What is a DJ drop?
A DJ drop (also called a DJ tag, DJ intro or radio drop) is a short, loud voice clip that names the DJ, the mix or the station. DJs play them over intros, between songs and at the peak of a set to stamp their name on the mix. On mixtapes, drops play over the first bars of almost every track.
Types of DJ drops
| Type | What it sounds like | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Name drop | "DJ Nova!" with a big echo | Over intros and transitions |
| Mixtape drop | "Nova's summer tape, volume three" | The start of every track on a tape |
| Radio ID | "You're locked in to Nova FM" | Shows, podcasts and live streams |
| Hype drop | "Make some noise!" with an air horn | The peak of a set |
| Rewind drop | "Pull up, selecta!" with a rewind sound | Dancehall, jungle, UK garage |
| Shout-out | "Big up everyone in the building" | Club nights and live events |
DJ drop ideas
- "DJ [Name] on the ones and twos!"
- "[Name], turn it up!"
- "You're now listening to DJ [Name]."
- "[Name] in the mix!"
- "Pull up! [Name] running the dance!"
- "Make some noise for DJ [Name]!"
- "Locked in with [Name]."
- "Another exclusive from DJ [Name]."
- "Lights down, volume up. [Name]."
- "[Name] radio, we don't stop."
Effects that make a DJ drop hit
- Air horn. The classic. Short blasts before or after the name.
- Siren. A rising siren builds tension into the drop.
- Rewind and scratch. A tape-stop or rewind before the name, borrowed from sound system culture.
- Big reverb and echo. DJ drops play in big rooms, so a long echo on the name makes it feel huge.
- Radio filter. A thin, telephone-like EQ for a station ID or a throwback feel.
- Laser and riser. Sweeps and risers for EDM and festival sets.
How to make a DJ drop yourself
- Write a line under eight words with your DJ name in it.
- Record a loud, confident take (DJ drops are shouted more often than spoken).
- Clean it up with EQ and compression, then add a long echo on the last word.
- Layer an air horn, siren or rewind sound from a sample pack.
- Limit it hard so it's loud next to club tracks, and export a WAV and an MP3.
The same steps are covered in more depth in how to make a producer tag.
How to make a DJ drop with AI
On the DJ drop page you can hear drops in six AI voices and switch between styles like DJ, dancehall, rewind, scratch, space and radio. Type your DJ name, pick a pack, and your drops arrive as HD WAV files, usually in under 30 minutes. You can also make one DJ drop free.
How to use DJ drops in a set
- Load drops into your software's sample deck (Serato, rekordbox and Traktor all have one) or a hot cue on a spare deck.
- Fire them over the intro of the next track, not over vocals.
- Don't overdo it: a drop every few transitions keeps it special.
- For recorded mixes and mixtapes, place drops in your DAW after the mix is done so they sit perfectly.
FAQ
What is a DJ drop?
A short voice clip with the DJ's name, played over intros and transitions to brand a mix, radio show or mixtape.
How do I make a DJ drop for free?
Record your own voice and add free effects in any DAW, or use the free DJ drop maker to make one with AI.
How long should a DJ drop be?
Two to six seconds. Long enough for your name and a sound effect, short enough to fit over a transition.
Can I use DJ drops on Twitch or YouTube?
Yes. Drops you make or buy on Moshpyt are royalty free for commercial use, including streams and uploads.