Having recently begun my exploration into the world of turntablism, I've encountered some issues.

It seems like its almost too easy.

Let me explain -
I've been able to casually and easily beatmatch many of the records I've recently picked up (all trance). By utilizing a finger-tap along the 4/4 time, I've been able to match the beat of both records by adjusting the pitch slider accordingly. By lowering the bass and adjusting volume on each record, as long as I keep paying close attention to the live record, everything seems to go well.

I have two Stanton STR8-30s; clearly not top of the line, but I'm wondering if any clear mixing that occurs seems to be the fault of a fluke in either the turntable or in my own style.

I want to learn how to do this, but I want to learn how to do it the proper way. I had read up on beatmatching and pitch bending (haven't really tried this though) for a few months prior to buying the equipment; I wonder if I'm just an overzealous noob or if I'm a quick learner, or I'm doing it entirely the wrong way.

Well, beatmatching really isn't that hard to learn, some people can learn it in an afternoon.. But it does only start from there.. track selection, keeping the crowd happy, making supersmooth transitions, that's where you've got to invest time.

By the way, turntablism is not the same as spinning and mixing records, it's more like the art of scratching, beat-juggling, being able to swap records with your weener, and so on..

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d&b session 20090519
My take on... (various mixes planned, updated when I can be arsed)

Why don't you post some of your transitions on the board here for us to critique. You can never know how good you really are unless you let other trained ears listen and pick apart your mix!

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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.

I will, eventually; I'm going to practice much more. The mixing isn't grand, obviously, but I was more concerned that even being able to do it seemed much easier than people said that it was.

quote:

Originally posted by Perfect_Cheezit I will, eventually; I'm going to practice much more. The mixing isn't grand, obviously, but I was more concerned that even being able to do it seemed much easier than people said that it was.

It depends on the person... it took me 2 months to get a proper beatmatch (but then again i was beatmatching psytrance).
To see if your beatlock is good, just leave both tracks playing for a minute... if they start to drift away at 50-60+ seconds, then your lock is good. Other than that you have a lot to learn.