DJ TERMS AND JARGON

DJ Jargon, DJ Dictionary, DJ Terms, DJ Terminology, DJ Glossary.

This list of terms is not supposed to be exhaustive or complete, please feel free to message me with a comment if there is something you want defined or explained. Wherever I have noticed that I have had to explain a term by using a term that is also in the glossary I have put the term in “inverted commas.”

The list is alphabetical so scroll down to find what you are looking for.

Balancing Levels – this is a technique professional DJs use to make sure they get their music as loud as possible without it distorting or sounding rubbish. If you don’t know how to do this, the “sound manager” at a venue will have to turn you down in case you damage the “sound system”. Sometimes this is known as sorting the “Gain Structure”.

Bar – in dance music a bar is 4 “beats”.

Bass – The lower end of the Frequency range you can normally control on a dj mixer.

Bassline – The driving force to most dance music. Produced by Bass frequencies.

Beat – if you nod your head to music you are nodding to the beat, if you count 4 nods at a time you are counting 4 beats to a “bar”. The beat is also called the “pulse”

Beat match – set the “tempo/speed/pitch” of two songs and play them so they are at exactly the same speed and time, making them sound like just one song.

“BOOTLEG” – this term comes from the days pirates used to smuggle illegal items in their wooden legs. It means the copy of a song is illegal or pirate. Also see “original mix” “Remix” “Re-master” “edit” “radio edit” “bootleg” “re-rub” “White-label” and “Mash-up” – The Biggest issue with all these terms is that they have often been used by fashions or scenes to imply more than what they were originally. This has led to confusion as some producers now release their own mashups which are actually re-edits, or remixes which are actually mash-ups etc. The term bootleg can now mean any edit or remix of anything but originally was only used to describe illegal copies. Language evolves, especially amongst current fashions and trends. This list is not trying to say what things are, we just want to give some basis from which  people can choose how they use language.

BPM – stands for beats per minute. If you nod your head or tap your foot to music you are following the “beat”. If you count how many nods or taps you do in a minute you have calculated the BPM.

Break – 1) a bit of a song which sounds great and could maybe be used as a sample to make a new “hook” or “riff” with. 2) A change in a song where one or more instruments stops playing. 3) A change in a song where one instrument does something different eg a drum fill.

A break is distinguishable from a solo as the change will normally not last too long.

Breakdown – a bit of a song where things change and some instruments stop to let the bass and drums take over.

CD – a format of disc that contains music.

Chorus – the bit of a song that is repeated by the singer a few times in the song.

Copyright – the legal proof that someone wrote the song you are using and that you should not copy, lend or borrow bits of their work without asking and/or paying them first.

Controller – “USB Controllers” are hardware units which utilise “DJ Software” on PC or MAC computers. USB Controllers should have all the controls a DJ may want. Some of the best controllers also provide audio out for a computer, Some controllers act ad DJ “mixers” and allow other CD or Vinyl “decks” to be included. There are also USB Controllers which act as midi controllers over other elements of DJ Software. Big players in the Controller market are: Pioneer, Vestax, Numark, and most other hardward manufacturers. Big players inDJ software include: Traktor, Serato, ITCH and others.

Controllerist – A DJ who uses a “USB Controller” to make their own music by scratching, juggling, sampling etc instead of just playing the songs. See also “Turntablism” but note that as controllerists have many more functions at their disposal the sound of controllerism is often much more dominated by cue point juggling than scratching. That said good controllers have platters which can also recreate the sound of real scratching.

Cross-fader – fades between two songs with just one hand.

Cue -1) to prepare a song to be played. Normally a Dj chooses a point from which to begin a tune that is the beginning of the first beat of the first bar, or occasionally the beginning of the audio if these are not the same. More experienced DJs get creative by cueing from anywhere 2) to cue up can also be used to describe the action of setting an audio path so you can hear something in your headphones 3) on a CDJ, DVS or Controller deck the cue button is used to stutter the beginning of a song or to set a “cue point” which is where the song will begin to play from 4)On some DJ mixers the cue button for a channel will select that channel to be played through the headphones.

Cut – to swap instantly from one tune to another at a good place.

Deck – Player of CDs or vinyl records. Sometimes called a “turntable”.

Digital Vinyl System – Also known as DVS a digital vinyl system contains DJ software running on a computer which plays back music contained on the computer but which is controlled by using either “CD” or “Vinyl” “decks”.

DJ Software – Working with “Digital Vinyl Systems” or “USB Controllers” DJ Software uses the processers on Computers to play and manipulate sounds. Some DJ Software is intended to act alone without any “CD” or “Vinyl” players at all.

Drop – A part of a (normally) EDM song where  the main “Riff” or “Hook” begins. Often dominated by”bass” noise and drums. Before a drop there is often a quieter “break” where instruments rest, and/or a build up or crescendo that leads into the “drop”. Many DJs mix new songs up to their drop and simultaneously cut out the previous song.

Echo – a type of FX.

“EDIT” is generally used to mean the activity of altering any audio or video, also used  for a version of a song where parts of the song may have been removed, extended, looped or otherwise altered, but without the addition of any new musical elements. Also see “original mix” “Remix” “Re-master” “edit” “radio edit” “bootleg” “re-rub” “White-label” and “Mash-up” – The Biggest issue with all these terms is that they have often been used by fashions or scenes to imply more than what they were originally. This has led to confusion as some producers now release their own mashups which are actually re-edits, or remixes which are actually mash-ups etc. The term bootleg can now mean any edit or remix of anything but originally was only used to describe illegal copies. Language evolves, especially amongst current fashions and trends. This list is not trying to say what things are, we just want to give some basis from which people can choose how they use language.

EQ – controls that let you affect different frequencies of sound on your songs. On DJ mixers these are normally “HI/High/Treble/Top”, “Mid” and “Bass/Low”

Fade -turn volume up or down so song begins or ends smoothly.

Fader- the fader is the controller we use to “fade” a song. It can either increase or decrease volume smoothly.

Filter – a type of FX.

FX – controls that let you do all kinds of things to the sound of your songs.

Gain – a control which can be used to boost or cut volume levels. This is different to the fader as it has much more power and is normally set using headphones and warning lights before you play any sound through your speakers.

Gain Structure – this is a technique professional DJs use to make sure they get their music as loud as possible without it distorting or sounding rubbish. If you don’t know how to do this, the “sound manager” at a venue will have to turn you down in case you damage the “sound system”. Sometimes this is known as “Balancing Levels”.

Headphone Monitor – a control on a DJ mixer for choosing which channels sound is heard from in the headphones. Sometimes this is called the “Headphone Selector”.

Headphone Selector – a control on a DJ mixer for choosing which channels sound is heard from in the headphones. Sometimes this is called the “Headphone Monitor”.

Hi – HI/High/Treble/Top

High – HI/High/Treble/Top

Hook – the recognisable bit of a song you remember, hum, sing along to.

Intro – the beginning bit of a tune before all the instruments, riff or hook have really started.

Juggle – a technique used by turntablists to rearrange musical samples to sound like something new. This requires two copies of the same songs and lots of skill, or two different songs, lots of skill and incredible creativity. For examples of juggling search youtube for “DMC Champions”

Line – line level is all CD players, MP3 players, TVs, DVDs etc. Be sure you put the cable from a line level device into a line level input on your DJ mixer.

Line Fader –  a control on a DJ mixer used to vary the volume of a channel. A DJ would use the Line Fader on Channel 1 to (for example) fade up the volume of the song on channel 1. They could then use the Line Fader on Channel 2 to fade out the song playing on Channel 2. Line faders can also be used very creatively while mixing to create “drop-ins”. It is also utilised in various “scratches”.

Loop – any bit of a record that you repeat. CD decks have buttons which let you set any part of the song to loop. A good loop can become the basic beat or riff of a whole new song.

Low – The bottom end of the frequency range usually controllable by the “EQ” controls on a DJ mixer. This is also called “Bass” and is where you will hear the kick drum and Bassline.

“Mash-up” – Generally means a piece of music made by using two or more other recordings, thus not a “remix” as that is only one piece of recorded music with other musical things added to it, and not a re-edit as that would be only one song edited but without anything added to it. Also see “original mix” “Remix” “Re-master” “edit” “radio edit” “bootleg” “re-rub” “White-label” and “Mash-up” – The Biggest issue with all these terms is that they have often been used by fashions or scenes to imply more than what they were originally. This has led to confusion as some producers now release their own mashups which are actually re-edits, or remixes which are actually mash-ups etc. The term bootleg can now mean any edit or remix of anything but originally was only used to describe illegal copies. Language evolves, especially amongst current fashions and trends. This list is not trying to say what things are, we just want to give some basis from which  people can choose how they use language.

Mid – the middle part of the frequency range usually controllable by DJ mixers “EQ” controls. If you only hear the Mid range thinks sound a little like you are under water.

Middle-8 – part of a song that lasts 8 beats which is different to the rest of the song, sometimes called a break.

Mix – any way you choose to swap between two songs.

Mixer – piece of equipment which mixes the music from two decks as the DJ requires.

MP3 – a lower quality digital format for music. Downloaded music often comes in MP3 format which you can burn to your own CDs. 128 Kbps MP3 is the lowest quality you should use.

Outro – the end of a song, often the same few words being faded out.

“Original mix” – This is the original version of a song as composed and produced by the artist. Also see “original mix” “Remix” “Re-master” “edit” “radio edit” “bootleg” “re-rub” “White-label” and “Mash-up” – The Biggest issue with all these terms is that they have often been used by fashions or scenes to imply more than what they were originally. This has led to confusion as some producers now release their own mashups which are actually re-edits, or remixes which are actually mash-ups etc. The term bootleg can now mean any edit or remix of anything but originally was only used to describe illegal copies. Language evolves, especially amongst current fashions and trends. This list is not trying to say what things are, we just want to give some basis from which  people can choose how they use language.

P.A. (System) – Another word for a “sound sytsem” the initials P.A. used to mean Personal Address but also get confused with Power Amplifier. So P.A. actually means Personal Address System. P.A. became the recognised nickname for all kinds of “sound reinforcement” equipment. A portable P.A. can be simply two speakers with internal amps while a P.A. (not prefixed with the word “portable”) normally means a larger “sound system” which will require a professional “Sound man” or “Sound Engineer” to set it up and control it.

‘Phones – nickname for headphones

Phono – phono level relates only to vinyl decks – be sure to put the cable from any vinyl player into a phono input on your DJ mixer.

Phono Cable- also called RCA, the industry standard cable for DJ and home hifi equipment.

Phrase – any bit of music you can hear repeating during a song, normally each instrument has its own phrase, the drums do a beat, the bass does a bass line etc. Each repeats the same thing during the chorus or verse but may change in the break/middle-8.

Pitch – sometimes confused with speed or tempo, the pitch of music is actually the frequency of the waveform which enables us to hear music. The pitch of a sound defines it’s note. A high pitch is a high note (the “chipmunk” vocal sound- effect is achieved by increasing pitch to very high levels). A low pitch is a low or bass note. On old record players if you increased speed or tempo you always increased pitch too so the speed control was called the “Pitch Fader”. Modern CD decks can alter speed without changing pitch but still sometimes call the tempo/speed adjuster the “Pitch Fader” because of the way it used to work.

Pitch Fader – the control used to alter the speed or tempo of music. See also “Pitch”

Pulse – same as “beat.”

“RADIO EDIT” – is normally the version of a song made specifically for radio play, i.e. any explicit language has been bleeped or otherwise edited out and the whole song has probably been reduced to approximately 3 minutes in length. Also see “original mix” “Remix” “Re-master” “edit” “radio edit” “bootleg” “re-rub” “White-label” and “Mash-up” – The Biggest issue with all these terms is that they have often been used by fashions or scenes to imply more than what they were originally. This has led to confusion as some producers now release their own mashups which are actually re-edits, or remixes which are actually mash-ups etc. The term bootleg can now mean any edit or remix of anything but originally was only used to describe illegal copies. Language evolves, especially amongst current fashions and trends. This list is not trying to say what things are, we just want to give some basis from which people can choose how they use language.

“REMIX” – This is a version of a song which uses some of the original parts of the song but may have other musical elements to it. “remixes” can be done by the original artist or other artists. Often a dance music release will have several remixes done in various styles to suit different audiences. Also see “original mix” “Remix” “Re-master” “edit” “radio edit” “bootleg” “re-rub” “White-label” and “Mash-up” – The Biggest issue with all these terms is that they have often been used by fashions or scenes to imply more than what they were originally. This has led to confusion as some producers now release their own mashups which are actually re-edits, or remixes which are actually mash-ups etc. The term bootleg can now mean any edit or remix of anything but originally was only used to describe illegal copies. Language evolves, especially amongst current fashions and trends. This list is not trying to say what things are, we just want to give some basis from which people can choose how they use language.

“Re-master” – Normally used to describe an old song which has had some up to date sound production techniques used to brighten up and add depth to recordings made on old technology. You would not expect a re-master to have any additional elements or pets on it. It should be the same as the original with just up to date sound processing. Also see “original mix” “Remix” “Re-master” “edit” “radio edit” “bootleg” “re-rub” “White-label” and “Mash-up” – The Biggest issue with all these terms is that they have often been used by fashions or scenes to imply more than what they were originally. This has led to confusion as some producers now release their own mashups which are actually re-edits, or remixes which are actually mash-ups etc. The term bootleg can now mean any edit or remix of anything but originally was only used to describe illegal copies. Language evolves, especially amongst current fashions and trends. This list is not trying to say what things are, we just want to give some basis from which  people can choose how they use language.

“re-rub” – Similar to an edit, often with some kind of mastering so the sound quality is improved. Sometimes with additional elements. Also see “original mix” “Remix” “Re-master” “edit” “radio edit” “bootleg” “re-rub” “White-label” and “Mash-up” – The Biggest issue with all these terms is that they have often been used by fashions or scenes to imply more than what they were originally. This has led to confusion as some producers now release their own mashups which are actually re-edits, or remixes which are actually mash-ups etc. The term bootleg can now mean any edit or remix of anything but originally was only used to describe illegal copies. Language evolves, especially amongst current fashions and trends. This list is not trying to say what things are, we just want to give some basis from which  people can choose how they use language.

Requests – the public and the people dancing at clubs or parties may often request a song from the DJ. It depends what type of request it is, what type of party it is, and what type of DJ you are whether you play it or not.

Rewind – spinning the song back to the beginning to play it again because the crowd liked it.

Riff – the recognisable bit of a song you remember, hum, sing along to.

Sample – any bit of music used to make new music, often a break or stab.

Scratch – move the disc back and forth with your hand to alter the music, normally done with another song playing as a background. Scratch techniques can also use two hands with the second hand using the “cross-fader” to “transform” the scratch sound.

Scribbling – a basic scratch technique where you just move back and forward around a sound – experiment, you may find you like it!

Set – A DJs “set” is the selection of songs he or she plays during a performance. A good “set” takes listeners on a musical journey, through several different moods, hopefully climaxing one or more times. The “set” also refers to the selection of records a DJ plans to play, i.e. a DJ can plan a “Set” but then during a performance he or she may change the order of songs in their “set” or change songs entirely to suit the mood of the crowd. Unless you are playing to a stadium of people who expect you to deliver exactly what they expect a “Set” should never really be decided before a performance as this would leave no room to react to the crowd.

Song – a track or tune.

Sound Desk – An external array of faders and controls for the audio signals being generated by instruments on a stage or in a studio. DJ mixers are all “Sound Desks” but with the outstanding addition of a “crossfader”.

Sound Engineer – A qualified and/or extremely experienced self-taught professional who manages the “Sound System.” The term sound engineer is also applied to the person who uses a “Sound Desk” to mix the signals coming from a band on stage or during a studio recording.

Sound Manager – Another name for a sound engineer. Although instances may occur where a sound manager runs the system and a sound engineer runs the desk.

Sound Reinforcement – The term given to all the processes which are needed to amplify sound for projection at events. Sound reinforcement will require a “sound system” or “P.A.”

Sound System – The amplifiers, speakers, outboard units and crossovers that together create the sound in clubs and venues. Not in anyway like a home HiFi or a portable P.A. The Sound System requires a “Sound Engineer” to correctly use it.

Speed – also called tempo or sometimes pitch. This is the speed a song is playing in, it is measured in BPM.

Spinback – spinning the disc backwards to finish a mix with a flourish!

Stab – a short sound used as a sample, normally for scratching.

Stem – Stems are individual parts of music productions – usually created or recorded at different times into a multi track recorder or Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). Stems used to be privately shared between producers so individuals could do “remixes”, “mashups” etc from the original source recordings of a song – rather than having to “bootleg” or copy the original illegally. In 2015 “Stem mixing” has become available to DJs live via several software systems – unlike the old use of the word these “stems” have been individually mastered to release quality sound rather than left until the final production stages of mastering, this enables live DJs to isolate individual parts of songs and use only what they want to create remixes on the fly. Certain producers are now releasing their latest work in “stem format” meaning they are allowing and encouraging other DJs to remix their work rather than use the original arrangement.

Stutter – using scratching on vinyl decks or the cue button on CD decks to rapidly repeat a sound like a drum roll or a voice.

Tempo – also called speed and sometimes called pitch. This is the speed a song is playing in, it is measured in BPM.

Tears –  A “Scratch” Technique involving pulling and pushing a sound while altering the speed of the pull or push by hand during the scratch.

Tip – when beginning to learn how to scratch try to use just the tip of a sound to get used to how little you should move when scribbling.

Top – HI/High/Treble/Top. Also used to describe something good 

Track – a song or tune on a CD.

Transform – A “scratch” technique which uses the cross-fader the turn on and off the audio signal from a deck during “scratching”.

Treble – HI/High/Treble/Top. The upper part of the frequency range which is controllable by DJ mixers. This range normally contains hi hats, shakers and some parts of voices.

Trim – another word for Gain.

Tune – a track or song.

Turntable – a “deck.”

Turntablism – using records or CDs to make your own music by scratching, juggling, sampling etc instead of just playing the songs.

USB – A standard port on computers which can be used to attach music production or DJ Controllers to a Computer.

Verse – the bit of a song where the singer/ rapper sings the main part of the song.

Vinyl – A format of disc that contains music for playback.

WAV – a high quality digital format for music on CDs, all bought CDs have WAV quality sound.

“White-label” – Comes from the days when vinyl test pressings were made without labels as promotional tools – DJs would play songs that were so new they still only had white labels. If these songs were good dancers would come and ask what the new song was, but only the DJ would know and it would be up to the DJ what he/she told the dancer. Fools who didn’t know what they were looking at assumed that being called a “white label” was something cool. Also see “original mix” “Remix” “Re-master” “edit” “radio edit” “bootleg” “re-rub” “White-label” and “Mash-up” – The Biggest issue with all these terms is that they have often been used by fashions or scenes to imply more than what they were originally. This has led to confusion as some producers now release their own mashups which are actually re-edits, or remixes which are actually mash-ups etc. The term bootleg can now mean any edit or remix of anything but originally was only used to describe illegal copies. Language evolves, especially amongst current fashions and trends.

This list is not trying to say what things are, we just want to give some basis from which  people can choose how they use language.