Techno legend DVS1 shares valuable insights in Seedj Course [Review]

Zak Khutoretsky, better known as DVS1, is a name revered in the underground music community. His influence extends far beyond his immaculate skills as an artist—his experience and contributions have helped shape the underground music scene into what it is today. He is also the founder of Aslice, a platform designed to redistribute a portion of DJs’ earnings to the producers whose music they play.

Few artists possess the depth of wisdom that DVS1 does. If you’ve ever seen him DJ, you know it’s more than just a performance—it’s an experience. It’s not only about the music he plays but also the sheer intensity and dedication he brings to the process, making it a captivating sight to witness.

Having the opportunity to learn directly from someone of his caliber is a rare privilege. Thanks to Seedj, DVS1 has distilled his 28+ years of knowledge in the electronic music industry into a comprehensive course. Let’s take a deep dive into what the course offers and all the details.

Course duration: 5 classes, 3 hrs of video content

Lets take a look chapter by chapter:

1. Introduction

This chapter serves as the foundation of DVS1’s masterclass, where he shares his journey into electronic music and how he arrived at where he is today. As a child, Zak took piano and cello lessons before eventually immersing himself in club culture. He reflects on his first club experience at Minneapolis’ iconic First Avenue and delves into the often-overlooked role of not just the DJ, but the entire crew in creating an unforgettable set.

Known for distancing himself from social media, Zak also discusses his perspective on modern platforms like Instagram and their influence on the electronic music industry—a topic the Seedj interviewer explores in depth. While this episode doesn’t focus on technical skills, it offers valuable insights into the electronic music industry and rave culture as a whole.

Beyond the content itself, Seedj has done an excellent job enhancing the viewing experience. The episode includes informative snippets that provide context on key terms and names DVS1 mentions. Viewers can adjust playback speed, access subtitles in multiple languages, and follow along with a full transcript, making the experience both engaging and accessible.

2. DJing and Mixing

The next episode of this masterclass dives deep into technical skills and the mindset required when preparing for a DJ set. Zak highlights a common mistake among aspiring DJs: limiting their music selection to a single genre. He advises exploring a wide range of styles, as this broadens musical horizons and fosters discovery. Digging—a fundamental aspect of DJing—refers to sifting through countless records to uncover rare and overlooked tracks. For Zak, it’s all about finding hidden gems. He elaborates on this by emphasizing that his selections are driven more by beats and rhythms than by adherence to any specific genre.

One of the key topics Zak addresses in this episode is the practice of identifying tracks from DJ mixes. He argues that this trend has led many to chase a sound that isn’t truly their own. Instead of relying on others’ selections, he stresses the importance of developing a unique identity as an artist, warning that the essence of originality is often lost in the pursuit of replicating someone else’s style.

When it comes to preparing for his sets, Zak takes an unconventional approach. Rather than pre-planning his performances, he organizes his music into folders based on emotions, colors, dimensions, and atmospheres, trusting himself to make the right choices in the moment. He also offers a thought-provoking distinction between an artist and an entertainer. An entertainer’s goal, he explains, is to maximize hands in the air, flashing lights, and cameras capturing the moment. In contrast, his own aim is to cultivate a dancefloor where heads are down, eyes are closed, and people are fully immersed in the music. Ultimately, he acknowledges that the journey and psychology of performance don’t have to be the same for everyone—it’s about finding what resonates with you as an artist.

What makes this chapter particularly valuable is its ability to address the key questions that often arise in the minds of aspiring DJs. One of the most crucial topics covered is music organization—a fundamental yet often overlooked aspect of DJing.

When discussing how he structures his music on USB devices, Zak shares that he initially sought advice from fellow DJ Benny Rodriguez. Using Rodriguez’s insights as a foundation, he developed a system tailored to his own workflow. DVS1’s meticulous organization begins with a clear separation between his entire collection in iTunes and his performance-ready selections in Rekordbox. Rather than cluttering his DJ setup with his full library, he curates specific folders in iTunes before importing them into Rekordbox for live sets.

A defining feature of his system is his disciplined three-word maximum tagging approach, using hashtags to categorize tracks. The position of each tag within the three-word limit determines its importance, with the most defining characteristic listed first. This structured hierarchy enables an intuitive search process—typing combinations like “#acid #Chicago” prioritizes tracks that match both tags at the top, followed by those containing either term. This method allows him to navigate his collection with precision, effortlessly accessing tracks based on genre, mood, or sonic influence.

Zak also challenges conventional DJ tutorial “rules” often promoted on YouTube, such as organizing music strictly by BPM or key. Instead, he advocates for a more intuitive approach—labeling and tagging tracks based on how they feel rather than adhering to rigid technical classifications. The episode also highlights key tools that DVS1 relies on for music management, including Rekordbox, dBpoweramp, and iTunes. He walks viewers through his entire process in detail, demonstrating how his system enables him to quickly locate the perfect track for any moment in a set.

3. Mixing Demonstration

This chapter provides a hands-on look at DVS1’s approach to DJing, showcasing how he seamlessly blends multiple channels simultaneously. He delves into the evolution of his DJ setups over the years, highlighting the changes and refinements he has made. At the time of recording the masterclass, his setup consisted of four CDJs, an Allen & Heath Xone:96 mixer, and an effect pedal—an intricate configuration that reflects his deep technical expertise.

DVS1’s DJing style is undeniably complex and can be intimidating for aspiring DJs. His approach requires a high level of skill, quick decision-making, and an acute understanding of how different sonic elements interact in real-time. While this chapter primarily focuses on the practical aspects of his mixing process rather than extensive verbal explanations, it still offers a rare and valuable glimpse into the live workflow of one of the finest DJs of our time. A bit more discussion on his methodology would have been a welcome addition, but the sheer depth of insight provided through his performance makes this an essential watch for anyone serious about the craft of DJing.

4. Music Royalties

While this chapter doesn’t focus on DJing itself, it sheds light on one of the most crucial aspects of the music industry: royalties. Zak provides an in-depth discussion on the different types of royalties and the rights of music producers, emphasizing the stark pay gap between DJs and producers. This leads to a conversation about the inception of Aslice, a platform he created to help music producers earn royalties from DJ sets. While Aslice was founded with a noble mission and brought attention to one of the industry’s most pressing issues, financial constraints ultimately led to the company shutting down.

Overall, the masterclass is a well-curated and insightful experience by Seedj. It addresses key questions that emerging DJs and artists often grapple with. While the course touches on technical aspects, its primary focus is on the psychological and philosophical dimensions of DJing rather than pure technique. A deeper exploration of hands-on experiences would have been a welcome addition, but the course remains an invaluable resource nonetheless.

Seedj provides a unique learning experience for aspiring music producers and DJs, offering much more than just educational content. The platform hosts a variety of contests, including gig contests, release contests, and premiere contests, giving artists valuable opportunities for industry exposure. It’s exciting to see so many emerging talents securing performances at major events and landing releases on renowned labels through these competitions.

Beyond contests, Seedj also features a tracks pool, where artists can submit their demos to DJs, labels, and industry professionals seeking fresh tracks for their mixes, live sets, or record releases. This feature further enhances the platform’s role in connecting upcoming artists with key players in the electronic music scene.

More info on Seedj.com