On the Decks

Small-group DJ courses in New York, from your first blend to your first booking. Three levels, eight weeks each, taught on CDJ-3000s, a DJM-V10 and Technics 1200s.

Start your application See pricing
DJ hands on a CDJ jog wheel next to a mixer in a dark studio
Close-up of a hand turning an EQ knob on a DJ mixer
A DJ seen from behind playing to a crowd under a light beam
Format
Small groups by level
Length
8 weeks per level
Sessions
Weekly · 2 hours
Where
Our New York studio

Overview

Tutorials show you the buttons. We teach you the why: the timing, the taste and the confidence to play for a room.

01

Real booth gear

Club-standard CDJs, mixer and turntables, so nothing feels unfamiliar the first time you play out.

02

Grouped by level

You learn with people at the same level, so nobody's bored and nobody's lost.

03

Feedback every week

Hear your sessions back and get clear notes on exactly what to work on next.

Three levels

Pick up where you are.

01Beginner

Foundations

Learn the booth from the ground up: how the gear works, how to beatmatch by ear and how to mix two tracks cleanly on the phrase.

Who it's for
Never mixed, or just starting out on a controller.
Length
8 weeks · weekly 2-hour sessions
Estimated price
$1,000–$1,500
Apply for Beginner

What you'll learn

  1. Week 01
    The booth

    Gear, signal flow and setting up CDJs and a mixer.

  2. Week 02
    Music & structure

    BPM, bars, phrases and how dance tracks are built.

  3. Week 03
    Beatmatching I

    Matching tempo by ear with the pitch fader. No sync.

  4. Week 04
    Beatmatching II

    Riding the jog wheel and holding a mix steady.

  5. Week 05
    Your first blends

    Gain, channel faders and clean volume transitions.

  6. Week 06
    EQ basics

    Swapping bass lines and keeping the mix from getting muddy.

  7. Week 07
    Building a mini set

    Choosing tracks that flow and planning a 20-minute set.

  8. Week 08
    Showcase

    Play your set for the group and take home the recording.

You'll leave able to

  • Beatmatch by ear without sync
  • Bring tracks in on the phrase
  • Plan and play a clean 20-minute set
02Intermediate

Flow

Tighten your technique and start mixing with intent: EQ, phrasing, hot cues and effects, so every transition feels deliberate.

Who it's for
You can hold a blend, but it's not consistent yet.
Length
8 weeks · weekly 2-hour sessions
Estimated price
$1,200–$1,700
Apply for Intermediate

What you'll learn

  1. Week 01
    Consistency check

    We diagnose your mixing and set clear goals.

  2. Week 02
    Gain staging & EQ

    Proper levels and three-band blending.

  3. Week 03
    Phrasing, deeper

    Intros, outros, breakdowns and long blends.

  4. Week 04
    Hot cues & loops

    Prepping tracks and mixing out of loops.

  5. Week 05
    FX with intent

    Echo, filter and reverb that support the mix.

  6. Week 06
    Harmonic mixing

    Keys, Camelot and mixing in key by ear.

  7. Week 07
    Energy & selection

    Building and releasing energy across a set.

  8. Week 08
    Record a mix

    A recorded 30-minute mix with detailed notes.

You'll leave able to

  • Mix consistently on the phrase
  • Use EQ and FX deliberately
  • Deliver a recorded 30-minute mix
03Advanced

Club Ready

Play like you belong in the booth: set architecture, reading a room, changeovers and the business side of getting booked.

Who it's for
You play out and want to level up.
Length
8 weeks · weekly 2-hour sessions
Estimated price
$1,400–$1,900
Apply for Advanced

What you'll learn

  1. Week 01
    Set architecture

    Openers, peak time and closing sets.

  2. Week 02
    Reading the room

    Watching the floor and adjusting in real time.

  3. Week 03
    Advanced transitions

    Double drops, tempo changes and genre shifts.

  4. Week 04
    Vinyl in the mix

    Bringing records into a digital set.

  5. Week 05
    Booth etiquette

    Changeovers, sound checks and working with promoters.

  6. Week 06
    Library & prep

    Organising your collection and preparing for any gig.

  7. Week 07
    Your sound & promo

    Mixes, socials and pitching yourself.

  8. Week 08
    Live set

    A full set in front of the group, recorded.

You'll leave able to

  • Play a one-hour set with a clear shape
  • Handle changeovers in any booth
  • Pitch yourself with a strong promo mix

What's included

Everything you need to level up.

Pricing

Clear pricing. No surprises.

These are estimated ranges so you know what to expect before you apply. Your exact price depends on your level, group size and schedule, and we confirm it on your call. Applying is free and there's no commitment.

Level 01Beginner

Foundations

Estimated$1,000–$1,500

8 weeks · small group

  • 16 hours in the booth
  • Recordings & weekly notes
  • Showcase set to keep
Start your application
Level 02Intermediate

Flow

Estimated$1,200–$1,700

8 weeks · small group

  • 16 hours in the booth
  • Recordings & weekly notes
  • Recorded 30-minute mix
Start your application
Level 03Advanced

Club Ready

Estimated$1,400–$1,900

8 weeks · small group

  • 16 hours in the booth
  • Recordings & weekly notes
  • Recorded live set & promo plan
Start your application

Estimates in USD · Final price confirmed on your placement call · No payment to apply

FAQ

Good to know

Do I need to own any gear?

No. Every class runs on the studio's CDJs, mixer and turntables. If you have something at home to practice on, great. If not, we'll talk through options on your call.

How do you decide my level?

From your application and a quick Zoom call. AG and Alex Raouf make the final call, and you can move up when you're ready.

How big are the groups?

Small. We keep groups small so everyone gets real time on the decks every session.

I learned on a controller. Will that carry over?

Yes. The fundamentals transfer, and we'll get you comfortable on CDJs quickly.

Applications open

Your first set
starts here

Start your application

Contact us

Questions? DM us on Instagram.

AG@adamgnyc Alex Raouf@alexraouf