DJing DnB on Pioneer CDJs

Identify the function of each primary control on a Pioneer CDJ-3000: Play/Pause, Cue, Jog Wheel, and Pitch Fader.

Identify the function of each primary control on a Pioneer DJM-900NXS2 mixer: Channel Faders, Crossfader, Trim/Gain, 3-Band EQ, and Master Level.

Connect two CDJ-3000s to a DJM-900NXS2 mixer using audio cables and an Ethernet cable for Pro DJ Link.

Load a track from a USB drive on a CDJ-3000 and use the Play/Pause buttons to begin playback.

Set a main 'Cue' point at the first beat of a track using the Cue button.

Use the DJM-900NXS2 headphone cueing system to listen to a channel before it is played through the main output.

Identify 32-beat phrases in a DnB track using the CDJ-3000's waveform display and explain their role in structuring a mix.

Use the jog wheel to manually nudge a track's phase to align its beats with another track.

Use the CDJ-3000's BPM counter and pitch fader to match the tempo of two tracks.

Using two copies of the same track, practice maintaining phase alignment for 16 bars using only the jog wheel.

Perform a complete manual beatmatch by combining tempo (pitch fader) and phase (jog wheel) adjustments to sync two different DnB tracks.

Use the 'Stacked Waveform' view on linked CDJ-3000s to visually confirm beat and phrase alignment.

Perform a basic transition between two beatmatched tracks using the channel faders and the crossfader.

Describe the audible effect of the Low, Mid, and High EQ knobs on a DnB track.

Perform a transition by gradually swapping the basslines of two tracks using the Low EQ knobs.

Identify the 'Sound Color FX' section and use the HPF/LPF (Filter) to create a smooth transition.

Describe the function of the other 'Sound Color FX' (Space, Dub Echo, Noise) and apply one to add texture during a mix.

Import a track collection into Rekordbox and organize it into a playlist.

Analyze tracks in Rekordbox to generate waveform, BPM, and key data, and explain the purpose of this data.

Explain what a 'beat grid' is and verify or correct the beat grid for a DnB track in Rekordbox.

Use the 'Sync' button to automatically beatmatch two tracks and discuss the pros and cons of its use in a DnB set.

Set and trigger 'Hot Cues' on the CDJ-3000 to jump to pre-defined points in a track.

Create a 4 or 8-beat loop on the CDJ-3000 and use it to extend a track's intro or outro for mixing.

Explain the concept of 'Harmonic Mixing' using the Camelot Wheel.

Use Rekordbox to organize a playlist by key and perform a mix between two harmonically compatible tracks.

Use the 'Key Sync' feature on the CDJ-3000 to match the key of two tracks and evaluate the sonic result.

Identify the controls of the Beat FX section on the DJM-900NXS2 (Select, Time, Level, Assign, On/Off).

Apply a time-based Beat FX (e.g., Echo, Delay) in time with a track to enhance a transition.

Plan a 15-minute, 4-6 track mini-mix, arranging tracks for a clear energy progression.

Set up and perform a level check to ensure a clean, non-clipping audio signal for recording.

Record the planned 15-minute mini-mix, focusing on smooth transitions.

Critically listen to your recorded mini-mix to identify areas for improvement in technique and timing.

Select and arrange 20-25 DnB tracks in Rekordbox to create a one-hour playlist with a logical energy curve.

Annotate the first 15 minutes of your planned set with cue points and transition plans.

Practice the most technically challenging transitions planned for your one-hour set.

Perform and record the complete one-hour planned mix in a single take.