How to Mix Beats
Before the packed club full of dancers and the fame, lights and money, you need to know how to pull off the fundamentals of being a DJ. This involves a little more than just buying turntables and a P.A. One of the first things a DJ needs to know how to do is mix music together so it syncs up on time.
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Instructions
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How to Mix Beats
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1
Find two records with similar tempos that you think would sound good together. Note that the entire songs don’t have to work together, just certain parts. Usually one record will be for the fundamental beat and the other will for a hook or vocal part. Also note that the tempos do not have to be exactly the same. If you are just starting out, it helps if the beats are not that far off from each other or complex.
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2
Find the spot on the second record (the one with the hook or vocal part) where you want it to join the first record (the one with the beat). Sometimes this spot is right at the beginning of the record. Sometimes you have to fish for it. In order to keep tabs on that spot, some DJs will mark it with tape or a sticker.
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3
Start the first record. On the side of each turntable is a fader that controls the pitch of the record. It can either slow down or increase the playing speed of the record, typically by plus or minus eight percent. You can keep the first record at it’s normal speed if that suits you. But once it is locked into a tempo, don’t touch it too much. Pitch control is of more importance in later steps.
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Count the rhythms of the first record and start the second record at the beginning of a beat. For example, if the tempo of the first record is 4/4 or four beats counted in a measure, then you would start the second record on the count of one.
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5
Toggle the pitch control of the second record until its tempo matches the first. This takes a lot of fast hand movement and adjusting, but it will become easier with practice. Eventually the tempo will match up well enough to where you don’t have to toggle the pitch much at all. If you’re confident, you can take your hands off the board. If you’re unsure or very new, leave your hands on those faders.
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