| DJ mixing is all about creating a continuous groove that | | | | When both records are playing together, it quickly |
| keeps the dance floor grooving. The DJ blends the end | | | | becomes clear that the beats of the two records |
| of one record into the beginning of the next by lining up | | | | won't stay in synch unless they are running at the |
| the beats, bars and phrases of the two records and | | | | same BPM. Use the speed control (or "BPM Slider") to |
| then making a smooth transition from one track to the | | | | speed up or slow down one of the two records until |
| next. | | | | the two BPMs are the same. |
| Beats, bars and phrases are the building blocks of | | | | To perform a simple Drop Mix, when the first record |
| modern music - the beat is the constant pulse which is | | | | gets near its end start the second record from the |
| present in every song (even when the drums aren't | | | | beginning and, in order to make a smooth transition, use |
| playing). Beats are most easily identified in House or | | | | the "cross-fader" (the sideways fader at the bottom |
| Garage tunes when the bass drum thuds once on | | | | of the mixer) to switch from the first record to the |
| each beat. The speed of the beat is called the "tempo" | | | | second. |
| and is measured in beats per minute or "BPM". A slow | | | | To perform a Beat Mix, the DJ has to physically |
| tune (R&B or Hip Hop for example) might have a | | | | manipulate the records so that the beats of both tunes |
| tempo of around 98 BPM, while faster tunes (in Drum | | | | line up in synch. When mixing with real vinyl on a deck |
| n Bass for example) can reach a tempo of 170BPM. | | | | with a slip mat, this means he has to "grab" the record, |
| To get started, choose a tune and play it on the first | | | | by stopping it physically with one hand on the surface |
| deck, then choose a second tune (roughly the same | | | | and, making sure the needle always stays in the |
| BPM as the first) and play it on the second deck but | | | | groove, wind it forwards or backwards (but without |
| without turning up its volume in the main mix, so that | | | | ever pressing too hard so the platter underneath |
| you can hear it only in your headphones. | | | | doesn't stop). |