Recently I did a mix in a program called Mixmiestor and I noticed it had a compressor FX I could add to it, so I tried it out and it really did a good job on keeping the volume levels the same throughout the whole mix. Just wondering, if using a compressor while doing a mix is considered cheating? (ie: should the dj be level matching completely on their own?). I try my best to level match but some songs have sections in them that are louder than other sections, making it very hard to level match them. (although it may sound good during the transition, the song will get louder towards the middle or end when there are more elements in the song).

well when i beatmatch, i skip to the middle of the record. this also lets me figure out if the keys are in tune etc. then when i know that they are matched pretty fairly well, i go back to the beginning and begin the transition at the right time. as far as songs having differing volumes within themselves... perhaps they were meant to be that way. so if the beginning of a song is meant to not be as loud, then my transition would wind down more and be more subtle. While it is important to match volumes, i guess if you do it too much within a song, it will ruin the climax and resolutions or something. i alwys try not to change songs too much but most people draw their own lines with that i guess.

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Originally posted by El~ZaPo Just wondering, if using a compressor while doing a mix is considered cheating?

first off, it is and it is not cheating... hehe

yea.. if you learn with a compressor, you'll miss out on learning how to match the levels. so maybe that's cheating YOURSELF out of skill.

but, consider that most large sound systems include a compressor to prevent damage to amps, speakers, etc etc.. and to maximize the output of the system... and to give the DJ a little help.

compressors can be handy on big systems.. i drop a MDX2200 in the audio chain when i set up for parties.. it does help a bit.. also prevents over-abitious DJs from trying to wail on the system..