⚙DJ Mixing Course (Zero to Hero): sellfy.com/p/ms3fx1/ 🎵I get my tracks also from: crateconnect.net/sign-up Use code “DJCARLO” for a huge discount! 🏆 Gear in this video [Best Deal]: guitar-center.pxf.io/21o2d0
Bro I love your humility in not being a gatekeeper. I still watch your vids even if it’s covering the basic bc there’s always a new gem to pick up. I try to at least get in 2 hours of practice a day big up to Carlo
DJ C, I've been DJing a long time. I started on turntables back in 1987 - started DJing professionally in the early 90's. Beatmatching, comes very natural too me at this point in my DJ career, but I found myself watching this video nonetheless. Just had to tell you that it's a great video and I can see that you're helping so many new DJ's in our industry. Thanks man! This is a fantastic video!
Thanks buddy! So happy you watch my content even though you already have mastered the lesson. A lot of new DJs don’t know their fundamentals so I thought it was the best time to release this especially now when everything is always automated and controlled by robots haha
Same!! Been Djing since 95. Started on rotary knob technics and after a year got myself a pair of 1200mk2’s. I can beat match in my sleep, but I still watched this video. Lol
@@stylepoint1200 OMG! You just brought up a memory... I remember working all Summer to save up for my first pair of Technique 12's while they were in layaway (LOL!). When I finally bought them and opened one up in my Studio apartment (this was in 1988), I literally teared up. It was a very emotional moment. You have one over on me, I never had a chance to mix with Rotary knobs. So cool to be still doing what we love after all these years.
Hey carlo! Just came back from my 1st ever intl show, I first began djing from your tutorial 2 years ago and from there I began producing my own tracks which has landed me so many cool opportunities and kickstarted my music career. Since you're posting your yearly guide again I'd like to thank you for being the catalyst putting me on this path!
Thanks again Dj Carlo. Many new Dj’s get frustrated, lose interest and quit because they didn’t get this kinda help to achieve Beat matching. This info is like CPR for DJs. Plz share..
I literally taught my 7 year old nephew how to put two songs in time, if you are over 7 and want to understand how to do it but can't understand how synchronizing two tracks works you can ask for social help as you have just discovered that you are disabled :)))
Love how the advanced method today is the only method that was available back in the days =) It was very rare to have BPM info about your vinyl record and we only had 8% range to play with and no key lock or information for that matter! Loving how easy it is nowadays, I still sucks of course, but it's easier 🤣
The BPM value should be ignored when learning beat matching, it will pay dividends if you ever want to mix vinyl plus some tracks BPM's can fluctuate. The BPM value is used to help select next track within suitable range of the previous or when you want to tempo change your set.
If you match the beats using the jog wheel and the tracks move out of sync then they are at different tempos. You have to work out which is faster and slower. Trust me if you practice it long enough and know your tunes then it becomes second nature
For any new DJ using a laptop that may read this, if you REALLY want to learn how to beat match, stop using your eyes and start using your ears. Music is an auditory experience, not a visual one. You’re matching music, not numbers on a screen. I highly recommend putting your laptop behind you, so you’re forced to listen to the music without reverting to looking at waveforms or BPMs. This technique mimics vinyl DjIng, where you’re never given a BPM count or waveforms. It also mimics having a record crate behind you, which will lead to more of a connection with the crowd you’re eventually going to be playing for (you won’t have your focus on a screen, but on the crowd). Also, make sure your monitors are at an even volume level with your headphones.
This is great advice! I believe I tackled this at some point during this tutorial, but for more practical reasons, just have a piece of paper over the wave forms.
i think the last point briefly mentioned is super important! when i tried to teach some people the basics of DJing and beatmatching, they got the technical part right. but for the most part, it was song structure that was the biggest "flaw" You really have to get a feeling for how i.e. dance music works and what sounds "good" or "clustered" it can be one beat too much/less that can throw you out of momentum
It’s crazy how many DJ’s really can’t beat match. It used to be the single most important skill as a dj. That’s why so many djs hate sync. It allows betas to look good.
But man, when sync messes up on you, it's an absolute train wreck! And this is why, despite the digital age being here and now, I still encourage people to learn the basics. This guide was long LONG overdue haha
Who cares if it makes betas look good? If it's working for them it works for them. DJing isn't some concept where there's "a right way to look good". I do agree DJs should at least know how to beatmatch on the fly, but there's nothing wrong with using sync if a DJ wants to.
That's why I tell everyone who is thinking of becoming a DJ to start with turntables and vinyl, especially in the digital age, to learn beatmatching and the ear for it, it's the 1x1 of DJing. Later you can use the sync Button, please never ever permanently 😉
i'm a proud gatekeeper,, lol honestly never understood why sync became a "must have" for controllers-but like everyone says,, it's here-get used to it -- doesn't mean it should be constantly relied upon-,, if you're putting DJ in front of your name,, or claim to be one-, then yea,, at least take time- learn the Basics, this was dj 101 whether you were a scratcher , open format or house dj,, this was just what Had to be learned initially. using your EARS,, listening, knowing your records etc-,, all key ingredients -- carry on , great post, by the way-,
most of the time if i use sync i just tap it on and off real quick to ensure my tracks dont drift / the phrasing is lined up if i dont wanna worry about jog wheels and pitch slider adjustments while im EQing and prepping loops / fx. but its def a minor QoL thing and not something to rely on cause it can mess up p bad
What an amazing teacher! Your videos are the only straight to the point and easy to understand tutorials out here. Big thank you for helping people like me who love music and are not very tech savvy.
After getting beat matching mostly down with the BPM visible and just matching the numbers, I recommend covering the numbers and learning to tell if one song is slower/faster than the other by listening. A lot of club gear isnt all that well looked after and sometimes the readout isn't accurate or the pitch fluctuates, so being able to tell by ear helps a lot.
Thanks to you I have learned a lot before a I got my flx4 !!! Had solid ground of theory and applied this to my mixes… and now I have my first gig coming soon. THANK YOU! ❤
Carlo. I wish you all the best Sir. I only do this for hobby and my own private parties, but I've learned so much from you. Great advice always. Thank you!
I don't have an S at the end of my name! That's someone else bwahahaha, but thank you so much Irving! I'm so glad you loved the new beatmatching video, and hope you found some good new info on it!
Tip: Turn off master tempo when learning beat matching (vinyl style). When MT is on you may hear artefacts that sound like the beats are not matched (which is why I never use it).
I wish 21years ago I had people like you and your Team. I learned by the hard way without help and with vinyl...but I don't miss the old times. The new equipment opens big gates of creating my own style. Also the cheaper gear is ok and you don't have to buy Pioneer. I prefer NI with Traktor. But that's just my opinion. Had and sold a lot of gear in 21 years 😂 But I stayed beatmatching by ears... it's like riding a bike and makes mixing more attractive, for me😊
Your explanation is super easy to follow and understand. The end with when not to mix in can be explained a bit better with 4/16/32 but other than that; top notch tutorial my dude! This would have helped me 15yrs ago vs my mentor yelling “FIX IT” from the other side of the house 😅
It was quite hard to really explain that part in just a video, but I hope it still came through! Glad you enjoyed the video a lot though! Really appreciate the praises 🤩
If you really want to learn beat matching, put some tape on the BPM counters and just listen and adjust the speed. You don't want to be dependent on the equipment...
Always check your auto-gridded tracks and validate your initial cue before you press sync. You may need to tighten up the grid or apply a corrected initial cue point. But as someone who started on Technics in the 90s, using sync allows me to worry about programming and phrasing. That means spending less time grinding my teeth trying to ride the pitch control like the old days.
Informative vid. I hope it helps a lot of people. Personally though I would have advised to cover up the BPM displays and learn to do it by ear - not all BPM displays are accurate or (sometimes) even function. Once you learn to do it by ear it becomes instinct and you should be able to do it blindfolded at which point you're not relying on the display at all.
Spotify has tons of (extended mix)'s for almost every mainstream edm song. Combined with a quality paid-for downloader (approximately $60-$90), you wont need dj record pools anymore (unless you are seeking a very specific edit)
They do! But I've come to realize a lot of downloaders aren't reliable with the *real* quality. And, if you're paying for a downloader, you may as well use that for the tracks themselves 🥳
That's the thing! I've experienced downloaders "downloading" at 320kbps, but the actual source file isn't. I read that Spotify will stream at different bitrates depending on your plan, and will only allow access to said bitrate no matter what your Downloader says 😱
So I learned how to DJ on Traktor way back in 2013 and I always used the Sync feature. I came from playing the drums and it just made sense to me to always have the beats line up and only have to time the downbeat. At the time, I had no idea there was this whole controversy over using the Sync button haha. Now I have an XDJ-RX3 and I still prefer to use Sync almost all the time. I only deactivate Sync when I know my song fluxes in tempo and I have to make manual adjustments because no matter what the beat grid will flex. I always reserve the right to beatmatch though because even with Sync, the machine doesn't always get it perfectly right. When Sync is on and I adjust the jog wheel the software warns me once that Sync is on and then lets me adjust the speed of the track if I move the jog wheel again. It's great.
That works yo! I encourage folks to learn beatmatching manually as, half the time, they don't have any musical background. You've got drums, so you know how the rhythm works already. But yeah, go to town on sync and enjoy yourself!
oldschool way we used on turn-tables was to use only the pitch control to match the tempo. touching the vinyls would also work, but sometimes you could push the needle to skip and all hell would go lose
If you are a beginning DJ, what DJ Carlo mentioned is correct. I started using these until I created my own style of mixing, Beatmatching, and transitions. In time you will want to experiment and try new ways of blending tracks as long as you do not skip the basis.
I’m blind so I beat match by ear. If u can’t see, u can’t read the BPM as u use the tempo slider, but rather than learn to correctly hear tempo, I do something else. I switch on sync (please! don’t stop reading lol) then switch it off. This sets the BPM perfectly, then beat match by ear. One day I will learn to adjust tempo by ear, but I mix DnB so doing takes too long, but I’d still love to learn to mix fully whike blind not using sync.
Next week I will play in front of a lot of people, I'm kinda nervous, not for how I'm gonna play, but more like what music I'm gonna play... My public ranges from 8 year olds to parents...
Oof, I get those kinds of parties. Just gotta go with the biggest hits, and keep the energy up! Nothing too hard (clubby), just songs that would appease the general, casual listener
I mean truth be told. If you miss the cue, spin the jog to catch up and beat match from there. But when you just a matter of seconds to the mix point.. Isn't anything wrong with spinning that Jog close, then doing the ole double tap on the beat match button.
@@djcarlo Ive seen a trend online lately whereby people are actually actively hoping to hear the odd mistake here and there just because it proves the person is involved in the mix... it was bound to happen eventually wasn't it, DJing has always been a performance art as much as anything and it had become slightly soulless where people were just blending music together with the sync button and doing not a lot else.
I can beatmatch(blind) - but I'm lazy so I use half of the sync button...... I NEVER have a sync button lit up(on). What I do is load a new track and press the sync button twice. First press adjusts it's BPM and lines up the beat grids. Second press releases the beat grids from snapping together but leaves the new track pitched up. Works for me. Beatgrids are always off and I don't bother fixing them. There's no need.
I will still use beatsync to get it perfect though, no reason not to use it. I match it by hand and do the last like .XX with beatmatch for perfection.
You can do that, but I'd recommend only doing that once you've mastered beatmatching. Things can still go wrong, and it's always good to have the skills to mitigate any potential issues 🥳
Yeah auto sync messes sometimes, when we used belt turntables it was total impossible beat match because it just not holds, then Technics turntables changed everything. Digital revolution was the next big step, at least now you're sure decks will maintain beat so you're only need to match... It's way easier nowadays.
Oh man yeah, I've tried older belt driven turntables, and it was always a nightmare haha. Beatmatching DURING the transition was nerve wracking! But hey, I'm glad technology has come a long enough way too to keep the music in time. Excited to see what else the future holds for us too!
This makes total sense, this is how I started out as well. Eventually I found that using beat sync with quantize made this manual process automatic. Load up next song on inactive deck, turn on beat sync for inactive deck - tempo should now be synced to active deck. The only issue / thing you have to get used to is that your tempo fader will no longer be synced to the actual tempo - you have to "re-latch" it. Once I figured this out it allowed me to open up the 5-6 seconds I was using for jogging and getting cue rhythm down (in my headphones) and instead focus on a smoother mix (something the audience can actually hear). Could this approach get me intro trouble?
Not at all, unless you've got some grumpy DJs there. Personally, I embrace the world of beat sync and quantize as, like you said, it opens up more time for other things! Of course, beat matching should always come first
@@djcarlo Yep, beat sync and quantize help for sure but using ears and eyes to ensure you are locked is always the first thing before any knobs or faders get moved.
DJ Carlo i must disagree with this if your a turntable DJ yes but if your a Controller DJ an your learning an using the Sync button correctly then you can be great at using the sync button its those DJ's that jump in the DJing world and really don't know turntables are the way to DJ on a controller an yes i came from the turntable world of Djing but remember technology has made it easier for Djing so why not use it correctly and you want get to off beat crap but i also use VDJ a much better world over there just sayin but your doing a great job just simplify it alittle more thanks DJSS..
I appreciate your perspective, but I'd like to offer a different viewpoint. While I agree that technology has made DJing more accessible, relying too heavily on the sync button can hinder a DJ's growth and understanding of the craft. Sync can be a great tool when used properly, but it should complement rather than replace fundamental skills like beatmatching by ear. Mastering these skills on turntables or controllers can provide a deeper connection to the music and improve overall performance quality. It's also important to recognize that different DJs have different preferences and styles. Some may prefer the tactile feel of turntables, while others enjoy the flexibility and features of controllers. Both have their merits, and neither is inherently superior. As for software, VirtualDJ (VDJ) is indeed a robust platform, but it's ultimately a matter of personal preference. Serato, Rekordbox, and Traktor are also popular choices, each with unique strengths. What's most important is how effectively a DJ can use their tools to create an engaging experience for their audience. Let's continue to embrace the diversity in DJing and respect different approaches to the art form. Keep spinning and sharing your passion!
I used to spin vinyl late 90s early 2000s at raves in the south. I didn't have a beat match button, I didn't even have a beat counter, I had to listen to it and match the beat of every song every record. I thought that's what DJ still did, I need to get back into it. I could be one of the top billed people out there
@djcarlo I am impressed with my progress. I am actually in front of 5,000 people on the 28th and 29th of this month man. I'm so excited. I'm ready also. I'm going back and forth about the s1000 and xp2 right now. I think it's still going to be 2 years before upgrading to cdjs, unless a miracle happens. I still binge watch your videos, you've taught me so much that transitions that are possible these days are insane and I'm having so much fun I'm even playing with dubstep now.
I actually have a question, sir. The shows on the 28th and 29th, it's being put on by a drum and bass production company. They said I can play whatever I want. Do you think I should do my normal house, I've been getting in a DubStep I could do a DubStep set, or do house and throw some dubstep curve balls? cuz I've been doing that in my studio, and it sounds pretty cool.
@djcarlo I realized why I haven't lost my beat matching skills over the 20 years I was out of dj. Every song I listen to, I tap along to the beat and keep it going through the breakdown, and I'm dead on every time the beat comes back. I realized that in the car today. I have that Festival next weekend, I'm getting nervous. But I think I'm ready.
i’ll never forget pressing the beat sync button not knowing what really did and completely aired out the dance floor when fergalicious ended up playing at 72 bpm 💀
Yikes. And that, my friend, is why I still encourage learning how to beatmatch. There are a bunch of folks here who swear by sync, but they haven't experienced what you did (tbh imagining it is sending shivers down my spine haha)
It would be helpful to explain WHY someone should spend time dragging a tempo slider, using cue to preview the beat match, using the jog wheel, etc to do all the steps that beat sync can do for them (ignoring bad beat grids as that is a music prep issue). Like actual use cases where beat sync would work against you and justify the manual approach. It seems like manual beat matching's biggest benefit these days is to avoid judgement for beat sync, which is a terrible reason to use it as the primary approach.
Well, there's actually a lot of reasons. But for me, the primary reason is because beat sync isn't infallible. You also have varied BPM tracks (live drums!) which WILL throw the beat grid off after a few minutes, equipment failure, software failure, etc. While the actual incidents are rare, it's best to know how to walk before you run in DJing, just as a backup. Once you actually know how to beat match, go to town on beat sync! 🥳
You would use sync to play on 4 decks . With a set much more like a battle DJ where you swap between songs and sounds very fast. Or.. If I’m playing a set of 92 hardcore and it’s one hr and I want to bang out as many tracks as possible. Sync will save you the time. Basically here the focus is sync saves time. That’s it’s purpose.
The biggest reason i found so far, ive been to gigs with CDJ nexus setup and the Ethernet port is broken, i solved it by using 2 USB sticks and just DJed from them all night... what is the DJ who relies on sync going to do without that link? their set would be a train wreck.
Thanks for the video Maybe do a separate video on how to analyze and beat grid properly What's the difference between normal / dynamic Double speed, Half speed decimal points, Transition tracks. Some Hip-hop track will have a switch up in the beats Which makes it difficult to beat grid This is were Flexible beat grid Would work. This is mostly with tracks that are not house Music with a clear beat. Sometimes the intro is in time and then drifts apart Overtime and then gets back in time and then drifts apart with I would Say serato does a better job at detecting the bpm better than rekordbox I heard traktor Is worse for beat grids.
Thanks for your feedback and suggestions! ### Differences Between Beat Grid Types: 1. **Normal Beat Grid**: - This is the standard beat grid, where the grid is evenly spaced according to the track’s BPM. It's ideal for tracks with a consistent tempo and clear beat. 2. **Dynamic Beat Grid**: - A dynamic beat grid adjusts for tracks with varying tempos. It’s useful for songs that don't maintain a constant BPM, such as live recordings or tracks with tempo changes. 3. **Double Speed/Half Speed**: - These options adjust the beat grid to double or half the detected BPM. Double speed is often used for tracks with a very slow beat to make mixing easier, while half speed is used for tracks with a very fast beat. 4. **Decimal Points**: - This setting allows for more precise BPM detection, useful for tracks where the BPM isn’t a whole number. It provides finer control over beat matching. 5. **Transition Tracks**: - These are tracks specifically designed to transition from one BPM to another. They can have varying BPMs throughout and might need special attention when setting beat grids. ### Flexible Beat Grids: For hip-hop and other genres where the beat can switch up frequently, flexible beat grids are invaluable. They allow you to set multiple BPMs within a single track, making it easier to sync and mix tracks that don’t have a constant tempo. This is particularly useful for tracks that drift in and out of time, as you've mentioned. ### Software Comparison: - **Serato**: Generally known for its accurate BPM detection and beat grid flexibility, making it a preferred choice for many DJs, especially when dealing with tracks that have complex structures. - **Rekordbox**: While powerful and feature-rich, some users find its BPM detection less accurate compared to Serato, particularly with tracks that have variable tempos. - **Traktor**: Has a reputation for being less user-friendly when it comes to managing beat grids, which can be a downside for tracks that don't have a steady beat.
@@djcarlo absolutely! I’ve been looking for YEARS for a tutorial that showed all the steps one by one without assuming that we already know these basics, which is what most dj-youtubers do, so thank you for actually thinking of us 🙏🏼
I wouldn't say most, but record pools would be the best way to get them in high quality files for many tracks! They also have extended versions of tracks that don't have extended versions 😅
This video totally triggered my DJ misophonia! That sound is both horrifying and angering! 😂 I'm old. I came up learning how to do these things on rack mounted CD players with NO waveforms to look at and a 1-inch jog wheel back before controllers existed and CDJs were not a "retail item". I have NEVER trusted autosync or BPM counters/lights! The waveforms help a lot, but I'm ALWAYS pulling on that track and never expect my EYES to do what my EARS are supposed to know better!
That awful sound at the beginning eh? We have a term in Tagalog for it: "kabayo". It literally translates to horse, but it's supposed to mean your beat sounds like a galloping horse. It's hard to do a video like this without showing the wave forms, but indeed, I'd advice not to get too reliant on them either.
You said, it's the same on the cdj, but this is not true. If you set both tracks to 124.8 bpm, one could be 124.81 and the other is 124.89. In a longer (more than 30 secs) transition you must touch the the jog at least once because they are close but not on the same bpm.
Thats a little more advanced, but good call! It also depends on your settings and style. That's where adjusting the jogwheel and really listening to your music through the cue comes in
@@djcarlo if your beat grids are set correctly, shouldn't be a problem using the bpm read outs. No disrespect, as your channel is definitely one of the best tutorial channels for Djing.
Ok but question. If the beatgrid is wrong, isn't there quite the posibility that the BPM indicator is wrong too? So how do you know to what to beatmatch in a reasonable time? I feel like it's just easier to make sure your grid is right before you go anywhere. Unless you play requests and stuff.
Meh. I just perfect all my beatgrids when I import them, lock the track so it can't be fucked up and hit sync. Even live drummed tracks etc. get beatgridded to perfection. I started out with vinyl 20 years ago. I can perfectly beatmatch manually and ride the pitch. But now? Nope. Unless I want to practice it. Otherwise sync button on!
Yes exactly! Beat gridding is important and so I learning how to manually beat match. I use Sync all the time but I’m always ready to adapt if anything goes wrong!
Hi DJ C, I've been DJing a long time. I started on turntables back ,i was 16 years young, its great video you doing here, for the other generation, but i have a queston about your CDJ3000 display ( waveform ) (on 9:11 minutes ) i don't see your beatgrid on your waveform if you are mixing? the 2 redlines if you are mixing the same as in Rekordbox? Thanks
Carlo thanks for the video, but i would like if you could go more in detail, but without you seeing the bpm. I would like to know how to mix by beat matching without seeing bpm and how to move jogwhell to get the right bpm and how do you know to move forward or backwards or how do you know you need to speed up or slow down, basically everytime you show on this video but without you knowing the bpm of both tracks. Im sorry if i went to long but i hope you understand what im trying to ask you. Much love Carlo ❤
This video is the best way to explain how to beat match and still showcase it on a TH-cam video. It's a lot more abstract to do it without the numbers. Best really is already have an idea of the BPM of your track, then try to catch it (that's something I might discuss in a future video)
I don’t understand why DJs need to press the queue button so many times to get the first beat ? Can someone explain ? For me one time pressing does the job …
@@djcarlo I have a denon SC live 2. If I play a second song I’m mixing in, and I get the beats a little out, the pitch bend can be pressed to temporarily speed up or slow down the song being mixed in, until I’ve got the beats matched on the display. Never fails me - How is this different than using the jog wheel?
I just wonder why do it manually? I dont get why cue-play try to get into synced beat and the spin wheel to catch beats, also at the start you got to manually adjust bpm of another track. So why not skip all this and press sync? That would set bpm the same and would start new track in sync. Im not a dj, just curious.
Because some songs aren't always tied to the same BPM. Manually beatmatching will help ensure that, even if the software gets it wrong, you'll have a back up plan to make transitions happen on your own
@@djcarlo sorry for my ,ack of knowledge, but are you manually doing it every song? I mean before transition you listening for other song on your headphones and match tempo beats etc before you play it on speakers or not? It just seems way more work for example for me as a beginner to manually set bpm and match the beat. What I would do is sync and only if something is not right, maybe the try and adjust. Or am I missing something?
Thanks for the great video Carlo, super helpful as always, I've always had a few questions about this for anyone that can answer? Is the exercise where you mixed without seeing the bpm what vinyl DJs have to do every time, or if rekordbox has gotten the bpm wrong (does this happen?)/the song changes tempo? My best guess was always that they have to continuously manually spin the jogwheel of the incoming song with one hand, making sure to keep the first beat falling in the right place, whilst adjusting the tempo with the other? Also when beat matching on CDJs without a laptop, you don't get to see the stacked waveforms/beat grids right, so you'll always need to use headphones?
Yup yup! Mixing on vinyl is a slightly different beast, but its always good to practice without looking at the bpm. And yes, you need to use your headphones ideally
That is pretty much it, but over time your ears can detect the difference in tempo in seconds and you can get most of the way there simply by moving the pitch fader.... you kind of know how much to move it with instinct, then you're just adjusting the platter and pitch fader to fine tune.
Another Great vid Carlo been djing for 20 year but always learning and helping advancing ! will you be doing a FLX 10 walk around Still using my NI S4 but really want 2 get hang for RB + FLX10 Many thanks bro
It's laughable that even with all those advanced tech today some people still lack this basic skill 😂 It's essential first to trust your ears and then your eyes, even when mixing with a controller and a PC.
Bingo! This is as close to teaching I can get via videos. But, for what it's worth, a lot of folks skip even these lessons! That's why I had to put this one out. Took a while to conceptualize it as well for a video medium
Hello, got a question for you, how to beat match high speed 150-160 without constant jog fixing and synk, as controllers show the speed 150,5, but any laptop 150,52 , the difference feels every marching more than 5-10 secs, just to fix the jog ? Or any other hacks you know, guess this topic is interesting
I learnt how to beat match on a shite pair of belt driven rubbish in the 90's. So as yoy.can imagine, when i turned digital, it was like a walk in the park. 😂
Right?! I learned on a pair of old 1200s, but when the digital stuff came my way (when I could actually afford them), I felt so much more at ease doing my usual thing!
Hey Dj Carlo, not sure if you have already covered this in the past but what format should I be downloading my tracks from places like Bandcamp? I’ve heard that WAV doesn’t store metadata so is FLAC or AIFF a better option? P.S. Thank you very much for all you do, it is soo appreciated!!! 🙏🏽
That's up to preference. The cue button is all you have on CDJs (unless they're the newer Pioneer ones), but yeah. You can use the hot cue button too if you prefer
When you bring the Tempo Fader down or up, will that not make the next tract too slow or too faster than what people know as it is sometimes? Is it possible to mix songs that have a huge difference on BPMs i.e. House song to a Jazz song?
That's the point though! It brings something new to people's ears, so it's not like you're just listening to the song off of Spotify. And yes, there are ways to mix songs that jump BPMs! I have a tutorial on that here in the channel. Should be called How to Mix to Anything :)
What I see these days- is dj's talking about sync button or dont use- to me to make it easier- Sync button is helpful- if a track is 128bpm and the next song is 130 bpm- i have a choice to either mess with the slider or push sync- in reality its all the same- Now if we did not get to see the bpm on display then sync would not work- we would manually do like the old ways- its when I started back in the 80's.SYNC way to go-
That's very true! I still encourage everyone to learn beatmatching before letting technology take the wheel. It's like using cruise control on your car; before you let it control its speed, you've gotta learn how to control the speed manually first. But once you know how to beatmatch, enjoy yourself with sync!
⚙DJ Mixing Course (Zero to Hero): sellfy.com/p/ms3fx1/
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Use code “DJCARLO” for a huge discount!
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Bro I love your humility in not being a gatekeeper. I still watch your vids even if it’s covering the basic bc there’s always a new gem to pick up. I try to at least get in 2 hours of practice a day big up to Carlo
Thanks man! Just here to help the DJ world be a better and happier place for everyone :) I'm always learning too!
Completely agree with this sentiment! DJ Carlo is the man!
I've DJing for about 1 year now you basically taught me how to DJ thank you DJ Carlo but we need more hip-hop mixes, please....
Sure! I'll get to work on those next!
@@djcarlo thank u so much, keep it up bro
Its kinda hard with the copyright algorithm, can't exactly play a lot of the og tracks unfortunately 😢
Grimes has joined the chat
Hahaha, well, I'll still have to give her props for being a producer and singer first
Winning comment 😂
lmfaoooo
lol really. props to dj carlo for paying attention to trends and knowing the perfect time to drop this video.
💯💯💀💀
DJ C, I've been DJing a long time. I started on turntables back in 1987 - started DJing professionally in the early 90's. Beatmatching, comes very natural too me at this point in my DJ career, but I found myself watching this video nonetheless. Just had to tell you that it's a great video and I can see that you're helping so many new DJ's in our industry. Thanks man! This is a fantastic video!
Thanks buddy! So happy you watch my content even though you already have mastered the lesson. A lot of new DJs don’t know their fundamentals so I thought it was the best time to release this especially now when everything is always automated and controlled by robots haha
Same!! Been Djing since 95. Started on rotary knob technics and after a year got myself a pair of 1200mk2’s. I can beat match in my sleep, but I still watched this video. Lol
@@stylepoint1200 OMG! You just brought up a memory... I remember working all Summer to save up for my first pair of Technique 12's while they were in layaway (LOL!). When I finally bought them and opened one up in my Studio apartment (this was in 1988), I literally teared up. It was a very emotional moment. You have one over on me, I never had a chance to mix with Rotary knobs. So cool to be still doing what we love after all these years.
Hey carlo! Just came back from my 1st ever intl show, I first began djing from your tutorial 2 years ago and from there I began producing my own tracks which has landed me so many cool opportunities and kickstarted my music career. Since you're posting your yearly guide again I'd like to thank you for being the catalyst putting me on this path!
That's amazing! I may have helped kickstart it, but the rest is on you and your hard work! Congratulations!
Hey Maketrance, what app or software do you use to produce your own tracks?
Thanks! 💪🏾
Thanks again Dj Carlo. Many new Dj’s get frustrated, lose interest and quit because they didn’t get this kinda help to achieve Beat matching. This info is like CPR for DJs. Plz share..
Amen to that brother! We gotta teach the fundamentals and let new generations know!
I literally taught my 7 year old nephew how to put two songs in time, if you are over 7 and want to understand how to do it but can't understand how synchronizing two tracks works you can ask for social help as you have just discovered that you are disabled :)))
Love how the advanced method today is the only method that was available back in the days =) It was very rare to have BPM info about your vinyl record and we only had 8% range to play with and no key lock or information for that matter! Loving how easy it is nowadays, I still sucks of course, but it's easier 🤣
I'm always about technology helping us live easier and better lives! 🥳
The BPM value should be ignored when learning beat matching, it will pay dividends if you ever want to mix vinyl plus some tracks BPM's can fluctuate. The BPM value is used to help select next track within suitable range of the previous or when you want to tempo change your set.
That’s true! Always best to learn by ear!
How can you match beats with different bpm of the tracks?
If you match the beats using the jog wheel and the tracks move out of sync then they are at different tempos. You have to work out which is faster and slower. Trust me if you practice it long enough and know your tunes then it becomes second nature
For any new DJ using a laptop that may read this, if you REALLY want to learn how to beat match, stop using your eyes and start using your ears. Music is an auditory experience, not a visual one. You’re matching music, not numbers on a screen. I highly recommend putting your laptop behind you, so you’re forced to listen to the music without reverting to looking at waveforms or BPMs.
This technique mimics vinyl DjIng, where you’re never given a BPM count or waveforms. It also mimics having a record crate behind you, which will lead to more of a connection with the crowd you’re eventually going to be playing for (you won’t have your focus on a screen, but on the crowd).
Also, make sure your monitors are at an even volume level with your headphones.
This is great advice! I believe I tackled this at some point during this tutorial, but for more practical reasons, just have a piece of paper over the wave forms.
i think the last point briefly mentioned is super important!
when i tried to teach some people the basics of DJing and beatmatching, they got the technical part right.
but for the most part, it was song structure that was the biggest "flaw"
You really have to get a feeling for how i.e. dance music works and what sounds "good" or "clustered"
it can be one beat too much/less that can throw you out of momentum
Yes, absolutely! I've heard some very fire song choice sets ruined by some very bad mix phrasing, with complete disregard for song structure.
It’s crazy how many DJ’s really can’t beat match. It used to be the single most important skill as a dj. That’s why so many djs hate sync. It allows betas to look good.
But man, when sync messes up on you, it's an absolute train wreck! And this is why, despite the digital age being here and now, I still encourage people to learn the basics. This guide was long LONG overdue haha
Who cares if it makes betas look good? If it's working for them it works for them. DJing isn't some concept where there's "a right way to look good". I do agree DJs should at least know how to beatmatch on the fly, but there's nothing wrong with using sync if a DJ wants to.
That's why I tell everyone who is thinking of becoming a DJ to start with turntables and vinyl, especially in the digital age, to learn beatmatching and the ear for it, it's the 1x1 of DJing. Later you can use the sync Button, please never ever permanently 😉
i'm a proud gatekeeper,, lol honestly never understood why sync became a "must have" for controllers-but like everyone says,, it's here-get used to it -- doesn't mean it should be constantly relied upon-,, if you're putting DJ in front of your name,, or claim to be one-, then yea,, at least take time- learn the Basics, this was dj 101 whether you were a scratcher , open format or house dj,, this was just what Had to be learned initially. using your EARS,, listening, knowing your records etc-,, all key ingredients -- carry on , great post, by the way-,
most of the time if i use sync i just tap it on and off real quick to ensure my tracks dont drift / the phrasing is lined up if i dont wanna worry about jog wheels and pitch slider adjustments while im EQing and prepping loops / fx. but its def a minor QoL thing and not something to rely on cause it can mess up p bad
What an amazing teacher! Your videos are the only straight to the point and easy to understand tutorials out here. Big thank you for helping people like me who love music and are not very tech savvy.
I'm so happy you think so! I try too make these tutorials as easy to digest as possible so everyone can learn! :)
After getting beat matching mostly down with the BPM visible and just matching the numbers, I recommend covering the numbers and learning to tell if one song is slower/faster than the other by listening. A lot of club gear isnt all that well looked after and sometimes the readout isn't accurate or the pitch fluctuates, so being able to tell by ear helps a lot.
This is really good advice actually! I should have included a bit on this 🤩
It’s also MEGA FUN and really rewarding. I get that not everyone has access to technics and vinyl, so I really recommend this☝️
Listening is fundamental to DJing. It’s music you’re matching, not numbers, so mix with your ears and never with your eyes
Thanks to you I have learned a lot before a I got my flx4 !!! Had solid ground of theory and applied this to my mixes… and now I have my first gig coming soon. THANK YOU! ❤
You got this! Congrats on your hustle!! Keep going!
Carlo. I wish you all the best Sir. I only do this for hobby and my own private parties, but I've learned so much from you. Great advice always. Thank you!
I'm glad you're learning new techniques from the videos! Makes me really happy to know that the videos are still educating!
As a lifelong, dj, vet, who just got a Pioneer set up, your videos are really valuable. Always keep learning!
I'm so glad you think so man(ly)! Will always keep up the good stuff!
Thanks @DJCarlos, your way of teaching is the best I have found😊.
I don't have an S at the end of my name! That's someone else bwahahaha, but thank you so much Irving! I'm so glad you loved the new beatmatching video, and hope you found some good new info on it!
Tip: Turn off master tempo when learning beat matching (vinyl style). When MT is on you may hear artefacts that sound like the beats are not matched (which is why I never use it).
Good tip! I forgot to mention that.
I wish 21years ago I had people like you and your Team. I learned by the hard way without help and with vinyl...but I don't miss the old times. The new equipment opens big gates of creating my own style. Also the cheaper gear is ok and you don't have to buy Pioneer. I prefer NI with Traktor. But that's just my opinion. Had and sold a lot of gear in 21 years 😂 But I stayed beatmatching by ears... it's like riding a bike and makes mixing more attractive, for me😊
I do miss Traktor. I wish they'd update more often. I'm still a Traktor fan at heart
Your explanation is super easy to follow and understand. The end with when not to mix in can be explained a bit better with 4/16/32 but other than that; top notch tutorial my dude! This would have helped me 15yrs ago vs my mentor yelling “FIX IT” from the other side of the house 😅
It was quite hard to really explain that part in just a video, but I hope it still came through! Glad you enjoyed the video a lot though! Really appreciate the praises 🤩
If you really want to learn beat matching, put some tape on the BPM counters and just listen and adjust the speed. You don't want to be dependent on the equipment...
Yes that was demonstrated at 11:53 🎉
Always check your auto-gridded tracks and validate your initial cue before you press sync. You may need to tighten up the grid or apply a corrected initial cue point. But as someone who started on Technics in the 90s, using sync allows me to worry about programming and phrasing. That means spending less time grinding my teeth trying to ride the pitch control like the old days.
Very good advice! And indeed, I use sync the same way. I still will stand by learning to beatmatch first in case something goes awry 🤭
Good video DJ Carlo I learnt a lot been DJING two years now you taught me a lot about DJing man 👍🏾🤟🏾👏🏾🙏🏾
I'm so happy the videos have always been helpful to you Walker!
"stop doing it like it is 2010, do it like its 1970"
There's nothing wrong with learning how to beatmatch in case modern technology accidentally fails you
A way to level up beat matching is to slowly drop or raise the tempo of the playing track to halfway in between bpms (if they’re like
That’s an amazing tip! Perhaps I’ll make a video on it! Thanks for the gem!
@@djcarlo no problem! You have to either use sync or adjust both faders simultaneously for it to work also
I use BPM Sync. It saves time for me.
Beat matching I do by myself
That's fair! The goal is to learn how to beatmatch first, then if you prefer sync, use it all you want! :)
I always use my ears and i noticed in all my years that there are not many good dj's. Well, there is one i think is flawless. Thats john digweed.
He's a legend
I am glad I learned beatmatching on vinyl back in the days...
It's still the gold standard for beat matching I'd say. Less folk have turntables now, hence the digital beatmatch guide
Informative vid. I hope it helps a lot of people. Personally though I would have advised to cover up the BPM displays and learn to do it by ear - not all BPM displays are accurate or (sometimes) even function. Once you learn to do it by ear it becomes instinct and you should be able to do it blindfolded at which point you're not relying on the display at all.
Oh, this is a point I missed out on! Good call!
Spotify has tons of (extended mix)'s for almost every mainstream edm song. Combined with a quality paid-for downloader (approximately $60-$90), you wont need dj record pools anymore (unless you are seeking a very specific edit)
They do! But I've come to realize a lot of downloaders aren't reliable with the *real* quality. And, if you're paying for a downloader, you may as well use that for the tracks themselves 🥳
@@djcarlo I agree, however 320kbps is sufficient for most uses
That's the thing! I've experienced downloaders "downloading" at 320kbps, but the actual source file isn't. I read that Spotify will stream at different bitrates depending on your plan, and will only allow access to said bitrate no matter what your Downloader says 😱
So I learned how to DJ on Traktor way back in 2013 and I always used the Sync feature. I came from playing the drums and it just made sense to me to always have the beats line up and only have to time the downbeat. At the time, I had no idea there was this whole controversy over using the Sync button haha. Now I have an XDJ-RX3 and I still prefer to use Sync almost all the time. I only deactivate Sync when I know my song fluxes in tempo and I have to make manual adjustments because no matter what the beat grid will flex. I always reserve the right to beatmatch though because even with Sync, the machine doesn't always get it perfectly right. When Sync is on and I adjust the jog wheel the software warns me once that Sync is on and then lets me adjust the speed of the track if I move the jog wheel again. It's great.
That works yo! I encourage folks to learn beatmatching manually as, half the time, they don't have any musical background. You've got drums, so you know how the rhythm works already. But yeah, go to town on sync and enjoy yourself!
oldschool way we used on turn-tables was to use only the pitch control to match the tempo. touching the vinyls would also work, but sometimes you could push the needle to skip and all hell would go lose
Ohhhh, I wouldn't dare push the needle. That's playing with fire hahaha
If the music is on point and people are dancing it matters not is the dj is beat matching or using sync.
True! So I don't get why people are so up in arms. Though, of course, I would still recommend learning how to beatmatch just in case sync fails on you
If you are a beginning DJ, what DJ Carlo mentioned is correct. I started using these until I created my own style of mixing, Beatmatching, and transitions. In time you will want to experiment and try new ways of blending tracks as long as you do not skip the basis.
Absolutely! It's actually about high time I did a video on this haha
I’m blind so I beat match by ear. If u can’t see, u can’t read the BPM as u use the tempo slider, but rather than learn to correctly hear tempo, I do something else. I switch on sync (please! don’t stop reading lol) then switch it off. This sets the BPM perfectly, then beat match by ear. One day I will learn to adjust tempo by ear, but I mix DnB so doing takes too long, but I’d still love to learn to mix fully whike blind not using sync.
That's one way of doing it! You're still somewhat beat matching by ear
Next week I will play in front of a lot of people, I'm kinda nervous, not for how I'm gonna play, but more like what music I'm gonna play...
My public ranges from 8 year olds to parents...
Oof, I get those kinds of parties. Just gotta go with the biggest hits, and keep the energy up! Nothing too hard (clubby), just songs that would appease the general, casual listener
@@djcarlo thank you
I mean truth be told. If you miss the cue, spin the jog to catch up and beat match from there. But when you just a matter of seconds to the mix point.. Isn't anything wrong with spinning that Jog close, then doing the ole double tap on the beat match button.
That works in crazy emergencies! At the end of the day, the output is still important, and what the audience hears is still the main priority 🥳
Top video Carlo, much needed reminder about learning the skills 🙌
Yes sir! This is the fundamental that everyone needs to know!
Indeed! This is one of the most important aspects of DJing, so it's only apt I explain it
@@djcarlo Ive seen a trend online lately whereby people are actually actively hoping to hear the odd mistake here and there just because it proves the person is involved in the mix... it was bound to happen eventually wasn't it, DJing has always been a performance art as much as anything and it had become slightly soulless where people were just blending music together with the sync button and doing not a lot else.
I can beatmatch(blind) - but I'm lazy so I use half of the sync button......
I NEVER have a sync button lit up(on). What I do is load a new track and press the sync button twice. First press adjusts it's BPM and lines up the beat grids. Second press releases the beat grids from snapping together but leaves the new track pitched up. Works for me. Beatgrids are always off and I don't bother fixing them. There's no need.
That's one way of doing it! Saves a lot of time so you can focus on showing your crowd a good time
Chef's kiss on this one!
Thank you! Really important lessons here
This is so clearly explained💯
Thank you! I tried to make this as clear and concise as possible :D
I will still use beatsync to get it perfect though, no reason not to use it. I match it by hand and do the last like .XX with beatmatch for perfection.
That’s true! At least you know the fundamentals!
@@djcarlo Between you and an IRL friend, I've learned a lot! I appreciate your videos a lot.
Sync button for instant match then turn straight off and phase on the jogs 😉
You can do that, but I'd recommend only doing that once you've mastered beatmatching. Things can still go wrong, and it's always good to have the skills to mitigate any potential issues 🥳
Yeah auto sync messes sometimes, when we used belt turntables it was total impossible beat match because it just not holds, then Technics turntables changed everything. Digital revolution was the next big step, at least now you're sure decks will maintain beat so you're only need to match... It's way easier nowadays.
Oh man yeah, I've tried older belt driven turntables, and it was always a nightmare haha. Beatmatching DURING the transition was nerve wracking! But hey, I'm glad technology has come a long enough way too to keep the music in time. Excited to see what else the future holds for us too!
This makes total sense, this is how I started out as well. Eventually I found that using beat sync with quantize made this manual process automatic. Load up next song on inactive deck, turn on beat sync for inactive deck - tempo should now be synced to active deck. The only issue / thing you have to get used to is that your tempo fader will no longer be synced to the actual tempo - you have to "re-latch" it. Once I figured this out it allowed me to open up the 5-6 seconds I was using for jogging and getting cue rhythm down (in my headphones) and instead focus on a smoother mix (something the audience can actually hear). Could this approach get me intro trouble?
Not at all, unless you've got some grumpy DJs there. Personally, I embrace the world of beat sync and quantize as, like you said, it opens up more time for other things! Of course, beat matching should always come first
@@djcarlo Yep, beat sync and quantize help for sure but using ears and eyes to ensure you are locked is always the first thing before any knobs or faders get moved.
DJ Carlo i must disagree with this if your a turntable DJ yes but if your a Controller DJ an your learning an using the Sync button correctly then you can be great at using the sync button its those DJ's that jump in the DJing world and really don't know turntables are the way to DJ on a controller an yes i came from the turntable world of Djing but remember technology has made it easier for Djing so why not use it correctly and you want get to off beat crap but i also use VDJ a much better world over there just sayin but your doing a great job just simplify it alittle more thanks DJSS..
I appreciate your perspective, but I'd like to offer a different viewpoint. While I agree that technology has made DJing more accessible, relying too heavily on the sync button can hinder a DJ's growth and understanding of the craft. Sync can be a great tool when used properly, but it should complement rather than replace fundamental skills like beatmatching by ear. Mastering these skills on turntables or controllers can provide a deeper connection to the music and improve overall performance quality.
It's also important to recognize that different DJs have different preferences and styles. Some may prefer the tactile feel of turntables, while others enjoy the flexibility and features of controllers. Both have their merits, and neither is inherently superior.
As for software, VirtualDJ (VDJ) is indeed a robust platform, but it's ultimately a matter of personal preference. Serato, Rekordbox, and Traktor are also popular choices, each with unique strengths. What's most important is how effectively a DJ can use their tools to create an engaging experience for their audience.
Let's continue to embrace the diversity in DJing and respect different approaches to the art form.
Keep spinning and sharing your passion!
Second 🎉 my idol finally posted smth ❤
I've been posting! Just slowly haha
Do you have a video about effects for pioneer users? Really interested on this topic. Great video by the way, useful.
Many of my videos include bits about it! I haven't done a deep dive yet though
I used to spin vinyl late 90s early 2000s at raves in the south. I didn't have a beat match button, I didn't even have a beat counter, I had to listen to it and match the beat of every song every record. I thought that's what DJ still did, I need to get back into it. I could be one of the top billed people out there
Go for it! The fact that you have your beatmatching skills intact means you can still go and get em out there! 🥳
@djcarlo I am impressed with my progress. I am actually in front of 5,000 people on the 28th and 29th of this month man. I'm so excited. I'm ready also. I'm going back and forth about the s1000 and xp2 right now. I think it's still going to be 2 years before upgrading to cdjs, unless a miracle happens. I still binge watch your videos, you've taught me so much that transitions that are possible these days are insane and I'm having so much fun I'm even playing with dubstep now.
I actually have a question, sir. The shows on the 28th and 29th, it's being put on by a drum and bass production company. They said I can play whatever I want. Do you think I should do my normal house, I've been getting in a DubStep I could do a DubStep set, or do house and throw some dubstep curve balls? cuz I've been doing that in my studio, and it sounds pretty cool.
@djcarlo I realized why I haven't lost my beat matching skills over the 20 years I was out of dj. Every song I listen to, I tap along to the beat and keep it going through the breakdown, and I'm dead on every time the beat comes back. I realized that in the car today. I have that Festival next weekend, I'm getting nervous. But I think I'm ready.
DJ pools aren’t the only place to get long mixes.
But they are my personal preferred source, since the tracks are curated. There are a ton of other places too to get them legally!
thank you for the tutorial this is really making my son way better. i appreciate this
That’s great! So happy to hear that!! Your son is going to have a lot of fun :)
i’ll never forget pressing the beat sync button not knowing what really did and completely aired out the dance floor when fergalicious ended up playing at 72 bpm 💀
Yikes. And that, my friend, is why I still encourage learning how to beatmatch. There are a bunch of folks here who swear by sync, but they haven't experienced what you did (tbh imagining it is sending shivers down my spine haha)
It would be helpful to explain WHY someone should spend time dragging a tempo slider, using cue to preview the beat match, using the jog wheel, etc to do all the steps that beat sync can do for them (ignoring bad beat grids as that is a music prep issue). Like actual use cases where beat sync would work against you and justify the manual approach. It seems like manual beat matching's biggest benefit these days is to avoid judgement for beat sync, which is a terrible reason to use it as the primary approach.
Well, there's actually a lot of reasons. But for me, the primary reason is because beat sync isn't infallible. You also have varied BPM tracks (live drums!) which WILL throw the beat grid off after a few minutes, equipment failure, software failure, etc. While the actual incidents are rare, it's best to know how to walk before you run in DJing, just as a backup. Once you actually know how to beat match, go to town on beat sync! 🥳
You would use sync to play on 4 decks . With a set much more like a battle DJ where you swap between songs and sounds very fast. Or.. If I’m playing a set of 92 hardcore and it’s one hr and I want to bang out as many tracks as possible. Sync will save you the time. Basically here the focus is sync saves time. That’s it’s purpose.
The biggest reason i found so far, ive been to gigs with CDJ nexus setup and the Ethernet port is broken, i solved it by using 2 USB sticks and just DJed from them all night... what is the DJ who relies on sync going to do without that link? their set would be a train wreck.
ooh my ears bled at the start😭😭😭 i literally got shivers 😂😂
Yes! That was the point! That sound is a nightmare!!
@djcarlo exactly , still shuddering thinking about it now! reminds me of my djing when I was 10 😂
Great content for us beginners! Love your B-roll takes, btw. 🤩
Thanks man! That's what makes these videos super fun!
I'm early this time. Thank you teacher! ♥️ 🤟🏻
Yes you are! You're very welcome as well! Hope you found the video helpful!
This is great! Watching always from philippines always connecting :)
Thanks! Keep playing and enjoying!
Thanks for the video
Maybe do a separate video on how to analyze and beat grid properly
What's the difference between normal / dynamic Double speed, Half speed decimal points, Transition tracks.
Some Hip-hop track will have a switch up in the beats Which makes it difficult to beat grid This is were Flexible beat grid Would work.
This is mostly with tracks that are not house Music with a clear beat.
Sometimes the intro is in time and then drifts apart Overtime and then gets back in time and then drifts apart with
I would Say serato does a better job at detecting the bpm better than rekordbox I heard traktor Is worse for beat grids.
Thanks for your feedback and suggestions!
### Differences Between Beat Grid Types:
1. **Normal Beat Grid**:
- This is the standard beat grid, where the grid is evenly spaced according to the track’s BPM. It's ideal for tracks with a consistent tempo and clear beat.
2. **Dynamic Beat Grid**:
- A dynamic beat grid adjusts for tracks with varying tempos. It’s useful for songs that don't maintain a constant BPM, such as live recordings or tracks with tempo changes.
3. **Double Speed/Half Speed**:
- These options adjust the beat grid to double or half the detected BPM. Double speed is often used for tracks with a very slow beat to make mixing easier, while half speed is used for tracks with a very fast beat.
4. **Decimal Points**:
- This setting allows for more precise BPM detection, useful for tracks where the BPM isn’t a whole number. It provides finer control over beat matching.
5. **Transition Tracks**:
- These are tracks specifically designed to transition from one BPM to another. They can have varying BPMs throughout and might need special attention when setting beat grids.
### Flexible Beat Grids:
For hip-hop and other genres where the beat can switch up frequently, flexible beat grids are invaluable. They allow you to set multiple BPMs within a single track, making it easier to sync and mix tracks that don’t have a constant tempo. This is particularly useful for tracks that drift in and out of time, as you've mentioned.
### Software Comparison:
- **Serato**: Generally known for its accurate BPM detection and beat grid flexibility, making it a preferred choice for many DJs, especially when dealing with tracks that have complex structures.
- **Rekordbox**: While powerful and feature-rich, some users find its BPM detection less accurate compared to Serato, particularly with tracks that have variable tempos.
- **Traktor**: Has a reputation for being less user-friendly when it comes to managing beat grids, which can be a downside for tracks that don't have a steady beat.
Best tutorial ever. THANK YOU.
You're very welcome! Hope it helped you grasp the ins and outs of beat matching just a little bit more 🤩
@@djcarlo absolutely! I’ve been looking for YEARS for a tutorial that showed all the steps one by one without assuming that we already know these basics, which is what most dj-youtubers do, so thank you for actually thinking of us 🙏🏼
Galing tlga mag explain, thanks DJ Carlo!
Thank you very much pare!
For sure! Been meaning to make this video for a while na haha
its so good
It's very important!
I mean extended mixes aren’t ONLY available on record pools. Most tracks you hear on Spotify have an extended mix somewhere on the internet
I wouldn't say most, but record pools would be the best way to get them in high quality files for many tracks! They also have extended versions of tracks that don't have extended versions 😅
Pro tip: To be a successful DJ you always need to use Sync match and pre-record all your sets.
Lol, the sarcasm hahaha
I feel bad for the djs I'm about to meet next.
If they know how to do basic beatmatching, they should be good!
I've also noticed that some DJ software can sometimes try to guess the BPM, but do it wrong. I don't really know how to fix this lol.
Rekordbox DJ mostly gets it right! Just depends on the genre!
THANK YOU SO MUCH, FREE GAME
You’re welcome! I hope you learned something new!
This video totally triggered my DJ misophonia! That sound is both horrifying and angering! 😂
I'm old. I came up learning how to do these things on rack mounted CD players with NO waveforms to look at and a 1-inch jog wheel back before controllers existed and CDJs were not a "retail item".
I have NEVER trusted autosync or BPM counters/lights! The waveforms help a lot, but I'm ALWAYS pulling on that track and never expect my EYES to do what my EARS are supposed to know better!
That awful sound at the beginning eh? We have a term in Tagalog for it: "kabayo". It literally translates to horse, but it's supposed to mean your beat sounds like a galloping horse. It's hard to do a video like this without showing the wave forms, but indeed, I'd advice not to get too reliant on them either.
@@djcarlo Thank you for that word. I like knowing other ways of expressing intangible aspects of things.😺
Oh I remember how I was learning to beatmatch on cdj-100's , thanks to new hardware and software for that I don't need to do this anymore 😂😂😂
Yep! But there will always be newbies who need to learn the fundamentals! Thanks for watching!
@@djcarlo that's for sure)
You said, it's the same on the cdj, but this is not true. If you set both tracks to 124.8 bpm, one could be 124.81 and the other is 124.89. In a longer (more than 30 secs) transition you must touch the the jog at least once because they are close but not on the same bpm.
Thats a little more advanced, but good call! It also depends on your settings and style. That's where adjusting the jogwheel and really listening to your music through the cue comes in
Is there much point considering modern CDJs have the bpm count, and progressive jog?
Vinyl yes, modern CDJs?
Still yes! Even with the BPM count, these *could* be inaccurate, so it's always important to know how to beatmatch just in case
@@djcarlo if your beat grids are set correctly, shouldn't be a problem using the bpm read outs.
No disrespect, as your channel is definitely one of the best tutorial channels for Djing.
Ok but question. If the beatgrid is wrong, isn't there quite the posibility that the BPM indicator is wrong too? So how do you know to what to beatmatch in a reasonable time? I feel like it's just easier to make sure your grid is right before you go anywhere. Unless you play requests and stuff.
Most of the time like 90 percent, the BPM is right. So from there, just fix up the Beatgrid. Best to always inspect the grid before mixing
@@djcarloIn those cases, do you recommend turning Quantize Off?
Experience and practise and you can get it in time in around 20 seconds, enough to mix in and adjust as you go.
Meh. I just perfect all my beatgrids when I import them, lock the track so it can't be fucked up and hit sync.
Even live drummed tracks etc. get beatgridded to perfection.
I started out with vinyl 20 years ago. I can perfectly beatmatch manually and ride the pitch.
But now? Nope.
Unless I want to practice it.
Otherwise sync button on!
Yes exactly! Beat gridding is important and so I learning how to manually beat match. I use Sync all the time but I’m always ready to adapt if anything goes wrong!
Thank you 🎉 what's the first track id ur mixing with mi genti?
I honestly can't remember the track I used. Sorry!
Do you by chance have any videos on how to edit beat grids where bpms slightly change or tracks that are vinyl to mp3? Solid video btw!!
Oof, that's a software limitation! Only Djay Pro has the fluid beat grid from what I know
Amazing content. Learnt a lot from your videos. May I know what software were you using in this video? And is it free?
Rekordbox dj! And it’s free. But features are unlocked and work best with a pioneer dj controller or gear
@@djcarlo thanks😊. Would you recommend something for Hercules gear?
Hi DJ C, I've been DJing a long time. I started on turntables back ,i was 16 years young, its great video you doing here, for the other generation, but i have a queston about your CDJ3000 display ( waveform ) (on 9:11 minutes ) i don't see your beatgrid on your waveform if you are mixing? the 2 redlines if you are mixing the same as in Rekordbox? Thanks
I dont think the beat grid lines show up on the 3000. At least, I don't recall seeing them or noticing them while playing
And what if there is no drums at the start of the song, only ambience? (Like in dubstep)
Look for the 1. The main drum beat, then grid from there
THX you Carlo!!!!
You're very welcome! Hope you learned a few things about beatmatching from the video!
This is genius
This is the foundation! Let’s go!
Not all music can be beat match, always monitor or reveiw the bpm
Very true! Knowing your BPMs and song structure are very important. But, if you *can* beatmatch the songs, then this guide is your best friend.
Carlo thanks for the video, but i would like if you could go more in detail, but without you seeing the bpm. I would like to know how to mix by beat matching without seeing bpm and how to move jogwhell to get the right bpm and how do you know to move forward or backwards or how do you know you need to speed up or slow down, basically everytime you show on this video but without you knowing the bpm of both tracks. Im sorry if i went to long but i hope you understand what im trying to ask you. Much love Carlo ❤
This video is the best way to explain how to beat match and still showcase it on a TH-cam video. It's a lot more abstract to do it without the numbers. Best really is already have an idea of the BPM of your track, then try to catch it (that's something I might discuss in a future video)
Thanks dj Carlo❤️❤️❤️
You're very welcome! Hope you learned a few new ideas for beatmatching!
I don’t understand why DJs need to press the queue button so many times to get the first beat ?
Can someone explain ?
For me one time pressing does the job …
Call it preference, I'd say. I like doing it to really get into the rhythm
@@djcarlothanks, that makes sense :)
When pressing buttons is the only skill you have, you'll try to solve any problem by pressing buttons more often
@@mipmipmipmipmip-v5x lol....yeah, hopefully the right ones
I use pitch bend rather than the jog wheel. I’m guessing not all equipment has the same features
That's different! What kind of equipment do you use?
@@djcarlo I have a denon SC live 2. If I play a second song I’m mixing in, and I get the beats a little out, the pitch bend can be pressed to temporarily speed up or slow down the song being mixed in, until I’ve got the beats matched on the display. Never fails me - How is this different than using the jog wheel?
Chalk it up to preference! Some controllers don't have the pitch bend, so the jogwheel is all they have. But if it works for you, then run with it! 🥳
I just wonder why do it manually? I dont get why cue-play try to get into synced beat and the spin wheel to catch beats, also at the start you got to manually adjust bpm of another track.
So why not skip all this and press sync? That would set bpm the same and would start new track in sync.
Im not a dj, just curious.
Because some songs aren't always tied to the same BPM. Manually beatmatching will help ensure that, even if the software gets it wrong, you'll have a back up plan to make transitions happen on your own
@@djcarlo sorry for my ,ack of knowledge, but are you manually doing it every song? I mean before transition you listening for other song on your headphones and match tempo beats etc before you play it on speakers or not? It just seems way more work for example for me as a beginner to manually set bpm and match the beat. What I would do is sync and only if something is not right, maybe the try and adjust. Or am I missing something?
Thanks for the great video Carlo, super helpful as always, I've always had a few questions about this for anyone that can answer?
Is the exercise where you mixed without seeing the bpm what vinyl DJs have to do every time, or if rekordbox has gotten the bpm wrong (does this happen?)/the song changes tempo?
My best guess was always that they have to continuously manually spin the jogwheel of the incoming song with one hand, making sure to keep the first beat falling in the right place, whilst adjusting the tempo with the other?
Also when beat matching on CDJs without a laptop, you don't get to see the stacked waveforms/beat grids right, so you'll always need to use headphones?
Yup yup! Mixing on vinyl is a slightly different beast, but its always good to practice without looking at the bpm. And yes, you need to use your headphones ideally
That is pretty much it, but over time your ears can detect the difference in tempo in seconds and you can get most of the way there simply by moving the pitch fader.... you kind of know how much to move it with instinct, then you're just adjusting the platter and pitch fader to fine tune.
Another Great vid Carlo been djing for 20 year but always learning and helping advancing !
will you be doing a FLX 10 walk around Still using my NI S4 but really want 2 get hang for RB + FLX10
Many thanks bro
I'll think about it! There are a lot of amazing reviews on it as well online from fellow DJs 🥳
filthy frank mentioned a minute in, i see you are apart of the culture carlos
Bruuuhhh, I've been a follower of his stuff since his early days!
It's laughable that even with all those advanced tech today some people still lack this basic skill 😂 It's essential first to trust your ears and then your eyes, even when mixing with a controller and a PC.
Bingo! This is as close to teaching I can get via videos. But, for what it's worth, a lot of folks skip even these lessons! That's why I had to put this one out. Took a while to conceptualize it as well for a video medium
Hello, got a question for you, how to beat match high speed 150-160 without constant jog fixing and synk, as controllers show the speed 150,5, but any laptop 150,52 , the difference feels every marching more than 5-10 secs, just to fix the jog ? Or any other hacks you know, guess this topic is interesting
You may need to just adjust bit by bit with the jogwheel. Some tracks are like that
that's my favourite bottom mate sync can also messed it up so bad it's a bit like double dropping a mix you just need to know what you are doing
You still do! Learning how everything works is still extremely important
Hello please show how to learn beathmathing by ear. And i love your tutorials.
That’s already included here! Check the cdj demo!
Nice and GRIMEyyy, just how I like it🥵
I see what you did there
I learnt how to beat match on a shite pair of belt driven rubbish in the 90's. So as yoy.can imagine, when i turned digital, it was like a walk in the park. 😂
Right?! I learned on a pair of old 1200s, but when the digital stuff came my way (when I could actually afford them), I felt so much more at ease doing my usual thing!
Hey Dj Carlo, not sure if you have already covered this in the past but what format should I be downloading my tracks from places like Bandcamp? I’ve heard that WAV doesn’t store metadata so is FLAC or AIFF a better option?
P.S. Thank you very much for all you do, it is soo appreciated!!! 🙏🏽
I would go Flac or AIFF. You’re right about Wav! Sometimes I’m lazy, so I just go with mp3s lol
@@djcarlo gotcha, thanks :)
Why the Cue butto and not the Hot Cue when you set it to the start of song or beat ??
That's up to preference. The cue button is all you have on CDJs (unless they're the newer Pioneer ones), but yeah. You can use the hot cue button too if you prefer
When you bring the Tempo Fader down or up, will that not make the next tract too slow or too faster than what people know as it is sometimes?
Is it possible to mix songs that have a huge difference on BPMs i.e. House song to a Jazz song?
That's the point though! It brings something new to people's ears, so it's not like you're just listening to the song off of Spotify. And yes, there are ways to mix songs that jump BPMs! I have a tutorial on that here in the channel. Should be called How to Mix to Anything :)
@@djcarlo Thanks Carlo
Why is it that in recordbox all the songs have the same beat grid lenght but in serato different songs have different beat grid lenght. Why is that ??
Different software different detection
What I see these days- is dj's talking about sync button or dont use-
to me to make it easier- Sync button is helpful- if a track is 128bpm and the next song is 130 bpm- i have a choice to either mess with the slider or push sync- in reality its all the same- Now if we did not get to see the bpm on display then sync would not work- we would manually do like the old ways- its when I started back in the 80's.SYNC way to go-
That's very true! I still encourage everyone to learn beatmatching before letting technology take the wheel. It's like using cruise control on your car; before you let it control its speed, you've gotta learn how to control the speed manually first. But once you know how to beatmatch, enjoy yourself with sync!