Dubstep DJ Mixing Bible?

[decree]

Why isn't there one,
maybe referencing various techniques and "no-no's"

just a thought, would be curious to read it anyway

[evil madmen]

Mixing is a performance art, its all about how you put it together. Other than eqing, beatmatching, double drops and stuff its pretty much up to you.

[deadly_habit]

learn to mix in key

[venuq]

It does sound like a good idea to me. Obviously there isn't a finite right or wrong but people could share a few techniques and ideas they've tried out etc... Im up for it anyway, good idea Decree!

[drokkr]

Nice idea but it would be a pretty short bible.

Beatmatching
EQing
Equipment

Everything else in a good DJ comes from the individuals imagination, this can't really be taught to someone. Even less so from an internet forum...

[Wolverine]

equipment would be a good one, i see loads of threads about which decks to get etc.

other than that like others have said its down to yourself how to put your mix together n stuff,

its kind of like producing, theres bibles to help you get the sounds you want and to help you identify each device, vst etc. but its down to you how to use them and create a track.

[yong]

everyone talks about beatmatching an eqing but nobody talks about phrasing

what's up with that? most important aspect of mixing imo


harmonic mixing too

[angry]

Agree with Yong, harmonic mixing is really important. Every track I get, I note down the key as soon as possible, so I don't have to remember it.

Meh, equipment. I don't understand the big fuss, people get so hung up over what equipment to get. Spend less time worrying about turntables v controllers etc and worry about the music instead.

[nitz]

heres a little something

http://music.hyperreal.org/dj/AVH/Basics.html

[ketamine]

And for god's sake, look at the audience. Or anything... something other than the screen the entire time. A DJ is a performer. You're ON STAGE. Everyone's looking at you, and you're starring at your playlist LIKE YOUR AT HOME. Give them a show! For all the hate, Rusko gets this part right.

[step correct]

IMO aside from beat matching and phrasing is Getting your drops to hit right. Obv this is part of phrasing but it also requires a good ear and tunes to however remotely to sound somewhat similar. Know when to hit a bass to bass mix and when to let the crowd have a breakdown... etc.. that kind of stuff. It all kind of depends on the track and how you "use" it.

[gnome]

I'd like to know how to mix Amen breaks properly.

[step correct]

I'd like to know how to mix Amen breaks properly.

Lots of chopping and cutting.

[JFK]

And for god's sake, look at the audience. Or anything... something other than the screen the entire time. A DJ is a performer. You're ON STAGE. Everyone's looking at you, and you're starring at your playlist LIKE YOUR AT HOME. Give them a show! For all the hate, Rusko gets this part right.

This is the best advice you will ever get about Djing. Engaging with the crowd is so so important. Also......FFS MAKE IT LOOK LIKE YOU ARE HAVING A GOOD TIME EVEN IF YOU ARE HAVING A MARE. No one wants to see some miserable looking tnuc hiding behind his laptop screen.

Best example I can think of is N-Type. He is constantly engaging with the crowd, moving with the tune, talking on the mic etc etc. Best Dj in dubstep right now. No question.

[DJ-J-High]

Would definetely agree that there need to be a "do or don't do bible" somewhere for specific types of music. It would be a handy little tool for beginners as the different genres are usually mixed in different ways aside from the standard beatmatching phrasing ect... For example "double dropping" DnB tracks is completely acceptable as long as its done well but you wouldn't attempt to "double drop" 2 Hip-Hop tracks with lyrics on them would you? Back spins are fine(ish) in "urban music" i.e. Hip-Hop, DnB etc but I have never heard Paul Oakenfold or Tiesto get out of a throbbing House/Techno/Trance track with a dirty horrible backspin!
I'd say harmonic mixing is one of THE most important factors that is constantly overlooked by most DJ's. Droppin a track that is harmonicaly matched takes your mixing to the next level. You'll find that as long as your beat matching and phrasing is spot on that tracks will damn near mix themselves (obv they won't but you know wt i mean lol)

http://www.harmonic-mixing.com/HowTo.aspx

Check out that site the wheel chart is an excellent little tool!

These are my own personal "Golden Rules" when it comes to spinning anything on the decks:
1. NEVER Touch a record while it's playing
2. NEVER Scratch over lyrics
3. ALLWAYS bring backup tunes in case your prepared set flops
4. NEVER Annoy the sound engineer, he can destroy you!
5. DRUNK people are NOT to be trusted
6. DON'T try anything in public your not confident at doing in private
7. REMEMBER You are there to WORK... Don't go mad on the drink/drugs
8. GIRLS Are your target audience... get them dancing and the guys will soon follow
9. KNOW Your tunes... KNOW Your remixes... KNOW Your stuff basically
10. HAVE FUN!!! You've got one of the best jobs in the world ENJOY IT!

Peace, DJ-J-High

[DEMZ]

learn to mix in key

This!

And tune selection, most people in a club cant even tell if your beatmatching is sloppy most of the time, unless its way off of course. If you have good tunes, all is good

[grooki]

learn to mix in key

the question which no one has answered for me about this idea is this:
You work out that track A is in the key of G, bpm 138.
Track B is in the key of G, bpm 142.
So you pitch up track A to get to bpm 142, and are therefore no longer in key...

Some cdjs have a keylock function, but otherwise I can't see the point of working out the keys because as soon as you change the pitch you are out of key.

[basicanarchy101]

But, you bear in mind that up is sharpening and down is flattening, the difference between an A track and an A flat track is about 3-4 bpm if I had to guess...

N alot of dubstep, though haivng a genrealized 'key' throughout the tune that software like mixed in key would pick up on, is written with a-tonal synths and drums, and a perception of key is a bi-product.

Ithink this makes mixing dub particularly fun... Its easier to find common ground in things like a single wobble or something in a track, and how theyre distorted and timed n shit sometimes then it is too follow a direct 'key' per-say...

Dont get me wrong, on alot of tunes, especially more chill notes, key can be everything... but with more distorted end, there can be alot of ear mixing done...


the gear section would have to have subsections... and then thierd have to be explanations of the benefits of 4 channel over 2, and things like live pa elements through ableton and loop points could be discussed too... sub cats for techniques too, everything from rewinds and crabwalk turntablist tuts too double dropping and bar-behind-to-leave-the-vocal, which is so often the case with dub... theres loads...

If soemone shoots me a PM Ill help write and search for past topics... lets do it.