DJ Edits vs Mashups vs Remixes: What’s the Difference?

There comes a point for most DJs where just mixing other people’s songs starts to feel limiting. You begin to notice how a track could work better or maybe you want to really put your own identity on your music and define a more signature sound. That’s when a lot of DJs start experimenting with edits, mashups and remixes. These three ideas get thrown around a lot, but they’re not the same thing. Each has a slightly different creative process, and together they form the journey most DJs take as they start moving toward making their own music. In this guide, we’ll break down what each term means and how learning them can help you grow from mixing other people’s tracks to shaping your own sound.

What Is a DJ Edit?

A DJ edit is where most people start. It’s about taking a track you love and reshaping it so it works better in your sets. You’re not reinventing the song, just improving the bits that make it easier to mix or more effective on the dancefloor. That might mean extending the intro so you’ve got more time to blend, or cutting down a long breakdown that kills the energy in a set. Simple tweaks like this can make a big difference when it comes time to mix them. The great thing about edits is that they also teach you how songs are structured. Once you start rearranging sections, you’ll see how producers build momentum, where they drop and build energy, and how phrases fit together. You’ll start to understand why a track works rather than just how to mix it.

What Is a Mashup?

A mashup is when you blend parts of two or more songs to make something new. The most common version is taking a vocal from one track and layering it over the instrumental of another, but mashups can also involve combining melodies, rhythms or samples. The goal is to make something that sounds natural, like the tracks were meant to fit together. The best mashups surprise people without feeling forced. They work because you’ve matched the key, tempo and phrasing so that everything flows smoothly. Doing this teaches you how different songs connect, and you’ll get better at spotting combinations that feel right on the dancefloor. It’s also a fun way to add some flair to your sets and give familiar songs a fresh twist.

What Is a Remix?

A remix is the point where DJing turns into full-on music production. It’s when you take elements of an existing song, like the vocal or a hook, and rebuild everything around it with new drums, sounds and arrangements. Remixing lets you put your own spin on music you already love. You can slightly rework the vibe to your tastes or completely mix it up, like taking a house track and turning it into a garage tune. You’ll start learning the skills producers use every day, like building grooves, shaping sounds and creating the structure. Working with stems (the individual parts of a song) teaches you how each layer contributes to the bigger picture. And because you’re starting with an existing track, it’s easier to start working than going from scratch, so you can focus on creativity instead of staring at an empty project, wondering where to begin.

How They Fit Together

For most DJs who go on to become producers, this is how the journey starts. You begin by making edits because they’re simple and practical. You’re fixing small things in your sets and getting comfortable rearranging songs. Then those small tweaks lead to bigger ideas. You start experimenting with mashups, learning how different tracks fit together musically and finding creative combinations that work in a club. Once you’ve got a feel for that, remixing is the next logical step. You already understand phrasing, key and energy, so you can rebuild a track with your own style. Before you know it, you’re making your own music. This progression from edit to mashup to remix is how most DJs naturally slide into production. Each step builds new skills that prepare you for creating original music.

Ready to Take That Step?

Our DJ to Producer Course is built for DJs who want to go beyond mixing and start creating. You’ll learn how to make edits, mashups and remixes in Ableton Live through clear, hands-on lessons that show every step of the process. By the end, you’ll understand how music is built, how to reshape it for the club, and how to turn your own ideas into finished tracks. It’s the best way to make the jump from DJ to producer with confidence. You can watch a free lesson taken straight from the course and download a Toolroom sample pack to start experimenting for yourself.