5 YouTube Mixing Tutorials You Need To Watch To Level Up Your Game As A House Music DJ

Even with the immense talent and creativity that superstar DJs artists possess, they would be nowhere without their prowess behind the board. Production and DJing are like peanut butter and jelly, technically one can exist without the other, but the result is so much stronger when they’re together. 

When it comes to house music specifically, many renowned DJs are recognized for their mixing skills and song choice just as much as their sound design. Therefore, it is crucial for upcoming artists to spend an equal amount of time (if not more) practicing DJing and creating music. Like learning a new language or teaching yourself calculus, most people don’t know where to start once purchasing a board. The amount of different resources, from online courses to DJing For Dummies, presents a tough decision to be made.

While paid options can usually be worth the money spent on them, YouTube is the best platform for beginner house DJs. Not only does YouTube have an endless supply of tutorial videos for mixing house music, but as everyone knows, it is also FREE. However, the wide collection of YouTube lessons can be a stressful burden too. 

You want to ensure you choose the top mentors and optimal tutorials to grow your knowledge and DJing abilities to their full potential. At Magnetic Mag, we understand the importance of this and have gathered five of the most useful and interactive tutorials for amateur house DJs.

1. How to DJ for Beginners – DJ Carlo

DJ Carlo Atendido has taught rising artists how to master DJing for years. His tutorials are incredibly informative and easy to follow. One great thing about his videos, especially this tutorial, is how DJ Carlo communicates with his audience. He speaks at the perfect pace so that steps and knowledge are not lost in translation. His overhead camera shots of the board also zero in on precisely what he’s doing on it, while he verbally explains in sync.

This tutorial is primed for anyone who just started DJing, whether you’re a horse lover or a basshead. It will help you lock down all the essential pieces of info about your board and its features. Viewers will also learn how to do their first transition on their board.

What you’ll learn in  ‘How to DJ for Beginners‘

• A full breakdown of standard DJ equipment used at clubs and cheaper options to go with when first starting out.
• How to plug in the necessary input and output cords, headphones, and your laptop into your DJ setup to begin mixing.
• Navigating the decks to load new tracks and play them.
• What a beat grid is and how to adjust it, along with another set on whatever laptop program you are using.
• Analysis of the tempo fader function and showing how it works.
• Examples of how jog wheels can line up songs and manipulate their speed.
• An in-depth tutorial on every DJ board’s mixer section and how to operate it.
• A step-by-step process to performing your first essential transition between tracks.
• How to do a professional DJ transition, also in a step-by-step format.

2. Top 5 DJ Mistakes w/ Ben Bristow & DJ Ravine – Point Blank Music School

Point Blank Music School is a go-to source when it comes to expanding your musical knowledge and overall skills in music, whether in production or DJing. On top of offering extensive education programs for those passionate about music and the industry, Point Blank also provides many free resources like their YouTube channel.

Ben Bristow and DJ Ravine are some of the most elite DJing professionals on the Point Blank staff. They are lead instructors across physical school locations (London, LA, Ibiza, Mumbai, and China) and Point Blank Online. They have a very fun method of teaching that makes learning to DJ exciting. In this video, they break down the biggest mistakes that DJs make, professional and amateur alike.

What you’ll learn in ‘Top 5 DJ Mistakes w/ Ben Bristow & DJ Ravine‘

• Defines what redlining is, how to know if it is happening, and how to prevent it.
• Why it is important to know your setup and tips for communicating with venues that you’re playing at.
• Overusing and misusing effects and why the flanger effect is too much at certain points. 
• The importance of improvising and not just planning all of your sets ahead of time. 
• How to properly prepare for setting with playlists and other tactics.
• When and when not to take requests.

3. How To DJ with House Music – 3 Mixing Techniques – Crossfader

While the last two tutorials are essential for beginner DJs in any genre, this tutorial dives into how to become a top-tier spin master in house music. From the UK-based music academy Crossfader, instructor Jamie Hartley is a wizard behind the board. In this video, he demonstrates how you can mix the same two house tracks differently. 

Showcasing these transitions with the two tracks throughout makes the process much simpler to comprehend and apply on your own board. Adding these transitions to your arsenal will give you more options as a DJ to keep the crowd engaged and on their toes. The tutorial also features a link to get 20% off of Crossfader’s in-depth house mixing course.

What you’ll learn in ‘How To DJ with House Music’

• How to mix a new track’s intro with the current track’s outro through seamless EQ blending.
• How to transition those same tracks but by utilizing an EQ swap instead.
• How to layer the two tracks with one another to create a longer, more subtle and smooth transition 

4. How to Mix Tech House – Club Ready DJ School

YOU SHOULD ALREADY HAVE BASIC DJING EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE BEFORE WATCHING)

Club Ready DJ School is just as prominent and respected as Point Blank and Crossfader. As its name hints at, this educational collective enables DJs to take their mixing to the next level, to get booked for gigs. With a variety of helpful paid courses, their YouTube channel encompasses a plethora of free DJing resources.

This tutorial is special compared to the rest due to taking a more hands-on approach. Its instructor places a 4K overhead camera at the board while bringing his audience along for a mini mix. He explains in detail what he is doing and why when transitioning, giving the tutorial a more real-life feel to it. This video is a must-watch if you want to land a slot at your local club and beyond. 

What you’ll learn in ‘How to Mix Tech House‘

• Learn the points in a track best to mix in a new song and why. 
• Using EQ for smoother or more elaborate transitions. 
• How long certain transitions should take, and the songs be blended for 
• A rare filter transition that most of the DJing community doesn’t know about.

5. How to Mix Different Genres and BPM – Point Blank Music School 

Referring to Ben Bristow and DJ Ravine with Point Blank, this final tutorial on our list is a solid learning tool for house DJs. Although house music has been chosen as your preferred genre to mix, you can stand out by occasionally shocking audiences with a techno track, dubstep banger, or even a song outside the EDM space. 

Just look at John Summit for example. He has racked up millions of dedicated fans because he is unafraid to take risks and transition from house to other genres. In this YouTube lesson, you will learn the vital techniques to mix different genres, even with significant changes in BPM.

What you’ll learn in ‘How to Mix Different Genres and BPM‘

• The tips and tricks behind mixing between different genres.
• What sound elements to sample and identify in your tracks to transition easier across genre.
• How to perform a transition between two tracks that have different BPMs smoothly and eccentrically.
• Other unique ways to blend or switch from one song to another.