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Posted by michif72 on Oct-25-2002 13:06:

Help me with Beatmatching!

I mixed with Traktor for a long time and now i want to replace traktor with turntables.............but there's problem:
My transitions in traktor were really good! But now i have to adjust the bpm of the tracks on my own..........that's really hard........i don't hear which track is faster, which is slower.........
Do u have any Suggestions for helping me finding the right pitch!

Posted by Scottaculous on Oct-25-2002 14:32:

Have one ear listening to your headphones and ear listening to the moniters. Then try and hear both tracks playing at once as a whole. Which track is faster should be apparent then.

Posted by KristineClub on Oct-25-2002 15:00:

When I'm beatmatching, sometimes I'll start my cue track slightly after the beat of the track that's playing so that I know from the start that the beat of the cue track is behind the one that's playing. If the cue track is faster, it will catch up to the beat and I will adjust the pitch accordingly. If the beat only seems to get more off, I know that the cue track is slower and so I'll speed it up. I use the Vestax 275 and it allows me to hear both tracks through the headphones- this makes it easier for me. I can even hear one track through one ear and the other track through the other. Hope this helps
-Greg

Posted by Bear4569 on Oct-25-2002 15:10:

quote:
Originally posted by KristineClub
When I'm beatmatching, sometimes I'll start my cue track slightly after the beat of the track that's playing so that I know from the start that the beat of the cue track is behind the one that's playing. If the cue track is faster, it will catch up to the beat and I will adjust the pitch accordingly. If the beat only seems to get more off, I know that the cue track is slower and so I'll speed it up. I use the Vestax 275 and it allows me to hear both tracks through the headphones- this makes it easier for me. I can even hear one track through one ear and the other track through the other. Hope this helps
-Greg

Very well put, michif72 this is something you will pick up in time, KristineClub said it very well and that should help you out quite a bit. How long have you been mixing with tables, if it's only been a couple of days/weeks, don't expect results right away, you will improve, but don't let it bother you, you will get it just keep with it

Posted by Bear4569 on Oct-25-2002 15:10:

Posted by hey cheggy on Oct-25-2002 16:07:

That's an interesting way of doing. I would try to throw it in on the beat myself, then if it drifts, slow it down with your finger on the strobe dots. If it catches up, then you know it has to be slowed down. If they get further apart, then it needs to be sped up.

Posted by hapamoto on Oct-25-2002 18:10:

i suggest going at it differently, don't purposely cue the incoming track behind or ahead and wait for them to catch up to each other, that wastes too much time. now i dunno if u guys are talkin about TT's or computers cuz the first guy said Traktor and i think thats an mp3 mixing program?? well, on the decks, you should try to start the incoming track near 0 and cue it and let it run and right off the bat you should be able to tell whether its too slow or too fast (most cases it will be too slow if u start at 0) and i think that is the best starting spot.

Posted by club4life on Oct-25-2002 21:53:

I cue the record on beat, then wait to see if it drifts. If it does, I'll speed it up or slow it down manually, then adjust the pitch. This is the easiest and fastest way to beatmatch that I'v tried. I can also hear the beats better by listening to the cue track in my phones with one ear and the pgm track in the speakers (duh) with the other.

Posted by Tony Morello on Oct-25-2002 22:16:

and practice practice practice
it will just come to you one day
just keep at it

Posted by mute79 on Oct-25-2002 22:40:

*helps you with beatmatching*

Posted by sektile on Oct-25-2002 23:12:

" Practice "

Posted by Eugene on Oct-26-2002 02:07:

quote:
Originally posted by DJ_Shockwav
and practice practice practice

However, practice only when you feel like it.
Don't force yourself to do it.

Mixing is supposed to be about enjoying yourself and the music, and having fun! Whenever you're in the mood, grab those headphones, turn on the decks, and off you go!

And when you have the not-so-good days, just say fuck it.

You don't have to practice every day. In fact, if you practice too much you'll hit a brick wall, and you'll be frustrated at an apparent lack of progress.

Don't take this shit seriously. Enjoy yourself and let time take its course. You will improve. However, even though routine day-to-day practice is unnecessary, in my view, I do believe that there are certain milestones that you need to strive for.

I'll give you a personal example. I got my TT's exactly a year ago, and have been practicing, on and off, for months. One day I got to a point where I could mix a set of 6-7 songs with reasonable precision and skill, nothing spectacular but quite OK. I always wanted to put out a "demo CD" to give out to club owners, and what I was trying to do was record a "perfect" mix, because I'm a perfectionist by nature and I thought that someday I'd be able to record a complete 12-track demo CD showcasing some great DJ skills that would impress the club owners.

The more I tried to reach perfection, however, the more frustrated I became, worried that this "goal point" appeared to be moving away from me, rather than toward me, as I had expected! I'd hit a brick wall, despite continuous practicing. For some reason, in my sets, the first 4-5 transitions would be okay (I'd plan them in advance), and then something would go wrong and I'd be upset beyond belief!

But then, one day, something happened. Two weeks ago, I said to myself: "To hell with it. I'll record a mixed CD, and if there are a few errors, so be it; everyone makes mistakes. But I will reach a certain milestone, by getting this thing done." And indeed, I recorded a CD -- there were some mistakes at the end, yes, but it was 75% good, with nice tracks -- and gave it out, to all my friends and different club owners.

The first reaction came from my friends; they said they were "impressed." But here's something interesting: When I came back home, after giving this CD to the owner of a club here in Baltimore, I -- just for the fun of it -- turned on my decks, and tried spinning just for the fun of it. It was evening time. To my surprise, I suddenly felt an incredible surge of self-confidence in my beatmatching skills; and indeed, I was now mixing perfectly!

Simply physically reaching a milestone -- completing a finished demo -- improved my confidence and hence my skills. Now, how's that?!

I think this story has a lesson to be drawn. Don't get too tied up in practicing. At some point you have to decide you need to progress, to move forward. And again, my advice: enjoy mixing and don't strain yourself...

Posted by S-Type on Nov-07-2002 06:59:

*BUMP!!* *at the same time, spares everyone from "another" beatmatching thread*

wassup all... i just got traktor 1.6 on my computer (couldn't get v 2.0) and it is DAMN hard to beatmatch... i have a new appreciation for all DJs out there who can actually do this sh*t... i guess it'll all come wit practice but i have a few questions for u all

-u guys all talk about listening in on the monitors n headphones and adjusting as necessary, but how long does this process actually take??? i'm still a newbie, but I know when the beats are off... i just couldn't tell u which song is goin faster or slower even if my life depended on it

-when u guys put yur finger on the TT to slow the cued song so both tunes are in beat, isn't it just sidestepping the problem?? i mean, yeah the beats are together for the time being, but if u don't adjust the pitch of the cued song, they're gonna drift apart again no???shouldn't u b playin around with the pitch slider instead of using yur fingers for a "quick fix"??

as i play around wit the dj proggie more and more i'll have some more questions for you... thanx in advance

peace
dj NooBiE

*runs away while dodging various items thrown at him*

Posted by basd on Nov-07-2002 08:08:

quote:
Originally posted by S-Type
*BUMP!!* *at the same time, spares everyone from "another" beatmatching thread*

-when u guys put yur finger on the TT to slow the cued song so both tunes are in beat, isn't it just sidestepping the problem?? i mean, yeah the beats are together for the time being, but if u don't adjust the pitch of the cued song, they're gonna drift apart again no???shouldn't u b playin around with the pitch slider instead of using yur fingers for a "quick fix"??

It's a combination of both... You use your fingers (well, some of us including me do) to slow down or speed up the record, and then after that (when you decided whether the cue record is slower or faster) you change the pitch accordingly..

Posted by Fundamental on Nov-07-2002 15:47:

quote:
Originally posted by S-Type
shouldn't u b playin around with the pitch slider instead of using yur fingers for a "quick fix"??

I am a DJ that always adjusts the pitch to beatmatch. Some people find it more difficult, but it is what I have always done...

The important thing here is to make sure you develop your own style - your own techniques...

Posted by Cosmic Realm on Nov-09-2002 01:54:

beat matching

yeah i agree with Eugene dont make yourself mix you wont get anywhere but wanting to throw your tables away (and if you do ill be happy to take them lol jk) but im still having dificulties with it myself and it can be very discerageing but on day that you dont fell like mixing don't but you will progress if you play a little everyday such as just mix like 3 songs a day don't if you don't want to but thats what i do and i can mix breaks with trance and this was with time progression

good luck from

Posted by Dj Ve on Nov-17-2002 18:26:

practice, practice and more fucking practice. It`s a sad fact, but it`s the only thing that really helps. Just be patient and DON`T try to think perfection and recording every time you mix. That just makes you stressed, and you tend to fuck up alot. Keep practicing and you`ll do just fine after some time. Sorry for my english ... after all I`m not at all english...
out-

Posted by Eugene on Nov-17-2002 19:37:

quote:
Originally posted by Dj Ve
after all I`m not at all english...
out-

well, you know the "fuck" all right

Posted by Dj Ve on Nov-18-2002 17:50:

yeh .. me good norwegian caveman .. me kill whale and know how to spell fuck !

Posted by Ekstasis on Nov-19-2002 03:14:

The way I learned is. My friend had a 2 record set of some techno song. I forget the tracks name, which sucks, cause this worked really well for me. Anyway, they were 2 dub mixes. One was a bit slower then the other. I would play them both at once, no headphones, the cross fader in the center. The reason I mentioned that they were dub mixes, was the lyrics really helped me get the phasing of the records right. Once I got the beats lined up. I would try to get the lyrics in line. One would be singing "Feel, Feel, Feel," and if I had it in phase, right after that the other would sing "Free, Free, Free,".

I spent a few hours a day for a month just doing that. Then I went on to my trance records.

Posted by Arsalan on Nov-19-2002 05:20:

Yeah, im not saying im the best beatmatcher out there, it actually takes me quite the time to get it with my shitty ass tables but i have a really good idea.
The reason i say it's my tables is because my friend has to numark 100s and i can beatmatch in 20 sec anyways...

A. What i do is match the beats of both tracks and i play around with the pitch button you will get the best results if you get the hang of it, it works like a pitch bend in a cddj.

B. Match the beats and then when track B(cue track) drifts away i push the record or slow it down by touching it lightly on the lable to slow it down ( depending if the cue track is fast or slow) and move the pitch up or down, i find this the easiest way to beatmatch.

Hope this helps ;d

and i also forgot to mention to Practice you can't get it if you don't practice man you might not see it now but you will see it and if you know anyone that mixes go and look at him beatmatch that kinda helped me out a bit.

Posted by Dj Ve on Nov-19-2002 11:37:

exactly what I do too. Match up the tracks, then start to spin the new record faster or slower, then compensate with pitch. Then do the shit all over again .. I don`t cue the thing off again, just continue to work with it. Don`t know if this is " wrong " or " right " but it works for me. Get dirty with your table and it will all come to the one with the sticky fingers .. or something. heh

Posted by Spad on Nov-19-2002 21:55:

Posted by Arsalan on Dec-02-2002 09:26:

quote:
Originally posted by Arsalan
Yeah, im not saying im the best beatmatcher out there, it actually takes me quite the time to get it with my shitty ass tables but i have a really good idea.
The reason i say it's my tables is because my friend has to numark 100s and i can beatmatch in 20 sec anyways...

A. What i do is match the beats of both tracks and i play around with the pitch button you will get the best results if you get the hang of it, it works like a pitch bend in a cddj.

B. Match the beats and then when track B(cue track) drifts away i push the record or slow it down by touching it lightly on the lable to slow it down ( depending if the cue track is fast or slow) and move the pitch up or down, i find this the easiest way to beatmatch.

Hope this helps ;d

and i also forgot to mention to Practice you can't get it if you don't practice man you might not see it now but you will see it and if you know anyone that mixes go and look at him beatmatch that kinda helped me out a bit.

I started matching with the pitch and it works better for me. This also helps when your mixing and you the beats are not matched perfectly you can easily fix it like the pitch bend in the CDJs.

anyways create your own style and practice

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