okay i've been having this problem for like a month now, I just started djing about 3 months ago and I can beatmatch no problem i've mastered it but the only thing that I have a problem with now is matching the gains so the track that im bringing in doesn't overpower or isn't overpowerd by the current track playing. What I have been doing is once I have the 2 tracks beatmatched I fast fowards on my cdj's to the loudest part of the song(usually after a breakdown) and try to match it the loudest part of the track currently playing. Some of the time I can get it perfect or close enough so the tracks both sound at the same volume but most of the time Im a little off or Way off. Do I just have to keep practicing and train my ear or is there a secret that you guys do....HELP

Does your mixer not have levels?

I use my levels for a quick match and then use my ears (in the phones ) to make sure that both tracks are similar volume. Also, if you are coming in too loud, don't bring the channel fader all the way up - just rbing it up enough so you don't overpower the mix. Then once you get thru your transition, make your adjustments on your fade and gain as necessary. If you are coming in too soft and the channel fader is all the way up, work your gain right then.

There will be times when you wish you have 13 hands - work the gain, cut the lows, fade the mid, ride the pitch, smoke your cig, drink your beer, etc. you'll get it yet.

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my mixer has little lights and i just make sure those lil lights dont go above 0 db. i also have lil lights on my computer where i can make sure its not clipping on the way in.

little lights rule!

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quote:

Originally posted by dinoXpress my mixer has little lights and i just make sure those lil lights dont go above 0 db. i also have lil lights on my computer where i can make sure its not clipping on the way in. little lights rule!

yes thats what those lights r there for the idea is to go from one track to another and keep the lights at the same level it just sounds like u need to learn how to use ur eq's better

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i usually keep the track thats coming in at a slightly lower level on the led meter then use the gain knob once i have run out of travel on my fader/crossfader. then you can do it by ear. all tracks are mastered so they sound balenced and roughly as loud as one another at equal points on your l.e.d meter. problems start when i start playing my own tracks which are mastered to a lower quality by me. i then have to compensate using eq and/or more gain.

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what mixer are you using?

on mine (vmc-004) i try to match the lights/level meters initially, then i switch between tracks in the headphones (via the cue knob) make mental notes, and compare the tracks and adjust the gain knob and/or eq accordingly to balance the tracks better.


if you have a mixer where you can send more than one channel to cue, then send everything to cue, because you will be able to hear both tracks at once and match the levels better. a lot more convienient than constantly switching between channels to compare.

a lot of it (and how fast you can do it) has to do w/knowing your music.

knowing your music means a lot more than just knowing the phrasing, or the arrangement. it also means knowing now the artist mixed the song. is the kick mixed up front, w/everything hiding behind it? or is the high-hat the first thing that jumps out at you? is the song very midrange-y w/out an 'in you face' kick w/some serious subharmonics supporting it? is the kick punchy, but not very deep?
does the song have a lot going on? -melodies, counter melodies, vocals, chorus, chords... the list goes on and on...