How to mix techno with vinyl?
- 27/04/2023
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If you’re a fan of electronic music, you may have heard of mixing techno with vinyl. It’s a practice that requires a certain amount of experience and technique, but with the right vinyl and the right equipment, you can achieve professional-quality mixes. In this article, we’ll give you all the keys to mixing techno with vinyl like a pro.
Step 1: Select the vinyl to be mixed
The first step in mixing techno with vinyl is to select the vinyl you want to mix. It’s important to choose vinyl that matches the style of music you want to mix. You can select techno, house, trance or any other kind of electronic music you like.
It’s also important to make sure that the vinyl records you select are compatible with your equipment. Check that your vinyl player’s cartridge and diamond are compatible with the records you want to mix.
Step 2: Prepare the equipment
To mix techno with vinyl, you’ll need special equipment. Here’s what you’ll need:
- A vinyl player: make sure you have a quality vinyl player for accurate playback and good sound reproduction.
- A mixer: this is the key element in your equipment. Choose a mixer with good sound quality and advanced functions for professional-quality mixes.
- Cell and diamond : the quality of the cell and diamond has a direct impact on the sound quality of the mix. Choose a quality cell and diamond for clear, precise sound.
- DJ headphones: a good pair of DJ headphones will enable you to hear the details of each track for a precise mix.
- Monitor speakers: to listen to your mix and check sound quality.
- Audio cables: make sure you have quality audio cables for loss-free sound transmission.
Step 3: Prepare the vinyl
Once you’ve selected the vinyls you want to mix, you need to prepare them. It’s important to clean the vinyl to avoid any interfering noise during playback. Use an antistatic brush to remove dust and dirt from the vinyl.
Make sure that the vinyl records are properly aligned on the player’s platter to avoid skipping during the mix.
Step 4: Mixing the vinyl
Now that you’ve got everything ready, it’s time to start mixing the vinyl. Here are a few tips to make your mix a success:
- Listen carefully to each track before you start mixing, to learn the structure of the song and anticipate transitions.
- Use your mixer’s functions to adjust volume, bass, midrange and treble to equalize the sound of the two vinyl records you’re mixing.
- Use the mixer’s functions to add effects such as filters or echoes to give your mix a personal touch.
- Make sure you align the two tracks you’re mixing to avoid any misalignment or desynchronization.
- Use the cueing technique to synchronize the two tracks. This involves listening to the track in advance through DJ headphones, while adjusting the speed of the vinyl to match the track being played.
- Sequence tracks seamlessly to create a coherent mood throughout the mix. Pay attention to the bass transition between the two tracks to avoid any fluttering or droning effects.
- Finally, trust your ear and intuition to create a unique and personal mix.
Step 5: Record and share your mix
Once you’ve mastered mixing techno with vinyl like a pro, you can record your mix to share with friends or stream on streaming platforms. To do this, use audio recording software to capture the audio output from your mixer.
Then you can share your mix on platforms like SoundCloud, Mixcloud or YouTube so that others can enjoy your work.
In short, to mix techno on vinyl like a pro, you need to select the right vinyl, prepare your equipment and vinyl, mix with precision using your mixer’s advanced functions, and finally record and share your mix. With practice and patience, you can become a professional techno DJ.
