January 2026
- Diana Khaibrakhmanova
- Feb 21
- 2 min read
In January I shifted focus from just composing to presenting myself as a DJ and producer in public. I started treating my DJ practice not just as a skill-building exercise.
First recorded DJ set
After around three months of practising and already playing two DJ sets in person, I decided to record my first DJ set for my music YouTube channel.
Built a set that leaned into Electro Punk and Techno, connecting the intensity of those genres with the harsher, ritualistic energy I want in my own productions.
Treated this recording as a first “portfolio” moment: a way to document where my DJ sound currently is and how it might evolve alongside the EP.
Continuing DJ practice
Kept refining my DJ technique: tighter beatmatching, smoother transitions, and more intentional phrasing between tracks.
Used practice sessions to test how my evolving sound design ideas (from Vital and my own samples) might blend with existing Electro, Techno and Industrial tracks.
Sound design with Vital
Started using Vital as a main source for industrial, harsh and distinct instruments and textures, especially for synths, basses and noisy atmospheres.
Experimented with its spectral warping and wavetable tools to sculpt aggressive, metallic and distorted timbres that still feel controllable in a mix.
Began building a small personal library of patches that could be used across tracks and DJ edits.
Visuals and promo concepts
Returned to the moodboard (ritual, red, Tatar green, gold, white, folk, rave, spiritual) and started asking how it could shape my promo materials.
Brainstormed ideas for stylised visuals: looks and outfits for DJ photos and videos, colour schemes and fonts for YouTube thumbnails and social media assets, ways to bring a sense of ritual and folk symbolism into a contemporary club context.
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