DJing with sync, mixing in/handover

[DubluW]

I think people often think that the crowd will surge forth and rip you to pieces, because lord forbid a beat should be dropped out of place

I think a fade out or an intro works just fine, as long you don't completely jar the room up by jumping genres too drastically.

[JZed]

Gotta agree with learning the basic fundamentals for DJing. I see it as the only real way to do it, I also don't see why anybody wouldn't want to know it all if they really care about what they're doing. However, I really don't see it being an issue to ask the previous DJ (if they're using vinyl) the approx BPM they're using. At that point, you still have to use your ear, it just means it's not as much of a pain when there is already a lot to worry about when starting your set.

[Kwal]

A trick I'd recommend is to echo out of the previous DJ's track... You're going to run into a Pioneer mixer 9 out of 10 times so that should be the best bet. Echo out smoothly, and start your track at the beginning of a break...

As long as you're somewhat smooth it'll sound ok... Just wait until the appropriate time to do it, not just at some random part of the song. This is what I would do when the DJ before me plays some shit fucking track that won't work with anything I got.

[amadeus]

However, I really don't see it being an issue to ask the previous DJ (if they're using vinyl) the approx BPM they're using. At that point, you still have to use your ear, it just means it's not as much of a pain when there is already a lot to worry about when starting your set.

I only play vinyl, and tbh I don't put bpms on my records, nor do I use a bpm counter. I mainly play with other DJs who also use vinyl, never asked about BPM, I just mix the next record in, why is it any different with different formats.

Seriously though, if you can't mix into the previous DJ then you really need to learn how to, it's a basic skill that all DJs should know, I can mix into someone playing CD or using a controller, so for someone using one of those formats not being able to mix into me, bit of a joke.

Learn to beatmatch.

[Kwal]

Learn to beatmatch.

I'm all for this, but now a days people think I'm being mean, an elitist, etc.

[amadeus]

I'm all for this, but now a days people think I'm being mean, an elitist, etc.

haha, oh well, keep saying it!

Saying someone should learn to beatmatch is not being elitist or at least it shouldn't be, its a fundamental part of djing that with the rise of software etc seems to be overlooked part.

If you struggle to mix into the last DJs track, seriously just learn to beatmatch, what if your controller dies mid set, you just gonna stop and say I cant mix on anything else?

I can use vinyl, cd, and software, I'm not being big headed, just stating, that if for some reason a needle broke, I could mix on CD's, or if I wanted to take traktor along.

Its all about being flexible.

If you havent learnt to beat match and can't mix on anything but traktor, are you helping yourself? No.

[Kwal]

haha, oh well, keep saying it!

Saying someone should learn to beatmatch is not being elitist or at least it shouldn't be, its a fundamental part of djing that with the rise of software etc seems to be overlooked part.

If you struggle to mix into the last DJs track, seriously just learn to beatmatch, what if your controller dies mid set, you just gonna stop and say I cant mix on anything else?

I can use vinyl, cd, and software, I'm not being big headed, just stating, that if for some reason a needle broke, I could mix on CD's, or if I wanted to take traktor along.

Its all about being flexible.

If you havent learnt to beat match and can't mix on anything but traktor, are you helping yourself? No.

Lol, funny you mention that... The other Thursday I had to spin at a very well known venue here in Chicago... And of course they hired some kid who had never even played out before to spin before me on his S2. Well, long story short, his S2 cut out completely on him 5 minutes before I was to go on and he had no idea what to do lol. Lucky enough I had already gone up there and plugged my USB into one of the 2000's ahead of time.. All I had to do was hit play

[Nicadraus]

I'm all for this, but now a days people think I'm being mean, an elitist, etc.

Well those people who think that learning to beat match is a way of the "elitists" are just lazy to learn it or they just don't have the right skill of becoming what it takes to be a real DJ. Reasons like: "I use sync so I can be more creative with effects, EQs, acapellas, etc. My answer is: "Watch Roger Sanchez. He beat matches with 4 decks with creativity combined."

Once you get the hang of learning the proper way of mixing, it only takes 5 to 8 secs to match the tempo of two tracks. So how could that be a hindrance to creativeness of other things that you could do?

To me, a sync DJ or a waveform reading DJ is a wannabe. They can't have the respect from those DJs who are truly passionate about the craft/art and developed their skills by going through the proper path.

[amadeus]

Lol, funny you mention that... The other Thursday I had to spin at a very well known venue here in Chicago... And of course they hired some kid who had never even played out before to spin before me on his S2. Well, long story short, his S2 cut out completely on him 5 minutes before I was to go on and he had no idea what to do lol. Lucky enough I had already gone up there and plugged my USB into one of the 2000's ahead of time.. All I had to do was hit play

Haha, exactly my point.

If you want to be taken as a serious DJ, then learn the craft, this involves manualy beat matching. This kid obviously dint want to be taken seriously, good job you were there to save him.

Computers do crash, at least take a back up CD, oh wait if you cant beatmatch, then what you gonna do.

The amazing thing about Traktor is that you can hide the BPM, hide the phase meter and learn to beatmatch. It's lazy not too.

[FilthyDave]

To me, a sync DJ or a waveform reading DJ is a wannabe. They can't have the respect from those DJs who are truly passionate about the craft/art and developed their skills by going through the proper path.

I personally think this is a crock of shit

DJ'ing is 90% tune selection, 10% skills. If they are rocking the floor it doesn't matter how they are doing it

I was solely vinyl from 1997 to 2010 when I moved on to Traktor

Do I use sync? Yes I f**king do! It's easier and I'm a lazy sod. Why would I waste time and make things harder for myself?

That said I do think you should learn how to beatmatch as Traktor never gets the beatgrids 100% and sometimes it's wildly out but to learn just so you can garner the respect of other DJ's is just an ego trip.

What other DJ's think is irrelevant (unless they are also promoters and you're looking for a booking) all that matters is the crowd on the dancefloor. If they aren't bouncing off the walls you're not doing your job properly!

With regards mixing into the previous DJ it entirely depends on what they've left you with, what the crowd is doing and how well they've gone down.

If they've just played a rocking set then actually letting their last tune play out and encouraging the crowd to cheer for them not only lets them get the credit they deserve but also frames the start of your set with some good vibes. You generally find the crowd are more receptive to you taking it in a different direction from this point