My observations:
- I prefer using levels vs. the fader almost all of the time. I only like the fader when i'm switching back and forth between records.
- Pitch bending and finessing the spindle are both useful. Learn both.
- I get off on playing 140 bpm trance records at minus 4, it makes it more 'sexy'. It will also diversify the 'genre' of a record. Some tracks sound way different played at different speeds.
- I really get off on playing trance records that are made for 45 at 33 rpm, esp. psy-trance. It gives it a really wicked feel.
- Definitely make your first track on a mix CD strong. In addition, made it a sick track that no one has heard before.
- If making a promotional disc, use more than 12 or 14 tracks to give a taste of your material and mixing.
- If making a disc for personal listening, do whatever you like.
- Good dj's get better because they play a lot. Because they play a lot, they get feedback on which records work and which ones don't. And they constantly rearrange their tracks to new reconfiguations, realizing that some tracks 'fit' well together. Those are the ones that match in beat and in key, which makes for an organic transition that you'd think was a conspiracy between the two artists. It's actually a coincidence that the dj is more likely statistically to stumble upon than you. For example, Music Sounds Better With You / EBTG Wrong / Madonna Holiday. Same key, same beat.
- It's good to even keep the levels the same, turn the fader off, and mix using the EQ.
- 32 is the magic number for trance. My technique is to take the cue record, drop the needle in the meat of the track, match the beats with the slider, then find the break, find where the bass fills in, go 32 beats back, and stop the player. When the record playing hits a point i want to mix, then i start the cue record. If i time it well, i mix it in quickly, i have no bass for 32 beats anyways. If not, i readjust and then bring it in normally, which for me, is smooth and long.
- It's fun to turn off the play record to get it to slow down like it's melting, then to start the cue record at a beat just as the play record completely falls out. It gives a crowd a little breather and a mental break. Plus it's a great way to transition from one dj to another.
- When practising alone, don't play timidly like you were in a club with people dancing. Cut the shit up and experiment. Rewind, pick up the needle, try a mix 8 times. Cut back and forth. You find something new every time.
- For good practice, play other people's records and have them play your own sometime.
- Don't just stick to the a-side mixes.
- try to always record yourself. best is recording straight to .wav file.
- buying muli-disc unmixed vinyl packs is a great way for beginner's to learn.
- give yourself time to try a mix before the record starts running out. some records just won't fit together, period. it's best to have time to bail on a record and pick another one.