course - structure (midi and music production)

WEEK 1.	Intro to MIDI and how it can be applied to a basic home studio. Common home studio set up (eg. wiring, patching, hardware, software) Recommended hardware and software for your personal needs. Sound properties explained for recording and insulation.
WEEK 2.	Basic understanding of multi tracking. sequencers explained. Setting up the midi sequencer and patching instruments. intro to interface of commonly used software. The fundamental features of all sequencing software. Plug Ins vs external instruments. Importance of CPU usage on different applications.
WEEK 3.	Sampling concepts and methods explained. internal sampling opposed to external. Manipulating the sampled sound. loops and time stretching.
WEEK 4.	Composition notations and harmonies. Quantisation Live sound vs Quantised sound. External and internal Effects explained.
WEEK 5.	Arrangement of the compositions and samples. Layering sounds and overdubs. common arrangements of different genres. working 1 on 1 with each student for their final arrangement.
WEEK 6.	Mastering. Mixing down your arranged piece. recording of Levels, eq's, and effects. compression.
WEEK 7.	Copyright laws. Legalities concerning sampling. Protecting your Interlectual property. APRA and it's role in the industry.
WEEK 8.	Pros and Cons of Major record companies Tips before approaching Record Companies. maintaining your style and direction of your music and balancing with the record company's marketing strategies. Commonly used contracts and deals by the Majors.
WEEK 9.	Setting up your own Record label. Business fundamentals. Business laws and contracts. Vinyl pressing and CD Manufacturing. Distribution deals. Marketing your product and networking essentials. The money flow chart from the artist to the consumer.
WEEK 10.	Final written test. Demonstration of all studet's pieces, Marked by a panel of establihed producers.

c o u r s e - s t r u c t u r e (advanced)

WEEK 1.	Perfecting the Mix. Pitch control (Fine Tuning). Extending the mix. Fade in/out Techniques. Chopping the mix. Mapping out the mix (Preplanning). Energy Levels. Mixing with different styles of music.
WEEK 2.	Multiple Turntable / CD Mixing. Equipment requirments. Creative thinking. live showcases. Music selection.
WEEK 3.	Scratching and Tricks. Extensive training in scratching. Setting the turntable and cartridge. Crossfader techniques (eg. Transforms, Flairs, Crabs, Jabs.)
WEEK 4.	Turntablism. Beat Juggling. Stage presentation. Making melodies with the scratch. other battling techniques.
WEEK 5.	Interactive DJing. Back to back team playing. using multiple turntables. Working with other DJ's.
WEEK 6.	Sampling and Remixing. Using samples and acapellas in between the mix. Loops and creative overlaying. Studio hardware and software. Studio wiring and midi. Tour to a major studio
WEEK 7.	Self Promotion. Creating a unique style. Networking. Identifying and programming to diverse crowds. Being selective with promoters. Sourcing music. Record pools. Marketing yourself and contracts. Promoting you own night. Sponsorships
WEEK 8.	Final Test. Students are required to complete a demo CD A promo pack and personal web site will be created for each student. Final test at a Night Club (15 Minute set).

c o u r s e - s t r u c t u r e (comprehensive club course)

WEEK 1	Knowledge of equipment and parts. Turntables, CD Players, Mixers, Mics, Headphones. Home Setup vs Club Setup. Wiring process, signal flow, etc.
WEEK 2	P.A Systems Powering up and down. Leads, Connectors, Insulators. Setting of EQs and acoustics for live venues. Basic Knowledge on lighting consoles and software
WEEK 3	Intro to basic music structure. Counting bars to apply the mix. Beats Per Minute. Cueing. Record handling techniques
WEEK 4	Ear training. Applying the pitch control. Handling records in the mix
WEEK 5	Intros and outros. Release points. Mapping out the mix. Applying Eq’s and effects
WEEK 6	Cut Mixing/ Smooth Mixing. Programming. Working in club environment. Summary. Final Test.

c o u r s e - s t r u c t u r e (comprehensive)

WEEK 1-2	Equipment and Music Structure. The wiring process and hooking it all up. Learn how to handle the equipment. Basic knowledge on how the turntable works. Common tragedies and how to deal with it. Basic music structure. Counting bars and predicting breaks. B.P.M. (Beats per minute.)
WEEK 3-4	The Beat Mix. Using the headphones Ear training. Pitch control Keeping the mix going. Ending the mix. Programming.
WEEK 5-6	The Beat Mix (cont.) & CD Mixing. Mixing In key Smooth mixing / cut mix. Mixing techniques and transitions. Breaking down the mix. Choosing the right records. Introduction to CD mixing.
WEEK 7-8	Scratching and Tricks. Setting the turntable and cartridge. Extensive training in scratching. Various scratches explained (Transforms, Flares, Crabs, etc.) Sample selection. Alternating/ Beat Juggling.
WEEK 9-10	Sampling and Remixing. Sampling mixers and equipment. Using the sampler in between the mix. Loops and time stretching. Basic studio concepts. Understanding how the record industry works. Tour to a major studio.(optional) Tour to a radio station.(optional)
WEEK 11-12	Marketing & Promotion. Self Promotion. Promoting Clubs/ Parties. Essential business aspects. Putting it all together. Final Test Preparation.

c o u r s e - s t r u c t u r e (introductory)

WEEK 1 - Saturday	DJ Equipment explained Audio leads and signal flow Parts identification Equipment handling
WEEK 1 - Saturday Afternoon	Basic music structure Counting bars and predicting breaks Cueing and releasing
WEEK 1 - Sunday	Ear Training Evaluating tempo differences Applying the pitch control
WEEK 1 - Sunday Afternoon	Counting BPM (Beats Per Minute) Utilising BPM in a set
WEEK 1 - Mid Week	Student Assignments Personal Practice time
WEEK 2 - Saturday	Revision and Assesments Utilising the EQ Smooth mixing/ Cut mixing
WEEK 2 - Saturday Afternoon	Mixing techniques and transitions Programming and energy levels
WEEK 2 - Sunday	Loops and effects Basic scratch techniques
WEEK 2 - Sunday Afternoon	Turntable tricks Basic Beat Juggling Putting it all together Final Test

DJ Revolution

Click on pic to preview his previous lecture in Real Video

Back in Oz to promote his new mix album "Class of 85", DJ Revolution performed at Oiishi in Sydney and HonkyTonks in Melbourne. DJ Revolution have visited our Sydney School twice and has given us many tips in all areas of DJing including turntablism, the record industry, and promoting yourself in this ever-growing industry. He loves to teach and he is all about passing on his wealth of knowledge within the industry to the upcomers and established DJs alike. This particular lecture in Melbourne focused more on the growth of technology and the future of the DJ. We will be uploading a preview of this lecture in the coming weeks.

This FREE exclusive Seminar was held at Honky Tonks Duckboard Pl, Melbourne on Wednesday the 3rd November.

Dj rafik

ITF WORLD DJ CHAMPION

Rafik, 22 years old, began spinning house music 9 years ago. At the age of 13, he had his first club gig in the world famous Unique-Club in Düsseldorf, Germany, where he did the warm-up program for Eric D. Clark and letting the place burst to flames.
In the year 2000, Raffia started messing around with hip hop, scratching and turntablism. This led him to compete and immediately win his very first dj-battle in 2001. In 2003, he had his breakthrough winning three out of four national ITF-titles, as well as placing second in three major European competitions and the ITF-world finals.
2004, finally, turned out to be even more successful, as Rafik won the ITF-World Championships in three categories (advancement, scratching and team), after placing second in the DMC-World Finals.
Rafik is also a member of the music project “Cosmic Delivery”, the former “Turntable Jazz”, one of the worlds most revolutionary combinations between turntables and musical instruments, in which he plays the turntable part. The band’s home base is the Unique-Club in Düsseldorf.
For the present and the future Rafik is working on a lot of solo projects, which include producing songs, battle-records, compilations and forming collaborations with high quality producers such as ben human, hardfloor and the phoneheads.
Rafik as a club DJ, plays a danceable mix of underground hip hop, funk and electronic music. He can also provide independent and underground hip hop if wanted. After his first club experience 9 years ago, Rafik has his residence in the Unique club in Düsseldorf again.

DJ Rafik will host an exclusive Scratch Seminar at the following venues in Sydney and Melbourne.

* DJ Rafik Melbourne Hip Hop Seminar with Wickid Force Breakers, Mistry, and Excel (Zulu roc) Universal Zulu Nation
- Topics will include the history and progression of B-Boys in Australia, Graffiti, MC's and Turntablism as well as topics on how the different elements sit in our society today. WICKID FORCE BREAKERS has been Australian B Boy Champions 3 Years running with a 5th placing at the Battle of Year in Germany 2003. As part of the Fringe Festival the crew recently showcased "Melbourne Breaks" which sold out all 6 shows at Theatreworks. MISTRY has been involved with the Australian hip hop scene since early 80's as a B boy/ Graff Writing (Bounty Hunterz, 21st Century) and released various albums and ep's with Brethren. Zulu Ahki Excel began his journey into the Hip Hop culture in the year 1980 as a writer and b boy turning to Djing around 84.He continued as a Dj in the culture where in 1989 began to work as a Hip Hop Producer releasing his crews first 12” in 1992.He continued to produce through the 90’s for many of the crews that paved the way for so many i.e Bias B – Reason – Dedli Cii – Curse Ov Dialect to name but a few. Excel has progressed through the culture helping uplift and bring Positive awareness. As Chapter Leader of the Australian Branch of the Universal Zulu Nation he continues onward to bring Knowledge, Truth, Equality, to help preserve and uplift our culture Hip Hop.
Come and learn some tips and tricks from the World Champ and explore moments in the lives of Melbourne and Sydney's b-boys from the 80s, 90s and today.
- Check out the highly influential breakin crew New York City Breakers in an early 80's Documentary. (Real Player Required)
Thursday 20th October 6:30PM - 8:30PM at the Hi Fi Bar. (FREE Session. Open to Public - RSVP)

* DJ Rafik Sydney Scratch Seminar with DJ Revolution
- Topics include Scratch Techniques, Technology with Turntablism, Production and Business tips.
Thursday 27th October 6:30PM - 8:30PM at HOME Sydney. (FREE Session. Open to Public - RSVP)

Simply RSVP to admin@djsunited.com.au with your details. For updates of future workshops and events become a Member.

DJ Rafik will be touring down under this October with the Australian ITF DJ Championships. See Rafik in action CLICK HERE