Basically, when I’ve been mixing on my Hercules RMX lately, I’ve fallen into a habit of looping the track that’s being cue’d.
I’ll have track A playing and to Que track B, I pick which part I want to come in and loop it for 8 bars and beatmatch, and then when i’m ready to bring track B in I take it off loop and bring the channel volume up.
It doesn’t feel right like i find it real easy and great for learning, but it feels like i’m cheating in a way, if you know what I mean?
An 8 bar loop sounds long. But, keep doing that until you can make the mix and release before the first repeat of the loop. Master the basics, then add on. What you are doing is a great way to get started.
i used to have the track i’m Que’in in my headphones on a 16 beat loop but knocked it down to 8 and it works quite well with house music. I just feel like i’m cheating at the moment lol
I don’t think an 8 bar loop is long at all. I started with looping just like that and found everything too lifeless. I moved to CDJs and a mixer and never looked back. Just live your life, man.
OP, it’s only “cheating” if you aren’t having fun. As long as you are enjoying yourself and it sounds good, fuck it. Don’t worry about bar lengths, etc. But, if you feel like you’re missing out on something, that’s a different story. That means it might be time to switch some shit up. I started on an S4 doing exactly what you’re doing. There’s always another level to take it to, even with your controller. Eventually I got turntables and a DVS, and I’ve never had more fun. Honestly, I was probably creating “technically” smoother, more consistent, and tighter mixes with a controller and SYNC, but it was a little soulless compared to what I do now (more science, less art). Neither is better, really. You just need to find what makes you happy.
problem with mixing loops on A+B is that it indeed sounds lifeless…usually there are changes in the sound structure every 16 bars (number of samples on A decreases, on track B increases in perefect sync if you get the phrases right) but when transitioning between loops you don’t get that and it sounds a little bit boring, i think that’s what he means.
usually FX’s help in spicing up the transition
I always add a filter, or effect, or eq kill towards the end of the loop, so that when it reloops, it sounds a bit different every time. That way if you are forced to ride it, it does not get boring sounding.
I think the OP is saying that he loops the intro (using CUE) just to get things beat matched, not that he is playing the loop over and over again through the main mix. He said that when he’s ready to transition to the next track he lets the loop go and THEN brings the channel volume fader up. I don’t see anything wrong with that.
This goes for me, depends on how you mix.
I usually use loops when i forget that the track’s almost over, and then loop a 4/8bar part and mix in the next one, happens a lot during live mashups. Also it makes for a very good fade-in effect if every 2 bars you half the loop distance, going to 1/8 and 1/16 one beat before the breakdown of the next song.
I also use 1/3 or 1/6 loops (approximate, sdj doesn’t have them built in) in conjunction with slip mode to make some rhytmic patterns.
But as i said, this is only how I use them. If your style is to use loops, well ,that’s your style
Well alot of you are agreeing that it is okay so that’s great Im still yet to learn to mix smoothly on vinyl, have 2 x turntables and a mixer in my room, just never get round to using it!
But yeah, my mixes are sounding alright guys so I’m heading in the right direction.
I’ve also been offered the opportunity to possibly play in a small club from December onwards. Bit 50/50 on this, i think it’s the fear factor of playing on stage in front of a load of people. Only ever done the odd small house party.
Well the gig would be at a club night that a very good friend of mine is trying to sort out, and i would also have my gf and small bunch of good friends to support me as well which is good
all depends on whether this does happen though, if it does then i would like to take the opportunity. I just don’t want to be ‘bigged’ up by people and then have other dj’s expecting more than what I can deliver. I can do a good mix, just nerves getting to me!
like i find it real easy and great for learning, but it feels like i’m cheating in a way, if you know what I mean?
