DJ Terminology: A Glossary of Essential DJ Terms

EQ (Equalization)

What It Is: The process of adjusting bass, mids, and highs (low, medium, and high frequencies) in a track. Your mixer’s EQ knobs are your best friends!
Example: Cutting the mids and highs of one track while boosting the bass of another creates a smoother blend.
Why It Matters: EQing ensures tracks don’t clash sonically and keeps the vibe flowing.

Serato & Rekordbox

What They Are: These are popular DJ software platforms. They’re your virtual crates, decks, and tools for seamless DJing.
Pro Tip: Knowing your software inside-out allows you to unlock advanced techniques like hot cues, effects, and performance pads.

Scratching

What It Is: A technique where you manually move a vinyl record back and forth on a turntable while manipulating the crossfader for rhythm and effect.
Example: Think iconic hip-hop DJs like Grandmaster Flash taking scratching to an art form.
Why It’s Cool: Even in digital DJing, scratching lends a unique, old-school feel to your sets.