DJ Terminology: A Glossary of Essential DJ Terms

BPM (Beats Per Minute)

What It Is: This measures the tempo of a track. The higher the BPM, the faster the track.
Example: A house track might have a BPM of 128, while a slower hip-hop beat could be around 85.
Why It Matters: Matching BPMs between songs is key for smooth transitions in your mix!

Crossfader

What It Is: It’s a sliding controller on the DJ mixer that lets you blend audio from two tracks. Move it left to focus on one track, right for the other, and find the sweet spot in between for a smooth mix.
Pro Tip: Mastering the crossfader is essential for techniques like scratching and quick transitions.

Cue

What It Is: Setting a specific point in your track to jump to instantly. Think of it as a bookmark in your song.
Example: Cue up the drop of a banger track for maximum crowd impact.
Why It Matters: It gives you control to start your tracks exactly where you want.