Crossfader Replacement DJ
Once you have your DJ consol set up ready and you have started the never-ending obsession of collecting music, the next step is to become familiar with the basic principles of mixing. By adjusting the playback speed of the turntable, either by adjusting the speed knob, or by manipulating the platter (e.g., by slowing down the platter by putting a finger gently along the side), DJs can match the tempos of different records so their rhythms can be played together at the same time without clashing or make a smooth, seamless transition from one song to another.
For instance, if Song A” plays across 4 beats (i.e. where the rhythm is 1, 2, 3, 4 - 1, 2, 3, 4, the most common rhythm in EDM), and you want to mix Song B” with Song A”, then, while A is playing, you find beat 1, count 2, 3, 4, and then press play or cue on Song B to start playing at the exact moment as beat 1 of song A. Tip: When you play your first track and it nears the end (i.e. the outro), you should be thinking about starting the second track to coincide with the stressed beat of the first track.
But if I'm looking to do a quick cut from one track to the next (eg dropping the incoming vocal and quickly cutting off the outgoing track at the end of its build up) then I'll use the crossfader because its looser and I can do it with one hand if I need my other hand free to trigger the lights (like a strobe effect) or something else.
Rane's build quality, sound quality, functionality, and ultra-tight and smooth magnetic crossfader have all kept me on their products. The Mixfader is a portable (like the size of an actual fader) unit that works over Bluetooth to perform the duties of - yes, you guessed it - a crossfader.
The history of this type of choppy editing can be traced back to the time when hip-hop was made live on two turntables and a mixer. You can adjust crossfader curve in Serato DJ Pro Setup > Mixer. As with all innoFADERs, it has been constructed to the highest standard and is compatible with a wide range of mixer models.
I'll second the recommendation on the mackie D4 though, I have the 2chan version and it's a real nice mixer, infinium fader in it is pretty sweet too. You have two switches above the crossfader; 1.) reverse the channels and the other 2.) change the slope for a hard cut or a soft curve for mixing.
That being said, it's important when using the channel faders that you understand your output volumes and don't overload everything. 2:Use included flathead screws for more headroom between the mixer faceplate and the crossfader plate. The vertical faders allow for further adjustment of the volume of each sound source.
Native Instruments X1 controller, when paired with the company's highly successful Traktor PRO software, means that DJs can control, mix, sync, loop, and process four decks,” Serato without actually having a turntable or mixer at all. Even if you have an old budget mixer or maybe a more advanced mixer, the Innofader PNP2 is a very welcome upgrade.
However, I have found you can still perform the majority of scratch techniques with even the most basic controller. I use it because i like to cut tracks back and forth sometimes, especially if i'm playing some break beats. DJs also create mixes, remixes and tracks that are recorded for later sale and distribution.
In this case, if I'm looking to do a slow and smooth blend between the two tracks (eg laying the incoming vocals over the outgoing bass for a couple of bars) then I will use the two channel faders. Our butter-smooth Innofader crossfader is designed with the turntablist in mind to perform most intricate and accurate scratches.