Beat Matching
Everyone has seen or heard a DJ perform at some point in their life. The type of disc jockey I am referring to isn't a radio DJ that just plays songs for people to listen to. I am referring to what is best know as a "club" DJ; one that uses two turntables and a mixer. Most people don't even pay attention to what exactly the DJ is doing behind the turntables; and to tell the truth most people don't care. The final product produced is good music that is blended together to make a continuous mix of music. It is not a very easy process to accomplish even though everyone thinks that it is easy and that anyone can do it. The process that a DJ goes through when they are mixing is a process called beat matching. Beat matching is a very complex process and takes an extreme amount of practice. The process includes about sixteen steps, but can be described in four steps: play one record on the turntable and listen to other record in the headphones, "grab the beat" of one record and release it on beat with the other record using the pitch control, analyze then re-analyze the two records, and finally blend the two records using the cross-fader. If you don't know how to match beats it is almost certain you will not suc
The rest of it is relatively easy, but can also be very difficult at the same time. At the same time play the second record through the mixer using the cue switch on the mixer. The cross-fader on the mixer should be to the side of the turntable that is playing. If everything went as planned both records should be playing at the same time out of the main sound system. To mix the two records you use the cross-fader on the mixer. It is always important to analyze and re-analyze the beats to make sure they are matched before you bring the record in. It also allows you to start the main step in the beat matching process. That record will not be playing out of the main sound system, but it will be playing in the headphones that are connected to the mixer. "Grabbing the beat," means to use your hand on the record and move it back and forth with beat of the record playing. There is a lot more to it, but that is the main step in the beat matching process. Almost all records are produced with a four/four beat for easier mixing. As you can see beat matching is a very complex process and can only be mastered by practice. There is other equipment used such as CD mixers, but the main type is the turntable set-up. When the record playing repeats the four/four beat you release the second record on the first count of the four/four.
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