Understanding the basics of a DJ mix is important to keeping a continuous flow of sound going and avoiding lulls in music.
If you want to lay down a good DJ mix, there are some basic fundamentals of mixing that you need to learn. There is a variety of techniques that allow DJs to shift from one disc to another without gaps in the music that may blow the performance. Mastering these techniques is important to becoming a competent disc jock.
A DJ mix is basically a series of music tracks that are mixed together to be one seamless, continuous tracks. Mixes are performed with the use of a mixer and other sounds, such as sounds from turntables, digital audio players, CD players and even computer sound cards. You can also throw in other effects from samplers and other effects units.
Performing a mix-set is an interactive experience between the music master and the audience. The DJ will pick his or her tracks in response to what’s going on on the dance floor. If the crowd hits a lull, he or she will pick a track intended to pump it back up.
Here are some basic mixing techniques:
Beat mixing — This involves the DJ speeding up or slowing down a record to match its beat to another record. You may use the intro to aid this. This is perhaps the most basic mix technique and is used by nearly every DJ during performances. If you’re just starting out, it’s probably easiest to practice this technique with house music because most house tunes have a lengthy beat-based intro.
Pitch mixing — This involves changing the pitch of a tune, or making sure the next tune in a set mixes with the current tune and does not clash. One easy way newcomers can pitch mix is by making sure a new tune in a set starts with just beats, as the end of most dance music consists of just beats.
R&B lovers most frequently employ this method.
Scratch mixing — Scratch mixing is the pushing or pulling of a vinyl record to create a scratching sound. This is the best-known example of DJ mixing. This is often used in rap, hip-hop and R&B.
Mastering the basics of a DJ mix can help you create the steady, uninterrupted flow of music that is the mark of a professional, talented performer.