By NaJade · DJ in Bangkok · Published November 13, 2026
This guide is part of how to learn to DJ: the complete guide.
A gig lasts one night. A show keeps working for you every week.
A regular radio show or mix series is one of the best things a DJ can build. It gives promoters something to listen to, gives you a deadline that forces you to dig for music, and slowly turns into a body of work. The catch is that most DJs start one, upload three episodes, and stop — or upload to the wrong platform and get taken down. Here’s how to set it up so it lasts.
To start a DJ radio show, pick a clear concept and a fixed schedule, record clean one- to two-hour mixes, and host them somewhere licensed for DJ mixes — Mixcloud is the usual home. Follow its track rules, publish a tracklist, bank a few episodes before you launch, then pitch community radio stations with a short demo.
Start With a Concept, Not a Mix
Listeners subscribe to an idea, not to a random mix. Before you record anything, decide:
- A name and a lane. “Sunday progressive house from Bangkok” is easier to remember than your DJ name plus a number.
- A format. Pure mix, or mix with short voice links? Guest mixes every month? A theme per episode?
- A length. One to two hours is the norm for radio. Shorter works for podcast-style shows.
- A schedule you can keep. Monthly is fine to start; move to fortnightly or weekly once you’ve proved you can deliver.
Your concept should match the DJ you’re building — see how to build your DJ brand.
Where to Host Your Show
This is the decision that matters most, because a DJ mix contains other people’s music. Platforms treat that very differently:
| Platform | DJ mixes licensed? | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Mixcloud | Yes | Pays royalties to artists; Pro is $15/month or $11.25/month billed yearly; the free tier is capped at 10 published shows |
| SoundCloud | No blanket licence | You need permission for every track; mixes can be removed |
| Podcast apps | No | Apple Podcasts requires you to hold the rights to everything; fine for talk shows or cleared music |
| YouTube | No | Any rights owner in the mix can block the video through Content ID |
| Twitch | Opt-in DJ Program | Launched in 2024; streamers who earn share revenue with rights holders |
For most DJs, Mixcloud Pro is the simplest legal home for a regular show — it also allows scheduled uploads and live streaming. More on the options in where to upload DJ mixes and how to live stream a DJ set.
Mixcloud’s Track Rules
Mixcloud’s licence comes with Featured Artist Rules that every show must follow:
- No more than 4 tracks by the same artist, and no more than 3 of them in a row.
- No more than 3 tracks from the same album or compilation, and no more than 2 of them in a row.
- Shows that break the rules get restricted — sometimes to subscribers only, sometimes to no one.
- Always add a full, timestamped tracklist. It helps listeners, and it helps the right artists get paid.
If your show is a tribute to one artist, that’s exactly the format these rules block — plan themed episodes around a label or a year instead.
Recording and Sound
- Record from the mixer’s record output or your software’s recorder, never from a phone in the room. The basics are in how to record a DJ mix.
- Keep levels out of the red. Clean gain staging matters more than any plug-in.
- Aim for consistent loudness. For podcast feeds, Apple’s audio requirements ask for about -16 LKFS with peaks no higher than -1 dBFS.
- Upload high quality. Mixcloud accepts WAV, FLAC, AIFF and MP3 files up to 4 GB.
- Brand it. A short intro ident or DJ drop makes every episode instantly recognisable.
Getting on Real Radio
Once you have a handful of episodes, community and online stations are the next step. They usually want a written show proposal, a short demo of around 15 minutes, proof you can hold a one- to two-hour slot, and a plan for the next six months. Start by offering guest mixes, then pitch a monthly slot.
| Stage | Goal | What to send |
|---|---|---|
| Months 1–3 | Bank episodes, find your format | Nothing yet — just publish on schedule |
| Months 3–6 | Guest mixes on other shows | Your best episode plus a short bio |
| Month 6+ | A regular slot on a station | Proposal, 15-minute demo, six-month plan |
A show is also great promotion for gigs — see how to promote yourself as a DJ and how to build a DJ career.
A Note From NaJade
I’ve started more mix series than I’ve finished, and every time the problem was the same: I launched with one great episode and no plan for the second. What finally worked was boring discipline — three episodes recorded before the first one went out, and a fixed date on the calendar. The show doesn’t need to be perfect. It needs to arrive when you said it would. Over time it becomes the best record of how your taste has changed, and the easiest thing to send when a venue in Bangkok asks, “What do you actually play?” Start small, stay consistent, and let the archive do the talking.
Related: how to record a DJ mix, where to upload DJ mixes, how to make a DJ demo mix, and how to build a DJ set.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I legally upload a DJ radio show?
How long should a DJ radio show be?
What are Mixcloud’s rules for DJ mixes?
Can I put my DJ mixes on Spotify or Apple Podcasts?
How much does Mixcloud Pro cost?
How do I get my own show on an online radio station?
About the Author
NaJade is a Bangkok-based DJ playing progressive house, melodic EDM, pop, and Thai music across clubs, rooftops, and weddings in Thailand. He teaches beatmatching and mixing to beginners both in person in Bangkok and online over Zoom. When he’s not behind the decks, he’s documenting the journey on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.