Getting started as a DJ: Mixing, mashups and digital turntables - Cole Plante 

People need to give this kid a break. First of all, unless you are a turntablist or are into controllerism like Richie Hawtin, there are not a lot of crazy things to demonstrate during a presentation. You honestly won't see the biggest DJs doing much more than this at festivals or clubs. Secondly, he is presenting to a group of teenagers for 10 MINUTES. If he were to go in depth about all the intricacies of DJing and cover all of the functions of the mixer, they would have no clue what he is talking about and be super bored. What he is showing is not rocket science, but I applaud him for giving the general public a taste of what DJing and EDM is.

I like how the kid out in the crowd bobbing his head just found his calling and is going home to ask his Mom for a set of turntables. Music is a beautiful thing. Sometimes the kid who just can't pay attention in class needs some other form of input like the arts. This is the way I felt when I saw my first Orlando breakbeat DJ back in 98. I was hooked from then on with messing with beats. As you can tell, at 36 now, I'm still at it. I am glad at least some kids like my own get exposed to this music form in a healthy way.

Pretty sure all the people hating on this guy are just jealous lol, he's a high schooler who likes djing and is nice enough to teach people something about it, give him a break...

I give this young man respect in having the courage to perform live mixing to a crowd of his peers. He's got a lot of the basics down to make transitions. I've been a DJ for over thirty years in clubs and pioneered mobile djing in the 80's and I say he has the passion to be an innovator.

I love how they pan the camera to the black kids on the trap drop lol! "They approve!".

Why all the hate? He's only 17 and he's introducing new people to a career which is in huge demand in recent years?

lmao when he threw in that beat the black dude was like "ayyyyyy this mah shit" when all the white people just sat there calm as fuck.

That transition from alive is actually clean af

i just like that Ted doesn't only give big professor speeches to a dr degree audience, but also of a more average person to a more relatable audience. Ted wants people to pursue and understand and i truly appreciate that

Dj skills are that of a veteran. Kid is much cooler than I was in high school haha. Amazing

In my opinion, way too much time playing with the effects on the DJM 900. You're not really showing them anything because the Akai is doing all the work and they can't see how its controlling Ableton. My choice would have been better to use a DDJ SZ and Serato and show them the laptop screen to see how the controller and the software interact.

I love the dedication of him. Rarely you will find a kid like him with such passion. And yes if you can make someone jealous then man, you're doing well.

It is right down depressing to see all the negative comment about this, EDUCATIONAL video. For all of you who hated on this video shows the, DAMAGE, in our society. It shows the elements that need to be wiped away so they can no longer create any kind of negative disruption in the growth of our world. Here, this kid, take it upon himself to pass on information about a subject in our existence, (which brings much more positiveness than any of you could ever imagen) so that someone out there in the world, who may want to tap into this subject matter and contribute to the well being of the world, can do so. I suggest all of you take a good look at yourselves and figure out what the hell is wrong with you, and fix it, and fix it fast! I don't care if your young and thats what the young are to do. That's bullshit, and this is the wrong place to be doing it!! Learn some f-ing respect!!!!!!!! Let there be a day when you find yourself standing infront of a group of people expressing something you have passion for and let there be twice as much hate directed to you so you can feel the crushing weight of disrespect! I hope you will be strong enough to stand it. If not, no tears from here.

I am normally a music purist, but I have grown to enjoy EDM especially in a live setting. This video was very enlightening as to what DJs actually are doing.

It’s so inspirational seeing another high schooler djing

"there are many hardwell--.. hardware systems"

great to see artists at this age with passion filling the room. I'm sure you've inspired others and you've got a lot of opportunities ahead of you :)

His constant use of effects really drive me crazy. I mean I understand it's to keep the crowd entertained but he uses an effect almost every bar of each track.

Dude as an aspiring DJ his set up makes me melt a little. I wish he would've gone into how you should mix songs in the same scale wether major or minor because I started not knowing anything about rules of music. I obviously know more about music and music theory etc now but it would've been helpful knowing it earlier from the start so you can have more effective playlists.

I remember when I was in high school, I had all sorts of money for expensive equipment from working the Taco Bell. I wonder how long it would've taken me to afford a brand new Apple MacBook, a Pioneer mixer, Ableton, and an APC. Plus time for homework, track, and of course Marching Band. #RichKids. They get it all. Sucks to be you.

Haters. He worked with a lot more famous artists than you ever will. He is wicked talented and he is producing and making amazing mix and mash ups

So, I watched this tutorial approximately 50x’s along with about 100 others and think I may finally be able to call myself a DJ ;) I just wanted to say thank you to Ted - ed first of all for posting this video because it really helped me a lot and please let me know what you think about my mix and transitions. I would really appreciate it, thx!!

" As you can see I'm an astronaut " *silence*

The mix from language into the other song was really one of the best I've heard

stop hating on the kid. He's only in high school, just give him a break. He's very good at what he does and I bet a bunch of people, on here, didn't have as much talent as this kid when you were in high school.

Its all about the passion for music, it stars with the software to make ur original beats. You rock man that was koo man.

*Drops trap beat* *Shows reaction of black kids*

This kid does really good work. His song "If I Fall" is frequently stuck in my head.

Half the comments are jobless music grads who are butt hurt

I think this guy is good! You can literally see him feel the music and work it with all those buttons. Keep it up buddy you're good! :)

I feel like a lot of people dislike this music because it's used "inappropriately". it's become very mainstream and you hear it on the radio when really it should be saved for clubs and parties. I think the music is good when I'm dancing to it but it's not something I want to hear when I have to be in my car for let's say multiple hours. this kind of music is not really the kind in which you care about the lyrics it's more the beat. I think it's fun to be at a social event and hear a good song that's played on the radio and it be something that is made easier to dance to. I just think that because this kind of music has become something people put on the radio, this is the kind of music that artists make because it "appeals" to the demographic. people want to make money and if this is what they think people want to hear on the radio then that's what we're going to get. hopefully if you take the time to read this, you understand the point I'm trying to make... I just think people should stop complaining that "DJs are talentless" when their objective is just being misused.

That's cool. As someone that knows this stuff, it may not be the most obvious for the casual user, but it was really cool to see in action.

What's with everybody complaining about him mixing on Ableton? That's what Madeon and Porter Robinson mix their tracks with on their Shelter tour! He's also DJing mainstream tracks because they're accessible to these youth. Lastly, using lots of FX isn't necessarily bad, he's just trying to keep from standing up there and doing nothing. Please be open-minded.

Nice. It's amazing how good this guy can FUCKING turn the same filters on and off again. Stunning.

"Since when is stealing music, and then torturing it, considered being a DJ" Since the 1940's, also, music doesn't have a nervous system making torturing it impossible. "Anyone can DJ now" - Not everyone can open for Paul Oakenfold in Vegas at 14 and land a spot on a TV show at 17 all after being homeless. "He needs turntables or he's not a real dj"- The same way you need a rotary phone to make a real phone call, as opposed to a modern dynamic mobile phone? "Must be nice to have $7,000 worth of equipment at 17"- He worked for all of it, you could too. "Real musicians write their own music"- Cole does write his own music, that's what the word "producer" means. Look up "lie to me" by Cole Plante. "That drop was weak, don't play animals"- It's a TED talk not an EDC talk.

This is so amazing, I am 13 and i plan on becoming a Dj, I am already a decent (not the best) beatboxer and a lot of my friends say they I am okay. I really hope that i can make music that people will like.I have suddenly just had a drive to do this.

was anyone else unbelievably annoyed by his constant use of effects? I know he had to look busy, but come on.

He's my fav dj. His tracks are amazing!!

Or... you can just pre mix that shit and get fucken wasted and vap during your whole set

No matter if you like this style or not he's doing a great job at it!

This kid is goood! :)

A lot of the comments here are just cancer. The guy did a good job and for the amount of time. He played the pantiest droppers to wet peoples imagination. Sure he didn't use something with platters but that wasn't necessary. Good job Cole.

New school master mix with no 1/4" tape mega splicing or effects. Things are clearly getting easier today. We must evolve and embrace new school technology. interesting none the less. Always keep a open mind to the future.

just be dutch , we guys even study for being a producer/dj here , a special collageship for it lmao.

he covered the "effects"-topic, thats for sure, but he did not really talk about Bpm, beatmatching, song structure, EQing... which are the most important DJ-basics. the drop at 3:40 is straight fire though

best youtube on DJing Ive watched! thank you

This kid is Great! DJing has always been about talent and this is not easy. The ppl saying it's easy don't know anything about it. DJ Jazzy Jeff is a world renowned DJ and he uses digital now too.

Go watch laidback lukes seminar he did on djing it's way better and longer

Well that was entertaining. This much knowledge and skill at 17, and he's going to keep improving. Looking forward to seeing his growth and sweet mixes.

"There are many Hardwell systems" -Cole Plate

Your tracks Lie to Me (Juventa Remix), Here We Go Now, and Howling really stuck in my head

This guy is cool

once we lived in a timed that was almost patch-free, and people had to do things themselves and figure 'em out.. I miss those days

Cole is a very nice, kind, sweet, inspiring, and talented artist! If the media didn't think he wasn't worth anything they wouldn't have signed him to Hollywood Records. He wouldn't be on tour with Demi Lovato, Collins Key, Fifth Harmony, and Little Mix. He does make his own music, ColePlanteVEVO and it's really good! He's 17 he's managing track, band, being on tour and school work at the same time. Plus gigs. He's doing absolutely amazing! He's an amazing an aspiring artist! Can't wait to see where else his career takes him!(:

Cole that was a great tutorial. Both my parents were musical so I grew up with classic and bluegrass. You're doing a good thing man :)

what's up with all the hate??

Great job Cole Plante

the crowd is so dead I would of been jumping and dancing at the same time 😂

he is a humble and great guy. And he is talented and got skills. So stop making fun of him, thanks

Dam this kid is talented AF! He's only in high school and already holding a seminar.. It may look easy but he's probably making a speech in front of 500 ppl.. Props!

2:36 The quality of the vocal is amazing !

How to abuse and overuse FX should be the name of this video

This kid is a producer as most of the people he stated he worked with... This is a lesson in bringing sounds/music already beat matched in at certain times... Like most producers he knows how to use that FILTER button on the mixer ALOT... Like the famous youtube video "how many djs does it take to turn a knob" lol... but hey I don't blame him, society just needs to change the term to PJ - producer jockey... I "DJ" by the true definition of the word... At the end of the Day this kid isn't hurting what I do at all so more power too him... He also seems like a nice kid, which is another rare thing in todays society... My personal preference however is actual Djing not Pjing... Nothing in this video impressed me... I'd rather he came on and did a talk on how he matched the beats and layed everything out in ableton onto his spampler board, etc etc... As the mixer here was just used as a master volume...! the multiple channels ran through the sampler... "GETTING STARTED AS A PRODUCER" should be the title...

that girl with the O face at 8:34 is priceless hahaha

this video inspired me so much

"One of the most important things about dance music is really the drop." Not to discredit him, but it's not. The most important thing about dance music is the music. The drop adds a flair. Good for him on wanting to publicly teach how to play. I like his presentation style.

hardwell systems

Guys wtf... This guy is fucking 17 years old, and propably has worked very hard to get where he is, I mean there is a reason, why he is standing right there and tell sth. about djing to people... And at least he´s performing live, not as 70% of Djs at bigger festivals... At least on the 8 Festivals i´ve been into, 70% of shit was premixed... Respect to this dude, keep beeing real!

This 17 year old is well spoken and does a way better demo than Laidback Luke did.

I love this guy! YOU ARE AMAZING! and you can just see how passionate you are and how much you love what you do. And that's why its so amazing, because its made with hard work, dedication and passion. And best of all it comes from the heart.!! Keep it up :)

How to press a button in Ableton 101.

9:50 Exactly!!!!!!! Start with whatever equipment that's possible

I'm so confused, no headphones and what is he doing to beat match?

I love how kids in high school and in intermediate levels are getting into music more these days thanks to the internet. Only if I had this when I was 10 and high school:)

5:33 He said Hardwell LOL!

Best cole plante fan here

He said he worked with skrillex and porter robinson but it's false, he performed on the same festivals but that's all (and no one came to see him)

The "medley of mashups couldn't have been live because for the animals drop the filter was all the down meaning you would hear a low bass kick, this was pre recorded, he was just doing the effects!

This video should just be a link to a 20 pack of v-neck t shirts, and a pirated copy of Ableton.

Haters gonna hate but I'm pretty sure he's still doing his thing.

I like all the cool kids on here (obviously kids) being mean about this. Funny, I don't see you people on TedEd and I never heard of you. Its like anything else. Unless you've done it and made a name for yourself then stop trying to be "the cool kid" and acting like you could do better.

Hes killing it right there!

take two 1210's, two 12" vinyl's and learn your trade like a true man!!

Dammmn just seen him live in Montreal! Fkn amazing!! Great job Cole Plante, keep it up!

This guy was the DJ at Grad Night in Disneyland and he got everyone turnt

Good guy I’m very happy for his success!!!

Are those knobs really really hard to turn? Do they have thread lock? Looks like you need DW-40

This guy is fantastic.

7:53 the Magic filter😂😂

Why are there so many people hating on this vid? It's just a demonstration, calm down.

How much does each equipment roughly cost?

That was very cool and informative to one's that would like to pursue DJ'ing as a hobby or even as a career, great job Cole loved it!

the guy at 8:33 lost his shit

This is fantastic!

too much filters, I guess

Cole is amazing hes on wolf watch hes a dj this guys got talent

His hair is so close to his mouth he could chew on it lol

¡Este men si tiene talento!

I don't see what he is doing except playing pre-made tracks and messing with the sound… It would probably sound better if he simply played the tracks without messing so much with them.

MAD props to this kid.