hi all, just want a bit of advice from people out there?

i got my cdj's back in march and basically havnt had the time to dedicate to them i thought i would with work, other hobbies etc (probably still less then 50 hours usage) iv watched loadsa tutorial vids etc so i get the basics of having to beatmix, timing etc but im struggling like fook to do so! obviously im still really new to it all and my beatmatching still needs a lot of work - so im recording short mixes and listening back to listen to mistakes but i think im going wrong somewhere

when iv got 2 tracks 'what i think' are in time in my headphones il start to mix them but what im thinking sounds find during monitoring, is still mis-timed when im listening back to mixes and basically sounds sheeet! im spotting the real obvious mis-timings and pitching up/down but im finding it hard fine tuning the beats, am i going wrong somewhere with what im doing because its really starting to annoy me now, and i really just want to be able to mix seamlessly, yet cant.

i play uk hardcore but iv tryed a few basslines tunes which i found too easy to mix as its slower, same with some classic trance - both a lot easier then stuff thats 170bpm +.

my setups: cdj 1000 x2, djm 400 & alesis m1's either side of my decks

any pointers of advice appreciated for the noob!

wrighty

Practice practice practice mate.

You've just admitted you have less than 50 hours practice and even that is spread out over the last 8 months so you're not really going to get anywhere in that time. You've got to dedicate the time to reap the benefits, you don't get nothing for free and all that ;-)

Give up???...lol

If your really struggling you may want to check out some of the online courses available. There are some which now offer genre specific classes and are tailored to your specific softwear requirements. Have a look at pointblankus.com for more information.

Hope that helps

Beat matching is simple, you just need to get your ear in. Firstly make sure you are cued to the first beat (for now) in the song.

Secondly when you press play you are most likely to have hit it either to early or late and so you will need to use the jog-wheel to compensate straight away.

Thirdly, 1000's have a very accurate bpm counter, if you move the bpm's so they are both on the edge of a whole tempo i.e. if you moved the pitch down at all it would change from 127 to 126 for example. Doing this will get you in the right ball park so you can start fine training your ears to slightly missmatched beats. I'd also recommend locking the pitch for harmonic mixing

I agree with Steve, you need to go at it solid for about 2 weeks (maybe longer depending on your natural capacity to learn) at some point for no reason which I can explain it will "click" after that you'll be fine.

Recording mixes etc... is something I've always done even now after 9 years. Making mix tapes is the best way of improving, as it helps to identify areas of weakness. But at your stage it's all about making the time, and doing 2-3 hours sessions.

If you need a course to get good I'd give up!

Fuk that!!..1210s..djm.. gram ov bass a day.. 12hrs practice a day 4 18mths..jobs a good un!!! ;o)
Oh how cud i forget at least 25 records or cds to start with and play em till your sleep patterns are fwoked up!!..then after about 3 mths it shouldnt sound like a herd of galloping horses..then buy more of the style that seems to mix best..maybe another 25-50 and start again maybe leaving out the bass this time ;o)..Then After 6mths you should be aware of every crackle n hi hat in your 40-50 tunes..Continue this process until your m8s think ur sweet..Nothin beats hands on mi ode and plenty of what every1 else is sayin..I was exact same when i first got technics 18yrs ago (all the gear no fakin idea)..but believe me mukka it WILL come in time and perserverance..and strange figures jumpin out at you in the street from behind parked cars if you have a g of b-line a day like i did..lol

dude if u dont have anything constructive to say.. id think about not sayin anything at all.

I agree with Steve you need to put in the deck time... theres a book called 'How to Dj Properly' its well worth a read it starts from learning how to beatmatch, to learning how to beatmix tune selection, eq'ing during mixing eq'ing the sound so you dont thrash the system and also how to handle yourself as an artist (something weallytwanked should look at). It explains things in leymans terms and is easily understandable.

If you are still struggling drop me a pm.. i run tuition courses and would be more than happy to drop around and give u a few pointers...

cheers dude!

Get a mate to learn at the same time as you, just keep on mixing and mixing back to back, means you get a break and can learn from each other. I always get into it more when mixing with someone else.

M8 that is constructive i did EXACTLY that 15yrs ago and i can mix with my eyes closed..pmsl.. was told to do that by a TOP hardhouse dj..who was incidently thrown out of a club for being naughty in the toilets with said above and he was dj-ing when they realised who he was apologies all round..and he has deejayed ALL OVER THE WORLD..cheer up and dont take life so fackin seriously mukka..Sound and gud luck mi ode ;o)

Thats why i havnt got a profile piccy as iam that thin the glowsticks kept gettin in the way

To be honest you are hoping for too much with too little work. I have played for about 30 years always on technics and more recently on cdjs. Must admit it took a little while to get used to cdjs. I have played so long I dont think about beats as you know the speeds in your heads after about one bar, so your first slide postion is about right. There are two main approaches, some people will get the pitch control to that 1st position (there or thereaabouts) the keep moving then checking a bit at a time. Others will again get to that first point then chase the pitch around in real time to get to the right spot (takes more practice to learn but means you will mix much quicker if you master it). Both ways work even though the second approach is probably better with faster and more complex bits of music. Sadly in the early days its all about practice to feel at home with the beats and the task of finding the beat. Test your self with a record your know (two) see how quick you can find the beat, keep going till you can do it irrespective of where the pitch control starts from. Just practice.......

the guy is askin for help.. not a smart arse to take the piss.... and any dj should be able to play with their eyes shut... the best djs in the world are the most humble.. whether they rate in the top 100 or not... and as far as drug taking goes... the way i see it an artist should remain professional when on the job... after it... yeah sure let ya hair down... people come to see someone play.. not get fucked up...

I think you've got some questions to ask yourself... and if you're really that fantastic at Djing then how come I don't see you headlining the biggest events?!?!

People pay good hard earned money to see us do our thing the least we can do is put on a good show!! :)


Only piece of advice you need is read the DJ Bible; How To DJ Properly and put in more deck time! Perfect practise makes perfect!!! You dont just get behind the wheel of a car and take your test before having some practise lessons first!! :)

exactly dude... but hey what would we know????


it is the bible.... so insightful.... pure genuis.... specially the bit getting in and out of a helicopter :)

I dont know mate I dont know much to be honest!! ;) Simples!!


One of the best books you will ever have the pleasure of reading too!!

I GOT OFF MY HEAD WITH THE LATE AND GREATEST HARDHOUSE DJ EVER..TONY D VIT @ PROGRESS AND PULSE EVERY WEEK AND EVERY MTH AND THOUSANDS PAYED GOOD MONEY TO SEE HIMxx..Iam having a joke and loads of people who know me know iam a fun geeza to be with so please stop being so negative in your thoughts and yes give the guy advice and chillout..Havnt got onto cagefightin forum here have i??..ha.ha....different strokes for different folks..I was being honest and it was b4 i had 5kids ;o)..every1 has different approaches in there mis-spent youth

Ummm last time I checked they were actually giving him advice on how to DJ and how they found the best way to learn?! I only saw you recommending to get off your face every day??


Not being funny, but don't that prove my point? Carry on the way you're going and you won't be far behind him.

Id love to of met him fella!! Forever an idol and his music will live on with us all!! :)

Cant you read that was b4 i had 5 kids..No your right YOU AINT FUNNY MI ODE..what do you think the majority of clubbers do at weekend??..tickle each other??..djs aswell..(b4 and after)..Surely you havnt noticed?..I dont drink..i dont smoke..i know how to mix as a couple years ago i sent you a cd m8..pmsl..sorry if i offended any1 just bored and thought id have abit of light heartedbanter..obviously ive gone onto the learn how to be a morbid dj forum..lol..(not weally)xxx