The Vinyl Frontier, Part Two
Basic DJ skills can benefit any musician. Here's how to join the spinster revolution.
by James Rotondi
October 6, 2000
'The seamless precision of superstar DJ Josh Wink's beat matching was consistently stunning.'
In Part One of this feature, we introduced you to the benefits that vinyl scratching and DJing can provide to any musician, regardless of their background. We also explained the ins and outs of the DJ’s turntable and mixer. Hopefully by now you’re intrigued by the sonic possibilities of the wheels of steel, so it’s time to explore the DJ’s working methods and specific gear.
Groove Glue: The Art of Beat Matching
Any turntable made for DJing has a pitch control. This is the essential tool for "beat matching," the process of aligning the tempos of two different records on separate turntables, so you can change records without losing the groove (and clearing the dance-floor). As record A plays over the PA, the DJ listens to record B in his headphones, using the pitch control to bring record B’s tempo into line with record A. The DJ usually concentrates on the rhythms of the kick drum or hi-hat in each track as reference points.
If the tempos are approximately in time, some DJs will pinch and tweak the center-pin of the platter slightly to give it the fine tuning it needs to be perfectly aligned. The deck technician may also fine-tune the speed by pressing down on and slightly rotating the center label, or pushing on and tapping the side of the platter. Some DJs argue that only the pitch control is needed to match beats; the important thing is finding a system that works for you.
Philadelphia native Josh Wink has been thrilling club kids and party people with his tight mixing since 1992. |
Of course, not all dance records will be suited for mixing together. All DJs should know their record collection intimately and think ahead about which tracks are close enough in tempo to match. Savvier DJs will consider the key and energy level of their tracks to make for smoother mixes.
Once the tempos match, the DJ stops record B. (Remember, it's still only playing through his headphones.) Next he or she cues the first downbeat of a four-bar section and cycles the record back just a bit, so that when released, it will play precisely on the "one" -- in step with record A. This is probably easiest in house or trance music, where the usual quarter-note pulse of the kick drum and the off beats of the hi-hat offer consistent points of reference. When the tempos match, the DJ will use the crossfader on the mixer to mix from record A to record B. If the job is done right, you'll be hearing what sounds like a continuous groove, even if the two records are playing simultaneously. I've seen superstar DJ Josh Wink do this up close. The seamless precision of his beat matching was consistently stunning. It's awesome when done well and with concern for dynamics and the mood of the dance floor.
Next Page: Hand-to-Hand Combat: Scratching 101....
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