What would SLIP mean when you’re DJing? Slipping into a bar? Slipping into a loop? Where are you slipping to?
The evolution of the CDJ has brought with it some sophisticated features and—for both new and experienced DJs alike—some puzzlement. For me (Niamh O’Connor, a DJ and regular contributor to The Bridge), the CDJ-3000 feels like a spaceship compared to the CDJ-800s I learned to DJ on 10 years ago, with their CD drives and relatively primitive features. If you were anything like me until I started writing this article, you might have noticed buttons like SLIP, KEY SHIFT and QUANTIZE. But understanding what, exactly, they do and actually using them is another matter.
I must admit the CDJ-3000 feels like a spaceship compared to the CDJ-800s I learned to DJ on 10 years ago, with their CD drives and relatively primitive features. If you are anything like me (at least until I started writing this article), you might have noticed buttons like SLIP, KEY SHIFT and QUANTIZE. But understanding what, exactly, they do and actually using them is another matter.
This knowledge gap might be even more likely depending on the gear you have at home. When I began playing on the CDJ-2000 and, later, the 2000NXS2s, I chose to ignore several of their features as I only had access to the 2000s at clubs, meaning I didn’t fancy finding out “what does this button do?” in a live setting.
Everyone absorbs new information in their own way. If I’m learning a new skill, especially if technology is involved, I need crystal clear instructions and examples to refer to throughout the learning process. That’s why instruction manuals don’t tend to work for me. I need real-world examples of DJs using features.
The aim of this guide is therefore to break down some of the seemingly mysterious buttons on the CDJ-3000 in an accessible and straightforward way. You may not be using, or have regular access to, the CDJ-3000, but there should still be features discussed that appear on your own gear.
Taking the time to understand deeper features can seem like an effort. But once you break things down step-by-step, there’s nothing here that should be too complicated. I’d argue that it’s a worthwhile investment. This knowledge speeds up your workflow, reduces time spent scrolling through playlists, and prevents unnecessary panic in a live situation. The more you know your “instrument,” the more confident you’ll be, no matter the situation.