The Sooner, The Better: How Learning Music Production Can Accelerate Your DJ Career

The Sooner, The Better: How Learning Music Production Can Accelerate Your DJ Career

Living the lifestyle of a DJ is a dream for many people and so the DJ industry is very competitive. If you want to establish yourself in the music industry and get enough DJ work to become self reliant, music production might be the missing element.

Music production and the release of music is what makes many headline DJs stand out and get more DJ bookings. By releasing music, you're differentiating yourself from other DJs and you become a unique artist. Having this unique selling point (USP) means that promoters are far more likely to book you to perform, leading to more DJ work and possibly financial freedom.

Nowadays, it's rare to hear of a DJ who 'makes it' without also being a music producer. While some DJs become famous due to their incredible DJ skills, they often always take it to the next level with music production. James Hype is a great example. He started with videos showcasing his mesmerising DJ tricks and complex DJ transitions, using the decks like instruments. He quickly gained notoriety, but to break into the mainstream he started releasing music. This catapulted his DJ career into the stratosphere! His 2022 single 'Ferrari' claimed a number one chart position in the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium.

In summary, mastering music production early can boost your prospects of launching a successful DJ career. If you want to ditch the day job and focus on DJing full time you need to master the skill of music production. The sooner, the better!

Why DJs Should Learn Music Production

The DJ industry landscape has evolved dramatically over the last two decades. To be a headline DJ you need to be conquer not just DJing itself but also music production. They go hand-in-hand. You could also argue that DJs needs to harness the power of social media too.

Releasing music can be a game-changer for your DJ career and what better content to release than actual music! Performing a DJ set with your own music makes you unique.

Unique Selling Point (USP)

Releasing your own music allows you to create a sonic identity and stand out from other DJs. Originality is key and the more original your sound the more you will distinguish yourself from other artists. Rarity breeds value so try and focus on how you can stand out or create a new spur of electronic music. Be a leader and not a follower for the maximum rewards.

Creative Freedom

Creating music is an enriching creative process. Music production is an incredible tool to express yourself as a DJ. You might be dreaming of the perfect live performance with visuals, fireworks and more! Embrace your biggest dreams and work to make those creative fantasies reality.

Unique DJ Sets

DJs who also produce can tailor their DJ sets more than standard DJs. They can create memorable moments with unique edits and remixes. Tracks that no other DJ will have access to.

Gigs and Festivals

A primary reason to master music production is to attract the attention of promoters and get more DJ bookings. If you dream of headlining a club or music festival you need to start learning how to produce music as soon as possible. Music production does take a while to master so get going today. Book a music production course and start your journey.

‍Collaborations

‍Production opens doors to collaborate with other artists in a meaningful way which helps cross-pollinate your audiences. If you're looking for more fans and audience growth collabs are the secret weapon. DJs who don't produce won't have access to this tool making it another powerful way to grow as a DJ.

Make More Money

‍Releasing music allows DJs to earn money from sales and streams. Music producers often also offer production services to other DJs like mixing and mastering or just help in producing. Learning how to produce is going to allow any DJ to make more money to support their DJ career.

Licensing and Royalties

‍If you're lucky, your music could be licensed for use in commercials, films, and other media, providing additional revenue through royalties.

Get Signed to a Label or Booking Agent

‍‍A strong catalog of music and a growing will attract record labels and booking agents. Being signed to a label can accelerate your DJ career by allowing your music and brand to reach larger audiences. Booking agents will also help you secure more DJ work and gain financial and creative freedom to concentrate 100% on your DJing and production work.

Getting Started with Music Production

Music production is clearly the most powerful tool DJs use to become bigger and achieve success in the industry. The only question is now how to start. As we mentioned earlier, the sooner, the better! Don't be afraid to get started, it's not as hard as it might seem. Any DJ can become a music production, all it takes it a little dedication and time. Take baby steps...

1. Choose a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)

The first step is to decide which software program you're going to use to produce with. The main three options are Ableton, Logic and FL Studio. Ableton is by far the most popular option for electronic music producers. Logic is a close second and more popular with pop singers and live bands. FL Studio is in third place and is popular with the younger producers.

Overall, we recommend Ableton because the programs works on both PC and Mac and the company is always one step ahead when it comes to innovation in the production industry.

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2. Learn the Basics

Don't overthink it it, just book it! book a Beginner Music Production Course at our studios in London, Birmingham or Manchester or you can book online music production lessons. You could start as early as this week! No experience is needed.

Click here to contact us and start your production journey

3. Practice and Experiment

Music production is a skill that gets better with practice. Spend as much time as possible practising and experimenting. We understand that not all DJs have tons of free time but even just dedicating two hours a week will help you learn the skill.

4. Collaborate and Network

Make sure you liven up your practice by collaborating with other music producers. It's fun to produce together and bounce ideas back and forth. Another essential skill is to network. Why not join our monthly DJ networking event or find a local Meetup in your area?

You'll be Surprised how Quickly You Can Learn

The reality is the sooner you start producing the better. If you want to become a DJ and work toward financial freedom music production is the first step. Take a leap of faith and trust in the process. Music production is actually quite easy to learn, it's not rocket science! You'll be surprised how quickly you can learn if you dedicate even a small amount of time each week.

You can complete our Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Music Production Courses within 12 two-hour lessons. This will be enough to get you started. We then recommend you take time to practice and develop your style. At this time, many of our students book additional advanced production lessons until they are happy to release their first track.

Click Here To Book Your Beginner Music Production Course Today

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