um where do i learn how to mix?! (as in on a pair of decks!!)

[kitty]

I live in London, love music (particularly drum n bass/trip hop) and have absolutely no knowledge of mixing but really really want to learn!! I don't have any decks, does anybody know of anyone/where that i could learn the basics before i bother buying any??!! thanks

[j2buttonsw]

I believe you need no talent or music ability at all, just jam some headphones between your sholder and one ear and wave the other arm about like an idiot.

[lardarz]

it isnt difficult . if you have even a chimpanzee's sense of rhythm you can learn to beatmix within a couple of days. mixing stuff isnt difficult but getting to the stage where you can do it with real flair as in dropping 2 different accapellas over a mix of 2 different tracks using 2 decks and 2 cd decks and taking basslines from one track and droppping them over the breakdown of another is the hard bit. Listen to a Derrick Carter essential mix to learn how to do it properly. I been doing it for 15 years and am still in awe of his work.

[Uncorrect]

I'm sure you'll have a number of favourite DJs, so listening to their technique is obviously a plus. What's worth remembering is that there are many different aspects to the art, all of which can be used on their own or together. Beatmixing is important, but not essential by any means (although as lardarz points out, it's fairly intuitive with a little practice). If you listen to DJs such as Mr Scruff or Gilles Peterson, you'll realise how little they beatmix - they use clever timing, but generally play the entire songs! Furthermore, they have a love of music - the most important thing of all :) As far as pre-spend practice is concerned, your best bet is probably some mp3 software. I use 'Atomix mp3', 'cause I can't afford decks as yet, and it certainly gives you an insight into things. There are plenty of mp3 mixers downloadable for free, and for help and advice from those in the know, try iDJ (international DJ magazine).

[Doc_G]

yes you do need some skills like the ability to listen to music properly and getting timing down to an art and crossfader skillz but thats about it really but u should just go buy some decks and some tunes and start experimenting wid ur new tunes its the only way ull get good is wid practice :P