Techniques

Cueing Records

Cueing a record refers to finding a sound-marker on a track such as a Vinyl Record or on Compact Disc. Once this position is identified, the track is paused at that position and awaits the playback button. Proper cueing is essential especially in dance music, where beat-matching is needed to progress from one track to another.

When using a Vinyl Record the DJ searches for a spot at the beginning of the track where he can find the start of a 4/4 sequence. The DJ will then pause the turntable and manually maneuver the plate backwards and will finally pause the needle just after the fall of the first 4/4 beat sequence. When the time comes to mix, the DJ listens on his headphone for the beginning of a 4/4 sequence on the record currently playing. Anticipating this first beat he hits the play button on the new record which has been cued. With a bit of luck, both records should be playing in sync and remain in sync provided that beat-matching has been accurately done.

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