Mixing programs

[dbmc]

Hi,
Friends of mine have mixing software called Traktor and I'm considering getting it to produce better mixes. I've spent the best part of a day recording (several times) a disco mix and am having trouble nailing many mixes/blends with disco records due to the obvious wavering BPMs etc.

My question: do any of you use a program or software to mix with that you'd recommend or should I just practice, practice, practice?

I dont use a computer when playing out and dont often play disco tracks when I play out - I'm a bit traditional with vinyl and CD.

Thanks

[JOL]

My advice to you is just to keep on praticing. The more you do the better you should get. Most disco music is not live musicians so the bpm should not waver like when a band plays live. There are lots of mixing programs out there that basically to all the work for you. Find the bpm of each song and will match the beats and change the key signature if needed. I feel this is cheating and prefer to do it the old fashioned way either by turntable or by cd player. This being said I do use a program to mix with but I still have to do all the work myself. The program is called Wavelab by Steinberg it's a parred down version of qbase which alot of professional musicians use to create their music. If you want a program that does all the work for you, you can try Mix Master Pro.

[canadiantire]

My question: do any of you use a program or software to mix with that you'd recommend or should I just practice, practice, practice?

Here is my cue:

Traktor DJ is more oriented for live performances but in order to unleash the full power of the software you need one of the numerous external cueing devices available, like these:

http://createdigitalmotion.com/image...CD2000_top.jpg
or
http://www.etcetera.co.uk/products/images/HER102big.jpg

...just to name a few...

You can achieve the same results using the PC controls but I find this way unpractical.

I've been to a couple of clubs where they use the software/console with impressive results. I think this is the reference in the pure traditional live mixing.

There's also a book written on how to use Traktor software.


Mix Master is more for an off-line work in which you can tailor your work. I found this software to be a bit buggy when it comes to change the BMP. There are also a lot less means of control for the sound (EQs, balance, etc.).

- Marcus

[dbmc]

Thanks for your guidance here.

I have all my disco beat counted etc and thats fine for matching BPMs, and I'll practice some more.
Its the tiny variances in BPM from live drums that trip me up when mixing, and can spoil the whole vibe. Perhaps the key is to do short mixes, not long blends as I do with house.

D

[canadiantire]

I tell ya dbmc,

I once sat a full night next to a Professional DJ who was mixing songs with irregular tempo like a master, with Traktor.

It's got essential features to create transitions that are impossible to achieve using standard turntables, i.e.: tempo change without affecting the pitch.

From what I could witness, there is a coarse and a fine pitch control, a quick a and slow rate of speed change. A real marvel!

There is also a feature that allows you to record the mixing work on-the-fly.

The software comes with a tutorial. If you need to learn it from another angle, here is the book that I was talking about:

Traktor DJ Studio Ignite!: The Visual Guide for New Users

Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K.


- Marcus

[Noman]

Perhaps the key is to do short mixes, not long blends as I do with house.

D

Mixing House and other modern dance music with a computer is soooo easy. You can mix it blindfolded with one arm for eternity

Disco - You have to be 100% focused and be able to brake and nudge the "record" to blend for more than 8 to 16 bars. But it's possible to make really long live mixes with programs like traktor or Virtual DJ. Just practice.