Should I downgrade my mix??!!

[DjPlasTech]

I've lately been trying different things on my EQ when i mix and i know people that fade the bass out all the way while fading in the new track. Well i tried this and it does sound a bit better, but for some reason i feel that i've cheated and i automatically want to degrade my mix. I don't know why i feel uncomfortable doing it, i just do. Can somebody tell me whether this is a common technique or just a cheap way to make it sound smoother. Also could i get some input on what people use the EQ for while mixing. I'd like to try everything. Thanks,



DjPlasTech

 

[shaharv]

why downgrade?

EQing has some technical and creative uses
when u mix two tracks wish real big roaring bass sounds(like in d'n'b) u can take some bass off so the mix whould sound clearer and wont overload the sound system.
mid boosting can often b used to make a 'dead' sounding track much better(if it wasnt mastered right)

or use it creatively by taking the highs(snares, hats) from one track and the lows(kicks, bass sounds) from the other and voila!! u got the true meaning of MIXING!

all i say is that u should just think what every knob on your mixer does and then use it for its purpose
dont b afraid do experiment

in practice EQing is so greate and usefull that many dj's and clubs use external EQ's for every channel so they can use it more freely/creatively

 

[Alex TC]

Never mind the so-called "purists" of mixing, they just keep repeating that EQ mixing, xfader mixing and the like is "cheating", like there was some kind of accepted rule for mixing and djing in general.

Do what you feel good about, what you feel comfortable with, and what you think sounds nice - that's the only way to really open your mind and be creative - what, in the botton end of things, is what really matters. Forget what other schmucks say is "cool" or "uncool"...

 

[hatti]

Yeah go with whatever you think sound good, experiment alot and it will come to you

 

[david lee]

i was at spundae in hollywood CA and watched the house dj there for a long time (in awe of course) and noticed that dropping the bass in the middle of the mix for a few bars and slamming it back in on your crowd just sounds killer...i have the same mixer, tried this when i went home and noticed that it doesn't have the same impact on headphones....it's all in the sound system. when you've got tons of subs hammering the floor, you notice when you kill the bass by 26 db...

said all that to say this....droping the bass for a few measures can really spruce up the mix and add some really cool vibe to it and makes the crowd want that thumping back...just a tip

 

[Russ]

i was at spundae in hollywood CA and watched the house dj there for a long time (in awe of course) and noticed that dropping the bass in the middle of the mix for a few bars and slamming it back in on your crowd just sounds killer...

100% in agreement. Don't overdo it though...like any dj trick, do it to much and it gets boring...

I like to kill it dead then bring it back in slowly, as well ( if you can do that on yr mixer ). I use the isolators on my EFX 500 - it has a loverly toggle to switch them on and off - great for this!!!

Russ