How To Properly Mix Songs - Wedding DJ 101

In this video, DJ Bill Bara explains the improper and correct ways to beat mix songs together.

[zski]

A lot of DJ's do those annoying hand movements to make them appear that they're doing something with the knobs. This is totally unnecessary.

[jpayne]

I have been a dj for over 30 years, and am in amazement at all of the dislikes that this video has gotten. There's a lot of things that someone who is NOT a dj wouldn't understand about the knobs and buttons that he is using. As for the comments about this not being acceptable at a wedding.... after all of the formalities are done, a wedding reception IS still basically a your job is to keep the party you play to the crowd, if that's what they want to hear, if it keeps them jumping do it! No one wants to chicken dance and macarena all night. That's why legitimate dj's get most of the business. Develop YOUR skills, instead of bashing others. For those hating on this hating is probably the ONLY skill you have. Remember, no one hates on the person that looses.

[GastonNunez]

Been with my vinyls since i was 12, 28 now and I have just learned something new. Props! True DJ's always learn from one another, and will always respect the craft and give credit when and where it is due.

[orangedj]

He means well but watching the video was awkward and i'm stunned. My mind is motionless, unlike his arms. I still can't process what i've just seen. Unfortunately it's not great viewing for educational purposes. The title "How to mix songs" falls short of accurate but again, he means well. His confidence far outweighs his ability. He needs to watch and share his tutorials before he uploads them. Mr Bara, i hope you read your comments and learn from them. All Dj's are always learning. Not all the dislikes are haters, many i guess are from viewers that just disliked the tutorial. Wish you the best

[loudawgs]

The guys posting negative comments crack me up! I go to their channel thinking I am going to see dj am mixing skills and they don't have any videos! They put Bill down, but they them selves have no videos of how to mix properly. Nor any videos of themselves mixing at all! Lol. If you gonna post negative remarks have video to back it up! Keep it up bill! Keep rockin' on the 1200's -Vinyl Fo' Life

[jimmyspit]

This video is a great demonstration on mixing track to track!!! What people fail to realize is this is just a demonstration- I was needing some good thorough tips on manual mixing live without all the jibber jabber. Thank you for sharing

[MrLiberty]

I've been a DJ for eight years, and in business for myself three. I've done sixty weddings in the past two years, and about 200 all together. I mix at weddings, and some of my "competitors" hire me as a subcontractor. None of their guys mix.

They do have customers request mixing DJ's or "a nightclub feel". I'm not as "jazz hands" or "flashy" as you when I mix, but to those commenting, yes, there are times and crowds when scratching and hop-hop is perfectly acceptable and appropriate at weddings.

You did fine. It was a little choppy, but I know there is a difference when recording live vs just doing a how-to in the studio. Also, any mistakes are more noticeable to armchair quarterbacks who are not on the dance floor.

I need to post some videos too. I have slow internet, so it takes forever to upload even small videos.

[DjLuceScrewz]

He's just ruined his own business is 5 minutes...

[djTLMtv]

Hi Bill. If you’re calling this a “how to” video, it would help if you actually explained some of the fundamentals that go into creating proper transitions.

You have to understand that a lot of people will click on this video because they still need to learn the techniques, so they’re not familiar with counting beats, bars or phrases and they don’t know how to work the eq, etc.

The rest of the people clicking on this video are DJs who are curious to hear another DJ’s perspective and style, and they will be critical when someone starts the video by saying he will always mix properly if you hire him ;)

[bobbillings]

wow, the fucking hate in our Dj world is epic, everyone slams another Dj to make themselves appear as if they are the shit.  I'll tell you what, if I see a young  Dj do this, I'll shake their mutherfucking hand at the end  because a lot of what I see these days are nothing but push play Dj's playing premixed dance music off their ipads and just tweaking in mixer effects during the gig as if they are standing up their doin something.

[djsinnay]

good mixing and transitions but do you really have to get all crazy touching the knobs and all ? lol

[LouieShowers]

I think the problem is all of the self praise about his skills. that's what leads to the hateful comments.

[DRTYLKZ]

I was just browsing tutorials for mixing when I came across this video...my ex DJ's weddings sometimes and also residents at clubs and produces music, so I thought "lets see what this guys got"...after I watched it I immediately subscribed to your channel and "liked" your video...so to some of these haters who are making lame ass comments below and trying to micro-manage your shit, I say, WHATEVER...YOU'RE HOT and you're video was sweet...I wish I could DJ like that. Thanks for taking the time to show off your skills...

[andrewburton]

Good Idea for a marketing promo video. This guy loves what he does and that's number 1. but he needs to slow them jazz hands down. 

[dwmiresii]

I gotta say as a wedding DJ myself pretty good skill set to have you got there. while not everyone may want it at a certain style of event you definitely got it going on!!!!

[StudiosevenentertainmentSanti]

After reading some of these comments I have come the conclusion that almost all DJ's, Wana-be  DJ's, Professional Dj's, and anyone in-between just want to Bash, Hate, Criticize, and just say plain stupid things!! Not just on this video, but everywhere! Why can't we all get along?!?!? We all work in the same "industry". If you have nothing nice to say then say nothing at all. Jealousy is all I see. I bet people out there would laugh at the way you mix & scratch if you get the guts to post a video of yourself. Let's help each other! The sun shines on everyone!

[pinedasentertainment]

he keeps moving buttons he doesn't need.... like he keeps trying to turn the volume up when the volume is to the max.. hahaa!

[FlatFeeDjs]

Dude,
Could really use your advice with mixing 80's songs that don't easily join together or they might have signature endings like love shack or grease mega mix where they need to be played to the end cause people like to sing along. I find I run into a lot of weddings where people don't want club or dance mixes and just want to hear the radio edits but in order to get from 1 song to another I simply fade them like your first example. Thank you Bill

[michaelhernandez]

Man I've been a DJ for over 35 years starting as a battle DJ. I understand completely what this dude is FEELING. To be honest he is not doing anything with them knobs or faders when the tracks are mixing, he is doing (Feeling) what's called a DJ GROOVE. As the tracks are mixing on point, he is hand grooving with the mix. Although I don't use this technique, many DJ's professional and armature feel out their mix. May look silly and un-called for, but this method helps some DJ's when mixing.

[PumpfeezyTV]

I read a comment below that mentioned this DJ was missing one of his fader knobs. Post editing is crucial especially when you do not property speak correctly. People trolling the internet look for something to make fun of or hate in some way. Do your thing DJ. You're still making your money and comments can't stop you.