Perfecting Beatmatching On Turntables
If you are keen to learn the art of beatmatching; we got you! Here we explain our top tricks to get your beats locked in!
Pitch Riding... What does that mean?
Welcome to the thrilling world of beatmatching, where the art of blending tracks seamlessly transcends mere technical skill to become an electrifying performance.
Join us as we delve into the intricacies of pitch riding, where DJs act as the drivers of both cars, maneuvering through speed adjustments to achieve perfect synchronization.
Through this analogy, we'll uncover the nuances of beatmatching, culminating in the exhilarating moment when two tracks merge seamlessly, creating a musical experience that transcends boundaries.
So buckle up and prepare for an adventure down the musical highway, where every beat counts and every transition tells a story. Let's hit the road together and explore the art of pitch riding in beatmatching.
Imagine Two Cars on a Highway
1. The Lead Car: Think of the lead car as the "master" track, the one that's currently playing in your mix. This car is moving at a consistent speed, just like your master track with a stable BPM.
2. The Following Car: The following car represents the "non-master" track, which is the one you want to mix in seamlessly. This car is initially behind the lead car and is moving slightly slower or faster, which corresponds to its BPM not matching perfectly with the master track.
The Goal of Pitch Riding
- In beatmatching, your goal is to make the following car (the non-master track) catch up to and maintain the same speed as the lead car (the master track) just like you would in a car race.
- To do this, you, as the DJ, act as the driver of the following car, and the pitch control on your turntable serves as the accelerator pedal.
The Process of Pitch Riding
1. Initial Beatmatch: Initially, the following car starts slightly behind the lead car. In DJ terms, this means that the non-master track's BPM is not perfectly matched with the master track's BPM.
2. Acceleration: If the following car is moving too slowly (slower BPM), you need to gently press the accelerator (adjust the pitch control towards "+") to make it catch up. Just like in a car race, you need to go slightly faster than the lead car to close the gap.
3. Deceleration: Conversely, if the following car is moving too fast (faster BPM), you need to ease off the accelerator (adjust the pitch control towards "-") to slow down and let it catch up.
4. Maintaining Speed: Once the following car catches up with the lead car, your task is to maintain the same speed (BPM). You do this by carefully controlling the accelerator (pitch control) to ensure both cars (tracks) move at the same speed (BPM). Just like in a car race, you don't want the following car to overtake the lead car.
Continuous Adjustment: Just as in a car race, where the driver must make continuous adjustments to maintain the same speed as the lead car, in beatmatching, you must continuously monitor and adjust the pitch control to ensure both tracks remain in perfect synchronization.
The Finish Line: The "finish line" in beatmatching is a seamlessly mixed transition between two tracks with the same BPM, where the audience doesn't notice any change in speed, just as the following car catches up and maintains the same speed as the lead car without overtaking it in the race.
Final Word
This car analogy helps illustrate the dynamic and continuous nature of beatmatching, especially when employing techniques like Pitch Riding. The DJ's role is to act as the driver of both cars, ensuring they move in perfect harmony down the musical "highway" of the mix.
Read "How to Land Your First Gig" to level up your game!