Mixing techniques. Post some ideas.

[djproben]

Intro (8-16 bars)
- Usually a simple beat that makes your track easy to mix
Bassdrop (32 bars) - Like it sounds, this is where the Bass comes in. The intro gives the DJ time to transistion from one Bassline to the next.
Breakdown/build up (4-8 bars) - This is usually where the kick drum is removed and a key melody or emotional aspect is introduced.
Meat of the song (32-64 bars) - This is where the song really comes together and sets the tone. this should make you move but not yet give you everything
Breakdown/build up 2 (4-8 bars) - similar to the first breakdown but may feature elements that make it even more intense.
Peak (32-64 bars) - this is the moment everyone lets loose and the track gives you everything it’s got. Typically after 32 bars, the intensity should back off a bit like the way it was after the first breakdown.
Outro (8-16 bars) - this is similar to the intro and is there to allow the DJ to transistion to the next track without conflicts.

^ This is pretty solid information (at least for most house-based electronic music), but don't expect every song to be exactly like this. I also think it might be overcomplicating things for this kind of music. Think about it this way - count to 32 and see if something changes between 32 and 33. Another bassline comes in, a high hat, a synthesizer note, etc. Count to 32 again and see what changes next. Listen to two songs you want to mix together all the way through from start to finish and map them out like this; 32 beats intro, 64 beats funk guitar riff, 64 beats crazy percussion, 28 beat breakdown, 128 beats slamming banger, 32 beat breakdown, etc. etc. If you have these things mapped out it's real easy to figure out possible mixpoints; you want to start the next track on one of those transition points. A general rule of thumb is if you count 32 beats from the last time you heard something interesting happen, something interesting is likely to happen again and that's the point to throw in the next song. There are exceptions (note the 28 beat breakdown), and it won't always sound good but you practice it and if you know your songs you will get a feel for what will work and what won't. Other rules of thumb are try not to mix out of one song during a vocal. If you're going to mix during a breakdown make sure you know when the drop is supposed to come and you time it so that the drop of the new song comes in at that point. You don't want this big buildup without a payoff; if the outgoing song sounds like it's building up to something, slam in the drop of the incoming song at the right moment. You can easily do this with Traktor by finding the two drops and using the beatjump feature to go backwards 32 beats (or 16 or 64 or whatever multiple of 8 you care to use).

If this sounds tedious, that's because it is, but believe me eventually it becomes second nature and you do it by feeling the music rather than counting numbers in your head. But you won't likely get there without being tedious about it in the beginning.

[ToOntown]

The reason why he has under 100 posts is because every time he tries to get a few posts up hes just referred to the search button.

Honestly, I haven't really posted in a long time and this is going to be the last one for a while.

Honestly, it's pretty easy to think one is trolling when he/she has over 100 posts and asks a question that has been asked to death.

Congratulations DJTT, you've become every other forums on the internet.

Especially with posts like this!

Sorry sorry, I couldn't resist.

[The Mighty FV]

The best and easiest answer here is to buy the book 'how to DJ (properly) - it has so many great tips and little titbits of advice, a massively helpful read for DJing and mixing.

[lethal_pizzle]

no ones permitted to speak around here without consulting the "search button."

This, respectfully, is bollox.

Using the search function is basic forum etiquette. It is basic etiquette for two simple reasons. It is better for the individual, and better for the group.

The individual benefits as s/he:
Gets answers more quickly - previous threads already contain a developed discussion on the issue
Gets more complete answers - previous threads already contain a discussion in progress with more viewpoints
Gets more accurate answers - the discussion is more likely to contain a consensus
Gets more authoritative answers - experts are less likely to get involved in a repeat discussion when they have provided an authoritative answer previously

The group benefits as
Searching become easier - less duplicate threads, easier to find answers
New threads indicate fresh topics for discussion - and a certain level of knowledge, which encourages people with the appropriate level of knowledge to get involved
Less misinformation in new threads - experts less likely to repeat authoritative answers in duplicate threads
Less energy expended in repeating discussions
Threads generally have a more developed discussion
A discussion’s development is traceable through a single thead
Less acrimony from the community because everyone is getting the answers they need quickly and enjoying richer discussions

So by asking someone to use the search function, you are equipping them with a vital tool that helps them get the information they need whilst providing maximum benefit to the community. It is better for them, and it is better for everyone else.

[Sorry again for the OT, OP]

[Major Major]

OP, let me tell you something:

Until you understand basic music theory and structure and all that jazz, playing two songs on top of each other is going to sound like crap. Even after you've learned theory, it'll sound like crap. Why? Because you're new. It's okay, it's normal. Finding two tracks that sound good together isn't easy when you're first starting. All these guys who can mash four songs up together have good ears and a lot of time invested. My recommendation to you is to watch different artists mix-not controllerists, because they get a bit too technical for the beginner sometimes (not saying you can't learn it later, but it may be a bit too much now). But listen to different genres for inspiration. For instance, by listening to a long trance mix, you'll see how they use long transitions between songs. You'll see tons of 15 year olds doing fader slams on their Mixtrack Pros in their brostep mixes (and that's okay!). Point is, there's a lot of stuff to learn, so just try to watch, listen, and understand the music rather than trying to pull off great mixes right away. You're still new, there's still time.

It might also benefit you to play songs in Traktor instead of just listening to them. Keep you hands off the glitchy, funky effects and focus on making a transition from song to song smoothly and cleanly. You'll be surprised at what you can do once you get the track selection thing down, and this will improve your understanding of the structure of the music as well.

Good luck, OP.

[lethal_pizzle]

Not sure if the OP will find these useful:
http://howtodj.djdownload.com/

[ToOntown]

This has also been helpful to a lot of the kids I've mentored.



Very basic--straight off the NI website.

[kamjongill]

OP, let me tell you something:

Until you understand basic music theory and structure and all that jazz, playing two songs on top of each other is going to sound like crap. Even after you've learned theory, it'll sound like crap. Why? Because you're new. It's okay, it's normal. Finding two tracks that sound good together isn't easy when you're first starting. All these guys who can mash four songs up together have good ears and a lot of time invested. My recommendation to you is to watch different artists mix-not controllerists, because they get a bit too technical for the beginner sometimes (not saying you can't learn it later, but it may be a bit too much now). But listen to different genres for inspiration. For instance, by listening to a long trance mix, you'll see how they use long transitions between songs. You'll see tons of 15 year olds doing fader slams on their Mixtrack Pros in their brostep mixes (and that's okay!). Point is, there's a lot of stuff to learn, so just try to watch, listen, and understand the music rather than trying to pull off great mixes right away. You're still new, there's still time.

It might also benefit you to play songs in Traktor instead of just listening to them. Keep you hands off the glitchy, funky effects and focus on making a transition from song to song smoothly and cleanly. You'll be surprised at what you can do once you get the track selection thing down, and this will improve your understanding of the structure of the music as well.

Good luck, OP.

Agreed, I went in with a little advantage because I was a percussionist for 5 years, but even then, it still took a while to get down. Just use your imagination, try and re-try.

[lethal_pizzle]

If the OP feels like a little light reading, I found this instructive. It doesn't cover digital DJing particularly, but the principles are the same: http://www.djhistory.com/books/howtodj

[MFilthy]

It's called a thread hijacking, kinda like a car jacking but with less guns

I beg to differ...I brought my AK...