Techniques

Audio Mixing (DJ related)

DJ Mixing in terms of dance music with a regular 4/4 beat-sequence is all about maintaining correct sync and identifying the integral 4/4 sequences (phrasing) and trying to match them across the two records being mixed.

To properly mix two tracks a DJ must firstly use his headphones to identify a track that will have a similar style and BPM range compared with the current track. Pitch adjustments, first raw, then finer are done to the new track to bring it as close as possible to the speed of the current track. Sync should be verified over a period of at least 30s, by letting the two tracks play together and observing the developing time difference. If a time difference does indeed develop, the DJ should nudge the new track forward or backwards and identify the nature of the lapse (too fast/too slow). Gradual finer adjustments can then be made. Cueing of the new track is then done by identifying a desired starting point (at the beginning of a 4/4 sequence), that will also allow enough room for mixing to occur before the main orchestration hits. Mixing can then begin.

And finally, remember that mixing is about progression. So in general, although technically possible, mixing of very different genres such as House and Trance should be avoided.

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