NEVER use the crossfader?

[NathanWard]

I don't have a proper mixer and don't have a crossfader mapped. Don't find the need for one, I mix with EQs and line faders.

[scottmforrealz]

Oh.My.God. I've been learning to DJ for about a month now and I've been mixing only using the crossfaders. I've been wondering why my mixes sounded like shit. I've wasted so much time!

[djfreesoul]

I use the channelfaders for smooth transitions, but I use the cross fader for one thing: mashing beats. When you have a track rolling in one channel and have synced up the other, i.e. a intro in 8 beats on the other, I use the crossfader to suddenly drop in a beat on some drum kicks while playing the first track. Sounds like playing a sample. To make this work it's important to have a sharp crossfader curve that cuts the tracks when the crossfader is on the other channel. Combined with the delay in the VCI-100SE mapping this makes you sound like a scratch pervert. (I admit it's cheating, but it gets me laid...

[scottmforrealz]

I'm going to learn so much here..

[U-31]

Like most have said, i mix on the Lines, but the cross is there, its another tool so i will use it.
Cross is good for cutting & doing echo effects - on the counsell pop mix on mixcloud i had 2 decks playing Virtue - Feeling good -New Dawn a beat out of synch and faffed around with the crossfader for that effect, its subtle but its there

[racoon]

Hehe, being the thread starter and have written the NEVER in so big letters, i have to admit:

i have got my xone92 shipped yesterday, and since i can now map two filters on the both sides of the crossfader and do an filtersweep with it, i think about to start to use my crossfader for the first time ^^

we will see ;o)

[ekwipt]

Yeah I only use it for the xone92 filter as well

[Sherlock Ohms]

It's times like these when I *really* feel out of place in here ...

[Modern Knight]

I mainly use the crossfader when i mix between tracks. But I could see how using the volume faders could open up alot of variety. Def. going to be trying this technique out more.

[Chris Macom]

Channel faders are definitely better for smooth transitions. If you never use the crossfader then I would suggest getting into a rotary mixer. The crossfader still has its uses though. Scratching, quick mix theory, echo effects, and filter sweeps all need the crossfader. One trick I've been using since I started was cutting back and forth between two tracks quickly to accent the snare or hihat of one of the tracks. Also while you do this you can simultaneously crank up the hi or mid frequency for a nice effect and just get manic with the mixer. I learned this from watching Derrick May and Jeff Mills back in the day. Here's a video of The Wizard getting crazy with the fader and eq's.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bLanIfR13A