Without a doubt, digital DJ programs are works of art (speaking as both a programmer and a DJ/Musician). However, for those just learning how to DJ, practicing beatmatching/mixing with them poses a bit of a problem: the temptation to ‘cheat’ by looking at the bpm counter (or hell, just pressing the sync button) can be a little to big. By no means am I bashing these features, I just believe its a good idea to learn how to beatmatch without them. But whats a good way to do that without the money for a pair of turntables and a mixer?
Here’s what I did:
Step One: Start your digital DJ program, whatever it may be.
Step Two: Start your media player of choice (iTunes, WMP, Winamp, whatever)
Step Three: Start a random track on your media player.
Step Four: Try to select and mix in a song from your library using your DJ program.
Now you don’t have to worry about ‘accidentally’ peeking at the BPM meters, or letting your finger slip and hitting that sync button. Happy mixing!
I always recomend to everyone the method I’ve been telling people since 1997.
Pick up 2 copies of Robert Miles - Children.
Beatmix.
Go back and forth, a billion times until you mix it 100% clean. Move the pitch around a bunch. Eventually you’ll be able to lock in the beat in less than 10 seconds. (For those with a good ear, it may be able to get locked in under 2)
Never said it was the best song in the world. But it’s how 90% of the people I know or taught learned how to beatmatch. It worked so well, that It’s what I tell people till this day!
because it has a clear, simple 4:4 beat which makes it good to learn on. Stuff like breakbeat (while still 4:4) doesnt have quite as simple percussion making it bit more tricky
sometimes it also works, when traktor doesn´t read the correct bpm (traktor 3 does this sometimes) and u don´t beatgrid it, u are also forced to beatmatch by ear…
Not to mention children has a beatless intro. which allows the practioner practice beatmatching without drums as well.
The song has a versatile enough song structure that it’s good.
Also the bassline is a counter to the beat. which means if you’re off even in the slightest then the drums will start to flange/phase out more significantly than on a typical track.
Offtime bass, long space to beatmatch the song (You’ve got a good 5 minutes of solid beat to work on getting the beat down) beatless intro, and clear clean snares and drums make the song an essential to the learning DJ arsenal.
