Unleashing Creativity: The Dynamic Fusion of Beats, History, and Technology

In a quiet classroom at the MIT Media Lab, a DJ is getting ready. At a long conference table sit two turntables, a mixer, and a trusty crossfader. A MacBook is nearby, waiting to play some beats.

Today’s class is called DJ History, Technique, and Technology. It dives into the vibrant music scenes of the 1970s, including disco, funk, rhythm and blues, and the roots of early hip-hop. Instructor Philip Tan gets things started with the sound of the needle dropping, signaling the start of class.

Tan, who earned his degrees from MIT, works at the MIT Game Lab and is a well-known DJ. He’s been teaching students about mixing and turntable techniques since 1998. Alongside this, he designs games across various formats. But today, all eyes are on the music setup.

“DJ’ing is like playing an instrument,” Tan shares with students as they enter the room. “It’s all about crafting a music experience for the audience.”

Originally from Singapore, Tan moved to the U.S. in 1993 to study. His interest in DJ culture sparked after he started DJ’ing in high school. “A friend introduced me to it, and we even competed together in DJ contests,” he recalls. Before that, he was busy making mixtapes by layering songs on cassettes and CDs.

Over the years, Tan thought about developing a course that combined his love for DJ’ing with education. He wanted to meet others on campus interested in the same art. During a series of lectures at the Lewis Music Library in 2019, he discussed various aspects of DJ culture, from vinyl to digital sound. Tan also organized meetups for DJs at MIT’s Music Production Collaborative.

When the pandemic hit, he found new ways to engage students by offering an online DJ course. This led to the creation of a full-semester class offered this spring.

Learning the Basics

In this engaging class, students learn the fundamental skills of live DJ mixing while exploring different dance scenes from history. They also research the evolution of DJ techniques and the tech behind them. Each student writes a paper and creates a mix tape based on their research. At the end of the semester, they hold a DJ event for the MIT community, and getting into the class is done through a lottery system.

“It’s amazing to see how everything we learn connects with real-life DJ’ing,” says Madeline Leano, a second-year student. She loves music and appreciates how the class enhances her understanding of music production.

Leano notes that Tan connects the technical aspects of mixing with engineering concepts. “He makes it exciting to see how everything works together.”

Tan explains how DJ tools have evolved over the years, comparing old and new equipment. He talks about how different mixers suited different music cultures, underlining how the tools change with trends.

He also brings in cultural history, discussing how disco and hip-hop emerged in the 1970s and the importance of safe spaces for communities to express themselves through dance.

Practical Skills

As class wraps up, students take turns at the turntables, practicing the techniques they’ve learned. They focus on blending tracks seamlessly to keep the crowd dancing, realizing it’s trickier than it looks.

“I’m not trying to turn students into expert DJs,” Tan clarifies. “We’re focusing on the music, history, and practical skills.”

“Philip is one of the coolest teachers at MIT!” Leano says. “You can feel his passion for DJ history and technology.”

Tan skillfully demonstrates DJ techniques, showing both traditional methods and modern digital setups. Students admire his expertise and his ability to connect with them.

“He answers every question in such detail, and he makes the class interactive,” Leano adds. “He really makes sure everyone understands.”