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Posted by dJohn on Aug-27-2002 19:38:

Transitioning

I've got a question for y'all DJs.
My mixer that I'm using right now is really shitty...it's not even mine, a friend let me borrow it just to practice on while I save up enough money to buy an Ecler SMAC03.
Ok, with that aside, I ws wondering how you guys adjust the EQ and channel volumes to make your transitions sound smooth. I've got the timing right in terms of when to switch/cut/adjust-i do it when the phrase goes out and the incoming record's measure comes in, but I can't seem to make it 'sound' decent...on some I can like with banging, epic trance, but with my prog, it's really hard.
Any suggestions?

Posted by djxtension on Aug-27-2002 21:50:

Using the EQ's right is one of the hardest things in DJ-ing if you ask me.

Main part is that you use the EQ's smooth...

So don't go from 0 tot full, but start one like a third, and than slowly build it up.

Don't be rude and abrupt when using eq's, be nice, and your transition will be nice too...

Hope this made sens.

DJ X-Tension

Posted by DJ Libor on Aug-27-2002 22:50:

Yeh Id agree with djxtension there, although with some tracks a sudden switch of bass can sound good as long as its at the right cue point, but never with middle or treble, that tends to just sound awful

Posted by trancearmada on Aug-28-2002 04:59:

I think it all depends on the particular record you are trying to mix. My best advice is learn and memorize your records till you are sick of them. Listen to them day and night! Than you will know how to transition your records in your sleep with or with out EQ's!

Good luck!

Posted by Dj Thy on Aug-28-2002 06:46:

quote:
Originally posted by djxtension
Using the EQ's right is one of the hardest things in DJ-ing if you ask me.

Main part is that you use the EQ's smooth...

So don't go from 0 tot full, but start one like a third, and than slowly build it up.

Don't be rude and abrupt when using eq's, be nice, and your transition will be nice too...

Hope this made sens.

DJ X-Tension

That really depends on the tracks you're spinning. For calmer music nice smooth Eq'ing is nice, but with hard styles there's no problem at all making hard switches.

I think after a while you'll know what tracks will need smooth Eq'ing and which ones will get a better result with hard cuts and boosts.

Posted by _Nut_ on Aug-29-2002 05:33:

I only mess with the lows. I love to have both tunes at the same time. I am into long transitions where it sounds beautiful. When the left table is on and the right is to be queued up, the right's bass is almost kut. When i build in and raise number two up i raise the bass and lower it on the first one. so as the volume of the two are at full, the bass on both is at half the original. This is key if you dont want to see the lovely lights on your mixer jump to the red in the high DB's. What i do keeps the volume almost always at a constant 0 db with a slight flux occasionally.

Just my style.

Posted by TBA on Aug-29-2002 10:29:

When I mix prog and like to do a long mix I gradually turn up/down the eq levels. If I turn one EQ up I turn the same eq on the other track down about the same amount so that my sound doesn't get too cluttered. But it depends from track to track. I just like to gradually fade them out and I try not to use my cross-fader/volume untill all my eq's are down to zero.

Posted by Dj Thy on Aug-29-2002 11:03:

Hehe, I'm just the opposite. Eq'ing to make it as smooth (or hard, if it's desired) as possible and even out the differences, but trying to use them at least as possible. Choice of tunes is even more important here, because you gotta mix tunes that will go along fine with small EQ'ing.

Posted by TBA on Aug-29-2002 11:04:

Each to their own.
I have to admit though, I did originally get shown how to mix by deep house DJ's and I started mixing house.

Posted by djrichy on Aug-29-2002 12:05:

quote:
Originally posted by trancearmada
I think it all depends on the particular record you are trying to mix. My best advice is learn and memorize your records till you are sick of them. Listen to them day and night! Than you will know how to transition your records in your sleep with or with out EQ's!

Good luck!

i agree - thats the best way.

Posted by Arty on Aug-29-2002 17:47:

Try getting the bassline of the incoming track in early - before the musical parts start on the incoming track. This is because the bassline, being the lowest note, defines everything above it, something that's true of all music. If you have chords or melodies coming in on top of a bassline that they don't fit it will sound very off. The easiest way to get round this is to mix in key, as usually either bassline will do in that case, but if you can't it usually sounds better to bring in an obtrusive bassline under the old tune than leave one in under the new tune, but do it gradually over about 4 or 8 bars rather than bang it in as it's less noticable.

Posted by matt_a on Aug-31-2002 12:13:

I usually use the EQs and fade in gradually but what would you suggest for things that dont have much after the tune finishes.
eg Southern Sun (The bastard!)
Madagascar (Ferry Remix)

Cause sometimes when you have both sets of cymbols (treb) going then one cuts out (end of song) or mid cuts at the end of a song it sounds really bad because you had it louder and fuller with both songs and then its down to one song. What are the best ways to mix these and make it sound good?