Learning how to seamlessly blend two songs together while DJing is one of the key ways I’ve been able to grow a music YouTube channel to 120,000 views in just a few short months.
It’s not just about the technical prowess, but also understanding the structure of music to create a professional and captivating mix.
In this guide, we’ll dive into my personal little DJing secret that ensures effortless mixing every single time in only 3 simple steps:
- Preparing Your Music
- Learning The Mix
- Putting It All Into Practise
This technique not only helps you focus on track selection but also deepens your understanding of music, making you a more versatile and skilled DJ.
3 Steps To For Easy DJ Mixes (That Sound Great!)
The power of this DJ mix really relies on preparing your music in a particular way, so we’ll focus on preparation first before diving into exactly how you’ll be able to technically pull off this transition.
I’d recommend checking out the videos in this section as it’ll be a lot easier to understand with visual and audio examples. 🙂
Step 1: Prepare Your Music
The very first thing you will need to do is prepare your music library so that you are able to effortlessly perform this DJ mix any time.
What you want to do is set a hot cue point 16 bars before the song’s main section begins (ie: the sub or hook drops) as well as 16 bars before the song is about to lose energy (ie: the drum outro with just drums).
Watch this video to see this process performed in Rekordbox:
Step 2: Learn the Mix
With your music prepped, it’s finally time to put this DJ transition into action. Simply follow these 5 steps:
- Play SONG A through all on its own
- Start SONG B at its first hot cue at the moment that SONG A hits its last hot cue
- Bring up SONG B’s volume across the 16 bars
- When SONG B is about to fully come in, turn up the lows in SONG B while zeroing out the lows in SONG A
- Either cut out SONG A immediately or slowly mix it out while SONG B takes center stage
For more detailed instructions and to see this mix in action, watch this video:
Step 3: Practice, Practice, Practice
Like any skill, practice is the key to mastery, so rehearse this mix repeatedly until you feel comfortable with the transition.
By regularly applying this technique, you’ll become more proficient and confident in your ability to create flawless mixes.
4 Reasons To Start With A Basic DJ Mix
There are 4 important reasons you should take the time to get this right as a budding DJ:
1. Focus on Track Selection
With a reliable mixing technique like the “Basic DJ Mix” at your disposal, you can shift your focus to curating the perfect setlist.
Selecting the right tracks for your audience can become your primary focus instead of wasting time worrying if you’ll be able to mix the songs together or not.
2. Deeper Understanding of Music
By analyzing the structure of songs and exploring how they complement each other as we will do in the “preparation stage”, you will develop a deeper understanding of song structure and music composition.
This knowledge alone will elevate your mixing skills and make you more versatile as a DJ regardless of what type of mix or transition you use from song to song.
3. Time-Efficient Mixes
When you’re running short on time or need to perform a quick mix, relying on this technique guarantees a smooth blend that both sounds great and is easy to do.
4. Building Your Own Style
As you gain confidence in your mixing abilities, you’ll be able to experiment and create unique styles that separate you from other DJs – but even the greatest DJs need to start with the basics.
Now It’s Your Turn
Mastering the art of effortless mixing is an essential skill for any DJ.
By following the simple steps of prepping your music, learning the mix, and practicing consistently, you can create seamless transitions that impress any audience.
This technique not only saves you time but also provides a solid foundation for exploring more advanced mixing styles.
So, next time you’re behind the decks, remember these tricks and get ready to deliver a captivating and professional performance.
Happy mixing, my friend! 🥂
