Barcelona City Council | Capital humàBarcelona City Council website

Home  > Job profiles

Get to know this occupation

Description

DJs select and mix pre-recorded music for different kinds of audiences. Professional DJs do far more than just play music; they are responsible for making an adequate musical selection, for playing the selected musical pieces matching the tempo and duration and even, in some cases, for creating live rhythms and melodies. This professional works with several music formats such (vinyl records, CDs or digital files) and a wide variety of equipment (record players, headphones, mixers, controllers, microphones and amplifiers).

Their ultimate goal is to create a pleasant atmosphere for the audience and the event in which they participate (in a nightclub, a private party, the radio, etc.). It is common for them to specialize in a particular style of music and part of their job is to discover new developments in this style and keep up to date with related musical trends, in order to offer a more rewarding experience and contribute to the expansion of the musical culture of their audience.

Sometimes, DJs may also mix video sequences in sync with the music base in order to create a harmonious audiovisual show. In these cases, they perform VJ (video jockey) functions.

Tasks

Prepare the DJ set
  • Define the type of set to be presented with the producer (audience, preferences, duration and style).
  • Based on these indications, select among their repertoire of musical pieces to be used (music and/or video sequences) and organize them to be more easily located during the set.
  • Define how they will mix them and plan possible combinations and their order.
  • They may prepare their own sequences that can be useful for the set, modifying original songs.
  • In some cases, when they arrive at the space where the set will take place, prepare the projection equipment and screens.

Carry out the DJ set
  • Choose, reproduce and mix musical and/or visual pieces, considering the audience's response.
  • Synchronize, matching the tempo and rhythm, the different pieces to control musical transitions. This task can be computerized or done manually, depending on their skills.
  • Equalize and control the different sound and visual parameters to achieve a more attractive or impressive result.
  • In some cases, manipulate the tracks on stage, using samplers, adding effects, etc.
  • If they work on the radio or animating parties, use the microphone and talk in order to energize the programme or event.

Quick access and copyright:

Centre per al desenvolupament professional Porta22

Barcelona Treball (Porta22)
Llacuna, 156-162, 08018 Barcelona
bcn.cat/treball

900533175
Monday to Friday from 9 to 18 h

Generalitat de Catalunya
Unió Europea FEDER
Unió Europea FSE