How to Learn to Mix Records

The process by which DJ’s seamlessly merge tracks into each other is called “mixing”. The world’s best DJ’s are masters of the mix, but all of them have spent many hours practicing the art. If you want to be as good as them, this is what you’ll need to do too!

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Buy two copies of the same record. You will be using these records to practice mixing, so chose something with a simple song structure and easy to hear 4/4 beat. Dance music tracks are usually quite well suited.
2. Put each record on a turntable and position your cross-fader to the middle position so that both records will play out of your speakers at the same volume.
3. Set one turntable going.
4. Listen to the record and the beat. Use your finger to slow the record down until it stops and then start to reverse the track until you find the start of a beat.
5. Pause this turntable and start the other one. You are going to attempt to drop the first record in to the mix so that both records will be playing in time with each other.
6. Start the first turntable, holding the record in place with your finger very carefully. When you are ready, listen for the beat from the record currently playing. As you approach the beat, lightly flick the prepared turntable to get it started. With any luck, the two records should sync up and you can give yourself a congratulatory slap on the back!
7. If you have missed the beat or the records are out of sync, don’t worry about it. Reset both turntables and simply start again.

Tips & Warnings

• The process is hard to learn and can be frustrating! Small mistakes from you can lead to very obvious errors in timing or sound, but bear with it. If you keep going, one day you could be a very good DJ!
• To start with use similar (or the same) records to practice. As you get better, and only when you get better, should you move on to more complicated tunes. Don’t try to run before you can walk!