Dubstepforum.com

I'm curious about peoples' preferences with regard to mixing style. I've been noticing more and more that (at least here in the US) many dubstep DJs - particularly those that tend towards the more hype/tearout sound - mix really fast, often only playing a minute or two of each tune, and usually make really quick transitions between tunes.

While maintaining smooth transitions with such quick mixes certainly displays a certain technical proficiency, I tend to not enjoy this mixing style because I feel like it never allows the songs to establish any sort of dynamic flow. I produce and spin a lot of tunes that would be considered hype/tearout, but it's really important to me to balance the aggressive parts with more melodic, mellow parts, so that the individual songs (and the set as a whole) have a dynamic flow.

When a DJ just mixes rapid fire one big monster drop into another big monster drop, into another big monster drop, etc. for a whole set, it just completely loses it's impact, IMO. Sections of deeper, more atmospheric stuff not only make the tune/set more interesting, but I find that they give the big drops so much more impact when they come. Thoughts?

I totally agree.

I live in SoCal and out here 12th Planet is pretty big. Ive seen him three times now and every time his set consists of all brosteppy bangers. I'll admit the crowd goes nuts, but I think he deprives a lot of songs of their original "wow" factor. Not trying to bag on him, his style just isn't for me.

I respect a DJ who can play some darker, maybe considered more musical tracks, and then sneak in a couple of heavy tracks as highlights. Balance is key for me.

Just my two cents.

I see DJing sets as a journey, when I play I try and start of on one vibe and then spread across throughout my collection in the time frame I am given.

What I mean is that to me, DJing is a something what I do to show people all the music I am interested in, within dubstep so of course I am going to play some deep tracks, go musical and then end with a couple of big bangs and I dunno why more people don't do that.

legend4ry wrote:I see DJing sets as a journey, when I play I try and start of on one vibe and then spread across throughout my collection in the time frame I am given.

What I mean is that to me, DJing is a something what I do to show people all the music I am interested in, within dubstep so of course I am going to play some deep tracks, go musical and then end with a couple of big bangs and I dunno why more people don't do that.

This.

Pretty much my format. Start off well dark and vibesy, go up and down a little to tease them, then hit some tear-out towards the end!!

The reason why these guys mix so quickly is because they can't keep those shitty 'brostep' bangers in time for more than a few bars.

Omega Dub wrote:Sections of deeper, more atmospheric stuff not only make the tune/set more interesting, but I find that they give the big drops so much more impact when they come.

i totally agree with that, it's all about the anticipation. Even if the big drops never come I still enjoy that foreboding feeling.

tear-out tunes do my head in tbh

To me it's because the more tear-out stuff (b*ostep) becomes reaaaaaaaaaaally boring reaaaaaaally quickly so you have to mix it really fast for the crowd to keep responding. I've seen a dj letting big boss spin for more than 3 minutes and towards the end everybody was just standing like "change that shit now !"

The style I love the most, like most people here probably, is Youngsta's. Well balanced, taking the time to let the bass grow on you and just when you've had enough, "evolving" to something on another level...

I'd say it varies from track to track when I'm djing out

all depends on what type of rave ur at/what the crowd are feeling etc!!

i personally think a mixture of different mixing styles is the way to go!!

saying that Andy c an EZ are prob my fav djs an they mix super fast!!

legend4ry wrote:I see DJing sets as a journey, when I play I try and start of on one vibe and then spread across throughout my collection in the time frame I am given.

What I mean is that to me, DJing is a something what I do to show people all the music I am interested in, within dubstep so of course I am going to play some deep tracks, go musical and then end with a couple of big bangs and I dunno why more people don't do that.

Exactly the same way I try and do it.

Not I, said the Cat…

& the mix in my sig proves it. I’m with you, let the tune play out… But at the same time, I don’t mix tail end to end like House or Trance either: the mix tends to loose energy that way… I generally mix into or after the breakdown, and don’t cut until the New tune drops...

I think it's a really important issue when Djing. Seems like most DJ's will just mix 8/16 bars and be happy with it but when you're in the crowd the sudden loss of energy after those 8/16 bars sounds so abrupt and shit.
I suppose it all depends on where you bring the next song in, but for the most part I think the long and flowing mixes always sound on-point. All down to prefence though really, some DJ's can keep the energy up with quick mixes and it works I guess.

Omega Dub wrote:I'm curious about peoples' preferences with regard to mixing style. I've been noticing more and more that (at least here in the US) many dubstep DJs - particularly those that tend towards the more hype/tearout sound - mix really fast, often only playing a minute or two of each tune, and usually make really quick transitions between tunes.

While maintaining smooth transitions with such quick mixes certainly displays a certain technical proficiency, I tend to not enjoy this mixing style because I feel like it never allows the songs to establish any sort of dynamic flow. I produce and spin a lot of tunes that would be considered hype/tearout, but it's really important to me to balance the aggressive parts with more melodic, mellow parts, so that the individual songs (and the set as a whole) have a dynamic flow.

When a DJ just mixes rapid fire one big monster drop into another big monster drop, into another big monster drop, etc. for a whole set, it just completely loses it's impact, IMO. Sections of deeper, more atmospheric stuff not only make the tune/set more interesting, but I find that they give the big drops so much more impact when they come. Thoughts?

you know what, i was one of those DJ's, and i still am to an extent, but i do create a flow to the song, i tease the audience, i dont give them everything they want right away xD. but i do alot of hype ( god thats a horrible name :/ ), but i give them time to play out and make the transistion stretch as long as i can get it. cause thats one of the things that makes dubstep great, the fact that its ment to be mixed slowly, and build up more and more and more untill it drops and blows peoples brains out the side of the skull xD.

So i feel yah on there, i was there, but im move on, i play stuff at a slow BPM, and ive gained much more skill and can make a steady flow threwout the whole night

I've been teaching myself how to mix over the last year by listening to Youngsta; teasing, blending, the occasional double drop (i'm on the verge of getting a cheap cdj to try my hand at 3-deck mixing). If you have trouble telling where one tune ends and another begins because the dj's got you in the zone, it's quality mixing imo.

skitz_0 wrote:I've been teaching myself how to mix over the last year by listening to Youngsta; teasing, blending, the occasional double drop (i'm on the verge of getting a cheap cdj to try my hand at 3-deck mixing). If you have trouble telling where one tune ends and another begins because the dj's got you in the zone, it's quality mixing imo.

Why not another turntable?

skitz_0 wrote:If you have trouble telling where one tune ends and another begins because the dj's got you in the zone, it's quality mixing imo.

This is pretty much what I go for
clean blends
they can be fast, or slow, your selection dictates what will be best
I like using tunes with enough space in em so that they can compliment themselves when being mixed
and good percussion
and bassline switchups

monkers wrote:The reason why these guys mix so quickly is because they can't keep those shitty 'brostep' bangers in time for more than a few bars.

Yeah I'm with monkers on this. New technology has provided more ways to play music than ever before, yet mixing quality seems like it's at an all time low.
There are people on this board that are way more skilled than most of the people I've seen getting paid well for playing out. Just my opinion of course.

All about Theo Parrish.

http://www.fullbozman.com/theo-parrish- ... 2010-09-29

Kassem Mosse, Marcellus Pittman, both members of instra:mental, Ben UFO and Youngsta

you gotta know when to let it ride and when to switch. simple really. crowd energy ting.

evil madmen wrote:

skitz_0 wrote:If you have trouble telling where one tune ends and another begins because the dj's got you in the zone, it's quality mixing imo.

I like using tunes with enough space in em so that they can compliment themselves when being mixed
and good percussion
and bassline switchups

Yeah agreed, melting the basslines together to create a unique sounding tune is so satisfying. Xylophobia/Wasteland is one of my favourites

@ skitz_0, Youngsta's been my inspiration for mixing technique too, the man's teasing and 3 deck ability are off the wall, not to mention his selection. Just love hearing a big tune drop, then 2 bars later you hear the James Brown sample from 'Mud' or the high synth from 'Ruffage' in the background, takes it to the next level.