How to DJ: A Quick-Start Guide to Mixing

Once you have the fundamentals of beatmatching as a DJ down, you’re ready to begin mixing. Mixing is where you take two songs and effortlessly transition them into another to create a solid mix – this is what gives your mix its length. As a crash-course for mixing, this article will take you through some of the steps you’ll need to grab some music for DJing and jump right into your DJ set.

Step 1: Get the BPM, Melody and Track on point
Throw on the first track and immediately begin counting the bars and BPM. During your listening of the first track, take note of the melody so you can pull out one from your bag that will mix in properly. Keep the track going until you’re getting close to where you’d like to mix in the next then move to the next step.

Step 2: Get the second track ready
Queue up your second track on your other turntable and, again, begin counting and matching the melody of the two tracks. Push or pull at your turntable so your second track begins to align with the BPM of the first; also change up the pitch slider so it doesn’t go out of synced after you let the track go.

Step 3: Sync up the two track and mix!
Finally, ensure that your track is synced with the first by letting it ride out a bit then begin the transition from track A to track B. If you’ve matched the BPM’s correctly and nailed it for the transition point, you’ll create a great mix that seamlessly blends together to keeps the party going.

Conclusion
Of course, learning how to DJ and mixing as a DJ is much easier said than done. It will take many, many hours to perfect your mixing; even a-list DJs occasionally slip up in their DJ sets! However difficult it may be in the beginning, stick with your mixing and eventually you’ll become a full fledged DJ.