More questions from a dumb newbie

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Posted by inflight101 on Jun-20-2005 20:58:

More questions from a dumb newbie

So I hear lots of you talking about 0 pitch and playing a song at +8% and things like that? What exaclty does that indicate? Is playing a song a 0 pitch just playing it at its normal speed and not trying to adjust the pitch if mixing it with another song?

I also hear people talk about the kick in a song? What exaclty is a kick?

I've started beatmatching and sometimes it takes me 3-4 minutes to beatmatch a song. Is it normal to suck so much? Will it get any better? Maybe I'm not cueing right. Is there a way I should cue a particular song?

Also, whats the proper way to use the loop button? What exaclty is that for?

Thanks in advance for all your help guys!

Posted by Cosmic Realm on Jun-20-2005 21:08:

1) yes playing a song at 0 pitch is when you just play a song at its normal speed...

2) the "kick" of a song is the kick drum, so its apart of the beat of the song..

3) yes you will get better over time, took me 6 months to get it right, and 8 to start doing it every time...
with los of practice and a strong will to do it, you will learn and because better

Posted by inflight101 on Jun-20-2005 21:11:

So should I set my cue somehow to the kick? How exactly do I do that?

Posted by jupiterone on Jun-20-2005 21:21:

right when the kick starts..soon youll be able to mix without a kick and wherever adn you can count the kicks from taht point

Posted by dartman on Jun-20-2005 23:01:

Don't worry too much about how long it takes you to beatmatch. It took be forever to get anywhere near decent at beatmatching. Like someone said before, the kick refers to the kick drum in the song, the "thump". I usually cue the song I am going to bring in on the first kick drum. After a while you will get to a point where you can guage a song's speed from other parts of the song but when I started out it was all about the kick drum.

Keep practicing, and don't get discouraged. It all takes time.

Posted by inflight101 on Jun-20-2005 23:02:

I also hear some people refer to the phrases in songs, what is that?

Posted by alligator on Jun-21-2005 06:06:

quote:
Originally posted by inflight101
I also hear some people refer to the phrases in songs, what is that?

http://www.recess.co.uk/

check out that webpage, read as much as you can. don't worry about phrases yet. i like the website, tons of good advice

Posted by inflight101 on Jun-21-2005 06:26:

You guys are awesome! Thanks for all the help. I'll be sure to post my first mix here so you guys can critique me. But let's be honest, that's going to be a while from now and I'm sure I will have more questions between now and then. Thanks again!

Posted by alligator on Jun-21-2005 07:06:

the best critic will be yourself, because you will disect your own mixes inside out...

Posted by xstalkrx on Jun-26-2005 08:12:

My Numark battle pack is on the way. I've been practicing on my friend's battle pack and I suck! I did get one mix right but I mighth have just gotten lucky. Few noob questions:

When you say "cue" do you mean that I should find the place in the track that I want to start mixing and hit pause on that deck? Then wait till I want to start mixing and then press play?

When you are beatmatching, can you beatmatch without adjusting the pitch? Do you simply bump the record forwards or backwards with your fingers to try and align the beats?

Any help appreciated.

::flame suit on::

Oh, here are my first vinyls! Tell me what you think! Think I can create at least a couple of decent mixes between a couple of these tracks?

Tiesto - Adagio for Strings
NU NRG - Connective EP
NU NRG - Space Flower EP
Ferry Corsten - Punk
Tiesto - Sparkles (Original Mix)
Tiesto - Flight 643

Here is my wanted list:

http://www.tranceaddict.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=274811&goto=newpost

Posted by Aquarian on Jun-26-2005 11:38:

If you're just starting out with the basics, you could try beatmatching a track into itself. This way you know that they fit, and you can tell your mistakes easier this way.

Posted by xstalkrx on Jun-26-2005 13:56:

you mean getting the same vinyl on both decks?

Posted by Mr.Mystery on Jun-26-2005 14:02:

quote:
Originally posted by Aquarian
If you're just starting out with the basics, you could try beatmatching a track into itself. This way you know that they fit, and you can tell your mistakes easier this way.

No no no. That way you only learn to mix similar sounding tracks together.

Posted by xstalkrx on Jun-26-2005 18:58:

so does the simplest form of beatmatching simply require bumping the records forwards or backwards with your fingers? Refer back to my post earlier in the thread.

Posted by A.J. on Jun-26-2005 19:19:

No.

You have to adjust the pitch AS WELL AS aligning the beats so that both tracks are running at the same speed and the beats are aligned.

Go to www.recess.co.uk to learn more (as posted above in this thread)

Posted by xstalkrx on Jun-26-2005 20:57:

that recess site is great stuff! I'm wondering...are the tables in the numark battle pack considered "cheap"? They are direct drive tables and I know that is a big deal. But what is the general opinion on these?

Posted by PutBoy on Jun-26-2005 21:23:

Yes the recess site is pretty grand. There's alot of stuffz and shitz there.

about the numarks you've got. they are normally considered crap. A lot of people will tell you that if it's not technics, It's not a turntable. But well. As long as they're direct driven, it's "ok" I guess...

Posted by xstalkrx on Jun-26-2005 21:34:

I dont actually have the numarks yet. I've been playing with my friend's battle pack. I'm looking for something to get my foot in the door and spend months learning how to beat match. Then, if all goes well, I would have no problem spending the cash for some better tables.

The numark battle pack includes:
TT1625 tables / DM950 mixer
Is there anyone here who has these tables?