Message 39/115
Date: 20-Nov-99 @ 08:03 PM -
RE: Creating Beats
OK. I`m not sure how feasible this is, you`ll need some way of gently nudging the pitch so if u cue up slightly out of phase, u can get everything running in time. I`m also assuming your H/D recorders play instantly when u press the "Play" button and that the tunes u have loaded up in them r all at the same tempo otherwise this aint gonna work. I`m guessing u dont have a Dj-style mixer either but u may b able 2 do the same thing on yer desk albeit without the flexibility of an x-fader (not a massive problem; 4 smooth, seamless mixes u should always use the vertical fader anyway).................
Right, get yer 1st tune playing through one of the channels in yer desk (it helps if u have stereo channels, 2 monos will mean u have 2 make all changes 2 both simultaneously) fully EQd with the gain set so u aint jumping into the red with a fader level of 0 (never turn the verts up fully so u always have somewhere 2 go with the volume).
Now prepare the 2nd channel with which you`re gonna bring yer next tune onto - make sure u have the vertical fader(s) turned down fully. This is where I`m not sure its gonna work, see, because u need 2 hear the tune you`re gonna bring in 2 cue it and 2 set the levels without it being played over the monitors - u need 2 listen 2 the tune you`re about 2 bring in in your cans and crossreference with the tune playing 2 set the gain so they r roughly even (dont matter if you`re a little way out, u can always adjust that on the fly) I`ll assume u can work round this so I`ll carry on regardless. Turn each EQ setting down (not too much but further down from where u intend 2 play the tune.
Now u need 2 really know the tunes u r playing 4 this bit `cos u cant look at the groove density of the vinyl 2 c how the tune is structured. As u already know, all jungle is structured in to strict 16/32/64 bar phrases and, as I mentioned b4, at the end of these phrases u`ll usually find some kind of extra movement at the last bar. These r indexes 4 u 2 cue the next record into the mix. U need everyhting setup in a way so that u only hear the tune you`re bringing in in yer cans and not the tune playing - another reason why I`m unsure of this method. Assuming u can do that, wait till one of the phrases ends and, at the very 1st beat of the next bar, simultaneoulsy press play on yer H/D and move the vert up 2 about "10" maybe - this all depends on yer mixer, you`ve probably got a good enough feel 4 it anyway, so basically a setting that gonna b audible in the mix but not overriding whats already playing. Now, listen 2 the tune you`re bringing in; in your cans while referencing this with what coming out of the monitor. If its out of time, adjust the pitch; dont panic, you`ll ALWAYS hear if the tunes out of time in yer cans b4 it becomes noticable. Once you`ve got it in time, you`re laughing, cos unlike Vinyl/CD you wont have 2 adjust the pitch again. U may wanna bring the tune in on the outro of tune 1 2 start with so u dont get any breaks catching u unawares ans mossing yer mix.
Now assuming both tunes r in time, every 8 bars or so, bring tune 2 in a little more - up the tops a little (not too much though - bringing too much treble in will kill yer mix stone-dead); Bring the volume up, mids, bass - u get the picture. Bear in mind 2 always watch the VU meter 2 make sure it dont clip. Untill u have both tunes at equal levels in the mix.
Then, as far as mixing tune 1 out goes, u can do it quickly - just drop the faders at an appropriate time (in phrase with the mix, remember) or u can bring it out slowly - a reversal of mixing it in.
Now, I`d really advise u 2 at least get a cheap DJ mixer `cos I`m not sure the above method will work and u can make the process a whole lot easier by just concentrating on x-fade beat mixing 2 start with, 2 make it a whole lot easier 2 learn. 1 more point if you`re planning on buying vinyl and copying it onto yer h/d - b very carefull, even Technics dex dont have immaculate pitch control, they`re renowned 4 having wobbly pitch around the +/-1 mark and I`ve even taken samples off vinyl at 0% when the quartz control is supposed 2 lico the pitch, but when I get it into the sampler, the pitch is allover the show. Als, if a record has been pressed slightly off centre (a lot of jungle is) or is warped; it will need constant attention in the mix in order 4 it 2 b kept in time.
I`m not sure if I`ve explained all that properly `cos I`ve had 2 guess how it`d b done with H/D recorders and the technique is totally different from vinyl. I would REALLY advise u 2 get a mixer though - I`m pretty sure the above method wont work but u could apply the same principles albeit with more ease with a dj mixer. Any old cheap piece of shit will do - if you`re really on a tight budget, check the ones labelled "scratch mixer" though these often dont have seperate eq or gain on each channel.
If I`ve missed anything or got something wrong please dont anybody write some follow on message slating me - its 1am, I`m slightly drunk, very tired and I`ve just written the above as I went along without much thought...............and now my head hurts...............