How to Utilize Cutting on Turntables

There are a variety of techniques used by a disc jockey (DJ). Cutting is one of the more popular techniques. Cutting is where the DJ will create unique and hip musical sounds by cutting the music from one turntable and incorporating it into the music from the other turntable. Grand Master Flash coined this technique during the 1980s.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Play music from one turntable. Give everyone time to develop the rhythm and beat of the main song.

2. Use the cross fader button. While the music is playing on one turntable, start the record on the second turntable. Slide the cross fader button quickly to other side and back. Sliding it to one side will turn up the sound on the second turntable. Return to the main song within a short period of time. The idea is that you are cutting out a part of the main song and add the sounds from another record playing on a second turntable.

3. Scratch on the second turntable. Not all cutting involved adding music. One can also add sound effects such as baby scratching, long scratching and others.

4. Turn up and down the volumes on both turntables. If the system does not have a cross fader button, cut using volume control. Simply turn down the volume of the main turntable while turning up the volume of the second turntable. This is more difficult than using a cross fader. This is how DJs in the early 1980s did cutting because they did not have the cross fader button.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice cutting. Cutting is not a very difficult technique, but one should still practice cutting on various songs before performing them live.
• Do not cut too much or for too long. Cutting adds variety to a song. However, people listening to the music may get upset if you cut too much. Cutting should be random and varied.