Mixing Tips with MIKE...!!
 

1.  So you've got your decks and mixer turned on, the amp is humming and the speakers are buzzing slightly in anticipation.  Check the levels on your mixer.  The master volume control should be about halfway, while the individual deck levels should be set so that the level on the incoming record deck - RECORD A - is slightly lower than that of the already outgoing record - RECORD B.  Always keep your incoming level lower because then it doesn't crash into the mix and you can fade it up gently and subtly ad it begins to take on the overall sound.  Also, records are manufactured or cut at different volume levels so its best to be cautious when mixing two together.  Put the crossfader in the middle.

2.  Then check that you have set the pitch controls to zero and that the green lights are activated on each deck - as you are using two of the same record they should revolve at the same speed so you wont need to think about using pitch change at the moment.

3.  Bring fourth the vinyl and place them on the record decks.  I am putting -A- onto the left hand and -B- on to the right hand.  A word here about our vinyl friends: treat them with respect and care, but don't be afraid to touch then either, you're going to need to get physical with them anyway.  This is where vinyl is supreme over CD in my opinion - there's nothing like really working and spinning and scratching and holding a piece of vinyl.  More of that fetish later!

4.  Cue up - RECORD A - and by this I mean push the start/stop button so the turntable begins to spin, lift the stylus over and place it in the beginning groves of -A.  Listen out for the first bass or kick drum that comes in.  Practice with records that have very basic snares or hi-hats but nothing more - bass lines, swirly keyboards or wailing divas are not welcome at this point.

5.  Having heard the first few sets of kick drums stop the record with your left hand.  Don't be afraid to touch the record.  Gently spin it back anti-clockwise back through the sets of kick drums you just heard until you come back to the first drum that is on the vinyl.  At this point slowly scratch back and forth so that you can hear the drum beating right under your needle, and when you are sure the beat is just sitting behind and to the right of your stylus...

6.  Turn off - RECORD A - deck.  You are now ready and cues up in preparation for when you want to attempt your first mix.  Start - RECORD B.

7.  (I don't know what happened to 7...)

8.  Pick up the stylus and place it in the beginning groves of - RECORD B.  Let this record go, dont worry about it.  If you have chosen wisely and chosen an instumental mix then you are in no hurry to try and get - RECORD A - mixed in before the vocals start.  Use - B- as your constant - you dont have to do anything to it - all your focus will now be on - A.

9.  Shift your weight and attention over to the left hand deck - most important of all is to keep breathing - turn on the deck while holding onto the record.  If you have followed STEP 5 then you will have a kick drum cued up under your needle with the slipmat spinning underneath waiting to pick up the vinyl when you finally let it go.

10.  To check that you are still cued up, gently scratch - RECORD A - back and forth.  When you are happy that you are right on top of the beat just hold still, the beat should be litlerally a millimeter behind the stylus.

11.  Listen to - RECORD B - and get some idea of its structure by counting the beats.  Unless youve chosen some abstract jazz or ambient breakbeat, then you should be able to count in fours or eights.  Most tracks are structured around a straightfoward 4/4 tempo, so count out loud and tap your foot in time to - B - because of its structure you will be looking to let - RECORD A - go as you count 1.  1 should be the beginning of a bar and you are going to let - A - go as you say 1.  Give it a ltlle nudge to get it started.  Dont let - A - go till youre really happy - take your time - but when you are okay and you come around again...4...5...6...7...8 and let go...!

12.  Chances are you have let go a little too soon or a little too late - but no problem, dont panic.  We'll try and rectify the out sync beats you hear by using a combination of your left hand very slightly giving the vinyl a tiny push or carefully touching the vinyl to slow it down slightly with your right hand moving to the pitch control to slow or speed up - A.

13.  Once you have them back in time the pitch controls should both be set back to zero.  As you are working with two records that have the same Beats Per Minute you should not have to change the pitch control too much - most of this work will be minute alterations.  hearing which deck is running too fast or too slow is a skill I promise will eventually come - if in doubt just move the crossfader between the decks and see if you can guage which needs to be slowed down or speeded up.

14.  If you have both tracks locked in and running in time then congraulations - stand back briefly and enjoy the sound of two records being mixed together - but not for too long because even two records that are the same will need attention to make sure they stay in time.  Once youre happy increase the volumn a little on - A - to make sure the sound doesnt drop out drastically when you lose - B - and move the crossfader fully over to the left ahnd side.  Youve just mixed from - RECORD A - to
- RECORD B - well done...!!

15.  Check the outgoing sound level on - RECORD A - matches that of the record youve just mixed out of and bring down the fader on - RECOED B's - output.  If you cant get them running together then dont worry - youre not going to get it right the first time.  I'd suggest stopping both decks straight away and going back to STEP 4.  Or if you want to try to mix in - A - again, check there is still plenty of - B - left to run and cue - A - up while - B - is up and running.  You might need to take the volume down a little on - B - so you can hear what youre doing with - A - but it'll save you from starting at the top.  As you get more familiar with your equipment and as your technique develops, so much of these movements and precedures will become second nature.  Trust me on this one...