Overview
Ready to take your DJ skills to the next level? Our Spin Class is a 3 month intensive course designed for aspiring DJs who want to master the art of mixing, reading the crowd, and creating unforgettable sets. Whether you're a beginner or someone who’s dabbled in DJing, this course will give you the foundation you need to confidently perform in clubs, parties, or your own events using Rekordbox and Pioneer DJ equipment.
With only 6 other students in class, you’ll get personalized guidance from our expert instructors through interactive challenges, supervised practice sessions, and hands-on experience with the latest DJ gear. By the end of the course, you’ll walk away with an hour-long recorded mix of your favorite tracks – ready to share your skills with the world.
Course Outcomes
Beatmatching: Learn the fundamental DJ skill of beatmatching by ear so you can seamlessly transition between tracks without relying on sync buttons. By the end of the course, you’ll know how to align tempos manually, giving you full control over your mixes.
Song Sequencing: Master the art of song sequencing—understanding how to structure your set so the energy flows perfectly from start to finish. You’ll learn how to create a journey with your music, keeping the crowd engaged from the first beat to the last.
Reading the Crowd: DJing isn’t just about playing music—it’s about knowing what to play and when. You’ll develop the skill of reading the crowd, picking up on their energy, and adjusting your set on the fly to keep the dance floor alive.
Rekordbox: Get hands-on training with Rekordbox, the industry-standard software for organizing your music library and preparing your sets. You’ll learn how to analyze tracks, create cue points, and structure your playlists for seamless performances.
FX Mastery: Add flair to your sets with creative use of effects like reverb, delay, and filters. You’ll learn how to use FX to enhance transitions, create build-ups, and add drama to your mixes without overwhelming the track.
Class Topics
From Roots to Rekordbox: Learn the evolution of DJing, from vinyl to digital, while diving into Rekordbox. You'll get hands-on experience with the software to organize tracks, create playlists, and set cue points, giving you the foundation to perform confidently in any setting.
Mixing: Beatmatching & Phrasing: Master the fundamentals of beatmatching by ear and understand the importance of phrasing to transition between tracks smoothly. You'll develop an intuitive feel for aligning tempos and mixing tracks without relying on automatic sync features.
Keys to Harmonic Mixing: Unlock the power of harmonic mixing by learning how to match tracks based on their musical key. This lesson covers key detection software and how to use it to create smoother, more musical transitions that keep your set in harmony.
Looping, Hot Cues, & Effects
Take your DJ sets to the next level by mastering advanced techniques that add precision and creativity to your mixes. Learn how to use looping to extend breaks, build tension, or seamlessly transition between tracks. Dive into hot cues for quick access to key moments in a track, enabling real-time remixing and fluid live edits. Explore effects like filters, reverb, and delays to craft dynamic transitions, manipulate sound, and create unique, unforgettable moments that will leave your audience wanting more.
Recording Your Mix & Getting Gigs: Learn how to record high-quality DJ mixes for sharing online or submitting as demos. This lesson also covers essential strategies for networking, pitching yourself to promoters, and securing your first DJ gigs.
Studio Access
As a student at IO Music Academy, you’ll receive a complimentary Studio Membership for the duration of your course or program, giving you unlimited access to our state-of-the-art studios in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Booking Studio Time
You can book as many sessions as you like during your time at IO. The only rule is that you must finish one session before booking another. This ensures studio availibility for all of our students.
Studio Membership
After your course, you can continue your membership for just $250/month. Learn more about our Studio Membership here.
Circle Community
Joining the IO Music Academy Circle gives you access to an exclusive online hub where you can collaborate, share feedback, and get support from fellow students and alumni. You’ll also enjoy lifetime access to all course materials, including videos, dynamic notes, and recordings, so you can revisit the content any time.
Program Options
Spin Class is part of the following artist programs:
DJ Producer Program (9 Months)
Custom Producer Program (6-24 Months)
By enrolling in one of these programs, you'll benefit from a comprehensive learning experience at a reduced per-course cost, perfect for those committed to becoming professional producers.
What We Provide
In class, we provide students with workstations featuring gear from industry partners such as the Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX4. This gives students hands-on experience with professional tools and allows them to participate in interactive exercises.
Outside of class, students enjoy unlimited access to our professionally equipped DJ studios featuring Pioneer DDJ 3000, Pioneer DJM A9 Mixer, Pioneer DDJ 2000 NXS, Pioneer DJM 900NXS and in Los Angeles a pair of Technics 1200mk2’s.
What You Need to Bring
• Laptop (2019 or newer MacBook Pro recommended)
• Wired Headphones
Ready to start DJing?
Click your city below to enroll in Spin Class at IO Music Academy.
Still have questions? Click here to schedule a tour with one of our team members to learn more about our music production programs and find out if IO Music Academy is right for you.