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-- A few questions: learning techniques...
A few questions: learning techniques...
Soon I'll be playing out, and since I still consider myself a beginner in the sense of having played out, I decided to label all my records with their bpm's. Up until now I have not done so, becaue every time the thought occurred to me I felt all dirty inside. 
But now, I went ahead and did it anyways because I thought that I must. I have so many records (well...around 70-80) that I cannot remember off the top of my head the track bpm's (So I dont mix a slow track into a fast one.
Anyways is it alright to label them, you think? Do big name dj's do them?
Also since I have two 1200 and an old stanton str8-30, I went out and bought an extra needle and tried 3-deck mixing...it wasn't as bad as I thought, pretty good if you ask me. I thought I would practice 3 deck mixing so at least when my gig comes up, I'll be that much better at least with 2-deck mixing. What do you think?
Anyone have any techniques for mixing with 3 or more decks (or sources)?
Labeling my records with bpm is not my thing but if it suits you and it'll help you..then do it!
there's absolutely nothing wrong with putting bpms on records....if it helps you then its all good. There are a lot of records that I buy from artists who I've never heard of and the names of teh songs are so random that I actually write little descriptions of them so I can remember what song it actually is. For example..."quirky / bouncey tech house - 126 bpm." Its a record that came in a 3 X LP that I wouldn't be able to differentiate if I didn't label it. Do whatever you need to do.
if bpm really helps you that much then yea go ahead and label them...
i personally dont pay much attention to bpm but then ive got a solid idea of what each track sounds like when i look at the sleeve so its no biggie trying to decide whether a track is too fast or not...
i label my wax with their keys and mix by that...
it doesnt matter much what bpm a track is, you could have them perfectly matched and it would still probably sound like farts and cowbells plus the fact that in the process of beatmatching your cue track youve sped it up or slowed it down and by the time youve got it in sync the speed isnt what you have lebeld on the record....
^bpm... no point..
only untill you have a mass collection of wax and enough records to have say 20 tracks of diff bpms all in the same key is when knowing bpm is usefull... then you can really give your sets a good flow.. but since you arent at that stage yet dont bother... its just numbers to you for the time being
then again.. its your vinyl, do what you will
who cares what big name djs do with their wax... if tiesto pinched a record from its sleeve with his ass cheeks every mix would you try it too?
big name DJs are just like the rest of us music junkies only theyve been at it for alot longer than you and i... if i were 40yrs old spinning since i was a teen id probably be really damn good just like the rest of those guys...
your ability behind the decks is directly proportional to the time spent behind them
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| Originally posted by Exodus17 your ability behind the decks is directly proportional to the time spent behind them |
i wouldn't mark each track with a bpm.
i'd establish a few kinds of tracks with a set bpm range.
for example.
if you find a few tracks that tend to fill up the dance floor with good energy, put it under a topic called "floor filler". it's gonna be something that brings everyone to the dance floor and is gonna encompass very much the same style of music.
name another one 'astmospheric' - a collection of songs that establishes a mood at the party or a really good buildup. somthing that exemplifies you looking forward to the next part of the set where it sets off.
etc.
omg. It helps you m8, so do it.
Big name DJ's don't label them because:
1. They know their tracks
2. They are used to beatmatching so much they can hear straight away what bpm a track is. I know I can, +/- 2 or so beats.
3. It's acctually doesn't matter because even without the bpm they can set 2 tracks to the same tempo within seconds.
If you take longer than say 30 seconds to match the tempo, label your tracks.
Don't feel bad about it, syncing beats are only a small part of the skill that is called DJ'ing. If you label your tracks you got more time to think about which tracks to play next, feeling the crowd, and most of all, having fun.
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| Originally posted by PutBoy omg. It helps you m8, so do it. Big name DJ's don't label them because: 1. They know their tracks 2. They are used to beatmatching so much they can hear straight away what bpm a track is. I know I can, +/- 2 or so beats. 3. It's acctually doesn't matter because even without the bpm they can set 2 tracks to the same tempo within seconds. |
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| Originally posted by dinoXpress i think thats a slight generalization.... You speak of them as if they are advanced human beings... |
I label all of my records with BPM and key. I know many professional DJs do too.
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| Originally posted by PutBoy What do you mean "human"? I thought "they" were directly decendent from the gods. :S ;D Jokes aside, well they have been in the "business" for quite a while. Generally. So, they have of course gotten some practice in beatmatching. |
| quote: |
| Originally posted by dinoXpress yeah, youd think so wouldnt you.... |
labelling your records can be a good idea.. but dont become reliant upon the numbers. if, for instance, you are using someone else's records, you will have trouble beatmatching since you wont know whether to pitch up or down.
basically, any 'handicap' you give yourself when it comes to djing, whether it be labeling bpms, labeling key, having bpm counters, pre-mixing.. takes away from your overall ability as a dj if given 2 unmarked, unknown records and told to beatmatch. try using that shit in a dj battle.. and see how far it takes you. i just schooled someone a few days ago because he didnt know my tracks, and i could analyze his without blinking an eye.
if you mark your records to use as a catalyst to get the hang of it and then stop marking them, thats a different story, because that helps you get a feel for bpms/keys. the more you move away from that 'handicap', the better off you will be.
razzi.
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