Mixing tips (for mix related questions)

Mixing tips (for mix related questions).

I received a couple of mix related questions and decided to use today's Q&A video to give you some tips based on the mix questions.

The first question was about my 'Don't mix everything' video. When I say "don't mix everything", does it mean that I play the songs (that I don't mix) from beginning to end and then start the next song? No.

If you would just play the songs till the end and then start the next song you would take all the momentum out of your set and that is never a good thing.

Tip: I still make my transitions at the right moment, but in stead of mixing the two songs I simply switch to the next song (on the one count) were my mix would normally end.

So if track one has an 8 bar hook and I would normally mix track two into that hook, I now simply go to track two right after the end of the b bar hook (on the one count). There are lots of ways to do this and I will go through these methods in one of the upcoming episodes of my Mix Tutorial series.

The second question will be very relatable for new DJ's who are learning how to beat match by ear. In the beginning it can take you a long time to match the tempo of the two songs. This is normal so don't worry. The remedy is simple: practice!! You will get better at it and you will be able to do it faster and faster.

Tip 1: focus on hearing if track two is playing slower or faster. The sooner you learn to recognize this, the faster you will be able to match the tempo. With Hip Hop and R&B it can help to focus on the snare drums. If you are using a digital system you can also read the bpm info ;)

Tip 2: As soon as you load track two (or put the vinyl on the turntable, etc) start to match the beats. Don't start doing this at the point where your actual mix should begin. This is too late!

The third question was about scratching with Virtual DJ without using hardware. So only the computer. This can be done, but it's not my thing so I will not be doing a tutorial video. You need to have a fast hand to control the mouse and you will have to set a few important keyboard shortcuts.

Tip: type "Virtual DJ Scratch Keyboard Mouse" and you will find a lot of video's including some tutorials.

Enjoy the video and share the knowledge!

djTLMtv

DJ TLM

[exfactor]

It's good to see you humble enough to remember back and relate. It's comforting to hear you talk about taking the whole track to beat match lol. Granted usually when it happens to me, i'm DJing freestyle and deciding on which song will mix well with the one playing. Still, you brought a smile when you said you hear the track fading out. Ahhh mann such a bad feeling! Panic and try to set a loop, then rush because that loop becomes odd after a few seconds... Good thing i'm working through this within the protection of my own home. Much love DJ TLM.

[thehab]

simple, direct to the point, educational. Thanks man. More power!

[fabiosuperfunk]

thank you soo much man for all your tutorial you really help me god bless you! :)

[thedapperdasher]

I really hope you make that mixing tutorial for effects real soon. I'm looking forward to it! I love your channel btw.

[rctisepic]

the only thing I like that VDJ does that serato doesn't is you can have 6 decks. as a performance DJ (a DJ who instead of providing music for an hour) creates and plays live mashups. the only example I can think of is daft punk. and only 2-4 decks doesn't give you as much creativity as 6. when serato makes a plugin for 6 deck mixing (2 deck control, 6 decks can play at a time) then i'll use it more

[danielcarbajal]

DJTLM thanks for these tutorials keep them coming! Do you have any tips on mixing in key and harmonic mixing in general? 

[AiryEllis]

lots of times when im at a club and a dj plays a remix or only plays part of the song, most of the time, my friends and i are just like wtf... esp when we just get into the song

[kbjrecords]

Nice work on this vid. You got skills. Let me know when you upload new videos, maybe we can help in some manner.

[DJDRFUNKJUICE]

The last min u said about Virtual Dj on Sctrach with a keyboard and mouse. Like he said just look it up on YouTube check out some other Djs doin it which works out great for those who want to do it that's all fine. To me I just learn how to mix songs on the cue point and blend music with instrumentals acapellas you name it. Now when I 1st brought my 1st Dj control was (Vestax Typhoon) and borrow my friend virtual Dj software so I can use it on a full program that's when I took it to a next level not only just mixing (acapellas and instrumentals) but scratching as well so it development my knowledge event more and watch few of YouTube channels like TLM as well and other Djs too for up coming and just practice practice practice practice till I get it right. So remember what your song select and music genres as well when you Djing at a event, internet radio station, also live stream programs (Periscope or Facebook live if u get away with fb live then cool) and have confidence on your set and be patient and once again practice. Funkup Salute 💓 &✌

[WazzyTV]

djTLMtv ...i am new to mixing and i want to be good at it.but when a song starts and it doesnt start with the beat first.do you start counting  1 2 3 4 etc when the beat starts or do you count the moment the artist start singing and there is no beat yet..let me know when you start counting your 1 2 3 4 etc, can you count from anywhere in the song. thats what i am having trouble with..help plz

[tajak]

Hey mate, I don't know if you have already hit that topic, but would you like to make a video about a track sound quality when mixing in a digital way ? I would love to have all my tracks just in flac (or lossless anyway) but I somehow stick to mp3 320 kbps standard ... I wonder what quality you prefer and what is your take on this subject.
Thank you, cheers from Czech republic.

I love what you have been doing on this channel - thanks.

[crybabytv]

How do i find out the best BPM partners or Blending? For example: 128 - 96 or 140 - 70 . When you mix those BPM together, They sound good!Thanks! in advance

[sivart]

Bro I got the NS7 II & serato is cool but I don't have unlimited search of music. So I was thinking about VDJ 7 because of the audio subscription... Is there a certain setup to make ns7 2 work with vdj7? I haven't seen a video or anything about that connection yet only ns7 1 to vdj

[djmedek]

So if I'm understanding correctly your kinda saying if you wait till your deck gets to that 30 sec mark of when the track is about to end ( ie. Serato Dj ) that is basically to late in the track to bring in / mix in your second track? You should be mixing in the next track earlier?

[Elevated]

What camera do you use to record these videos, & do you have a mic hooked up to, or is it just the camera capturing the audio? Thanks.

[djtakinitback]

When I am at a party and I only hear 2 verses of my favorites song it pisses me off.  Why tease your audience with only two verses? It pisses me off personally.

[Destroy]

so i just mix when both songs have the same bpm, right ?! but when my 1.song has 80bpm and my 2. song has 104bpm how i have to make my transition or can i throw my song 2 at the 1 (2.3.4..) in

[WipeoutSG]

You mention the hook of a song and stuff like that, im not actually sure what you mean by that, im a beginner dj and always looking to learn, so do you have a video you have already done explaining what it all means or any chance you could do one?

[djmg]

kinda relates to this video but say if a song is 120 bpm and im doing the 1234 count do i count faster because the song is 12p bpm or just count at a normal pace