How do you mix records??

[Bobby]

I bought this Gemini beginners DJ set (please don't laugh)that came with a little mixer and 2 turntables. I tried to follow the brother on the how to video it came with and I got lost. I always figured since House usually has the same beat I could just flow with it, but I found out I really suck. Any pointers? smile.gif

[djezmike]

Originally posted by Bobby:
I bought this Gemini beginners DJ set (please don't laugh)that came with a little mixer and 2 turntables. I tried to follow the brother on the how to video it came with and I got lost. I always figured since House usually has the same beat I could just flow with it, but I found out I really suck. Any pointers? smile.gif

[Huey P. Freeman]

Originally posted by Bobby:
I bought this Gemini beginners DJ set (please don't laugh)that came with a little mixer and 2 turntables. I tried to follow the brother on the how to video it came with and I got lost. I always figured since House usually has the same beat I could just flow with it, but I found out I really suck. Any pointers? smile.gif Just be patient. Like anything else it takes practice.

[Bobby]

I even had the nerve to record my "mix". I almost took the set back where I bought it.

[YUJI-SAN]

Originally posted by Bobby:
I bought this Gemini beginners DJ set (please don't laugh)that came with a little mixer and 2 turntables. I tried to follow the brother on the how to video it came with and I got lost. I always figured since House usually has the same beat I could just flow with it, but I found out I really suck. Any pointers? smile.gif Practice,practice,practice lock yourself in your room and stay in there until you are
satisfied with your results.
Goodluck. smile.gif

[djezmike]

Well lets see.. Can u distinguish if the record youre trying 2 bring in is too slow or too fast or right on time? One way I learned was make a copy on tape or cd (nowadays) of a song then run the tape thru your mixer and try to match the tempo of the same song on record.. In the process you'll make a " Flange" which will sound like a wave or a plane..

[kelvy]

no shame in Geminis there, Bobby...i started out with them and i still work with them....a perenial companion for many bedroom spinners. :D

what you might want to do is scrap the video for the time being...as you're precuing the next record, pitch up the next record so that it is noticeably faster than the record currently playing. then go back to your cue point and pitch down until it matches the currently-playing record...you may have to do this a few times in order to get the pitch right ready for release.

always remember, have always one hand on the pitch control at all times. as you get seasoned in this, you will pick up how to ride the pitch control. you will get to the point where the incoming record still sounds at the right pitch but it is starting to drift...this is when "catching the beats" come into play...you will definetly pick up how to move with the pitch control motions like a surfer navigating the waves to his/her favor....

hope that helps...

[Tee Cee 13]

Originally posted by Bobby:
I bought this Gemini beginners DJ set (please don't laugh)that came with a little mixer and 2 turntables. I tried to follow the brother on the how to video it came with and I got lost. I always figured since House usually has the same beat I could just flow with it, but I found out I really suck. Any pointers? smile.gif ------------------------------------

Well first off put the video off to the side Get your records out, get on the tables and do what your heart tells you to do.. Your ears are going to be fed Candy from your Heart. So just go with the flow Bobby.... And more will be revealed. Trust me....

graemlins/thumbsup.gif

[Pete Nice]

in the buff while smoking herbs :D had to be a smart a**. for real: trial and error will help you develop your own style and help you keep an open mind. just have fun for now. make friends with some people who know what they're doing and hopefully they will share. dj's can be huge snobs. peace and best of luck. say bye to your money ;)

[JMJ]

Originally posted by Bobby:
I bought this Gemini beginners DJ set (please don't laugh)that came with a little mixer and 2 turntables. I tried to follow the brother on the how to video it came with and I got lost. I always figured since House usually has the same beat I could just flow with it, but I found out I really suck. Any pointers? smile.gif I can't believe your blends were off! All house records are exactly the same beat. That being said, it sounds like your set-up is defective. I would take it back immediately for a fool refund.....JMJ biggrinangel.gif

[Savoir-Faire]

Originally posted by Bobby:
I even had the nerve to record my "mix". I almost took the set back where I bought it. There is no shame in recording anything you do! IMO it serves as a starting point...you can always check your progress. Recording just gives you reference.

Just starting out, you're sure to hear some things that you might consider to sound bad. But you'll also hear some things that might make you say..."Hey, that's not bad at all!"

Things that you may hear while you're doing the mix, may not sound the way you thought it did after listening to your recording. Like others have said, just be patient. Practice, practice...practice!

Good luck!

graemlins/thumbsup.gif

[AD]

Originally posted by JMJ:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Bobby:
I bought this Gemini beginners DJ set (please don't laugh)that came with a little mixer and 2 turntables. I tried to follow the brother on the how to video it came with and I got lost. I always figured since House usually has the same beat I could just flow with it, but I found out I really suck. Any pointers? smile.gif I can't believe your blends were off! All house records are exactly the same beat. That being said, it sounds like your set-up is defective. I would take it back immediately for a fool refund.....JMJ biggrinangel.gif </font>[/QUOTE]Still picking on the newbies, huh? graemlins/spanka.gif

[JMJ]

Originally posted by Albert D.:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by JMJ:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Bobby:
I bought this Gemini beginners DJ set (please don't laugh)that came with a little mixer and 2 turntables. I tried to follow the brother on the how to video it came with and I got lost. I always figured since House usually has the same beat I could just flow with it, but I found out I really suck. Any pointers? smile.gif I can't believe your blends were off! All house records are exactly the same beat. That being said, it sounds like your set-up is defective. I would take it back immediately for a fool refund.....JMJ biggrinangel.gif </font>[/QUOTE]Still picking on the newbies, huh? graemlins/spanka.gif </font>[/QUOTE]No, just dispensing valuable advice. Take notes.....JMJ biggrinangel.gif

[E-Phi]

Practice is all I can say. Locking yourself in a room was a pretty good idea graemlins/rofl.gif Hell, if I dig around I can probably find the first mix I did where the blends were decent icon_rofl.gif . Just keep at it and you'll get it eventually.

[Bobby]

Thanks for the advice y'all.

[AD]

Originally posted by JMJ:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Albert D.:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by JMJ:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Bobby:
I bought this Gemini beginners DJ set (please don't laugh)that came with a little mixer and 2 turntables. I tried to follow the brother on the how to video it came with and I got lost. I always figured since House usually has the same beat I could just flow with it, but I found out I really suck. Any pointers? smile.gif I can't believe your blends were off! All house records are exactly the same beat. That being said, it sounds like your set-up is defective. I would take it back immediately for a fool refund.....JMJ biggrinangel.gif </font>[/QUOTE]Still picking on the newbies, huh? graemlins/spanka.gif </font>[/QUOTE]No, just dispensing valuable advice. Take notes.....JMJ biggrinangel.gif </font>[/QUOTE]I'm way ahead of you. I've got my pencil and pad ready to go like a reporter getttin the latest scoop. What now, sensei? graemlins/cool_shades.gif

[Mah'chew]

Recording is good, it gives you a point of reference, don't worry if your mixes are all over the place, listening back to mixes it is easier to hear the speed of the record you are bringing in, when you're mixing you can get preocupied ( are the levels right? counting the beat, flicking the phones off, sliding the track in, listening to which one? where's the changes?).

Listening back you hear your mistakes, it all beomes clearer, "oh man, that track was just to slow, those keys don't sound right, where'd that break down come from???" It also gives you the opportunity to hear when you are doing it right, thereby finding your mixes, your sound..

Keep taping yourself and give yourself some time, you can't just jump straight in there, mess with other genres, don't always beat-mix, do some chopping, mix instrumental intros and outros, don't mix in the obvious break, leave it to the end break (outro)- especially with Disco and Classics.

Listen to other peoples mixes, what do they do, do the ride the mix, do they move from one record to another in the space of one or two bars.

Don't over ride, if you have a good mix, learn when to take the last record out, riding's good, but we want to hear the music and a good mix can turn into a bad mix very quickly with a sudden break or break-down.

Know your records, know what they do and when they do it.

Put more emphasis on what you play, when you play it and how it sits with the overall vibe and tempo of the mix you're trying to create.

Being technical's good, but the great DJ's forego a little of the mechanics for the emotion. Play the right set of music together over a space of a mix and no one will be listening to the mixes - they'll be lost in your vibe.

If you're having a bad day and it aint working, leave the tables alone, don't pound yourself over it, step up tomorrow and throw down like Regisford.. :D

[AD]

Listen to Mathius. RECORD, RECORD, RECORD!!! It's one my best ways to be able to listen back to any mistakes and where I would need to tweak things. Listen and compare the sound quality of your records because some records are pressed better than others. Try to record onto tape or onto your computer where you can easily compress the file or delete it later (your choice). You could record onto CD's too, but I wouldn't waste them for what I call, "test recording sessions." Most importantly, just be patient and it will all come to you. Also, listen to others that mix the music you like (DHP is the best place to start) to find inspiration and get pointers, but don't copy mixes, instead try to understand what that person was trying to do with the mix. Let yourself go and the rest will follow. ;)

[Chip_E]

"No man does it all by himself".
Sure practicing will help, but you've gotta know WHAT to practice. Being good at something doesn't mean that you can teach your craft. Teaching is a craft of its own...this is probably why the instructional video failed.
Since I have the 1200s and mixer in plain site,
people are always asking me to teach them how to mix. This is basically what I tell them.

Step 1 in learning to mix records.
a. Get two copies of the same record.
b. Listen to the song carefully (know your music)
c. Recognize that most dance music is 4/4 time.
(that means, there's four distinct beats to every measure of music).
d. If you still don't get the idea of 4/4, think about dancing to the song. Consider that there is a distinct first beat. Think about how you'd do a simple four step dance to a song, and you'll understand where the 1,2,3,and 4 are.
Note-Some DJs count 4 beats, some count 8, some dancers count 4 beats, some count 8.
e. Now that you understand where the first beat of the measure is, practice starting the same record over from the intro...smoothly, not slamming.
f. Once you've mastered the art of "beat phraseing", you can adjust the pitch of one of the turntables and then start over (causing you to have change the pitch of the second turntable).
If you just use the numbers on the pitch control, you'll only be cheating yourself.
g. Now it's time to change one of the records.
Start with a record that you know is close in tempo, or a combination of tunes you've heard mixed together.
h. Now that you have some pointers, you can continue practicing. And when they ask, tell 'em
"DeepHousePage.com taught me how to mix".

At first your mixes will sound like train wrecks, but with practice, it'll be like "wipeing your ass with silk".

Peace,

-e.

[beaniboy67]

i bought new turntables about 2 weeks ago for a good fee and i bought some vinyl.I played them for about 6 hours in total(over the space of 5 days) and i could not really get the beats.Then the next day i woke up and it happpened, i usually get the beats 85% of the time now.I guess i was just listening then i new what record was fast and what one was slow.Then all i did was make sure i was droppping it in at the beggining of every bar.I dont no if cos i play instruments and because i can play drums i got it pretty quick.It will just take me the rest of my life now to get competent with them. :D

[Mah'chew]

Originally posted by beaniboy67:
i bought new turntables about 2 weeks ago for a good fee and i bought some vinyl.I played them for about 6 hours in total(over the space of 5 days) and i could not really get the beats.Then the next day i woke up and it happpened, i usually get the beats 85% of the time now.I guess i was just listening then i new what record was fast and what one was slow.Then all i did was make sure i was droppping it in at the beggining of every bar.I dont no if cos i play instruments and because i can play drums i got it pretty quick.It will just take me the rest of my life now to get competent with them. :D I have a friend who's a drummer, he came round and went on the tables for the first time, beat-matched his first ever mix, outstanding. Look at Harvey and FK both drummers to begin with (and Pete Tong I believe - so there goes that theory).

[Chip_E]

eYep, if you play music, or are a serious dancer, DJing will be much easier to learn.

-e.

[Hk]

(do I have a guilty conscious, or was someone trying to send me a message---ahhh like how many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie roll tootsie pop.......I nor "the world may never know".....)

Thanks anyway, its stuff I heard before but its helpful to see people who have some type of concern to help the poster out who's # is 1481, which leads me to believe its a phony of course the buzz words Flanges and stuff...., keep up the good work fellas, I can be boxed from a distance, sincere thanks tho..).....that upper-cut hurt... :D

IN CASE I AM INCORRECT:

Just practice, and with all things, the more you put in it--the more you get out of it....(cause/effect, input/output)....

CRYME!

[vinny from the Burgh]

Originally posted by YUJI BR0WN:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Bobby:
I bought this Gemini beginners DJ set (please don't laugh)that came with a little mixer and 2 turntables. I tried to follow the brother on the how to video it came with and I got lost. I always figured since House usually has the same beat I could just flow with it, but I found out I really suck. Any pointers? smile.gif Practice,practice,practice lock yourself in your room and stay in there until you are
satisfied with your results.
Goodluck. smile.gif </font>[/QUOTE]Hey Yuji, what do you know about practice you can't even mix????? biggrinangel.gif

[jsd540]

Also, listen to your favorite dj's mixes, get some of the same records and try to re-create what you heard.

But don't get frustrated just have fun.

[jsd540]

Originally posted by YUJI BR0WN:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Practice,practice,practice lock yourself in your room and stay in there until you are
satisfied with your results.
Goodluck. smile.gif [/QB]</font>[/QUOTE]And give me ten push ups graemlins/rofl.gif

That is true though, keep trying till you get it right...

[Woody Rosen]

It helps if you dance while you are mixing. Seriously. Like this ---&gt; http://deephousepage.com/smilies/party_06.gif