The definition of DJing has changed drastically in the last decade. As technology continues to evolve, laptops, controllers, and software have emerged alongside traditional turntables and CDJs, smashing the barrier to entry and expanding creative possibilities. Whether you’re a novice looking to learn DJing from the ground up, an experienced DJ wanting to master Traktor, a producer aiming to bring your productions to the stage, or a performer wanting to add a DJ element to your set, this course is designed for you. In this course, not only will you explore the full creative potential of the Traktor Pro software from Native Instrument, but you will also learn the concepts and techniques of the modern DJ.
In the early lessons we will study Traktor’s intuitive interface and get up and running with playing and mixing songs. We’ll study the history of DJing while covering the fundamentals, including beatmatching, dropping on the one, and EQing. We’ll also dive into Traktor’s powerful features like Cue Points, Looping, Beatgridding, and the ever-so-controversial topic of Syncing.
Later in the course, we’ll blast off and learn advanced techniques, such as four-deck DJing, effects combinations, remix decks, stems, MIDI Mapping, Harmonic Mixing, BeatJumping, and even Ableton Link.
Throughout the course, you’ll record your work and build your portfolio of original DJ mixes, all while learning the nuts and bolts of Traktor. With technical and musical guidance from your instructor, you’ll gain the confidence to perform, experiment, and refine your craft—no matter your preferred musical style. By the end of the course, you’ll have developed a solid DJ skill set and a unique style that reflects your artistic identity.
By the end of the course, you’ll be able to:
- Navigate Traktor’s interface and customize the software’s settings for various DJing styles, recording, and performance needs
- Execute multiple popular DJing skills, such as beatmatching, phrase mixing, and incorporating EQs and filters to create seamless transitions within your mixes
- Use advanced features such as BeatJump and Flux mode
- Set up and troubleshoot DJ equipment configurations, including inputs, outputs, and audio settings, for recording and live performances
- Summarize the history and evolution of DJing, identifying key milestones and their impact on modern DJ techniques
- Develop a personal DJ style and performance repertoire
- Market yourself as an artist and establish professional relationships with key people in the industry, such as agents and promoters
Syllabus
Lesson 1: Welcome to the World of Traktor
- Traktor Pro Software Installation and Overview
- Traktor Kontrol S4 Overview
- Getting Music
- Importing Your Music
- Audio Quality
- Working with iTunes
- Analyzing and Organizing Your Music
- Traktor's Browser and Creating Playlists
- Collection and File Management
Lesson 2: Let There Be Music
- Hit the Decks
- Get in the Mix
- Why Is There No Sound?
- Keyboard Shortcuts
- Searching and Customizing the Browser
- The Theory of DJing
- Playing Songs: Scratching, Scrubbing, and Cueing
- Record Everything
- Adjusting Levels
- Exporting Playlists
Lesson 3: The Fundamentals: DJ 101
- Dropping on the 1
- Manual Beatmatching
- Counting Beats, Bars, and Phrases
- How to Listen to Songs
- Using Your Headphones
- Pushing and Pulling
- Tempo Bending
- Halfway Method
- BPM Mixing
- Blending and Fading
Lesson 4: The Fundamentals Part 2: DJ 202
- Song Structure
- Unlock the Magic with Phrase Mixing
- Beat Counter
- Cue Points: Your Traktor Roadmap
- Working with Hotcues
- Types of Cue Points
- Snap and Quantize Mode
- Drop Cuts and Spinbacks
Lesson 5: Cut the Midrange, Drop the Bass
- EQ - Low/Bassline Swaps
- EQ - Mids and Highs
- History of the DJ Mixer
- EQ - Kill Switches
- EQing in the Mix
- Filters All Day
Lesson 6: Beatgrids, Syncing, and Looping
- Beatgrids: the Backbone of Traktor
- Sync or Swim?
- BeatJump and Deck Duplicating
- Beat Juggling
- Let’s Get Loopy!
- Flux Mode, Baby!
- Visual Mixing with the Phase Meter
- Mastering the Master Clock
Lesson 7: Organize Your Music Life
- Opener, Groover, Banger
- Smart Playlists in iTunes
- Making Custom Layouts
- Organizing Your Music
- Color Coding and Rating Your Tracks
- Making Playlists with a Purpose
- Cruise Mode: Traktor’s Auto Pilot
Lesson 8: Special FX
- Introduction to Effects
- Effects: Group FX
- Effects: Single FX
- Effects: Chained FX
- Effects: Saving Snapshots
- Jog Wheel FX and Filters
- FX: LFO, Flux, Pulse, Macro, and Distortion
- Send Effects
Lesson 9: Harmonic Mixing, Four-Deck DJing, and Remix Decks
- Harmonic Mixing is Key
- Mixed In Key and The Camelot Wheel
- Harmonic Mixing in Traktor: Open Key
- Key Lock and Key Knob
- Key Compatibilities and Modulations
- Four Decks or Go Home
- F1 Controller Overview
- Playing with the Remix Decks
- Building Remix Sets
Lesson 10: Stems and Remix Decks
- Playing with Stems
- Making Stems
- Mastering Stems
- Loop Recorder
- Get Stepping with the Step Sequencer
Lesson 11: MIDI Monsters
- Let’s Get Mapping
- Keyboard Mappings
- Controller Mappings
- Controller Editor and Controller Manager
- Let There Be Lights!
- Macros for Breakfast
- MIDI Modifiers
- Creating Custom MIDI Mappings
- Ableton Link: Syncing Traktor, Maschine, and Ableton Live
- Syncing Two Traktor Systems
Lesson 12: Let’s Go PRO!
- The Dance Floor and Set Building
- DJ Etiquette
- How to Be an Opening DJ
- Making a Demo and Self Promotion
- How to Edit and Master a DJ Mix
- Getting Gigs
- Getting an Agent or Manager
Requirements
Prerequisites and Course-Specific Requirements
Prerequisite Courses, Knowledge, and/or Skills
This course does not have any prerequisites, however students may benefit from taking Composing and Producing Electronic Music 1, Ableton Live Fundamentals, and/or Remixing.
Software
- Traktor Pro 2, 3, or 4 (discount available after enrolling)
- Note: Included with certain Traktor DJ controllers, such as the Kontrol S4.
- Note: Traktor 4 requires macOS 12 or above.
- Mixed In Key (provided for free during the course in the relevant lesson)
Hardware
- DJ controller that integrates with your version of Traktor Pro. Please note:
- The Traktor Kontrol S4 (mk2 or mk3) is strongly recommended to fulfill this requirement, as it is used in demonstrations throughout the course. The S4 includes the required Traktor Pro software.
- In addition to the S4, the Traktor Kontrol F1 is also recommended, as it is also used extensively in later lessons.
- A discount on Traktor Kontrol hardware is available after enrolling in the course.
- Over-ear studio headphones, such as Audio-Technica ATH-M20x, Philips SHP9500, or better
Student Deals
After enrolling, be sure to check out our Student Deals page for various offers on software, hardware, and more. Please contact support@online.berklee.edu with any questions.
General Course Requirements
Below are the minimum requirements to access the course environment and participate in Live Classes. Please make sure to also check the Prerequisites and Course-Specific Requirements section above, and ensure your computer meets or exceeds the minimum system requirements for all software needed for your course.
Mac Users
PC Users
All Users
- Latest version of Google Chrome
- Zoom meeting software
- Webcam
- Speakers or headphones
- External or internal microphone
- Broadband Internet connection
Instructors
Author & Instructor
Mike Henderson is known to many as ENDO, a DJ who has no problem holding down a 12-hour set. But he’s also the guy who created the most widely-used Maschine mapping for Traktor Pro. Currently the tour manager for Dubfire, he’s also acted as tour manager for Pete Tong, Deep Dish, Sasha, Felix Da Housecat, and many other top DJs. He's a certified Native Specialist for Native Instruments, the founder of the DJ booking app AGNT, and MIDI Monsters, where he sells his custom Traktor mappings.
ENDO has unleashed his patented brand of harmonic mixing at events across the globe: Pacha, Marquee, and Cielo in New York, Sound in Los Angeles, Guvernment and Coda in Toronto, Stereo in Montreal, Spybar in Chicago, Heart in Miami, Sands in Ibiza, Club Vertigo in Costa Rica, as well as BPM Festival in Mexico and Electric Festival in Aruba. He has played alongside John Digweed, DJ Craze, Roc Raida, Victor Calderone, Danny Tenaglia, Carl Cox, Chus & Ceballos, Eric Prydz, to name just a few.
He studied at Berklee College of Music as an Electronic Music Production and Music Synthesis major with drum set as his principal instrument. After this, ENDO created and hosted a radio show at Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s college station, 88.1 WMBR FM called “Algorhythms.” Here, he broke new ground both musically and technologically with the latest DJ gear. For his final project at Berklee, ENDO put together an exhaustive DVD tutorial for Native Instruments’ Traktor and in the process, created a new harmonic mixing system for DJs working with vinyl. From here ENDO went on to work with Native Instruments as a DJ product specialist and artist trainer. He is also one of the few people who can say they taught Grandmaster Flash how to use Traktor. Read Less
What's Next?
When taken for credit, Learn to DJ with Traktor can be applied towards the completion of these related programs:
Related Certificate Programs
Related Degree Majors
Related Music Career Role
Employers look for skills learned in this course, when hiring for the following music career role:
Questions?
Contact our Academic Advisors by phone at 1-866-BERKLEE (U.S.), 1-617-747-2146 (INT'L), or by email at advisors@online.berklee.edu.
