Introduction to Mixing I

So you want to learn to mix records, but the only thing you know is you need two turntables... (and a microphone). Where do you start? Well, first you need the proper mixing equipment to learn with. [see Mixing Equipment 101] It's always a good idea to rent equipment when learning, before you go out and buy it. This way if you discover mixing isn't as cool as you thought, you haven't spent all your hard-earned cash. You just need the basics not the best - the fewer knobs the better. If you're lucky you might have a buddy who'll lend you their turntables for a while. So, you've got the equipment, now what do you do?

The first thing you gotta do is hit the vinyl shop. Get two copies of the same record. It's a good idea to buy a record you're familiar with when starting. Maybe someone you've heard on the radio like Moby, The Chemical Brothers, Fat Boy Slim or Asian Dub Foundation. This should be a standard 12 inch record not a 45 inch. Another tip is to use a record with a strong bass line because it's easier to hear when you're matching one beat with the other. Ok, now you're ready to get down to some serious scratchin' - lookout Fat Boy!

So now you're ready to roll - with the urge to mix and two records in hand. Now what? You need to determine what deck will be doing what. If you're right handed then your right turn table will be deck A and the left one B. (If you're left handed do the reverse for everything). Now look at your mixer (the digital controls between your turn tables) and find the switch/knob for pitch control. Leave it at the center or so it's on the zero mark. It should show a green light (or similar) when it is in this position. Now put your record on deck A (turntable A) and turn it on. Then place the turn table arm at the beginning of the record. (Note: the needle should be playing the record now – some turn tables do this automatically, but most require you to manually do this step). Once deck A is running you don't have to worry about it until the record ends.

Now you're ready to SCRATCH that mixin' itch. Scratchin' is the reverse motion of the record rotating against the needle. It makes the scratching noize that coined the term. Using your finger (or fingers) pull and push the record around the plate until you find the introductory bass drum. This is the first heavy drum beat you can hear. It's usually a few bars into the song. Once you've found the bass drum use your finger or fingers to push and pull the record across the needle – back and forth. If the record you're using is pretty worn it may cause problems for you 'cuz the needle can skip out of the groove. It's annoying if you're needle is jumping all over the place, especially when learning. WARNING: don't try this on your parents record player because you'll fry it! So play around with scratchin' for awhile to get a feel for it. Try using one finger then a couple fingers to find your preferred technique. Congratulations... you've learned the first step to mixing records. Check back soon for Introduction to Mixing – II and we'll continue where we left off. Till then happy scratchin'!

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