage of them, and find out for yourself how music production can upgrade your DJing expertise.