So the question I’ve had the last few weeks that I’ve been playing with my new S2 is how do a lot of DJ’s keep the music feeling consistent and continuous through a lot of songs. I’m not specifically talking about the transitions between the songs but I’m more wondering how they keep the back beat of the music consistent? Like when you’re dancing it doesn’t feel like the songs are changing too much, I understand that this is done by mostly keeping the BPM in the same range so there isn’t a huge change in the tempo of the music but that’s only a small part of it, there’s definitely other stuff that’s being done. Do you usually just have a sample loop of a drum beat playing in the background to give it a consistent feel? Sorry if this is a really basic question, I’m more used to being on the other side of the DJ table listening and dancing to the music rather than mixing so I’m just wondering how most people go about it.
Alright, thanks, yeah I’ve been practicing but I’m getting the feeling that my music sounds more bland? I guess compared to some mixes that I hear, and it’s not the selection of songs even when I play the same songs or similar ones there’s just something that’s lacking in my mixes that makes them feel less lively.
That’s a very good idea, I don’t know why I haven’t done that yet, I’d probably get the most constructive help if I had someone listen to my mixes. Thanks!
Make sure when one tracks “main” part ends the new track “main” part is beginning alot comes down to timing. Sorry tried to explain as straight forward as possible… What genre are your mixing?
This. Song selection and the structure of the tracks. Start to count beats and notice when songs make changes. If you phrase your songs correctly it will seem like the beat is always there and each subtle change will bring in the new song.
If you want a quick mix to hold or boost the energy you want to let the track have its peak, then 32 or 64 beats before the breakdown start mixing the highs then mids of the next track, then at the end of the breakdown you slam in the new tracks bassline, It’s all about track selection but if you get that right changing up the bass boosts the energy.
That said you don’t want to mix this way for a whole set as it is annoying, sometimes you just need to let the music play, and fight your adhd urges to add effects they kill the atmosphere unless executed subtly.
back to mixing when you dj long enough you will just know when to mix from cues producers put in their music, I do it when it feels right. but the fastest way to get good is use your ears and not your eyes to mix, don’t be afraid to use the eq’s to their full potential. Finally don’t mix with your head, it’s cheesy as hell but mix with your soul go, by what feels good and gives you a buzz when you are doing it, that feeling is what you will get paid to give to your crowd, not your ego, not your haircut, just a good time.
I don’t mean to hijack this thread but as I am a beginner dj too, is there a tutorial how to use the eq’s? I somewhat understand lows but I don’t have a clue when to use mids and highs. I probably actually don’t understand lows as I usually just use it to kick the bass up or turn the bass of one track down when Im mixing another song.
But anyway, I don’t understand how to set eq’s to different songs. Like when you should change it, etc.
With waveforms visual is great using traktor you learn to gauge when the time is right by eyeing it. I can consistently mix unknown tracks this way for hours without missing it… But I have been djing for over 15 years this likely helps.
What I mean is ever white/gray bar is 1minute gauge where the ontro of the song starts then on incoming track see where the intro ends and the track starts moving(usuall bass drops or drums progress) can be seen in waveform overview underneath. You want to match these that when the track playing ends the tack mixing starts.
This 100% improves your sets.
This used to be harder to do before the invention of DVs where you can see waveforms. Used to take knowing your tracks although my friends and I used to swear could read on vinyl lol. But no you get the point I think.
Someone correct me if I’m wrong but I believe what op wanted to know
Eq’s use your ears I mean usually you don’t want the track your mixing in balls deep on the eq you want to ride them in slowly and out slowly. If you want to plays 2 tracks same time your gonna have to cut each track and blend the sounds with the eq’s make sure you keep your hats under control as they get whacked quickly at times
The biggest thing is timing if your tracks are hitting mid way through a 64 bar sequence it won’t sound the same as they are meeting spot on. I use extensive use Of the loop function at 32 bars then after a 64 bar sequence cue the start of the 32 loop then make sure to de activate the loop 64bars before the end of track. Most house/trance music works with this formula
sorry that advice is really only good for dance music as it follows a pretty standard structure, I have never mixed top 40 but I assume you dont mix the vocals, and the tracks are made for radio, so you will probably need to loop the start and end of the songs so you can smoothly mix them together. with the eq’s for top 40 I’d say less is more, I’d probably loop the incoming track introduce the highs to about 10 o’clock, then when the singer is almost finished bring in the mids on the new track, loop the outgoing track, switch the bass and exit the loop of the new track and let it play,
But like I said I don’t mix top 40, the biggest thing is use your ears.
First I just want to state that i’m a noob as well so i’m in the same boat. However, I noticed recently that i’ve been mixing much more comfortably lately as I practice everyday. It’s a bit tiring to keep going back to the basics day after day but it really helps me get familiar with the technique and with my music. I’m a top 40 type of DJ too but I mix from different era to keep my mix a bit more dynamic than what they play at the radio.
This is what helps me with my mixing in my S2.
Song Selection
Cueing my tunes and setting loops (intro and outro)
keeping the tempo of the next song within 5 BPM of the current track
SYNC button - yeah I cheat since i’m more concern about the flow of the mix which is my priority.
listening to my headphones and gauging how the new track sounds along side of the current track. (I then experiment with the EQ til I know that the new track is not over powering the old song)
At the proper part of the song I then moved the crossfader and channel volume to slowly introduce the new track.
I wait again before I switch the bass within the two decks
fade out the old song then hit my cue up the new song to its lyrical parts.
Voila
this doesn’t always work smoothly but my prediction is that I need to just practice more.
You and your friends were correct, u can read vinyl. Just look at the grooves. Grooves were the first waveforms, and as long as the the two records played at the same speed, you could line up everything perfectly. It helped so u didn’t have to know all your tracks inside and out. Thats why when i switched to dvs years ago, it seemed so much easier, just cuz the more detailed visual aspect of the waveform.
