Hey everyone. I've been spinning for about 6 months now and have figured out basic beatmatching/ mixing. My tables have a BPM counter which I dont use to mix with (for several reasons including that they are not accurate enough to beatmatch with and that I want to be able to do it by my ears). That said, is it ok to label my records w/BPM to give me the relative speed and to help categorize what can be played with what? Or, is this still too much of a "crutch" that will harm me in the future (like trying to use the counter during mixing is)?

I'd appreciate any feedback on this!

i did that the first day i got my tables, it helps to give a general overview, but now, a month later, i dont even look or think about the label, its helps u train ur ear, its a re\lly good idea but dont get used/depend on it.

imo you should know your records well enough so that as soon as you look at the label, you know roughly what bpm it is.

buy some thick black tape and cover your BPM counters.

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H A R D T E C H N O . NL The first dutch hardtechno forum,also for belgian people

I don't think it's a good idea. You have to know your records like sebjr say.

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Mixed Euphoria
http://mixedeuphoria.net

true ... when i first beat match i wrote :

Song A : Marco V stimulated -0
Song b : Goldenscan Sunrise +2.4 '

whahaha at least i can laugh about it .. its so useless now it's all in your head

quote:

Originally posted by sebjr imo you should know your records well enough so that as soon as you look at the label, you know roughly what bpm it is.

do you really think this is true when you own 3000+ vinyls?

I keep writing bpms on my records. started it for a certain reason: I play very fast, most of the time at +7/8. Now there's nothing more frustrating than grabbing a record, putting it on and realizing it won't go fast enough to match the other, then having to take it off and look for another. With writing the bpms on them,it can't happen

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RetroActive 4

I am a personal advocate of doing anything that you possibly can to help you Dj. Does it matter if others do it or not? NO! If no others do it, then ask yourself is it going to really help you that much. If many others DO do it, then ask youself, is that going to take away from my originality? I have a lot of little tricks up my sleeve that I don't like to disclose. Those tricks help me beatmatch very quickly and hence, I can spend more time on transitions, effects, teasers or quick track turnover.

Do whatever it is you feel will help you Dj. If you try it and find that it isn't helping you, then don't do it anymore!

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When you dance, the DJ takes you on a journey, but he or she is usually not the focus of your experience at a club or festival or wherever you hear the music. Dancing is. Music is.

You guys might find this alittle wierd, but I dont even try to figure out the bpm. Maybe later on in Djing Ill need it, but I mix using my knowledge of the song. Usually when I throw on a track, I know the song to the point where I can transition out at anytime I feel. I memorize all key points within all songs that I play, listen or use. This sounds alittle nuts, but with the thousands of songs I know, this seems to never fail. Especially when you practice your sets, its almost becomes natural to transition out of a song at a certain time.

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/SARCASM.

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Originally posted by Coup Vlad wins. Flawless victory.

quote:

Originally posted by Dj Flesch Do whatever it is you feel will help you Dj. If you try it and find that it isn't helping you, then don't do it anymore!

i agree.

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Two of Australia's best DJs and Producers Chris Fraser (north atlantic) and Ivan Gough(traveller) label their records with BPM and key. I agree with Flesch, that if it helps you then go for it. Labelling your records doesnt beatmatch them for you, it just speeds things up and gives you more time.

It can be a help to write the BPM on the record. It's not really cheating, just making life a little easier on you. It's not like that number helps you beatmatch, just helps you select a track thats the right tempo without worrying if your memory is working right

you shouldnt NEED to do this. but it can help.