30/05/2025
Not cool.
Know Your Gear – The Manic DJ Changeover
A few months ago, I had one of the most manic changeovers from another DJ. If it wasn’t for my experience, it could’ve easily left me in a big mess—but even so, it took me a few moments to get my head around everything.
There’s usually some kind of DJ etiquette during a changeover: the DJ before you lets you know they’re on their last track, gives you a bit of notice so you can plug in your USB, get orientated, figure out which channels are live (or they tell you), and load your first track.�But not in this case!
There were only two Pioneer CDJ 3000s and a Pioneer V10 mixer. Normally, I’d plug in my USB a few minutes before on a spare deck, but both slots were already taken. As the DJ was getting close to the end of his set, he went full showman—loads of FX, loops, filters—if I’m honest, it all got a bit noisy.
With five minutes to go, I was reaching into my bag for headphones and USBs when suddenly the music just stopped. That was it. He was done, finished early and didn’t tell me. He ran to the back of the booth hugging and jumping around with his entourage, giving me no notice it had ended. Then disappeared—leaving me there.
I stepped up to the gear. Lights flashing all over the CDJs. One was in reverse. Both his USBs still plugged in. The already complex six-channel V10 mixer looked like a Christmas tree—flashing lights, FX, faders, filters all over the place.
�What felt like a lifetime later, I loaded my first track and hit play… and was met with a thin, tiny sound drowned in FX.
If I hadn’t taken the time over the years to study DJ gear, I would’ve been in serious trouble. And when all eyes are watching, it’s easy for your mind to freeze and for people to think the mess is your fault. The key is to stay calm—pretend you’re at home, let your brain process what’s going on.�Even after I got the track playing, it took a few minutes to reset everything: the mixer, CDJs, FX. It’s definitely not the way you want to start a set. My mind took a while to settle and get into the flow after running at 100mph.
That experience could have easily ruined someone’s set—especially if you’re nervous. I’ve seen DJs freeze in this situation and never fully recover from it. That’s why I’m sharing this—to help others learn from it.
Please don’t be that DJ.
�Be polite. Help the next DJ set up. Show them the spare USB slot. Tell them which channels are live and if there are any sound issues. Switch off FX and give plenty of notice when your last track is coming to an end. Let them know if you want to end cleanly and let them start fresh—or if you’d prefer a mix.
Even if you don’t own the gear, there are loads of walkthrough tutorials online. Get to know your tools—it’ll save you one day.
