Mixing Top40

[bigfootspartan]

So not really dubstep related... but I'm not really sure where else to ask, given that the djforums are down.

Anyways, I'm used to mixing dubstep, or drum and bass, or house, but I've gotten a couple shows for mixing Top40, and since I'm pretty skint I took them up. All I really do is try to beatmatch if they feel around the same tempo, or hard fade if I can't get them to match up, but I was wondering if anyone else had any techniques they'd like to share. For example, mixing some hip-hop at 85 or 95 into some faux house at 120 bpm or some Gaga at 115 bpm. Obviously too big of a gap to beat match, but I just feel like a breathing iTunes when I hard fade...

[arisemprex]

i usually loop and do build with the loop/effects into the new tempo range.

[BevOh]

but I just feel like a breathing iTunes when I hard fade...

hahaha awesome way to describe it.

[bigfootspartan]

i usually loop and do build with the loop/effects into the new tempo range.

Oh I should have mentioned I'm just going in with Traktor Scratch and my decks, so I won't really have a chance to loop stuff. Well I guess I could... I just haven't tried looping and stuff with my timecode setup yet. On second thought maybe I should try that, or see if it's even possible to loop in absolute timecode...

[efence]

theres always the classic hiphop dj trick. just scratch into the next track.lol

[Toolman4]

Here's how I do it: Deck A is playing a track currently. At a 1/downbeat, I start my loop (I use torq so I can instantly set a desired loop length with one button) and close the loop for a desired length (1,2,4,8 etc bars). As you beat match the cue point of Deck B's track, I also set a desired loop length on Deck B. When I'm ready, I bring in the mix, come out of loop on Deck B and at the right timing, drop out Deck A.

That's of course just one way to mix top 40s, but I find that since bpms are usually across the board, loops help the mixing process especially if you're the dj who blends most of the time, which I'm assuming you are... otherwise you'd know how to scratch. And personally, in my experience I have found that mixing top 40s benefit from quick changes....ie short loop lengths, sampling one shots, scratching etc. In my experience short, quick, jerky changes in the music are more desirable than slow tension/blending styles...That's just me though...What I'd really recommend is finding house/dubstep remixes of top 40s tracks, and integrate those sparingly into your set. Would I be putting my foot in my mouth if I made the statement: We could always use a stronger EDM presence in the states!?

[LA_Boxers]

You dont mix top 40.

The people that listen to top40 shit want to hear the whole tune........start to finish........mixing just ruins their listening pleasure.

[bigfootspartan]

You dont mix top 40.

The people that listen to top40 shit want to hear the whole tune........start to finish........mixing just ruins their listening pleasure.

reminds me of the last time I tried it. I ended up just hard fading and standing up there like a dunce. Afterwards got some compliments, but felt like a complete douche, I seriously did exactly what iTunes does, just with a shitload of gear in front of me for looks.

For what it's worth, I ducked between Seven's "Sirens (original one)" and Brittany's "Toxic". Sounded pretty badass IMO, but I don't know what Top40 kids would think of it.

Is that really what people expect when they ask you to play Top40? I can deal with it, but I honestly just feel like those guys who 'DJ' just for the status or to get laid.... Or who 'DJ' inside of Buffalo on boxing day for 'beats and shopping y'all!'

[gage]

The people that listen to top40 shit want to hear the whole tune........start to finish........mixing just ruins their listening pleasure.

nodsnodsnods