Noobie question - When to start playing second song
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  1. #1
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    Default Noobie question - When to start playing second song

    So I just got a mixer today, and the thing I've been having trouble with is starting the second song at the right spot. I am using Virtual DJ and I know when I want the beat drop to happen, I know when I want to mix in the second song, but I don't know when to start it to get it to drop at the right part. Is there a way I can tell when I need to start a song? Is there a way that virtual DJ displays 8 bar phrases? That would be extremely helpful. For example say I want to put the beat drop on the second song that is loaded (and not playing), but sometimes I start the second song 4 counts too early, so when the first song (the one that is playing) is building up the second song has already dropped.

  2. #2
    Moderator keithace's Avatar
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    It will come with practice. You can do it by subtracking the amount of lead time on the second record from the end of the first record. Say your intro is two minutes long on the second record. You subtract two minutes from the end of the first record and start it then. (of course listening to when there is natural place around that time to start the second record is paramount...this is what is called phrasing and song structure.)

    After some time you will be able to read the wav forms and recognized how much of what you have left on a track. (breakdown, meat, outro) I'm able to read the grooves on a record and recognize how the song is structured. It all comes with time and practice.
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    Tech Guru deevey's Avatar
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    You could cheat and either Start the intros and Drops on cue points or "beatjump" forwards and backwards x bars depending how your phrase is off ..

    As keithace said though really just practice and practice to do this without cheating. Know your songs inside out to find the natural mix points that almost every track has.

  4. #4
    Tech Mentor robbyluca's Avatar
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    The only way is by learning your music. So a lot of practicing, listening, and memorizing.

  5. #5
    Tech Mentor matrick's Avatar
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    a good rule of thumb that helped me when learning was to start the next track (the one your mixing in) at around 1m30s remaining for house/electro and around 2m for techno. it will vary from song to song but your ears will tell you exactly when the phrases change.

  6. #6
    Tech Guru johney's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by robbyluca View Post
    The only way is by learning your music. So a lot of practicing, listening, and memorizing.
    that

  7. #7
    Tech Guru dripstep's Avatar
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    Learn your music inside and out. Resist the urge to go out and buy/DL as much music as possible. Instead, find 10-15 tracks that you really like, that go well together, and learn those. You should be able to hear the intro ending, hear it end, hear when the breakdown is coming, when a drop etc are supposed to happen, before they happen. Only when you know your music, will you know when to drop your next track.

    There is no set rule, you can drop a track and cut over right away, you can drop it and let the outro play through the next tracks intro, play half of one track over the next, there's many ways to do it.

    Don't try and confine yourself to just one way of bringing the next track in, you will end up uninspired, and you will get bored quick. Experiment with your tunes.

    What kind of music are you trying to mix?
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  8. #8
    Tech Mentor djmetalgear's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by keithace View Post
    It will come with practice. You can do it by subtracking the amount of lead time on the second record from the end of the first record. Say your intro is two minutes long on the second record. You subtract two minutes from the end of the first record and start it then. (of course listening to when there is natural place around that time to start the second record is paramount...this is what is called phrasing and song structure.)

    After some time you will be able to read the wav forms and recognized how much of what you have left on a track. (breakdown, meat, outro) I'm able to read the grooves on a record and recognize how the song is structured. It all comes with time and practice.
    i feel like this advice is actually flawed. you shouldn't be reading wave forms. you should be learning song structure. its not hard. american and most eastern european song structures fall in 4ths 8ths 16ths and 32nd bars. learn your songs and its not a problem. you should be able to drop a song without looking at wave forms. Of course its great to learn with them, but dont rely on them forever.
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  9. #9
    Tech Guru antifmradio's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by djmetalgear View Post
    i feel like this advice is actually flawed. you shouldn't be reading wave forms. you should be learning song structure. its not hard. american and most eastern european song structures fall in 4ths 8ths 16ths and 32nd bars. learn your songs and its not a problem. you should be able to drop a song without looking at wave forms. Of course its great to learn with them, but dont rely on them forever.
    i agree
    every genre of music has a pattern. between songs it doesnt change that much
    If you stay focused on that particular type of music for a bit, youll get it.
    The human brain works best with patters. its why we stare at semetrical things longer
    and random shapes lesser time. When it comes to our ears, they tell our brains whats going on. so the bottom line is
    just listen, carefully

  10. #10
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    Know your music and respect the phrasing of the songs ! Very important you get that idea !
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