Try a BEATCAMP Mission

What it is: The song list. This is where you pick music to load onto a deck.

Why DJs use it: DJs don’t “random shuffle.” They build a vibe on purpose.

Try this: Click 3 songs. Which one feels like an “intro”? Which one feels like a “dance floor” moment?

What it is: Two places to play music, like two players: left and right.

Why DJs use it: One deck plays “right now” while the other gets “next” ready.

Try this: Load a song on A and a different song on B. Don’t press play yet. Just notice you have options.

What it is: LOAD puts your chosen song onto the deck. UNLOAD removes it.

Why DJs use it: DJs prep the next song before the moment they need it, so mixes feel smooth.

Try this: Load a song, play 5 seconds, pause, unload it, then load a new song. That’s DJ prep.

What it is: PLAY starts the music. PAUSE stops it.

Why DJs use it: DJs start songs at the right moment, stop mistakes, and practice timing.

Try this: Press play and count “1,2,3,4.” Pause right after “4.” Press play again. Can you find the beat fast?

What it is: A “go back to my starting point” button.

Why DJs use it: If you start at the wrong time, CUE helps you reset fast (no panic).

Try this: Play for 3 seconds, then hit CUE. Press play again. Notice how you can restart like a pro.

What it is: The loudness control for that deck.

Why DJs use it: DJs protect ears, avoid surprise blasts, and keep mixes balanced.

Try this: Start at zero and raise volume slowly to comfy headphone level. Now lower it slightly without stopping the song.

What it is: EQ is 3 knobs that control sound “zones.”

• LOW = bass (boom / thump)
• MID = vocals + body
• HI = sparkle (tsss sounds)

Why DJs use it: When two songs play together, their bass can fight. EQ makes space so it sounds clean.

Try this: While a song plays, turn LOW down a little, then back to the middle. Hear the bass disappear and return?

What it is: A slider that changes the song’s speed (BPM).

Why DJs use it: Beatmatching is mostly “getting two songs to run at the same speed.” Tempo is the main tool.

Try this: Move tempo a tiny bit faster. Listen for 5 seconds. Put it back. Tiny moves are real DJ moves.

What it is: BPM tells you how fast a song is. Like a speedometer for music.

Why DJs use it: Songs with similar BPM are easier to mix because their beats line up.

Try this: Find two songs with close BPM numbers. That’s a “friendly mix pair.”

What it is: A helper button that matches BPM so both songs run the same speed.

Why DJs use it: DJs use SYNC to focus on song choice, EQ, timing, and smooth fades.

Try this: Load two songs with different BPM. Press SYNC. Watch what changes, then listen for the beats getting closer.

What it is: Key is the song’s “musical home.” Some keys sound nice together, some argue.

Why DJs use it: Matching keys can make mixes sound smoother when there are lots of melodies or vocals.

Try this: Mix two songs. If it sounds “off,” try a different song or try KEY SYNC.

What it is: A slider that chooses what you hear: left = Deck A, right = Deck B, middle = both.

Why DJs use it: It’s the “transition lever.” Smooth moves = smooth mixes.

Try this: Start Deck A. Start Deck B quietly. Move the crossfader slowly toward B like you’re pouring one song into the other.

What it is: A selector that changes the pad “job” like Hot Cues, Loops, Samples, or FX.

Why DJs use it: Pads are like a multi-tool. Same buttons, different powers.

Try this: Pick one mode, press a pad, then switch modes and press the same pad again. Notice how it changes.

What it is: Saved jump points. Like “teleport buttons” to different parts of the song.

Why DJs use it: DJs use cues to start at the best beat, jump to a chorus, or recover quickly.

Try this: Set one hot cue near the start and one near a louder part. Jump between them.

What it is: A repeating slice of the song (often 1, 2, 4, or 8 beats).

Why DJs use it: Loops buy time so you can do a clean transition without rushing.

Try this: Turn on a short loop and count “1,2,3,4.” Turn it off exactly after a “4.”

What it is: Short sound clips you can trigger with pads.

Why DJs use it: To add personality and fun. Like sprinkles, not the whole ice cream.

Try this: Tap a sample on every 4th beat. If it gets chaotic, slow it down and try again.

What it is: Special sound changes like echo or filter (muffled/bright).

Why DJs use it: FX can smooth transitions or highlight a moment (like “here comes the drop!”).

Try this: Turn on ONE effect for 2 seconds, then turn it off. DJ rule: small bites.

What it is: A moving “sound drawing.” Bigger shapes usually mean louder parts.

Why DJs use it: It helps you see what’s coming: quiet intro, big chorus, or a drop.

Try this: Watch the waveform and predict the “big moment” before you hear it.