MIXING DUBSTEP: Crossfader or no crossfader?

[my name is not billy]

I use a mix of mixing styles in each mix, although i will generally use the level faders and leave the xfader in the middle, sometimes i will cut in certain beats of one track in which case I will usually use the xfader. Also when i'm mixing Glitchhop and Lazerbass I tend to use the xfader a lot more.

I also have a two man project called Pterobilly where we have anything up to four tracks in play at one time, for this obviously the xfader isn't usable so to make sure it doesn't get knocked we blutack it in the centre!

To give youself the best edge as a dj i wouldn't stick to any specific nmethod but use what works best for that specific mix.

[didi12345]

Thanks everyone for your sounds advices! I shall be using the crossfader much more often, but will be careful not to be overusing it.

I feel as if its much easier to xfaders when bringing in drops, or bringing in drops while the first song is still playing its drop. Dont know if that really made sense. As in when you want to connect the new song's drop directly to the drop thats already playing. For mixing songs while their both in the fades/buildups, I think upfaders/EQ's work better. Anybody else in the same boat?

Faders are made to be jacked. All of them.

I particularly like this one

[didi12345]

I use a mix of mixing styles in each mix, although i will generally use the level faders and leave the xfader in the middle, sometimes i will cut in certain beats of one track in which case I will usually use the xfader. Also when i'm mixing Glitchhop and Lazerbass I tend to use the xfader a lot more.

I also have a two man project called Pterobilly where we have anything up to four tracks in play at one time, for this obviously the xfader isn't usable so to make sure it doesn't get knocked we blutack it in the centre!

To give youself the best edge as a dj i wouldn't stick to any specific nmethod but use what works best for that specific mix.

4 trax? That's gnar, bro! and I certainly agree with your last line.

As for mixing styles, what kinds of mixing styles do you stick to? For example, I like to go 3 interconnected drops (3-4 minutes), then 1 fade/buildup, then 3 drops again. Though of course I dont always stick to it, but I feel it works/ gets the crowd going as well.

[Phyalow]

I do a bit of both, and I agree dont stick to one method / style.

[apmje]

Also when i'm mixing Glitchhop and Lazerbass

[south3rn]

I only use the channel faders, EQs and Kills. Crossfader stays bang in the middle.

Find it gives you more control, and for some reason I think it's possible to make cuts faster using the channel faders as opposed to a horizontal fader.

This pretty much sums me up as well...The crossfader is on a curve...the channel faders aren't....simple stuff...

then why is it when you have the level fader halfway up, it's quieter than when it's all the way? that's a curve.

[_cheef_]

My crossfader is fucked, so it stays right there in the middle atm.

[MasterA]

I try to use both.

[honey-d]

I only use cross fader if I want something to pop into the mix with no delay on the volume, BAM. Other than that I always use the upfaders

[DannyLifted]

i use crossfader and eq

[JensMadsen]

unless you want to scratch you're gonna want to use the up-faders.

[monkers]

I only use the channel faders, EQs and Kills. Crossfader stays bang in the middle.

Find it gives you more control, and for some reason I think it's possible to make cuts faster using the channel faders as opposed to a horizontal fader.

Same here.

[djchaosphere]

i mix dubstep the same way i mix drum and bass, loove the crossfader!
<-- wtf

[LA_Boxers]

I only use the channel faders, EQs and Kills. Crossfader stays bang in the middle.

Find it gives you more control, and for some reason I think it's possible to make cuts faster using the channel faders as opposed to a horizontal fader.

Bang.

This.

[evil madmen]

unless you want to scratch you're gonna want to use the up-faders.

No way man I love slicin up intros with an upfader

[jondavey]

I always use the crossfader but make sure that the volume of the track your bringing in is lower than the one playing in case it's a louder pressing. Then bring the volume up so that they work. If you never use the crossfader then every mix is going to be a slow fade in and out which isn't always the best way, IMHO.

[AxeD]

Best way to mix any style of music is using the entire mixer, imo. If you adjust the crossfader's curve right
you could do without the volumefaders I guess, although some tracks are louder than others.

[dublerium]

Personally I like to use a bit of everything, mainly using the upfaders though as I feel I can blend more accurately with these but that's just due to my mixer and what I like. No point in asking if theres prejudice against crossfader users or non users, theres so many ways to mix tunes now theres going to be a whole load of positive and negative opinions on it, doesn't matter; just do what you do.

[Foul Matta]

I only use the channel faders, EQs and Kills. Crossfader stays bang in the middle.

[ammo]

Best way to mix any style of music is using the entire mixer, imo. If you adjust the crossfader's curve right
you could do without the volumefaders I guess, although some tracks are louder than others.

true but that's what the gain/trim is for