How to do dj Mixing

February 4th, 2010 by admin

Mixing of music started in the 1940s but did not become  popular until the 1960s.  However in the 1990s, as dance tracks changed and the beats became computer synced, dj mixing became more popular as they learn the beat.  This article will show what a dj needs to know in order to do dj mixing.

Mixing of music is the art of using turntables or CDs along with a mixer to blend music that has been prerecorded that maintains a beat that is consistent.  By using different types of music can be blended so that they make different versions of music by dj mixing.  This type of mixing is often referred to as “beat matching”

When learning how to do dj mixing, a dj will often use a stop watch to count how many beats that a song has in a minute.  Once a dj knows how many beats there is in a particular song, they can write down on the cover of the CD.  Once a dj has been mixing songs for awhile, they will get to know how many beats are in a typical type of song.  For instance a hip hop song typically has approximately 115 beats where as house songs will have over 115 beats per song.  Other songs such as trance and hard house have over 125 beats whereas jungle songs will have usually have twice that many.

When getting ready to do the dj mixing, the dj needs to listen to the song that is being played on the dance floor and cue the song, on the second CD,  that is going to be beat matched to it.  As the first song is coming to the end, the second song needs to begin playing at the first beat. As the beats are matched, the dj needs to place their hand on the CD or turntable to adjust the speed. As the dj adjusts the speed, they need to use the mixer to slide the fader gradually so that the first song beat is declined and the second song volume is increased. As the music finishes, the volumes should match one another.  It is important that the songs do not get muddled or distorted. 

It is important that a dj knows the construction of the songs that they plan on dj mixing.  Before stating to do a mix the dj should know the where the song begins, where the vocals are and where the song ends. On a typical song there is usually an introduction that is instrumental followed by verse and chorus and repeated in that manner until the song comes to the end.  At the end of the song there is an ending that breaks down into a simpler beat, this may be where the dj wants to beat match the next song.

As a person gets ready to learn how to do dj mixing, they may want to visit clubs and watch the techniques of mixing done by other djs.  A record shop might be another place to gain value information or set ups for dj mixing. When looking for a job as a dj, the dj may want to consider being a mobile dj or work in a club.

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