Mixing Lesson 2

This lesson will cover more advanced techniques of mixing, beyond the basics of beat synchronisation which I explained in the previous lesson. These will include spinouts, scratching, double-beating and substitution (although these are what I call them and they are not necessarily technical terms).

Spin outs - This is achieved by pulling the record backwards in one swift, smooth action and allowing it to spin anticlockwise. This creates a bizarre sound when you do it over an area of the record containing beats. It is sometimes used as a kind of panic button when someone mixes badly and realises.

Double-beating - This is mixing the beats but instead of playing both tracks simultaneously, you just stab beats in (in time with the current record) to add extra volume and energy to the mix.

Substitution - This is very similar to double-beating, but instead of adding a beat to the other track by stabbing it in, you quickly cut the track playing out and allow the beat from your "cue" track to be heard.

Scratching - A very difficult technique, much easier to do on "direct drive" turntables (those with an electric motor rather than an elastic band). This is normally done on part of a record where there is a vocal (or an accapella), but can also be done with beats. It involves moving the "cue" record back and forth at a quick pace to create different sounds, at the same time keeping it in sync with the tune currently playing.

Use the above techniques to tease your crowd with tunes before you let them have it. Scratch a recognisable vocal in, or just to spice up the quieter sections of tunes, drop a few double-beats building them up in frequency and then spin it out just when they think you're going to let them have the lot. Things like this are what I think good DJs are made of. I respect a DJ who sounds original and uses a variety of ideas far more than one who uses a computer or BPM monitor in a studio to make a perfectly mixed boring CD. A prime example of a good CD is Jeremy Healy on Fantazia's House Collection Volume 4. Listen to it if you can get hold of a copy. Pay attention to his mixing of Blue Amazon's "No Other Love" and Kadoc's "Night Train" and the Klubbheads "Klubhopping" with Homeboy Hippy and a Funky Dred's "Welcome in y'all". It's a storm...

So, now you can mix, have a peek at my tune charts and go and buy as many as you can afford to get some new material and inspiration. Trust me, you'll be a vinyl junkie before you know it!