quote:

Originally posted by reeftiger Ok, so not to highjack this thread, but I have a question about pitch riding with technics turntables. I can beatmatch pretty fair, but just like everyone else they start to drift. I am getting better at knowing in which direction they drift although it is sometimes tough. My question is how much do you move the pitch slider to readjust them. I've tried moving it up or down by a millimeter or two. I've tried moving it 0.5% or 1% quickly with a quick return to original position, but I never seem to be able to re-align them well. I'm sure it's easier with the bass dropped out of the outgoing track, but sometimes they drift before I'm ready to cut the bass, or it's a rolling bassline. I'm sure that part of my problem is I origianlly beatmatch with hands on the records, so I'm used to adjusting speeds this way. I can't do this during the live mix without obvious effects. Any methods you guys recommend?

When you're initially beatmatching by riding the pitch you're going to have to throw the pitch fader back and forth by a few percentages maybe using up to half of the fader's length. As the record starts to become matched up you start throwing the pitch in smaller and smaller arcs. Then when its matched solidly you keep it that way by periodically moving the pitch fader back and forth maybe a millimeter at a time. You know move it up a millimeter wait twenty seconds move it back a millimeter wait twenty seconds and repeat until you're finished. The only way you will learn is to make a rule that when you're practicing you aren't allowed to touch the records to make a correction or to beatmatch.

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Thanks Zild.

That's what I needed. I feel I can get them matched pretty well using my hands and setting the pitch. I just have the problem once they drift (ie after 32 to 250 beats). Your explanation sounds good. Usually before I bring a record in I know approximately how many beats it will match before they will drift.

I understand it'll take practice, but how soon before the drift do you adjust +/-? How long does it take to correct once pitch adjustments are made?

You don't wait until it drifts to make a correction. What you do is keep your hand on the pitch fader and make corrections before any drift occurs. It just takes practice eventually you'll be able to hear it coming from a mile away.

Beatmatching using only the pitch fader will help a lot.

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quote:

Originally posted by m2j btw, not only are beat counters usually wrong. but also, not all CDJs and Mixers have them. So if you grow dependant on them, then go to play out on a setup with out counters, you're screwed. Using your ear is key. Man over machine baby!

knew that already. i never trusted on them, only used them in the beginning to get started a bit quicker. after a while, i put tape over them, just to learn not to use em. i trust my ears, never trusted those things. but they be easy, only for rough picthing for the right bpm-range. could save u up some sec.'s

quote:

Originally posted by Zild Beatmatching using only the pitch fader will help a lot.

+1

but, i once heard (here on TA or in some dj-tutorial), its said to be the most hard way to control beatmatching (thats is purely by riding the pitch). in the end, eventually, once you'll master it, you 100% control beatmatching at its best. and you'll be better off then when u use to touch the record and/or platter to make corrections during beatmatching ..

I've said it before and i'll say it again.

Being able to ride and correct quickly and accurately whilst in the mix is probably more important than being able to beatmatch properly whilst the cued track is only in the headphones. Especially if you have sucky turntables.

DJ Z:

You seem like a good DJ, so I ask you, why do you use the crossfader?

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quote:

Originally posted by Alex DJ Z: You seem like a good DJ, so I ask you, why do you use the crossfader?

Thanks man....do you mean why do I use the crossfader instead of what other technique? EQ fades or cutting gains?

...well....it's just a habit i got into and there is something about the feel of it that i like. I like the INSTANT visual cue i get from the crossfader telling me which deck is live (especially with my CD decks)...there are plenty of other cues i could use, but that one is unmistakeble (i have screwed up my live track plenty of times because i forgot which side was playing after getting distracted lol)

depending on the sound of the tracks as i'm fading, i'll use a combination of crossfading the EQs or the individual channel gains...but always finish it off with the crossfader to be absolutely sure the last track is completely out of the mix.

and yourself?

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Last edited by DJ Z on Dec-31-2006 at 15:43

quote:

Originally posted by reeftiger My question is how much do you move the pitch slider to readjust them. I've tried moving it up or down by a millimeter or two. I've tried moving it 0.5% or 1% quickly with a quick return to original position, but I never seem to be able to re-align them well. I'm sure it's easier with the bass dropped out of the outgoing track, but sometimes they drift before I'm ready to cut the bass, or it's a rolling bassline. Any methods you guys recommend?

once i get the tracks "locked" (using the term loosely), it only takes +/- 0.1% pitch changes (the smallest achieveable change on my decks) to maintain the match...OR if i fall behind, i will will bump 0.2% for an instant, then settle back into +/- 0.1%

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quote:

Originally posted by DJ Z Thanks man....do you mean why do I use the crossfader instead of what other technique? EQ fades or cutting gains? ...well....it's just a habit i got into and there is something about the feel of it that i like. I like the INSTANT visual cue i get from the crossfader telling me which deck is live (especially with my CD decks)...there are plenty of other cues i could use, but that one is unmistakeble (i have screwed up my live track plenty of times because i forgot which side was playing after getting distracted lol) depending on the sound of the tracks as i'm fading, i'll use a combination of crossfading the EQs or the individual channel gains...but always finish it off with the crossfader to be absolutely sure the last track is completely out of the mix. and yourself?

dude, have u ever tried using the channel faders???

leave the crossfader in the middle, and move the channel faders up or down.

Hey Z, nice video.

I'm an upfader sort of guy.

Never touch the crossfader myself.

It's interesting actually getting a chance to see how someone works, don't get me wrong I have seen plenty of DJs mix but it was just interesting.

What I tend to do is turn the gain all the way down with the bass, then slam in the channel fader to full so that any percussive elements can just bearly be heard on the incomming track.

I tend to work the EQs and gain much harder though.

What you do works well for your style though.

Cheers
Nem

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