Music lessons begin using DJ decks

Pioneer technology brings DJ'ing into schools

26 April 2007 17:02 GMT / By Ryan Haynes

The days of woodwind, string and brass could be over for young musicians for Pioneer is working to get students decked out for DJ'ing.

Supported by DJ Spoony, one of the contenders on Strictly Come Dancing and an ex-Radio One presenter music lessons are changing. As from May, Pioneer decks and software enter the classroom to give pupils the opportunity to learn the art of DJ'ing.

The programme is being called "Make Me A DJ" and is aiming to give kids a fresh look at music in the curriculum. Students will learn auto-mixing, waveform display for indicating playing position and cue/loop points, BPM synchronisation and beat synchronisation, eight effects including delay, echo, auto pan, trans, filter, flanger, reverb and pitch shifter…

Also, fader start function for controlling the playback of two players (channel and cross fader), create function for setting four points for cues or loops in a song, ripping function for converting CD, line input signals and wave files to MP3.

It sounds quite fun and something I missed out on at school, the programme encourages pupils to create sets and compare their own individual sound and style against one another via regular "mix offs".