In my opinion the level of mixing is not about using more effects or loops. You maybe need a bit more skill for the higher levels, but thats not what djing is about. Its about the fact at which position of the track you mix and how you maintain the attention of the dancers. If u get the crowd with your „Level 1 or 2 Mixing“ then its Level 5 Mixing. Anyways you showed some nice techniques how to mix. You should have called it „5 ways of mixing house“.
Agree 100%. I want to go next level with a complex mix but I can’t think on the fly that fast. I would have to adhere to a strict playlist that I have practiced before the set to pull of complex mixes with loops and effects. Most of my time DJing is thinking about the crowd which often throws a curveball to what I planned on playing and I favour rolling with the vibe of the crowd than the vibe of my mix.
I've been a bedroom DJ for 3 years now, and I feel like I'm still in level one with slow blend mixing, but after watching this video and taking you guys (Crossfader) How to Mix House Music course, I'm in now in level 2 and working on all the way to level 5.
Level 3 for me. But I feel like Level 1 and 2 are the safest bet if you don't know the songs too well. It's also the most "seamless" transition, so personally, I like it more. For Level 3 onwards, you definitely need a lot of practice. (Maybe Sync helps too
"Level 5" was honestly a bit annoying lol. Think it really depends what tracks or style you're playing, sometimes its best to not draw attention away from the original production
on point about track knowledge. i definitely find myself sticking close to 1-2 when i just downloaded a hundred new tracks for a set at a regular venue that I might have played at very recently.
I usually loop the track that I’m bringing in to avoid clashing. Can be tricky sometimes though. Thanks for the tips as always guys. I wouldn’t know half the stuff I k ow if it wasn’t for y’all and others on RU-vid ❤️
5 props to Jamie I’ve been DJing for over 35+ and had many mentors ,contemporaries and teachers. He explains mixing House just about as good as anyone #fairplay
I mix tech house just as my hobby and have done for years , I always watch your videos and really enjoy them Jamie a massive respect to you , after watching this one I feel like I have so much to learn and am interested to do so . On this basis I put myself at level 1 back to a total beginner.
There's so much content in this 9 min video for any Dj out there looking to learn or even take a step back to the basics! Jaime is a Master at showing multiple ways of taking 2 songs and making something completely new. -- Juice Out!
I feel like you left out some options: - the long blend: finding two tracks that really marry well together, and then riding the EQ/Filter to make it work - the quick cut: sometimes a quick fader swap makes the biggest impact, especially if mixing in something with a different rhythmic pattern (ie, electro, breaks) - keep the loop going: set a shorter loop of the outgoing track, ideally something more minimal and percussive, to keep it going and bring something new to the incoming track. Also works well as a way to tease the next track for a while before it comes in. To my ears, #5 is grating and showy, more of a performance trick than something that enhances the mix sonically, but to each, their own.
Agreed, more than once or twice in a set for #5 style becomes grating very quickly. Different styles of music will suit different transitions, DnB is all about the quick cuts and double drops, House you can get away with really long blends and loops easily. All comes with practice and experimentation. Playing to your environment is also key; early set at a small club, stick to the clean basics. Late night closing house set; longer hypnotic blends. Late night anything else; DO NOT do ridiculous showy nonsense, people are too cooked to pay attention and just want a song to play. Big outdoor crowd; get a bit more showy with it.
#6 basic tone play and back and forth blend. I love quicker more subtle uses of this without a whole routine. Can be done with a few cues. Also added back and forth blends Mashups without stem swaps. At this point a variety Stem mixes needed to be added to basics. They can quickly become easier and better than a lot of alternatives
Sometimes yes. Or just jump into it, make errors or do things the hard way when there's a shortcut. I first unleashed my imagination to Photoshop, then learned the (non basic) functions after, sort of.
@@AlexAlcyone Pretty sure I've heard from different experienced DJs you don't really need to know any "mix in key" as long as you know the tracks and can read the crowd correctly to pick the next track..
Amazing video, having all the levels laid out side by side gives us a roadmap on what to work on and tools to add to our kit. In between levels 2 to 3 currently!
I’m a newish DJ. Bought my first deck during Covid and have just recently really started getting serous about practicing. I played a few times in my camp at Burning Man and recently at a house party. People told me they loved the sets, and I was actually surprised how well I did! I would say i am currently a 2 or 3 but really loving playing around and learning new techniques. Have learned a lot from watching the excellent videos from #WeAreCrossfader. Thanks Jamie!
#WeAreCrossfader - I'm at level 1 right now!, I'm new to house music in generally but I'm really enjoying this kind of mixing, much love to the dj/producer community and crossfader fam😊❤
I started not too long ago, so I'm probably a 2. Hearing 4-5 gives me motivation to continue delving into/attempting/practicing these advanced techniques!
i feel proud of me, i just have 3 years as a dj and i can say i have the level 5, is much fun being creative and have your own style, also that's a way to be different from the others djs
#WeAreCrossfader --> I think I am in level 2. I started DJing five months ago. I have been following you for at least 2 years and with your help I hope to improve myself more. :) Thank you!
Hot cues are actually more complicated than I thought! It takes a lot of practice to really get it right! I personally love adding loops to build up with effects to bring in my second tracks but there’s a time and place for all of these transitions!
#WeAreCrossfader - I am at level 4 right now! I´ve been loving the courses on the platform I´ve enrolled so far. Amazing work from you guys, keep it up!!
#WeAreCrossfader - I'm at level 3 right now. Feel very lucky - only started DJying in Feb this year whilst out with pals kitesurfing in Morocco, I bought a DDJ & your FLX4 Course to get started. Now progressed to a performing 10 sets at a Beach restaurant , here on South Coast Uk. What an absolute Buzz & Mental fortitude 👍👍👍
#WeAreCrossfader - I'm at level 2 right now! I’ve #WeAreCrossfader - I'm at level 3 right now! been djing just over a year now and it’s been amazing. The support from likeminded people and people who share the same passion for music has helped massively. I’m comfortable with Level 1 now but have started venturing into the grounds of Level 2 to expand what I can do across different Genres. The effects transitions are a new challenge for sure, but loving it 🙌🏻
Bought a few days back my first DJ controller and started to learn to DJ. I already love it a lot but I've got still a lot of learning to do. So I'm at level 1 atm #WeAreCrossfader.
#WeAreCrossfader - Just started my journey to learn how to DJ, and still at level 1! Seeing this makes me so excited to practice and learn, to get to higher levels!
#WeAreCrossfader - Looping is my secret weapon for keeping the energy high in my house mixes. Thank you for another great video team! I'm at level 3-4 now, and I'm still learning new things every day.
Vinyl DJ/Turntablist got back in a yr ago after 25yrs. Play a wide variety of music. Biggest takeaway is know your music and have control over it. Same way I do if I’m playing a 90’s hip hop song and juggling / scratching. Need to spend more time in my deep house crates and not just use lexicon to set my cues. I certainly don’t let it set cues for my best juggles or scratches! Now on that #5 I’d have been switching between a transformer, twiddle, and crab ;)
Very informative video. I use Level 2 as my main technique but have been focusing on getting better at looping. While effects add texture to a mix, I think the core of any good house mix is pairing tracks that fit well together and not forcing tracks that don't flow by using mixing effects.
#WeAreCrossfader - I am a comfy level 1. Level 2 is spicy and a level 3, only if I plan and spend hours preparing every single effect and then practice each transition 100s of times to create a set. If I'm mixing for hours, I'm generally playing level 1 or 2, experimenting with level 3 and playing a drunk level 4. Level 5 is not a train wreck... it's a mash-up! Thanks for awesome content, Jamie + team. It's really helped me get started, understand the basics and get over that imposter syndrome of being a female DJ! Appreciate the knowledge sharing! 🙏✌
#WeAreCrossfader - I'm at level 3.5 right now. I am pretty OCD when it comes to my track-prep, but I need to up my game on pushing the bounds of what effects can do. Jamie - you are rocking the "new hair."
#WeAreCrossfader - I'm at level 1 right now! But, I'm feeling confident enough at this point to start dabbling with level 2! Much thanks to your Beginner's course!
#WeAreCrossfader - I'm just starting out as a DJ, and honestly, I'd rank myself at level zero or perhaps even -1. However, I have a profound love for this art, especially when it comes to mixing house music. Watching videos and learning about the different levels of DJing has been incredibly informative. I'm genuinely thankful to Jamie for sharing his advanced skills. It provides beginners like me a clear path and inspiration to refine our craft. I'm enthusiastic about this journey, and with guidance from professionals like Jamie, I'm optimistic about reaching a pro level one day.
#WeAreCrossfader - I'm at level 4 right now! Level 5 looks pretty amazing, it gives you a new level of control and freedom on the desk ! Thank you for the video guys !
Don't forget key matching!!!!!!!! Super essential skill for house Djs!!! At the top level this enables you to mix accapellas onto alternate instrumental tracks, effectively creating new versions live. As championed by Sasha in the early 90s. When it was a crap ton of work..... because you had to find tracks that were already in the right key at the right bpm as there was no timestretch becos it was all vinyl. Also required mad skills because your beat matching had to be stellar so as to keep it in time for the duration of the cut.
#WeAreCrossfader - I'm at level 1 right now! I’ve been making House music since the lockdowns, and now I’m learning to DJ so I can take it to the next level and play to crowds 🙌🏼🫶🏼😀
As a drummer it feels like i started at level 3, because i know music patterns very well. I'm still trying to integrate loops more often, so yeah, props level 3.5.
#WeAreCrossfader - I'm at level 4 right now. But I am really looking forward to develop myself more and to get more skills from crossfader. I am already a couple of years fan and I did already 3 courses. Sometimes I am struggling with the fact that doing too much can also sound messy and enjoying for the audience. A song mostly is already a beautiful creation of themself❤
#WeAreCrossfader - I'm oscillating between 1.5 and 2 right now😂 Started learning to DJ at the beginning of this year and am absolutely loving it! I still have a lot to learn, and love the free CrossFader videos that I've watched so far.
I love this comment section. Lots of honest descriptions of current skill level and goals. Not so much, "Vinyl is better because...." "Only if you press sync...". Respect to vinyl gang, respect to CDJ/DDJ gang, respect to sync gang. Sound you make is more important than what you're pressing. Cheers.
#WeAreCrossfader - Level 3, sometimes 4 if I'm feeling brave. I have a newfound respect for DJs. I've got a BA Hons in Music and production and assumed DJs just twiddled knobs. The onlooker may just see that and you could say that is also true for studio production. DJ'ing for me, is the equivalent of producing, but having to do it in front of an audience and under a 16 bar time pressure. It's that pressure to do all those things, within a short time frame and make it musical. Not easy, not easy at all.
#WeAreCrossfader - I'm at level 2-3 right now! 🎧 while I'm currently focused on mixing rap and hip-hop, I'm eager to dive into EDM and take my DJing skills to new heights.
#WeAreCrossfader I was DJ'ing back in the 90s on 1200's and just recently bought a DDJ-1000. It's a whole new world of learning loops and hot cue positioning! With that, I'd say I'm at level 2 - 3. Love your work #housemusicallnightlong
Happily at Level 4, I mostly use loops (as an Active Loop) to give me a little more time between transitions, a nice 16 bar loop can give me another 5-10s to get the next song perfectly lined up.
#wearecrossfader. Honestly, I am a happy level 1'er, just starting out in my bedroom on a DDJ-FLX4. In 30 days, I will be a level 2'er and by next year maybe a level 5. Just having fun. Cheers and thanks for the courses.
I’m new to DJing but within 2 months have been able to get myself up to Level 2 in this video and now ready to start exploring Level 3! I’m mainly focussing on Amapiano and House and loving the ability to play around with the two genres #WeAreCrossfader
#WeAreCrossfader - I'm at level 1, just started mixing and using EQs. Looking forward to the next steps as my next gig is coming up and it's a bigger audience than I've played for before (70-100 people)
#WeAreCrossfader - I'm at level 3 right now! Wish I could be in lvl 5! Amazing performance! ❤🔥❤️🔥💥🙏🏻 and I hope my comment can still be included! Thank you so much! Cheers 🥂 from Brazil!!! 🎉
#WeAreCrossFader - i’m at level 2 right now! This video it helps me alot and to get more ideas how to mix house music. I don’t use much sounds effect only those 3 knobs and pitch control😊
#WeAreCrossfader - I'm at level 3 right now, but I'd love to step up the game and embrace my new hobby! Been following Crossfader since the start, keep up the good work introducing music to the world!
Very much a beginner DJ but I've been fooling around with all of these different mixing methods when practicing. Seriously crazy how many different ways there are to mix tracks together. I can also relate to the not always knowing what points to mix tracks together comment, but I guess that just comes with time/practice.
I'm crossing the path to level three now - appreciate the easy to follow and quick intros to these videos. I think I spend too much time in song selection than just practicing mixing - which is my favorite part! #WeAreCrossfader
#WeAreCrossfader - I'm at level 2 right now! I do believe that I get stuck in a bubble where my creativity is limited as I don't know what steps I should take next to improve my mix. I end up doing the same transitions over and over again which gets quite boring for myself and for the listener. Thank you so much for this video, it has already given me A LOT of ideas. As always Crossfader, keep it up!!!
#WeAreCrossfader I'm between levels 3 and 4. I don't mix house music, so the techniques I use vary depending on the genre. I mainly mix trance and I started mixing DnB two months ago. When I'm mixing trance, I mostly EQ and I'm trying to add effects so I'm closer to level 3. On the other hand, when I mix DnB, I usually use loops to mix in and make double drops with compatible tracks as in level 4. I've been learning to DJ for almost a year and a half. Thanks for the high quality content of your videos ❤
#WeAreCrossfader - I'm extremely new to this sport, picked up a small controller a couple weeks ago to see how I'd enjoy it.. Fast forward two weeks, numerous RU-vid videos and scouring all your courses for the free intro videos.. I feel I'm currently sitting at level 2. That being said, I feel I've started learning Loops before Hot Cue's - (not sure if this is due to the fact that many of the tracks I'm using are not extended versions so almost need to create my own extended version with loops). Granted, the main loop transition I'm confident at is from your Instagram reel with Fred Again-Kammy to Biscits-Me&U.. where you chop the loop between 1/2+1/4 beats and then mix out with the filter. All in all - Really enjoying the content your team creates and have learned a lot from you so far so thank you!
For the last example, I'm not there yet :(. Will get there eventually :). Thanks for making this video, learnt a lot. Half of the things I do and half I need practice on.
Level 3 for me but thats more to do with 2 factors, 1- I still prefer to use Vinyls over the CDJs I own, 2. My Fav DJ is Matt Jam Lamont, he just keeps his mixes simple which ive just taken his style of Djaying! Ive never heard him use a loop or ECO button which is different to DJ EZ who uses everything!
