For most DJs, performing with a DJ controller or CDJ makes the most sense. Not only do you have access to a variety of different digital tools and features, but your setup is generally going to be easier to move around when compared to a turntable-based setup.
Still, despite this, one can’t deny the impressive sound quality and authentic feel that comes from DJing with a good pair of vinyl records.
If you’ve always wanted to see what the big fuss was about, or how “old-school DJing” was done, then this guide to how to mix records is perfect for you.
Here, we’ll go over the various turntable and mixer steps you’ll need to follow to properly perform using vinyl records so that, by the end, you’ll be able to hop onto any vinyl deck set up and DJ with vinyl records like an expert.
How To DJ With Vinyl (in short)
There are 5 main areas you must understand fully if you want to DJ with vinyl. #1. You must begin to build your vinyl collection. #2. Learn how to cue in a record at the right time. #3. Beatmatch using the pitch controls manually. #4. Use the crossfader and EQs to blend the two merging tracks together. #5. Practice, practice, and then practice some more.
Learn How to DJ With Your Equipment – We Recommend ALL Crossfader DJ Courses.
Step #1. Building Your DJ Vinyl Record Library
Just so you know, the plural of vinyl is not ‘vinyls’, it is vinyl!
This leads us into the first ‘DJiing records’ step nicely, you must start by picking out the vinyl records you want. Generally, they should be of the same genre as well as have a very similar beat pattern.
The reality is that you’re often not going to have many of the same allowances and tools as you would with a digital DJ setup.
Things like an automatic “SYNC” feature, or the ability to tweak the beatmatching via your laptop simply aren’t going to be available here as an option.
That means you’re going to need to learn how to do it yourself, and the easiest way to learn is by playing with tracks of the same genre and beat structure.
Remember that being able to beatmatch is the basis of any expected mixing or matching as a DJ, so transitioning from electronic/digital SYNC assistance to entirely by ear can be your daunting first roadblock.
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Step #2. Cue in The First Beat
After you’ve got a pair of records that share the same genre and beat, you’ll want to then begin learning to cue your first beat in.
To ‘cue up a record’, you want to focus on setting up the initial beat at the beginning of the record, as that is the simplest option available for DJs.
In the instances where there isn’t a good kick drum or effective beat at the start, you can instead try to find the first time you hear a kick drum effect.
While this may not always be at the very, very beginning, that doesn’t mean you’ll have to wait till the middle or end of the track to get anything either.
Ultimately, you want to be practicing your cueing up on your DJ turntables as much as possible.
To do this, you’ll be letting one track play while holding the other in place before moving it forwards and backward.
Then, once you’re ready, you’ll release the track and let it play. The beats for both records must be aligned as quickly as possible.
You’ll also want to keep in mind that the tracks will begin to ‘fall out of time’ if you’re not consistently using and monitoring the “Pitch Control” feature.
This makes sure that the tempo is maintained between both tracks.
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Step #3. Pitch Control
Thirdly, once you’ve learned to properly cue your first beat, you’ll want to spend a good bit of time beatmatching.
To do this, there are two methods of beatmatching that you’ll want to understand.
“Method #1” deals with getting both records beat (BPM) accurately matched up and in time with each other.
“Method #2” focuses more on making minor adjustments to the track once dropped in. In either case, you’ll be using the pitch shift feature or tweaking the platter manually (yes, with your fingers) to get the desired result.
Method #1.
When following method #1., you’re more or less just cueing up the tracks while beatmatching to get in time the two different tracks.
It’s important to remember that it isn’t necessarily important that you “initially” cue up and start beatmatching as the initial part of the will always be out of time. It is your job to understand how much it is out of time, is the BPM too fast or too slow, adjust it and eventually, the beats are aligned perfectly.
The more you practice this technique the quicker you will become and the better trained your ear and finger reactions will be.
Method #2.
On the other hand, method #2. is more about deciding on the best place in a track to jump or mix in the second vinyl record.
This method requires a fair bit of phrase matching, so you must focus on mixing the two tracks as close to the beginning, or at the most ideal places, as possible, as this will create some smooth and effective mixes.
Below are some useful tips you can follow for beatmatching two tracks together.
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Useful Beatmatching Tips
- Tip #1. Make a point of using your hands to slow down the record and platter. Do this by lightly touching the sides of the metal part of the turntable (the side of the platter)
- Tip #2. If you want to increase the speed of the record, twist the pin at the center of the record platter slightly in a clockwise position. You’ll also want to remember to use the pitch control feature, usually at the same time, to adjust the track’s pitch if it starts to fall out of time.
- Tip #3. To quickly remove any sound slurring from the other beatmatching techniques listed, you’ll want to immediately whip the pitch shift up before turning it back down. This will tweak the speed just enough that it resolves any potential issues from before.
- Tip #4. While using your headphones, try focusing on the two music tracks separately so that you can determine whether the newly added record is faster or slower than the initial record. From there, you’ll want to try the first two methods to get it up to speed, before considering the third to fix any issues that develop.
Step #4. Crossfader, EQ & Transition
Finally, you’ll want to learn how to effectively transition using the crossfader feature.
The crossfader allows you to smoothly switch over between the two tracks without any jarring or unsettling effects.
By using the EQ feature adjustment switches, you can transition over to the new track in the mix while working to effectively cut away at any frequencies that could “muddy up” or “clash” your mixing.
This ultimately will result in a much clearer sound that both you and your audience can enjoy.
Step #5. Practice, Practice, Practice.
Yep, you guessed it. Practice, practice, practice.
We really do try and drill this into new DJs here at DJ Tech Reviews. This skill is the core of DJing and you MUST master it through good old fashioned hard work, dedication, and practice in your bedroom or home DJ set up space.
The more you practice, the more you will train your hearing and reactions to do this skill habitually and with great accuracy.
There are no shortcuts here I’m afraid.
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How To DJ With Vinyl: Takeaway
We finish with our ‘how to DJ with vinyl’ takeaway. The process for DJing using vinyl records, once you know what you’re doing, isn’t nearly as complex or as difficult as you may have initially thought.
The reality is that, provided you aren’t getting too carried away and wanting to bring hundreds of records mix a mix session, you should be more than fine while performing.
Vinyl weight and being cumbersome to carry do put big limits on Vinyly Djing
When it comes right down to it, DJing with vinyl records is not all that different from DJing with either a CDJ or a DJ controller.
The only real difference is that you’ll need to learn how to beat match by ear. And, while that may be more difficult initially, it is also the best way to get the best results and is far more authentic to DJing roots.
And remember, practice, practice, practice! We can’t say this enough.
Learn How to DJ With Your Equipment – We Recommend ALL Crossfader DJ Courses.
