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Posted by SgtFoo on May-05-2003 04:38:

crossfader versus track volumes

I was told once that the crossfader is only for scratching, and that for dance music, DJs should use each track's individual volume slider to mix. Is this true??? what do most of you DJs use?? does it matter? am I not a n00b??

Posted by Arsalan on May-05-2003 04:44:

Re: crossfader versus track volumes

quote:
Originally posted by SgtFoo
I was told once that the crossfader is only for scratching, and that for dance music, DJs should use each track's individual volume slider to mix. Is this true??? what do most of you DJs use?? does it matter? am I not a n00b??

its actually a prefernce, but i know most electronic djs use the volume fader and it is the easiest and it is the best, because you have total control over how much volume to bring in or kill, i think its much easier with the volume faders but its not a bad idea to learn both.

and the thing about the scratch djs , its true because when you scratching you cant scratch and play with 2 faders at the same time.. and most boards(mixers) that are built for electronic mixing have a really long volume input fader for each channel (60 mm, 65, etc.. ) so your mixes are MUCH much more smoother. Vetsax has some nice volume input faders for each channel.

Posted by Flash Bastard on May-05-2003 09:36:

When i just got my deks and my mixer i use'd the crossfader but when i saw some dj movie's i saw alot of dj's use the volume slider, i tried a couple of times and now i am stick to it .. i don't think it's better or something you do exacly the same with the crossfader as with the volume slider ( you bring in the B song ) the only thing is that volume slider is easyer i think

Posted by Martin McG on May-05-2003 10:33:

i use both cos thats what i prefer now

Posted by hey cheggy on May-05-2003 18:14:

I actually use both at the same time. I play a lot of techno and there's things you just flat out couldn't do by using the channel faders alone. You need the x-fader to cut things back and fourth. At the same time, I've seen people effectively use the line select switches a lot to cut instead of the cross fader, although personally, I'm not a fan of this method.

Posted by Tiger777 on May-05-2003 19:05:

Like all other things they're involved with mixing, do what sounds best, use the fader or use the volume control or use both! I do them both... Try that too, the more you explore and use the features of your mixer, the better your mixes will sound.

quote:
the crossfader is only for scratching

No it isn't, you can use it very good for sudden silences... sounds very good on appropriate times...

Posted by shawnb on May-05-2003 23:24:

Re: crossfader versus track volumes

Posted by Greedy on May-06-2003 01:00:

learn to beatmatch with just volume, but be able to use both and you will be a better dj all around.

Posted by Xavier on May-06-2003 01:17:

when i'm using the crossfader and recording, the fading sounds so awful when I hear it later. Yet when I play it live sounds decent.

Posted by twizta on May-06-2003 02:49:

when i first got my mixer..i used the crossfader..but now i am using the volume control...i find it way smoother and easier

Posted by sektile on May-06-2003 05:46:

i dont use the crossfader at all cause (could be just my mixer, but..)
i notice a volume difference between it set to the middle, and all the way across to the channel thats playing, and that can seriously fuckup a otherwise good-sounding mix, due to having volumes perfect at there correct levels i dont want to change them at the end of a mix

Posted by montie on May-06-2003 08:24:

when i first started, i used to use only teh crossfader.
then as i kept watching DJ's at clubs, i only saw them use the channel volume levels.

now, when i mix i keep the crossfader in the middle almost the entire time and use only the channel volume to control the mix.
the only time i use the cross fader is when i do a "fancy" mix where i'll throw over the beat of the next record and switch back and for and such and do tricks.

when you use the volume control you have so much more control over the levels of the sound then with the crossfader.

Posted by Ghostface on May-06-2003 09:39:

I�ve only started trying this method out recently. The jury�s still out IMO. As with all things it can�t hurt to know how though.

Posted by b|p|3m on May-06-2003 17:10:

I usually like to mix using crossfader so i have a hand free to play with eq's and with pitch for better beatmatching. I've tried to use channel fader in the past but it didn't work good for me.

Posted by DJ Kibon on May-07-2003 00:23:

Personal preferece - I prefer to use the channel faders instead of the crossfader. I'm also starting to use gain controls much more when mixing, I prefer turning a dial to push a slider.

Guess I should be using one of those old school, rack mounted mixers with dial controls.