Learn to DJ on real club gear, with a working DJ in the room.
Sound Collective runs small in-person DJ classes at 28 Broadway. You learn in real booths, on the CDJs, controllers, and turntables working DJs actually use, guided by DJs who play the gigs you want.
- 28 Broadway, New York
- Small classes
- Hands-on From Day One
Working NYC DJs teach every class. Small groups mean you’re on the decks, not watching from a chair. You leave every session having mixed something.
DJing is the fastest path from loving music to performing it. It’s also a working skill: clubs, weddings, corporate events, and festivals all book DJs, every week.
No pre-recorded videos. You practice on club-standard gear you probably don’t have at home, with an instructor correcting your hands in real time.
Find your starting point
Have you DJ'd before?
Answer one question and we’ll show you exactly which classes fit where you are right now.
Which software do you use?
We teach dedicated tracks for both. Pick yours and we’ll show the full course path.
Every DJ starts by choosing a setup
Your software choice shapes your gear, your workflow, and the gigs you’ll be ready for first. We teach the two industry standards. Here’s the honest difference:
Serato DJ
- Runs on your laptop and supports the widest range of hardware, including budget-friendly starter controllers from many brands.
- Pure performance software with the low latency scratch DJs and turntablists swear by. Scratching is a core skill on this path.
- Stems built in: isolate vocals, drums, and bass live for transitions that were not possible five years ago.
- The home of open format and hip-hop DJing, and the setup for weddings, corporate events, and mobile work.
Rekordbox + CDJs
- AlphaTheta's own software, native to the CDJs in every serious club.
- Two modes in one app: prep your library at home, export to USB, then plug in at the gig. No laptop needed in the booth.
- The deepest library management in DJing: track analysis, key and phrase detection, ratings and tags.
- The free version covers everything a USB DJ needs. The path for club residencies, festivals, and house or techno careers.
Torn between them? ask our team and we’ll settle it in one conversation.
Which one sounds like you?
You can’t pick wrong. The core skills (beatmatching, phrasing, reading a room) transfer, and our intro classes assume zero experience either way.
Still deciding? Ask our team and we will settle it in one conversation.
Your Serato learning path, mapped
Two kinds of classes make a complete DJ. Software Training teaches you your instrument (your software, your controller, your workflow, in sequence). DJ Skills teaches you the craft behind it, and applies no matter what you play on.
Learn Serato DJ
Master your setup, from first mix to gig-ready sets with a signature.
- 1 Intro to Serato DJ First recorded set, with stems-based mixing built in
- 2 Intermediate Serato DJ Gig-ready performance, stems remixing, gig prep
- 3 Intro to DJ Scratching Turntablism as a core skill, Serato path only
- 4 Advanced DJing House, Open Format, or Hardware specialty
Each level builds on the last. Start where your experience puts you.
Learn the craft
Software-agnostic skills that make every set better, on any gear.
- Music Theory for DJs Harmonic mixing: keys, Camelot Wheel, transition theory
- DJ Set Curation Reading the room, energy arcs, a signature sound
- A/V Recording for DJs Studio-quality recorded sets, ready for social
- Intro to Vinyl DJing Analog fluency and beatmatching by ear
These pair with any software level. Most students add one alongside Intermediate.
Serato-specific courses. These run in sequence: each level assumes the skills from the one before it.
For you if: you’re a beginner who wants the most-versatile DJ setup, or a working DJ who plays across venue types.
Taught by a working NYC DJ
- Library Management. Strong prep enables smooth mixes and creative flexibility.
- Mixing Fundamentals. Seamless transitions from day one.
- EQ & Transition Control. Create balance and flow between tracks.
- Serato Performance Tools. Add texture and creative layers.
- Stems & Creative Mixing. Reshape songs live for unique moments.
- Performance & Recording. Finish with a set you’re proud to share.
For you if: you completed Intro to Serato (or match its skills) and you’re ready to start gigging.
Taught by a working NYC DJ
- Advanced Serato Navigation. Master the Serato DJ Pro interface at a professional level.
- Advanced Mixing Techniques. Elevate transitions from functional to musical.
- Serato FX & Sampler Mastery. Use Serato’s full creative toolkit in performance.
- Set Construction & Energy Management. Build sets that move people.
- Serato Advanced Prep. Prepare music for complex, spontaneous performance.
- Recording & Portfolio. Document professional-quality performances.
For you if: you’re a Serato DJ adding turntablism to your skill set, or you’re aiming at hip-hop and open format gigs.
Taught by a working turntablist
- Turntable Setup & Control. Equipment understanding for accurate scratching.
- Beat Juggling & Creativity. Rhythmic manipulation and showmanship.
- Routine & Performance. Structure techniques into a musical format.
- Pattern Building & Timing. Give scratches structure and flow.
- Foundational Scratches. The building blocks for all routines.
- Intermediate Scratch Techniques. Expand the vocabulary for greater creativity.
Advanced DJing
For you if: you completed Intermediate Serato and you’re ready to specialize. Pick one specialty.
Tap a specialty to see its skills
Taught by a working DJ with named gigs in your specialty
- Adaptability & Crowd Reading. Stay professional when the room changes.
- DJ History & Culture. Know the roots. Understand the art form.
- Curation & Flow. Tell stories through music, not just play tracks.
- Music Sourcing & Quality. Strong sets start with unique, high-quality music.
- Signature Sound. Develop a DJ identity that lasts.
- Set Strategy & Time Slots. Make every set fit the venue and the moment.
- Adaptability & Crowd Reading. Stay professional when the room changes.
- DJ History & Culture. Know the roots. Understand the art form.
- Curation & Flow. Tell stories through music, not just play tracks.
- Music Sourcing & Quality. Strong sets start with unique, high-quality music.
- Signature Sound. Develop a DJ identity that lasts.
- Set Strategy & Time Slots. Make every set fit the venue and the moment.
- CDJ Performance at Festival Level. Operate with professional fluency under pressure.
- Effects Units & Integration. Add dimension and texture with effects hardware.
- Hardware Ecosystem Mastery. Operate the full range of professional DJ hardware fluently.
- Hybrid DJ Setups. Combine DJing with live instruments and production.
- Advanced Mixer Techniques. Use the mixer as a creative instrument.
Software-agnostic courses, and the same four no matter which software you chose. No software in the title because none is required in the room: these skills transfer to any setup, forever.
For you if: you’re a DJ at any level who wants your mixes to sound musical, not just rhythmic.
Taught by a working NYC DJ
- Arrangement & Structure. Organise sections to tell a clear story.
- Camelot Wheel & the Circle of 5ths. The underlying system pro DJs use to mix intelligently.
- Harmonic Mixing. Set mood and motion with functional harmony.
- Keys & Scales. Keep ideas melodic and coherent.
- Rhythm & Groove. Program feel that drives energy and movement.
- Set Crafting. Craft complete sets with peaks and valleys.
For you if: you can mix but want to develop an artistic identity, and get booked back.
Taught by a working NYC DJ
- Adaptability & Crowd Reading. Stay professional when the room changes.
- DJ History & Culture. Know the roots. Understand the art form.
- Curation & Flow. Tell stories through music, not just play tracks.
- Music Sourcing & Quality. Strong sets start with unique, high-quality music.
- Signature Sound. Develop a DJ identity that lasts.
- Set Strategy & Time Slots. Make every set fit the venue and the moment.
For you if: you’re a working or aspiring DJ building a content-driven career. Your set needs to exist online to matter.
Taught by a working NYC DJ
- Brand Overlays & Presentation. Build a professional visual brand.
- Video Setup & Camera Work. Create professional-looking DJ set videos.
- Sync & Post-Production. Deliver polished, broadcast-ready content.
- Gain Staging & Filtering. Ensure clean, professional audio recordings.
- Content Strategy & Distribution. Build an audience through consistent, quality content.
- Audio/Video Recording Methods. Capture high-quality mixes across multiple platforms.
For you if: you’re drawn to analog culture, tactile performance, and crate digging. Few places in NYC teach this properly. We’re one of them.
Taught by a working turntablist
- Turntable Setup & Maintenance. Configure turntables and mixers for reliable performance.
- Beatmatching by Ear. Sync tracks without digital aids.
- Transition Techniques. Professional vinyl mixing methods.
- Vinyl Handling & Cueing. Develop precision in handling and cueing records.
- Tempo & Pitch Control. Refine tempo control for smooth mixes.
- Set Construction & Performance. Design and execute complete vinyl sets.
Your Rekordbox learning path, mapped
Two kinds of classes make a complete DJ. Software Training teaches you your instrument (your software, your controller, your workflow, in sequence). DJ Skills teaches you the craft behind it, and applies no matter what you play on.
Learn Rekordbox + CDJs
Master the club standard, from first mix to a specialty that books gigs.
- 1 Intro to CDJs and Rekordbox Working CDJ set on industry-standard club gear
- 2 Intermediate CDJs and Rekordbox Set-ready performance: phrasing, FX, live mashups
- 3 Advanced DJing House, Open Format, or Hardware specialty
Each level builds on the last. Start where your experience puts you.
Learn the craft
Software-agnostic skills that make every set better, on any gear.
- Music Theory for DJs Harmonic mixing: keys, Camelot Wheel, transition theory
- DJ Set Curation Reading the room, energy arcs, a signature sound
- A/V Recording for DJs Studio-quality recorded sets, ready for social
- Intro to Vinyl DJing Analog fluency and beatmatching by ear
These pair with any software level. Most students add one alongside Intermediate.
Rekordbox and CDJ-specific courses. These run in sequence: each level assumes the skills from the one before it.
For you if: you’re an aspiring club or festival DJ at the start of your path. No prior DJ experience required.
Taught by a working club DJ with named venues
- DJ Career Foundations. Build the career infrastructure from the start.
- Hardware Navigation. Operate CDJs and mixers with confidence.
- Creative Performance. Bring the set to life with energy management.
- Music Library Management. Great sets start with great prep.
- Mixing & Beatmatching. Smooth transitions that sound professional.
- Recording & Portfolio. Document professional-quality performances.
For you if: you completed Intro to CDJs (or match its skills) and you’re ready to start gigging.
Taught by a working club DJ
- Set Construction & Energy Management. Build sets that move people.
- Advanced CDJ Navigation. Master the CDJ-3000 interface at a professional level.
- DJM Mixer Mastery. Use the DJM’s full feature set for creative performance.
- Advanced Mixing Techniques. Elevate transitions from functional to musical.
- Rekordbox Advanced Prep. Prepare music for complex, spontaneous performance.
- Recording & Portfolio. Document professional-quality performances.
Advanced DJing
For you if: you completed Intermediate CDJs and you’re ready to specialize. Pick one specialty.
Tap a specialty to see its skills
Taught by a working DJ with named gigs in your specialty
- Adaptability & Crowd Reading. Stay professional when the room changes.
- DJ History & Culture. Know the roots. Understand the art form.
- Curation & Flow. Tell stories through music, not just play tracks.
- Music Sourcing & Quality. Strong sets start with unique, high-quality music.
- Signature Sound. Develop a DJ identity that lasts.
- Set Strategy & Time Slots. Make every set fit the venue and the moment.
- Adaptability & Crowd Reading. Stay professional when the room changes.
- DJ History & Culture. Know the roots. Understand the art form.
- Curation & Flow. Tell stories through music, not just play tracks.
- Music Sourcing & Quality. Strong sets start with unique, high-quality music.
- Signature Sound. Develop a DJ identity that lasts.
- Set Strategy & Time Slots. Make every set fit the venue and the moment.
- CDJ Performance at Festival Level. Operate with professional fluency under pressure.
- Effects Units & Integration. Add dimension and texture with effects hardware.
- Hardware Ecosystem Mastery. Operate the full range of professional DJ hardware fluently.
- Hybrid DJ Setups. Combine DJing with live instruments and production.
- Advanced Mixer Techniques. Use the mixer as a creative instrument.
Software-agnostic courses, and the same four no matter which software you chose. No software in the title because none is required in the room: these skills transfer to any setup, forever.
For you if: you’re a DJ at any level who wants your mixes to sound musical, not just rhythmic.
Taught by a working NYC DJ
- Arrangement & Structure. Organise sections to tell a clear story.
- Camelot Wheel & the Circle of 5ths. The underlying system pro DJs use to mix intelligently.
- Harmonic Mixing. Set mood and motion with functional harmony.
- Keys & Scales. Keep ideas melodic and coherent.
- Rhythm & Groove. Program feel that drives energy and movement.
- Set Crafting. Craft complete sets with peaks and valleys.
For you if: you can mix but want to develop an artistic identity, and get booked back.
Taught by a working NYC DJ
- Adaptability & Crowd Reading. Stay professional when the room changes.
- DJ History & Culture. Know the roots. Understand the art form.
- Curation & Flow. Tell stories through music, not just play tracks.
- Music Sourcing & Quality. Strong sets start with unique, high-quality music.
- Signature Sound. Develop a DJ identity that lasts.
- Set Strategy & Time Slots. Make every set fit the venue and the moment.
For you if: you’re a working or aspiring DJ building a content-driven career. Your set needs to exist online to matter.
Taught by a working NYC DJ
- Brand Overlays & Presentation. Build a professional visual brand.
- Video Setup & Camera Work. Create professional-looking DJ set videos.
- Sync & Post-Production. Deliver polished, broadcast-ready content.
- Gain Staging & Filtering. Ensure clean, professional audio recordings.
- Content Strategy & Distribution. Build an audience through consistent, quality content.
- Audio/Video Recording Methods. Capture high-quality mixes across multiple platforms.
For you if: you’re drawn to analog culture, tactile performance, and crate digging. Few places in NYC teach this properly. We’re one of them.
Taught by a working turntablist
- Turntable Setup & Maintenance. Configure turntables and mixers for reliable performance.
- Beatmatching by Ear. Sync tracks without digital aids.
- Transition Techniques. Professional vinyl mixing methods.
- Vinyl Handling & Cueing. Develop precision in handling and cueing records.
- Tempo & Pitch Control. Refine tempo control for smooth mixes.
- Set Construction & Performance. Design and execute complete vinyl sets.