So I am learning how to beatmatch and I am having a difficult time getting a hold of it. What rate of bpm's should I be working with to begin with? What are some easy tracks to work with? Anything helps.
Oct-27-2010 07:16
brucelee6783
Senior tranceaddict
Registered: Jul 2005
Location: Lafayette, LA
Re: Tips on beatmatching for a newby?
quote:
Originally posted by 360madness
So I am learning how to beatmatch and I am having a difficult time getting a hold of it. What rate of bpm's should I be working with to begin with? What are some easy tracks to work with? Anything helps.
Check the sticky's in this forum. Since this is a trance music forum, the typical BPM's that you're going to be working with range from 130-150. The type of tracks I'd recommend for practicing beatmatching have long intros and outros that are beats only (Percussion...you know...just a kick and snare basically). Trying to cue up a track that doesn't begin with beats is going to be much harder to beatmatch, since any clashes in rhythm will be less noticeable.
Hope this helps!!!
Oct-27-2010 07:55
n3lly
www.n3lly.com
Registered: May 2003
Location: Dublin
Play the same track on two players.
Try get them beat matched without looking specifically at the pitch slider or the bpm numbers on either deck (if they're on show)
Once you feel comfortable getting the same tracks to run at the same speed try throw a different track in there and repeat the process.
Don't worry too much about bpms at the beginning. Just try and use your ears to get the tracks running at the same speed. Move the pitch fader a little, then listen. Move a little more then listen a little more.
As mentioned there are some great videos in the sticky beginner thread at the top of the dj booth forum which should give you hours of material to help you on your way.
If you have any specific questions though, feel free to ask us all in here
Oct-28-2010 01:16
360madness
tranceaddict in training
Registered: Oct 2010
Location: Goleta
That makes a lot of sense. I have been trying to mix a lot of songs that do not start out with base snare. Thanks guys!
Oct-28-2010 01:43
n3lly
www.n3lly.com
Registered: May 2003
Location: Dublin
quote:
Originally posted by 360madness
That makes a lot of sense. I have been trying to mix a lot of songs that do not start out with base snare. Thanks guys!
What equipment are you using?
Oct-28-2010 01:52
360madness
tranceaddict in training
Registered: Oct 2010
Location: Goleta
Well i bought a used numark fusion 222 cd package. Its not nice but it has all the basics and it puts out decent sound
Do it til your sick of it and then do it some more.
Then it just clicks.
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Oct-28-2010 05:28
Apeattack
:D
Registered: Dec 2008
Location: OC, CA
quote:
Originally posted by 360madness
That makes a lot of sense. I have been trying to mix a lot of songs that do not start out with base snare. Thanks guys!
When you mix two trance songs, you need to beat match successfully and find points in two songs that sound well together. Once you master the beat matching...
Musical layers usually are added and removed in 32 beat chunks called 'phrases.' Usually you will want to start the incoming song (volume off) at the beginning of a phrase as a new phrase begins in the outgoing song. Beat match the two songs in the headphones, then raise the volume of the incoming song.
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I have been starting the song with the volume up and moving the crossfader. You're saying i should start with the crossfader in the center then raise the volume?
Oct-28-2010 18:45
Rodri Santos
Supreme tranceaddict
Registered: Sep 2009
Location: Milan
Honestly i've found that mixing trance is very very boring, the most difficult part is mixing in key and with phrases, but i'd suggest you that once you learnt how to beatmatch learn to mix on 3 decks tech house or a style that has always a common structure , it's funnier and i'm sure that will make you a better dj.
Oct-28-2010 20:25
Apeattack
:D
Registered: Dec 2008
Location: OC, CA
quote:
Originally posted by 360madness
I have been starting the song with the volume up and moving the crossfader. You're saying i should start with the crossfader in the center then raise the volume?
It is a personal preference. Neither method is better.
For trance, usually you want your transitions to be very gradual and I feel that using the two volume sliders give me more control.
For hiphop and top40, where the transitions usually are quick, I like using a crossfader which is easier than rapidly moving one volume slider up and one volume slider down simultaneously.
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Originally posted by Rodri Santos
Honestly i've found that mixing trance is very very boring, the most difficult part is mixing in key and with phrases, but i'd suggest you that once you learnt how to beatmatch learn to mix on 3 decks tech house or a style that has always a common structure , it's funnier and i'm sure that will make you a better dj.
It's all about personal music taste, right? If he likes trance, he will be much more motivated to get better at mixing.
I think trance is perfect for a beginner. The formula for a successful trance transition isn't difficult (line up phases, beatmatch, switch volumes and eqs slowly, get next song ready) and it allows him to develop skills he can take to other genres.
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