![\"How](\"https:\/\/spinbad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/How-Do-I-Start-Mixing-House-Music.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nHone In On A Sub-Genre<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThis may feel like an audacious tip to start as you would assume that subgenres derive from an understanding of the main genre itself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Truthfully, House music is an amalgamation of sub-genres, and so it is important to know what kind of sound you are looking to develop prior to even starting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Subgenres of House music include the following: Deep House, Acid House, Future House, Tech House, Tropical House, Progressive House, Electro House, Disco House, and Bass House, to name just a few. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can discover which subgenre your style suits by focusing on the BPM of your specific track, for example, Deep House usually has a BPM in the 115-140 range. It also has a more relaxed feel than Bass House and tends to include vocals\/samples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s not to say you have to stick with just one sub-genre. As long as two or more types of House music complement one another, you should absolutely experiment by blurring the boundaries of established categories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s also a good idea to familiarize yourself with a few different styles of House music, so you\u2019re always prepared to match the energy of a time and venue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For instance, if you\u2019re playing an earlier show, you might want to boost the happy factor with some funk- and soul-inspired House beats, but later on, when you\u2019re playing the club or a dingy (in the best way) bar, it\u2019s best to mess with something more primal and raw like Deep House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Get A Feel For The Beat Structure Of House Music<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nI\u2019ve got some good news for you\u2026 House music is by far the easiest type of music to mix \u2014 hooray! The reason is, it was created by DJs for DJs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It follows the typical 4 on the floor dance music format, meaning that it\u2019s always in 4\/4, and on each beat, there\u2019s a robust kick drum sound. On every other beat, there\u2019ll be a snappy snare or clap sound, and sometimes, there\u2019ll be some hi-hat or cymbal work on the offbeat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now that you know this (if you didn\u2019t already), you should find keeping on top of the beat, matching beats, and mixing, a total breeze, but there\u2019s more to know about the structure of House music than it\u2019s 4 on the floor beat structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Take Stock Of Phrasing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe next structural element of House music you should consider is the phrasing<\/a>. A phrase is composed of multiple bars of beats. Each phrase makes up a discrete section of the track. For example, a verse is a phrase, as is the chorus, the buildup, or breakdown.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTowards the end of a phrase in a House track, there\u2019ll be some form of embellishment (usually a drum fill), and this signals to the listener that they\u2019re about to hear the next phrase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These embellishments smooth out the transition from old to new, making them the perfect point in a track to mix in a new beat without it sounding too jarring to the audience, so it\u2019s good practice to learn how to sync phrases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Using Hot Cues<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nHot cues are what you\u2019ll be using to mark out all the different phrases you plan on using in your tracks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not only do they split phrases into distinct sections that you can see clearly as you perform, but they allow you to cycle to the start of a phrase with the push of a button, which is incredibly helpful when it comes to mixing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re using a laptop-lead setup, you can set hot cues on your DJ software, but if you\u2019re using CDJs or a DJ controller with USB support and a display, you can organize all your hot cues on-unit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Using Signifiers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nNot every label you place on the waveform of a track has<\/em> to be a hot cue. You can also use them as general prompts. For example, if you\u2019ve identified a section of track B that will blend well with a particular phrase in track A, you can label them both with a little \u201cB\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThen, when you want to start blending, you can align your \u201cB\u201d sections and merge them with confidence, rather than playing it by ear, possibly making an error, and ruining the flow or vibe of the mix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tempo Matching<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019re going to beat match two House tracks, they need to play at the same pace, but it doesn\u2019t matter if they don\u2019t have the same native BPM, as you can use the tempo adjust on your controller, computer, or CDJs<\/a> to get the tracks in sync.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you end up reaching the limit of your tempo shift controls, you can recenter them by ever so slowly increasing or decreasing the tempo of the current track. And when I say slowly, I really mean it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You need to move your tempo adjuster so gradually that nobody in the audience picks up on it. Go too fast, and it will disrupt the flow of your set and ruin everyone\u2019s buzz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Harmonic Mixing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nNext up, we have harmonic mixing<\/a>, which basically means that mixed tracks are in the same, or at least complementary, keys.<\/p>\n\n\n\nNow, unless you have perfect pitch, you may struggle to identify the keys of your tracks by ear, but not to worry, as your DJ software, controller, or CDJ can lend a helping hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether you\u2019re using software or hardware, it should inform you of each track key. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some software, such as Rekordbox<\/a>, will even highlight the other tracks in your playlist with a complimentary key, so you always know which will work together and which might sound a little awkward or shoehorned into the mix.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCreating Impact With Your Second Track \u2014 An Example Of How EQs Can Be Helpful When Mixing House Music.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nMost House music is really quite subtle. It\u2019s not quite as hard-hitting as some other forms of electronic music such as Drum and Bass or Dubstep, but that doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t use the facilities of your mixer to manufacture some huge impacts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In my opinion, the best way to do so is by filter sweeping the low end of track A as you fade in track B (also with zero low-end), then diming the bass EQ on track B as you reach the tail end of the phrase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The tinny, sweeping sound of track A clears the sonic space for the bass of track B to hit extra hard, helping to create a more dynamic and engaging set. I also like throwing some reverb on track A as the bass fizzles out to create a more prominent transition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step by step, it goes a little something like this\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n- Choose a song with a fat bassline for track B.<\/li>
- Turn the bass EQ all the way down for track B.<\/li>
- Play track A.<\/li>
- Trigger track B hot cue.<\/li>
- Fade track B in as you gradually reduce the bass EQ of track A.<\/li>
- Apply some reverb to really wash out what remains of track A.<\/li>
- Once track B is fully faded in, on the 1 beat, crank the bass EQ, and slap the reverb off \u2014 if you leave the reverb on, the bass won\u2019t hit anywhere near as hard. This last step has to happen incredibly fast, so it takes some practice to get down, but it\u2019s well worth the effort!<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re finding it really difficult to get rid of the reverb before the bass of track B hits, or perhaps you don\u2019t have any integrated reverb effect in your setup, you can follow the same steps and leave effects out of it. It won\u2019t be quite as impactful, but it will still sound amazing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Should I Mix House Music With?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"DJ](\"https:\/\/spinbad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/DJ-Equipment-for-mixing-House-Music.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nYou don\u2019t need any special hardware or software to get started mixing some dope House beats; you just need to amass all the usual suspects, including\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A DJ Controller\/CDJs And A Mixer<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nUnless you plan on keeping things traditional with some hefty crates of vinyl and a pair of turntables<\/a>, you\u2019re going to need either a DJ controller or a pair of CDJs with a discrete mixer.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDJ controllers<\/a> are essentially a full DJ set up in one device. They arrive with an integrated mixer, two jogwheels, and tons of sound sculpting options; however, unless they have an LCD and USB support, they have to be paired with a laptop. <\/p>\n\n\n\nI\u2019d recommend something along the lines of the Numark Mixtrack Pro FX<\/a> for beginners.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCDJs (also referred to as club gear) each have a single jogwheel, so you\u2019ll need two of them to mix. You\u2019ll also need a discrete mixer, but, on the bright side, they have screens and support USB, so you can work from a memory stick rather than a laptop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This sort of setup is a little pricey, but if you\u2019re interested, I recommend checking out the Numark NDX500<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nA Sound Source<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAs mentioned a moment ago, not all setups require a laptop, but you will need to get the music from somewhere.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nA Pair Of DJ Headphones<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nHeadphones couldn\u2019t be more important to the mixing process. They need to be able to feed you two separate audio signals, so you can align your tracks and mix them together without causing any awkward timing issues that clear the dance floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Sennheiser Pro Audio HD 25s<\/a> are seen as the industry standard, and they\u2019re not that pricey either, so, if I was you, that\u2019s where I\u2019d start.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDJ Software<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019re starting out with a DJ controller and laptop, you\u2019ll need some DJ software to process and cue your tracks. There are a number of options out there, each as good for mixing House music as the next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Which one you choose should come down to your hardware (a lot of gear is designed to fit into a certain software\u2019s ecosystem), or, if you\u2019re yet to pick up any gear, whichever program feels more intuitive and natural to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Serato DJ Pro is one of the biggest names in DJ software at the minute, but I\u2019m also a big fan of Traktor DJ Pro<\/a> and Virtual DJ. My advice to you is to take advantage of free trials and try out a selection of different programs. You\u2019ll find one that feels right eventually.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMonitors\/Sound System<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWhen you\u2019re playing live, your monitors feed you the music over the club mix, so you can hear exactly what your audio sounds like. If you\u2019re just in the house, you can simply use a sound system to blast your tunes.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhere Do DJs Get Their House Music? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nMost DJs will find their house music via websites like Bandcamp<\/a>. This is because Bandcamp is known to support the artist and only takes a marginal cut in revenue. <\/p>\n\n\n\nBandcamp also has a strong community with regards to Electronic (House) music. Locating new music via this website is easy as the listener\/DJ is able to use hashtags and genre-specific searches to find music within any subgenre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many DJs will also source their music from Spotify<\/a> and Apple<\/a> playlists. Spotify, in particular, hosts a large variety of House music, incorporating every sub-genre into playlists that boast some of the largest followings on the entire platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019ve got some good news for you\u2026 House music is by far the easiest type of music to mix \u2014 hooray! The reason is, it was created by DJs for DJs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It follows the typical 4 on the floor dance music format, meaning that it\u2019s always in 4\/4, and on each beat, there\u2019s a robust kick drum sound. On every other beat, there\u2019ll be a snappy snare or clap sound, and sometimes, there\u2019ll be some hi-hat or cymbal work on the offbeat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now that you know this (if you didn\u2019t already), you should find keeping on top of the beat, matching beats, and mixing, a total breeze, but there\u2019s more to know about the structure of House music than it\u2019s 4 on the floor beat structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Take Stock Of Phrasing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe next structural element of House music you should consider is the phrasing<\/a>. A phrase is composed of multiple bars of beats. Each phrase makes up a discrete section of the track. For example, a verse is a phrase, as is the chorus, the buildup, or breakdown.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTowards the end of a phrase in a House track, there\u2019ll be some form of embellishment (usually a drum fill), and this signals to the listener that they\u2019re about to hear the next phrase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These embellishments smooth out the transition from old to new, making them the perfect point in a track to mix in a new beat without it sounding too jarring to the audience, so it\u2019s good practice to learn how to sync phrases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Using Hot Cues<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nHot cues are what you\u2019ll be using to mark out all the different phrases you plan on using in your tracks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not only do they split phrases into distinct sections that you can see clearly as you perform, but they allow you to cycle to the start of a phrase with the push of a button, which is incredibly helpful when it comes to mixing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re using a laptop-lead setup, you can set hot cues on your DJ software, but if you\u2019re using CDJs or a DJ controller with USB support and a display, you can organize all your hot cues on-unit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Using Signifiers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nNot every label you place on the waveform of a track has<\/em> to be a hot cue. You can also use them as general prompts. For example, if you\u2019ve identified a section of track B that will blend well with a particular phrase in track A, you can label them both with a little \u201cB\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThen, when you want to start blending, you can align your \u201cB\u201d sections and merge them with confidence, rather than playing it by ear, possibly making an error, and ruining the flow or vibe of the mix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tempo Matching<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019re going to beat match two House tracks, they need to play at the same pace, but it doesn\u2019t matter if they don\u2019t have the same native BPM, as you can use the tempo adjust on your controller, computer, or CDJs<\/a> to get the tracks in sync.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you end up reaching the limit of your tempo shift controls, you can recenter them by ever so slowly increasing or decreasing the tempo of the current track. And when I say slowly, I really mean it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You need to move your tempo adjuster so gradually that nobody in the audience picks up on it. Go too fast, and it will disrupt the flow of your set and ruin everyone\u2019s buzz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Harmonic Mixing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nNext up, we have harmonic mixing<\/a>, which basically means that mixed tracks are in the same, or at least complementary, keys.<\/p>\n\n\n\nNow, unless you have perfect pitch, you may struggle to identify the keys of your tracks by ear, but not to worry, as your DJ software, controller, or CDJ can lend a helping hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether you\u2019re using software or hardware, it should inform you of each track key. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some software, such as Rekordbox<\/a>, will even highlight the other tracks in your playlist with a complimentary key, so you always know which will work together and which might sound a little awkward or shoehorned into the mix.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCreating Impact With Your Second Track \u2014 An Example Of How EQs Can Be Helpful When Mixing House Music.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nMost House music is really quite subtle. It\u2019s not quite as hard-hitting as some other forms of electronic music such as Drum and Bass or Dubstep, but that doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t use the facilities of your mixer to manufacture some huge impacts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In my opinion, the best way to do so is by filter sweeping the low end of track A as you fade in track B (also with zero low-end), then diming the bass EQ on track B as you reach the tail end of the phrase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The tinny, sweeping sound of track A clears the sonic space for the bass of track B to hit extra hard, helping to create a more dynamic and engaging set. I also like throwing some reverb on track A as the bass fizzles out to create a more prominent transition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step by step, it goes a little something like this\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n- Choose a song with a fat bassline for track B.<\/li>
- Turn the bass EQ all the way down for track B.<\/li>
- Play track A.<\/li>
- Trigger track B hot cue.<\/li>
- Fade track B in as you gradually reduce the bass EQ of track A.<\/li>
- Apply some reverb to really wash out what remains of track A.<\/li>
- Once track B is fully faded in, on the 1 beat, crank the bass EQ, and slap the reverb off \u2014 if you leave the reverb on, the bass won\u2019t hit anywhere near as hard. This last step has to happen incredibly fast, so it takes some practice to get down, but it\u2019s well worth the effort!<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re finding it really difficult to get rid of the reverb before the bass of track B hits, or perhaps you don\u2019t have any integrated reverb effect in your setup, you can follow the same steps and leave effects out of it. It won\u2019t be quite as impactful, but it will still sound amazing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Should I Mix House Music With?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nYou don\u2019t need any special hardware or software to get started mixing some dope House beats; you just need to amass all the usual suspects, including\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A DJ Controller\/CDJs And A Mixer<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nUnless you plan on keeping things traditional with some hefty crates of vinyl and a pair of turntables<\/a>, you\u2019re going to need either a DJ controller or a pair of CDJs with a discrete mixer.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDJ controllers<\/a> are essentially a full DJ set up in one device. They arrive with an integrated mixer, two jogwheels, and tons of sound sculpting options; however, unless they have an LCD and USB support, they have to be paired with a laptop. <\/p>\n\n\n\nI\u2019d recommend something along the lines of the Numark Mixtrack Pro FX<\/a> for beginners.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCDJs (also referred to as club gear) each have a single jogwheel, so you\u2019ll need two of them to mix. You\u2019ll also need a discrete mixer, but, on the bright side, they have screens and support USB, so you can work from a memory stick rather than a laptop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This sort of setup is a little pricey, but if you\u2019re interested, I recommend checking out the Numark NDX500<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nA Sound Source<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAs mentioned a moment ago, not all setups require a laptop, but you will need to get the music from somewhere.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nA Pair Of DJ Headphones<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nHeadphones couldn\u2019t be more important to the mixing process. They need to be able to feed you two separate audio signals, so you can align your tracks and mix them together without causing any awkward timing issues that clear the dance floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Sennheiser Pro Audio HD 25s<\/a> are seen as the industry standard, and they\u2019re not that pricey either, so, if I was you, that\u2019s where I\u2019d start.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDJ Software<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019re starting out with a DJ controller and laptop, you\u2019ll need some DJ software to process and cue your tracks. There are a number of options out there, each as good for mixing House music as the next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Which one you choose should come down to your hardware (a lot of gear is designed to fit into a certain software\u2019s ecosystem), or, if you\u2019re yet to pick up any gear, whichever program feels more intuitive and natural to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Serato DJ Pro is one of the biggest names in DJ software at the minute, but I\u2019m also a big fan of Traktor DJ Pro<\/a> and Virtual DJ. My advice to you is to take advantage of free trials and try out a selection of different programs. You\u2019ll find one that feels right eventually.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMonitors\/Sound System<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWhen you\u2019re playing live, your monitors feed you the music over the club mix, so you can hear exactly what your audio sounds like. If you\u2019re just in the house, you can simply use a sound system to blast your tunes.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhere Do DJs Get Their House Music? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nMost DJs will find their house music via websites like Bandcamp<\/a>. This is because Bandcamp is known to support the artist and only takes a marginal cut in revenue. <\/p>\n\n\n\nBandcamp also has a strong community with regards to Electronic (House) music. Locating new music via this website is easy as the listener\/DJ is able to use hashtags and genre-specific searches to find music within any subgenre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many DJs will also source their music from Spotify<\/a> and Apple<\/a> playlists. Spotify, in particular, hosts a large variety of House music, incorporating every sub-genre into playlists that boast some of the largest followings on the entire platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Towards the end of a phrase in a House track, there\u2019ll be some form of embellishment (usually a drum fill), and this signals to the listener that they\u2019re about to hear the next phrase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These embellishments smooth out the transition from old to new, making them the perfect point in a track to mix in a new beat without it sounding too jarring to the audience, so it\u2019s good practice to learn how to sync phrases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Using Hot Cues<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nHot cues are what you\u2019ll be using to mark out all the different phrases you plan on using in your tracks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not only do they split phrases into distinct sections that you can see clearly as you perform, but they allow you to cycle to the start of a phrase with the push of a button, which is incredibly helpful when it comes to mixing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re using a laptop-lead setup, you can set hot cues on your DJ software, but if you\u2019re using CDJs or a DJ controller with USB support and a display, you can organize all your hot cues on-unit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Using Signifiers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nNot every label you place on the waveform of a track has<\/em> to be a hot cue. You can also use them as general prompts. For example, if you\u2019ve identified a section of track B that will blend well with a particular phrase in track A, you can label them both with a little \u201cB\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThen, when you want to start blending, you can align your \u201cB\u201d sections and merge them with confidence, rather than playing it by ear, possibly making an error, and ruining the flow or vibe of the mix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tempo Matching<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019re going to beat match two House tracks, they need to play at the same pace, but it doesn\u2019t matter if they don\u2019t have the same native BPM, as you can use the tempo adjust on your controller, computer, or CDJs<\/a> to get the tracks in sync.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you end up reaching the limit of your tempo shift controls, you can recenter them by ever so slowly increasing or decreasing the tempo of the current track. And when I say slowly, I really mean it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You need to move your tempo adjuster so gradually that nobody in the audience picks up on it. Go too fast, and it will disrupt the flow of your set and ruin everyone\u2019s buzz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Harmonic Mixing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nNext up, we have harmonic mixing<\/a>, which basically means that mixed tracks are in the same, or at least complementary, keys.<\/p>\n\n\n\nNow, unless you have perfect pitch, you may struggle to identify the keys of your tracks by ear, but not to worry, as your DJ software, controller, or CDJ can lend a helping hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether you\u2019re using software or hardware, it should inform you of each track key. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some software, such as Rekordbox<\/a>, will even highlight the other tracks in your playlist with a complimentary key, so you always know which will work together and which might sound a little awkward or shoehorned into the mix.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCreating Impact With Your Second Track \u2014 An Example Of How EQs Can Be Helpful When Mixing House Music.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nMost House music is really quite subtle. It\u2019s not quite as hard-hitting as some other forms of electronic music such as Drum and Bass or Dubstep, but that doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t use the facilities of your mixer to manufacture some huge impacts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In my opinion, the best way to do so is by filter sweeping the low end of track A as you fade in track B (also with zero low-end), then diming the bass EQ on track B as you reach the tail end of the phrase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The tinny, sweeping sound of track A clears the sonic space for the bass of track B to hit extra hard, helping to create a more dynamic and engaging set. I also like throwing some reverb on track A as the bass fizzles out to create a more prominent transition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step by step, it goes a little something like this\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n- Choose a song with a fat bassline for track B.<\/li>
- Turn the bass EQ all the way down for track B.<\/li>
- Play track A.<\/li>
- Trigger track B hot cue.<\/li>
- Fade track B in as you gradually reduce the bass EQ of track A.<\/li>
- Apply some reverb to really wash out what remains of track A.<\/li>
- Once track B is fully faded in, on the 1 beat, crank the bass EQ, and slap the reverb off \u2014 if you leave the reverb on, the bass won\u2019t hit anywhere near as hard. This last step has to happen incredibly fast, so it takes some practice to get down, but it\u2019s well worth the effort!<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re finding it really difficult to get rid of the reverb before the bass of track B hits, or perhaps you don\u2019t have any integrated reverb effect in your setup, you can follow the same steps and leave effects out of it. It won\u2019t be quite as impactful, but it will still sound amazing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Should I Mix House Music With?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nYou don\u2019t need any special hardware or software to get started mixing some dope House beats; you just need to amass all the usual suspects, including\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A DJ Controller\/CDJs And A Mixer<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nUnless you plan on keeping things traditional with some hefty crates of vinyl and a pair of turntables<\/a>, you\u2019re going to need either a DJ controller or a pair of CDJs with a discrete mixer.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDJ controllers<\/a> are essentially a full DJ set up in one device. They arrive with an integrated mixer, two jogwheels, and tons of sound sculpting options; however, unless they have an LCD and USB support, they have to be paired with a laptop. <\/p>\n\n\n\nI\u2019d recommend something along the lines of the Numark Mixtrack Pro FX<\/a> for beginners.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCDJs (also referred to as club gear) each have a single jogwheel, so you\u2019ll need two of them to mix. You\u2019ll also need a discrete mixer, but, on the bright side, they have screens and support USB, so you can work from a memory stick rather than a laptop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This sort of setup is a little pricey, but if you\u2019re interested, I recommend checking out the Numark NDX500<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nA Sound Source<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAs mentioned a moment ago, not all setups require a laptop, but you will need to get the music from somewhere.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nA Pair Of DJ Headphones<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nHeadphones couldn\u2019t be more important to the mixing process. They need to be able to feed you two separate audio signals, so you can align your tracks and mix them together without causing any awkward timing issues that clear the dance floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Sennheiser Pro Audio HD 25s<\/a> are seen as the industry standard, and they\u2019re not that pricey either, so, if I was you, that\u2019s where I\u2019d start.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDJ Software<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019re starting out with a DJ controller and laptop, you\u2019ll need some DJ software to process and cue your tracks. There are a number of options out there, each as good for mixing House music as the next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Which one you choose should come down to your hardware (a lot of gear is designed to fit into a certain software\u2019s ecosystem), or, if you\u2019re yet to pick up any gear, whichever program feels more intuitive and natural to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Serato DJ Pro is one of the biggest names in DJ software at the minute, but I\u2019m also a big fan of Traktor DJ Pro<\/a> and Virtual DJ. My advice to you is to take advantage of free trials and try out a selection of different programs. You\u2019ll find one that feels right eventually.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMonitors\/Sound System<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWhen you\u2019re playing live, your monitors feed you the music over the club mix, so you can hear exactly what your audio sounds like. If you\u2019re just in the house, you can simply use a sound system to blast your tunes.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhere Do DJs Get Their House Music? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nMost DJs will find their house music via websites like Bandcamp<\/a>. This is because Bandcamp is known to support the artist and only takes a marginal cut in revenue. <\/p>\n\n\n\nBandcamp also has a strong community with regards to Electronic (House) music. Locating new music via this website is easy as the listener\/DJ is able to use hashtags and genre-specific searches to find music within any subgenre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many DJs will also source their music from Spotify<\/a> and Apple<\/a> playlists. Spotify, in particular, hosts a large variety of House music, incorporating every sub-genre into playlists that boast some of the largest followings on the entire platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not every label you place on the waveform of a track has<\/em> to be a hot cue. You can also use them as general prompts. For example, if you\u2019ve identified a section of track B that will blend well with a particular phrase in track A, you can label them both with a little \u201cB\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then, when you want to start blending, you can align your \u201cB\u201d sections and merge them with confidence, rather than playing it by ear, possibly making an error, and ruining the flow or vibe of the mix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re going to beat match two House tracks, they need to play at the same pace, but it doesn\u2019t matter if they don\u2019t have the same native BPM, as you can use the tempo adjust on your controller, computer, or CDJs<\/a> to get the tracks in sync.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you end up reaching the limit of your tempo shift controls, you can recenter them by ever so slowly increasing or decreasing the tempo of the current track. And when I say slowly, I really mean it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You need to move your tempo adjuster so gradually that nobody in the audience picks up on it. Go too fast, and it will disrupt the flow of your set and ruin everyone\u2019s buzz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Next up, we have harmonic mixing<\/a>, which basically means that mixed tracks are in the same, or at least complementary, keys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, unless you have perfect pitch, you may struggle to identify the keys of your tracks by ear, but not to worry, as your DJ software, controller, or CDJ can lend a helping hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you\u2019re using software or hardware, it should inform you of each track key. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some software, such as Rekordbox<\/a>, will even highlight the other tracks in your playlist with a complimentary key, so you always know which will work together and which might sound a little awkward or shoehorned into the mix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most House music is really quite subtle. It\u2019s not quite as hard-hitting as some other forms of electronic music such as Drum and Bass or Dubstep, but that doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t use the facilities of your mixer to manufacture some huge impacts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In my opinion, the best way to do so is by filter sweeping the low end of track A as you fade in track B (also with zero low-end), then diming the bass EQ on track B as you reach the tail end of the phrase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The tinny, sweeping sound of track A clears the sonic space for the bass of track B to hit extra hard, helping to create a more dynamic and engaging set. I also like throwing some reverb on track A as the bass fizzles out to create a more prominent transition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Step by step, it goes a little something like this\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re finding it really difficult to get rid of the reverb before the bass of track B hits, or perhaps you don\u2019t have any integrated reverb effect in your setup, you can follow the same steps and leave effects out of it. It won\u2019t be quite as impactful, but it will still sound amazing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You don\u2019t need any special hardware or software to get started mixing some dope House beats; you just need to amass all the usual suspects, including\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unless you plan on keeping things traditional with some hefty crates of vinyl and a pair of turntables<\/a>, you\u2019re going to need either a DJ controller or a pair of CDJs with a discrete mixer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n DJ controllers<\/a> are essentially a full DJ set up in one device. They arrive with an integrated mixer, two jogwheels, and tons of sound sculpting options; however, unless they have an LCD and USB support, they have to be paired with a laptop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019d recommend something along the lines of the Numark Mixtrack Pro FX<\/a> for beginners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n CDJs (also referred to as club gear) each have a single jogwheel, so you\u2019ll need two of them to mix. You\u2019ll also need a discrete mixer, but, on the bright side, they have screens and support USB, so you can work from a memory stick rather than a laptop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This sort of setup is a little pricey, but if you\u2019re interested, I recommend checking out the Numark NDX500<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As mentioned a moment ago, not all setups require a laptop, but you will need to get the music from somewhere.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Headphones couldn\u2019t be more important to the mixing process. They need to be able to feed you two separate audio signals, so you can align your tracks and mix them together without causing any awkward timing issues that clear the dance floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Sennheiser Pro Audio HD 25s<\/a> are seen as the industry standard, and they\u2019re not that pricey either, so, if I was you, that\u2019s where I\u2019d start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re starting out with a DJ controller and laptop, you\u2019ll need some DJ software to process and cue your tracks. There are a number of options out there, each as good for mixing House music as the next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Which one you choose should come down to your hardware (a lot of gear is designed to fit into a certain software\u2019s ecosystem), or, if you\u2019re yet to pick up any gear, whichever program feels more intuitive and natural to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Serato DJ Pro is one of the biggest names in DJ software at the minute, but I\u2019m also a big fan of Traktor DJ Pro<\/a> and Virtual DJ. My advice to you is to take advantage of free trials and try out a selection of different programs. You\u2019ll find one that feels right eventually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you\u2019re playing live, your monitors feed you the music over the club mix, so you can hear exactly what your audio sounds like. If you\u2019re just in the house, you can simply use a sound system to blast your tunes.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Most DJs will find their house music via websites like Bandcamp<\/a>. This is because Bandcamp is known to support the artist and only takes a marginal cut in revenue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Bandcamp also has a strong community with regards to Electronic (House) music. Locating new music via this website is easy as the listener\/DJ is able to use hashtags and genre-specific searches to find music within any subgenre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many DJs will also source their music from Spotify<\/a> and Apple<\/a> playlists. Spotify, in particular, hosts a large variety of House music, incorporating every sub-genre into playlists that boast some of the largest followings on the entire platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTempo Matching<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Harmonic Mixing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Creating Impact With Your Second Track \u2014 An Example Of How EQs Can Be Helpful When Mixing House Music.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What Should I Mix House Music With?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nA DJ Controller\/CDJs And A Mixer<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A Sound Source<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A Pair Of DJ Headphones<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
DJ Software<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Monitors\/Sound System<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Where Do DJs Get Their House Music? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n