is there a basic “rule” for mixing in 2 EDM songs, using crossfader + EQ’s?
hey everyone! i’ve been getting into DJing over the past couple months, i use a traktor kontrol s2, traktor 2 pro, yamaha hs80m’s, etc etc..
i’ve got my beatgridding, beatmatching, timing, etc all down pretty good at this point.. my biggest hurdle is getting the right balance in the EQ’s when fading 2 dance music songs together..
currently, i’m basically just mixing by turning the LOW’s all the way down on the 1 track and gradually turning it up as i turn the crossfader from left to right..
i know that this isn’t the best way to do it, so i was hoping to see if anybody had any general “rules” (i know music and DJing isn’t cut and dry or set in stone) in fading between 2 songs..
what i’m looking for is basically, as you gradually move your fader from left to right, how should you change the HI’s, MID’s and LOW’s of the 2 tracks to make it sound decent? (for example, at 25% crossfader, your EQ’s of the 2 tracks should be XYZ and at 50% (middle), your EQ’s should be XYZ, so on and so forth..
i know that there’s no real answer for this, and that music varies greatly, but i was hoping for a general “rule” to improve my technique.. thanks guys, i really appreciate you helping me to develop my skills!
I think you should consider using the line faders for mixing especially EDM, and not the crossfader.
By doing this you have better control over both tracks.
Reducing the base of the incoming one and blending them slowly with the EQs can be a good start IMHO.
I haven’t used the Xfader for quite some years now, you will get a lot more control over your mix using the line faders. Try to adapt your mixing to the track’s phrasing, everything it’s downhill that way.
Regarding specific values: there are none. Different mixers have different EQ response and it really depends on the tracks you are mixing, it’s not surgery. Only general rule is make room before adding something else (that’s why you cut the bass on the incoming track among other things).
Also, check djtutor’s channel on youtube, the guy has some nice tutorials explaining the subject.
I don’t use the x-fader either much with ‘EDM’. I’m a bit of a simpleton, so I’ll generally slam the line fader of the new track right up with the Mids and Lows right down, and then swap the frequencies over every 16 or 32 beats with the natural phrases of the matched tracks. This means you can achieve some pleasant stuff, such as swapping the bassline over to the new track whilst still playing the mids from the old track (if they’re harmonically matched) without making it too smooth. Works well with nu-disco funk basslines etc
I haven’t used the crossfader for mixing for at least 10 years…however, there are no ‘rules’ with DJing…making your own style is what it’s all about and will ultimately result in you having more success going forward than if you copied everyone.
That’s not true. There are a lot of rules…watch the levels, respect the chorus, music comes first, don’t overuse anything, don’t play premixed sets, etc.
@OP: I have 2 suggestions.
1 - Learn to mix without EQs. They’re fine as tools, but if you can’t mix without them, they’re nothing but a crutch. And they’ll harm your mixes more than sync and almost as much as effects if you use them as a crutch.
2 - If you can’t mix without EQs, it’s because you don’t understand phrase matching and/or don’t know how to listen to tracks. Good dance songs scream possibilities for mixing them. All you have to do is listen.
I’ve been mixing more with eq lately, the reasons I look for to use it, to gradually bring the bass of the new track in, to kill highs that may clash. I’ve also been guilty of using the eq as line faders for frequency, cross fader in the middle, eq at the bottom, then mix the incoming track into place by adjustments. I’m also pretty big on primarily mixing with line faders, the cross fader is to be used for special occasions, when I don’t want to mess up my levels but quickly cut between tracks.
Eq’s are best used to make room between tracks. For instance, I like to take some of the mids out of track A to help the vocals in track B stand out. Filters are great for fast cuts in frequencies such as when cue hopping and beatmashing to make the snares and the downbeats stand out, but I find that filters tend to sound less musically pleasing than cutting out frequencies with the eq’s such as general mixing. I also like to use filters when transitioning between clashing tunes or just to create instant drama.
Once apon a time, eq’s were locked away out of the dj’s reach and the only mixing tools were the faders. A good dj will drop the level of the outgoing track while simultaneously raising the incoming track to keep the overall volume level in check.
I always watch these videos for little tricks to throw in while mixing, And finding different mixing techniques. But then again i always do put my own touch on what i see. to make it personal.
