So here’s a question which has been floating around my mind for a little while; for those of you who use Sync on a regular basis, what SPECIFICALLY does it let you do that you wouldn’t/couldn’t do when beatmatching manually?
In order to avoid this turning into one of “those” threads, here are some quick and simple tips with regards to contribution.
People who should contribute to this thread:
Those who use Sync
Can beatmatch by ear/visually
Choose not to
Have a specific reason for doing so
People who should NOT contribute to this thread:
People who don’t use Sync
People who use Sync JUST to make things easier
Anyone thinking about posting a comment just saying “Sync is for pussies” or something along those lines
Anyway, with all that out of the way, I’ll kick things off
Personally, the most significant thing I find using Sync enables me to do is drop a track with the channel fader UP, as I know that with properly prepared beatgrids, it won’t sound “off”. VERY useful for bringing in a drum beat into track B, right when the break in track A occurs.
It allows me to layer 2 or more tracks, while dropping random loops and samples in time, without having to keep checking my cueing. This allows me to PERFORM…as well as DJ.
Yes, it is possible to do it without sync I guess, but why work harder when you can work smarter.
Been DJing for donkey’s years…so I have no need to prove I can beatmatch. I can when needed and do when my grid is off etc.
I only use two decks, so Sync allows me to keep two tracks playing together for longer than I would normally have. When the old track ends, I can quickly load up the next track and mix it in without the extra time needed to find my cue, beatmatch, etc - kind of like instant dropping, like you guys already mentioned.
What Sarasin says, layering. There isn’t much time when I only have 1 thing going on. But especially having a clap-loop or something in deck D without having to check it before bringing it in is very useful. I also use Maschine now and then and it’s a real hassle to use without sync (I even doubt if someone could use it effectively without sync).
Honest question – can we get some examples to listen to. I don’t ask this a non-sync troll question, my curiousity is wanting to hear what sound “good” when layering tracks. Normally that is the argument for sync — I have a bunch of things layered. I’ve seen Hawtin and others live and understand the concept, but my real curiousity is those that are not at that level (as I am not, and figure most guys here are on par with the average club DJ) I’d like to hear how the average DJ uses it. Especially intrigued with using Machine, I’ve thougth about using The Bridge with SSL and have heard some really good demos from some very talented guys.
Perhaps point out what you are doing so we can learn something vs. just saying “I layer multiple decks”
And most important, gives me time to find the right tune. The tune that out of my whole library will fit most well into the mix and fit where I want the set to go.
Gives me more time to do the best mix I’m capable of. I was going to write, smooth, but that’s not always true. Sometimes you want to bang it in, and you can do that because as someone else mentioned, you can drop on cue with the volume up. That’s cool!
Do more creative stuff like mix in accapellas, samples etc. I never do any of this stuff because I am laaaazy and also because I’m focused on 1) and 2). I like having the option there though. And sometimes I do do it. That shit was impossible when I was doing normal beat matching on 1210s.
