DJ's, how the heck do you beat match?

[Technics1200]

Ok, I know my name is deceiving, but I'm not a DJ. I'm just a wanna-be DJ. Today my Uncle got a dual CD player. It's a crappy Radio Shack one, but it works. I was messing around with it spinning a few trance cd's, but no go. Sometimes I would be on the dot with the beats, then sometimes I wouldn't be able to tell. Does anyone have an exact way to get the beats to match up? Also, you can use the fader on the mixer with a dual cd player, right? This guy said that you don't use the fader, you use the volume to control what is on, and what is off.

 

[sohcrates]

i've seen your username recently, and i DID think that you were a dj! heheh

but wannabe is allright too. i picked up some tables about 6 months ago and have been spinning more for fun at parties at my place and what not. it's an expensive hobby!


here's a picture of my tables and shady-lookin mixer. right now i don't have the cash flow to upgrade the mixer.

anywho, beat matching takes a LONG time to develop. don't expect it anytime soon. it's somewhat easier with vinyl, but i assume these dual cd players have some sort of pitch control?? and yes, your dual cd player should have two outputs, each of which goes into one side of the mixer, and then you cross fade on the mixer.

many people are switching over to dual cd players over vinyl (a lot of new guys) so it's not all that odd. i like to mix in cd's , vinyl, and mp3s.

just have fun is all

 

[trulfe]

you just gotta work at it. eventually you'll develop a trained ear. Before I started mixing all mixes sounded good, now if I go to a club and the beats are even a little bit off it bugs the hell out of me. Most djs label their records by BPM and use records very similiar in speed so that it is easy to match. I've never used CDS I like the freedom of manually controlling it. Dont worry just work at it, eventually you'll get it.

 

[Bowman795]

where could i start learning about that type of thing? anywhere online? hehe

 

[sohcrates]

i've scoured the 'net in the past looking for info, but haven't found very much. i would think the most obvious way would be to hang out with other dj's (works for me). of course, this probably isn't a possibility for everyone! so my second idea would be ordering up one of those "how to mix" or "how to scratch" videos. they seem like they'd help you get the basics down.

also, do a search on google for variations of "how to beat match"...you might find some of the stuff you come up with helpful