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beatmatching / headphone question

I�ve read the old threads on this before (plus search isn�t working right now). Most of the related threads talk about split cue beatmatching but what about having both records in both ears during beatmatching (blend on some mixers or putting both channels on cue on mixers like the DJM 600)? Usually when I beatmatch I will match it using one ear in the phones and one on the monitor. Sometimes I will put both records on both ears in the phones to fine tune. It seems to help get it matched perfectly�though I try not to do it all the time. I then mix with one ear in phones (cue) and one on monitor.

Is there any reason why I shouldn�t be doing this during beatmatching (ie, will I not be able to do this in clubs?) Is this �cheating� or is this normal?? It seems to make the mix go from good to awesome�

Doesnt matter how you do it- its the result that counts.

Personally i find this more uncomfortable than using a monitor or slit cueing- but thats just because i prefer a separation between the two. I can do it but there are other methods im more comfortable with.

All that matters is the result being pumped out over the system- how you get that result is all down to the individual

I'm using a Xone:62 for my mixer. When i mix all i use is the Aux send and adjust the volume. I'll have the volume on the incoming tune about 2/3 volume & the outgoing tune around 1/3 volume and mix them both in one ear. My mixer has a split cue function, but never found a need for it. Whatever you are comfortable with i guess

Zzyzx

on my VMX-300, what I do is I have always both tracks (or 3 if it's the case on PFL, it's better to adjust gains and stuff, and I still can't match beats perfectly with one ear on cue track and one ear on the monitor.. I prefer to have one ear on the monitor and another one with both tracks running on my headphones.

I use split-cue on my Behringer for the majority of my beatmatching, then flip the switch to overlay (both channels playing in stereo ontop of each other) for fine tuning.

the problem with zzyzx's method...i think.. is that it would be hard to match the gains of the two songs untill you bring them in. i guess its nto too much of a problem but i personally like everything set becuase i arleady have enough to deal with when bringin in another track

i think that freak is right... everyone has their own preferences and what matters is the end product.

personally i find i thard to beatmatch using any sort of split cue beuacse my brain doesnt work like that. if two tracks are complecated i will use the monitor and cue the incoming record to get it in the ballpark but i have to listen to both for percise tweaks. one reason for this is that the phasing is more concrete when i can hear both tracks on top of eachother. it also provides for a more realistic example of what the mix will sound like.

but like i said, its up to personal preference. everyone is good and bad at different things.... its just a matter of mixing in the way that minimizes your weaknesses and maximizes your strengths.

quote:

Originally posted by DjJade the problem with zzyzx's method...i think.. is that it would be hard to match the gains of the two songs untill you bring them in.

Not really problem at all, for me anyway. I just use the meters to adjust the gain. They are pretty acurate on the Xone board.

Zzyzx

ahh i never use the meters beucase they are so small on the xone...so either way arent the meters post fader/gain?
my original point is that im not great at multitasking so having the gain set beforehand makes it one less thing to worry about when mixing in

I have generally started mixing recently with both in the headphone and using my monitor for the output. This seems to be the most confortable way for me although my monitors aren't that loud. I usually have 75% cued track 25% output in my headphones.

I think ideally you can hear smaller differences with cue in headphones and output in monitors than any other method.

I have used split cued on a friends mixer but it just makes me feel....

Just lget confortable with all methods if so if it ever comes to it in a club you can use any method if need be. i.e. some don't have monitor which would make split cue pretty dam useful.

it does depend on where you are playing and how u prefer to mix.

at home i do whatver i can be arsed to do.

but last time i was playing out, the monitor speaker only sounded like a constant fart and there was a slight delay on the master out system so i had to mix it all in the headphones just about. i've played at parties where i've mixes one ear on one ear off with the master out. it's all down to the particular situation.

Re: beatmatching / headphone question

quote:

Originally posted by KID-M I�ve read the old threads on this before (plus search isn�t working right now). Most of the related threads talk about split cue beatmatching but what about having both records in both ears during beatmatching (blend on some mixers or putting both channels on cue on mixers like the DJM 600)? Usually when I beatmatch I will match it using one ear in the phones and one on the monitor. Sometimes I will put both records on both ears in the phones to fine tune. It seems to help get it matched perfectly�though I try not to do it all the time. I then mix with one ear in phones (cue) and one on monitor. Is there any reason why I shouldn�t be doing this during beatmatching (ie, will I not be able to do this in clubs?) Is this �cheating� or is this normal?? It seems to make the mix go from good to awesome�

i've always beatmatched using one ear in my phones and the other ear on the monitor. i do it this way at home and in the club. i have never had any use for playing both records in my phones at the same time.

- musashi

Hey Kid-M,

This is a very personal thing amongst DJs. You will find that most will use one ear on phones and one hearing the monitor. I tend to vary what I do depending on what the situation calls for but my favourite method is everything in both ears. The method I never use is split cueing in phones but there would be no arguement that would say that's bad, other than not all mixers support it.

There is an art to mixing in crap environments were you have bad monitors but these days there is mostly no need for it as the majority of mixers allow you to do everything in the headphones. If you can ensure a good mix everytime then why not do it.

The main thing to think of when mixing in a club enviroment is being able to hear what you are doing over the sound system. Good headphones are a must with focus on the isolation they provide (Sound they block out).

On a personal note, I find that mixing with both tracks in the headphones to be the most accurate for me. Being fanatical about my transitions I like to ensure quality and this is the best way for me. Others will do it differently depending on their best method.

Just go with what feels best for you. By the time ou are really efficient with beat matching you will be able to adapt to do it anyway you need to.

Cheers
Nem

quote:

Originally posted by Zzyzx Not really problem at all, for me anyway. I just use the meters to adjust the gain. They are pretty acurate on the Xone board. Zzyzx

Hey Zz,

You can use the meters on the A & H mixers because you know you have great quality there.
It's worth getting used to adjusting it as you hear it though as a lot of mixers have missleading meters with regards to how they display it.

Cheers
Nem

i use my headphones with both tunes playing in both ears but i'm trying to get out of that habit.

its good for getting the beats matched but can be difficult when actually performing the mix.

quote:

Originally posted by chesco i use my headphones with both tunes playing in both ears but i'm trying to get out of that habit. its good for getting the beats matched but can be difficult when actually performing the mix.

Indeed, I too tend to have both tunes playing on both ears most of the time, and just as you, am trying to avoid it. It's great for fine-tuning, but I assume this type of feature is not on all mixers.

I spin with left ear on the monitor and the right in the phones, the phones just play the cued track, and sometimes I bring in the live track into the phones to see if they are in sync, I can beatmatch fine without doing that, but I bring the track in just to make sure I got the beats together.

Thanks for the advice guys...seems like a personal preference thing I guess.

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