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Start out mixing...

I got myself a Stealth Control and Audio 2 a few days back, I don't usually hear mixes and listen to singles most of the time (I only listen to Solaris International sometimes). I've just downloaded a crappaload of mix podcasts by the likes of Tritonal, Masashi Osaku, Sean Tyas and so on.

I've been watching DJ Tutor's vids for 2-3 years on and off, reading music theory stuff, and messing around with VirtualDJ/Traktor and a mouse. Just didn't have the time or money to invest in an audio soundcard + midi controller or dual cd players.

So, to start out, should I listen to tons of DJ mixes and and try to hear what they are trying to do or should I just wang some tunes on traktor and see if they mix?

Buy some turntables a mixer and a ton of vinyl and away you go!

....but failing that just start practicing as much and as often as possible, and just try stuff. Listen to DJ's you think mix well and try to figure out how they do it but don't get too hung up on it. Just have fun and keep trying new stuff out.

The best path can be determined by your intentions.

Why do you want to DJ?

You mentioned that you only listen to singles. Perhaps you might enjoy getting into Production moreso than DJ'ing?

I'm not trying to discourage you but if you don't even listen to mixes then what's your draw to DJ'ing?

Keep asking questions and doing research and, of course, listening to others' mixes.

Good luck!

As obvious as it may seem don't forget to count the beats! Notice the structure of the songs you choose... you'll hear different elements come into the song and exit with every set amount of beats (some multiple of 4 usually). That will help a lot with mixing one song into/out of the other.

quote:

Originally posted by DJ RANN Buy some turntables a mixer and a ton of vinyl and away you go! ....but failing that just start practicing as much and as often as possible, and just try stuff. Listen to DJ's you think mix well and try to figure out how they do it but don't get too hung up on it. Just have fun and keep trying new stuff out.

I would gladly spin vinyl if you could give me the cash to pay for the records and shipping :3

Thanks for the tip.

quote:

Originally posted by SPAWNmaster The best path can be determined by your intentions. Why do you want to DJ? You mentioned that you only listen to singles. Perhaps you might enjoy getting into Production moreso than DJ'ing? I'm not trying to discourage you but if you don't even listen to mixes then what's your draw to DJ'ing? Keep asking questions and doing research and, of course, listening to others' mixes. Good luck!

Yeah, I actually thought about going into production first (before DJing). The reason why I listen to singles mostly is because I have quite a number of (aye' matey) tunes to rate/comment/delete and have barely any hearing time left for listening to mixes. Plus, the 'tune' that got me into trance was a mix that was an hour long and it was like a complete whole song (a pretty long one).

I thought I would spend more time DJing first so I can experience more electronic dance music in my head and understand the structure in and out before diving in into production (plus the music scene in my country is pretty weak I think). Additionally, it'll be nice if I can produce some wicked mix or maybe some extra cash. Anyways, Many Producers themselves are also DJs.

Thanks for the post, really made me think a little back there.

quote:

Originally posted by keithos27 As obvious as it may seem don't forget to count the beats! Notice the structure of the songs you choose... you'll hear different elements come into the song and exit with every set amount of beats (some multiple of 4 usually). That will help a lot with mixing one song into/out of the other.

Aite, cheers.

Re: Start out mixing...

quote:

Originally posted by Yoricko So, to start out, should I listen to tons of DJ mixes and and try to hear what they are trying to do or should I just wang some tunes on traktor and see if they mix?

once i got a set of decks, i learnt how to mix in 2 tracks. This gave me an appreciation of compatibility & entering the 2nd track in at the right time so as not to clach the 2 tracks.

You will find that sometimes dj's just fade 1 track out & fade a 2nd track in. Especially on their podcasts, which gives them a chance to plug new tracks & not really build a set with a lot of premeditation.
eg, solarstone will switch tracks while his talking up the "next track"...

vinyl is pretty much dead imo. id get 2*cdj200 and djm400, i think they got mp3 support too so u can burn out data cds which can fit like 50 tracks on a cd. buy the mp3s on beatport.com, audiojelly.com etc. if everything fails you can resell the gear pretty easy and not loose much on it.

before you go spending money on equipment, use your current setup to make a 1hr mix.
You will learn SOOOOOOO much from it!!!
Its really surprising how much info you will pick up.

Structure your set to be the way you think would work best & to achieve your desired result/effect. Then record it.

quote:

Originally posted by recoil before you go spending money on equipment, use your current setup to make a 1hr mix. You will learn SOOOOOOO much from it!!! Its really surprising how much info you will pick up. Structure your set to be the way you think would work best & to achieve your desired result/effect. Then record it.

+1

A question for vinyl/cd spinners, how do you beat match? I'm not sure if Im doing it right ...

With my screen turned off, I use the trial & error way where if move/turn the pitch/jog wheel to one direction and see if I can hear the beats thickening (slightly off)/perfect beats/off bears (sometimes D: ) and adjust accordingly ...

So do you just do the same (as I did) or do you specifically hear the beats and know which one to adjust?

Right now it takes me about 1-2 minutes to beat match with the jog wheel + pitch control and about 3-4 minutes with the pitch control only and 1 second with easy mode sync.

I slip cue the song on beat. And ride the pitch fader to beatmatch it and then to keep it locked as I'm mixing. Takes a few seconds to get it close enough to bring into the mix.

I can immediately hear which way the cued track needs to be adjusted no trial and error.

quote:

Originally posted by Zild I slip cue the song on beat. And ride the pitch fader to beatmatch it and then to keep it locked as I'm mixing. Takes a few seconds to get it close enough to bring into the mix. I can immediately hear which way the cued track needs to be adjusted no trial and error.

Cool, so should I try to kick out of this habit early or my ears will get used to differentiating the beats over time?

It took me about 6 to 8 months to get it down. At first I had to do trial and error. Correct one way and if it sounds worse then go the other way. And I was using the platter to pitch bend instead of riding the pitch which is way better.

quote:

Originally posted by Zild It took me about 6 to 8 months to get it down. At first I had to do trial and error. Correct one way and if it sounds worse then go the other way. And I was using the platter to pitch bend instead of riding the pitch which is way better.

Out of interest, just noticed your 'Ten City' remark beneath your avatar. Have you seen the History Of House series, where in one of them Marshall Jefferson exaplins how Ten City got their name?

He's a funny guy!

quote:

Originally posted by Jarvmeister Out of interest, just noticed your 'Ten City' remark beneath your avatar. Have you seen the History Of House series, where in one of them Marshall Jefferson exaplins how Ten City got their name? He's a funny guy!

At the time I was really into numerology and things of that nature. Ten stands for perfection. Ten city is a place where everything is perfect

(paraphrasing)

quote:

Originally posted by Zild I slip cue the song on beat. And ride the pitch fader to beatmatch it and then to keep it locked as I'm mixing. Takes a few seconds to get it close enough to bring into the mix. I can immediately hear which way the cued track needs to be adjusted no trial and error.

That's how I do it.

It's just trial and error at first, then you quickly learn which one needs speeding up and which needs slowing down, and once you have that down you just ride the pitch fader. I can beatmatch (to the point I only have to make minor adjustments) in about 5 seconds.


Jarv - what is that series you're talking about? - Jefferson is a legend and I've never heard of that series?

Here you go

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_li...02D31E9AC014AE7

Thanks for the constructive comments folks.
Time to practice and enjoy while I'm at it.

Cheerios,

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