How to Mix Pop Tracks

*Support more videos by checking out our store: bit.ly/DJTTStore
**Subscribe to the DJTT newsletter for free weekly soundpacks: bit.ly/FreeSoun...
DJ TechTools' Ean Golden provides a lesson on mixing pop tracks-or any song with an intro/verse/chorus/verse structure. Check the full tutorial here: www.djtechtools....

[@charliervrs]

I cant even imagine under what circumstance and crowd would you mix songs by Snoop Dogg and the Pixies/Nectar together...

[@skyviewtrading]

Sounded kinda bad like others mentioned but I think it's a great tutorial. Just a bad example. Thanks for the tutorial!

[@SuperMatrix59]

Sky View Trading that shuts ducking nuts

[@EmilBrikha]

I want a t-shirt with: "Respect the chorus"!

[@kasino7132]

Lol

[@OaklandTravel]

Poor choice of songs and the volumes were way off. Also, you didn't mention the possibility of looping the chorus on the song you're mixing out of.

[@KableTdi]

he explained it really good but done it really wrong..

[@Savaril]

+Kable yeah the bad EQing and lack of properly used filter (but overuse of other effects) makes it sound garbage here and in this scenario i'd rather just abuse the cue button over fiddling around with loops. at least then I have something to do other than annoy everyone with the flanger and echo effects..

[@SCU3A_S7EVE]

+bbm savaril You nailed it. Great example and explanation, but terrible execution.

[@arturoperez2722]

Too many effects.

[@banters9333]

It's not the EQing that is the real problem here. It's fucking 20db louder than the Snoop track.

[@SuperMatrix59]

Kable it's a riddle wrapped in a riddle surrounded by a nightmare

[@emeraldcitydjgil]

Bravo bravo bravo!!! How come in the 7 years of watching tutorial after tutorial from other big shots they could never explain that just like you did Ean! Thank you! Thank you! And by the way... Thank you!

[@HTBLuVA]

2nd track is way too loud but that technique is good

[@emceebc313]

Big fan of this one, Ean. I don't do a lot of clubs, but do a lot of weddings. I've always felt this way for years about pop mixing and I'm glad you've shared this with everyone else. Thanks a ton for the insight!

[@csakkrisztian6428]

That's definetly not "gently".... :-)

[@PARADOXADOR]

Loved how you used the white board. Keep up with that

[@essaysd]

Just keep it basic without loops for Top 40. Track 2 comes in during the Track 1's Chorus (second/third). Majority of Track 2s lasts about 14-16 seconds so knowing before hand when Track 2 hits and Track 1 ends the chorus is beneficial. Use markers/cue points to remember when songs can be switched.

[@ViktorKronvall]

I'm all for respecting the chorus of the first song. However, sometimes it's nice to mix chorus into chorus to keep the energy up. Disclaimer: You need to avoid the vocals clashing on verse over chorus.

[@bluex217]

Sometimes it sounds best if u just drop it in, people in top 40 joints usually go crazier for a sudden well placed drop of a song they know and love over a nice beatmixed gradual transition.

[@Realestflow]

umm that honestly didn't sound smooth.

[@battosaijenkins946]

@DJ TechTools, dude WTF was that? had to turn down that $#@! in an instant

[@Bergamoism]

Explained really well. Bad choice of songs.

[@realokoyono]

typical dj techtools providing awesome useful engaging content i love you

[@respectforthed.j2790]

Well honesty some pop songs are turning to the more experimental sound so you won't find that catchy instrumentation to sync to your ongoing track. What you could do is set cue points to a catchy part of the song that won't overwhelm the ongoing track. I love tech tools you guys are great

[@Prabhath_the_Dawn]

Thanks for this tutorial! Really helped me understand some perspectives to transit between tracks! 😎🎧💽🎚🎛🎚💽💻🔊🎶

[@user-gi3xj8nz3s]

Let me start out by saying you have some of the best quality videos, very clear video and audio makes me not want to leave your channel and watch all your videos . Thank you for all your tips very helpful.

[@DanMunteanuAtipic]

That short Intro looping thing was a great hint ,thanks!

[@CallumThompson_]

that sounded alright to me, i mean mixing those two songs together is never going to be a walk in the park

[@AudioTechHouse]

The mix of it was right but the second song was just bad so the mix sounded messy but I feel like the sound of that guitar was what made it sound bad didn't fit but like I said seems like the technique and timing was right

[@babygiraffeman]

Ean, I'm working with a pop band with our own music and love your philosophy on phrasing and ideas. Thank you for schoolage on the chops.

[@JadeWisdom]

Ean we love seeing this softer more gentle djing style a lot. Its a great way to help build idea for sets. Though, i think dj tech tools and you ean, need to also continue to post more controllerist type short performances. I like the more drawn out mix style, but ur shorter performances using 2 decks and 4 decks really gave me inspiration to make my own performances. Please upload some more of those harder, more rough dj performances :)

[@jiromorishita9082]

I want to know how to turn down the first track as Mr. Golden does at around 5:35. I can see him tweak BM 2 a little bit. Then turn a knob of filter? or any one of the fx knobs??

[@romaaf9954]

That was great. Could you point me to a tutorial or advise on beat matching for non dance tracks. I am talking about trip hop into reggae into I indie etc. Is bpm important or is the vibe more important. I am new and learning anything on this would be most appreciated

[@zbs28]

Great lesson! I like the way you pay attention to song structure. I would also like to learn more about how to identify song keys and match up songs better based on key.

[@wm7871]

@ Audio TechHouse good point it was mixed well but harmonically the keys where clashing.

[@rocksfinalstand]

This was awesome! I liked the visual at the beginning.

[@420Akillese]

That was a great demo. The fx was a nice touch and a great choice to use. Some here didn't like it, there is a lot of us that do though. I'm not new to craft, also not pro. That tip in this video will be useful though. I will be checking out more vids of yours. The more that is learned the more that is at my disposal. The way it was explained is what really help the transition click.

[@JadeWisdom]

Alot of us have traktor s4s and traktor s2s, and we loved seeing you use our gear so we could relate to you when you did ur short remixes and remakes. I kno you love using gear that fits ur style, but i feel like ur abandoning that rough controllerist style that u founded and showed off for so long. I can understand how ur growing and maturing as a dj and an individual though and without a doubt can relate to developing new styles. Just my imput, thanks :)

[@GrizzlyAus]

Honestly it doesnt matter what he uses, because what everyone uses is different. The techniques are the same especially when using programs like traktor or serato.

[@studioviper3016]

you didn't think the controllerist style of mixing would be any more than a passing fad? ever tried to listen to a whole set of button mashing?

[@Ekception]

Agree with SoundShotDJs. If you get the concept, you can apply with any gear you have.

[@JadeWisdom]

I love watching these longer style, more professional mixes. The instruction is great as well. I just would like to see ean go back to his roots once in a blue moon and give us a controllerist performance to help us build ideas for our own, that we could throw into a smoother long mix here and there...

[@iampeaking]

slipandweave witt please stop crying mate

[@MatthewRayFlicks]

This is such and important fundamental technique that can ruin a mix if done incorrectly. I don't always agree with Ean and these tutorials, but this is a great video, a great mix, and a very good explanation of one way to structure a mix.

[@Soevern]

Same with EDM, Break-Rise-Drop then mix a new Break in and so on, right? Or i am doing this the wrong way.

[@nic9283]

This is a perfect example of two songs that are in the same key (g sharp minor) but don't mix well.

[@coreyfleener4439]

Would be great if you did a Traktor/CDJ integration tutorial video. Not many peiple know about Traktors Advanced HID mode and that it can use cdjs as the controller.

[@ArunMPEdison]

Thank you for the useful tip and very good demo.

[@tdxownyou]

Or Ean, you can get remix service ie X-Mix, Full Tilt, Ultimix etc etc

[@buffalodj]

Ean, you are Golden, keep up the great work...

[@ClectaSkiMusic]

Ah you kids today with your loops and effects.... HahHA.

[@Simeonital]

ClectaSkiMusic I'm a 55 year old who's been a dj from the age of 14. I have in excess of a million pieces of vinyl which stays firmly stored on shelves and in boxes. Why anyone would wanna carry and play out with vinyl these days is beyond me. I'm also a mix engineer who mixes in the box rather than on a desk. Technology is to be embraced and leave the past where it belongs... in the past😉

[@poelogan]

Talking to other DJ's is like talking to walls jesus christ let people do what they want.

[@MrErikado]

word

[@kasino7132]

That's a very interesting mix. Doesn't sound right at first but I respect the originality. Not sure if I would have mixed that though. Nevertheless thanks for posting

[@athavy92]

Mixing hip-hop/rap songs is still hard for me. I can never figure it out, especially when I want to get to the 2nd or 3rd verse, instead of playing through the intro. I want to practice it but I don't want to download these "Top 40" songs or club hits that just suck and keep them in my laptop.

[@debojitacharjee]

is it possible to mix any song with any type of music having different beat patterns? I want to know how to mix oldies with dance/disco/hiphop music

[@DJDickieH]

Okay, so what do you do if you’re mixing vinyl? You can’t loop?

[@sachinabraham5837]

This is so very useful

[@Pit1963]

Very good Video Ean, fits my experience when mixing black music / HipHop. It is a very advanced level. And the highest level is to mix 2 vocal lines together..... :-) I love all your videos, because they explain things very easy to understand also for the non-pro. And Ean.... I like more the long hair on you, you had before..... Keep it growing long again..... :-)

[@BpmSupreme]

Very good video guys. Keep them coming.

[@nudelaffe]

OK sounded cool but that was mostly because the drums of deck B are great over Drop it like it's hot. I think the filtering the intro part was way too loud, sounded like interference even.

[@ocelot8081]

I actually signed in to my account to like this 10/10 video

[@iquad7871]

whats wrong with letting the first song slowly fade then slowly fade in the next song? that would seen much easier and less risky..

[@bloodxmoons1578]

could have worked with a different filter. he used a high pass to integrate the pixes song when he could have either just started from -inf and gradually increase the volume of the pixes track or use a lowpass filter instead, cutting out the highs at first making it sound like its coming through the walls as you enter a venue. its more natural with the lowpass filter and way less harsh than the highpass filter.

[@PeterRatcliffe]

Cheers buddy

[@morphman86]

A lot of the current billboard toppers have singing through the whole song. For example Zayn - Pillow Talk (radio edit) and Bieber - Love Yourself. The intro is singing, they sing all through the verses and chorus and have no breaks. How would you mix those together smoothly?

[@MutedInc]

+morphman86 drop it on the one instead or find a few bars of instrument and loop it from time to time that can work. If those still don't work find an intro edit of the song

[@zackdaniels4540]

Get creative.

[@morphman86]

Zack Daniels Possibly the least informative response you could ever give. It's up there with "git good".

[@zackdaniels4540]

There's so many options. Muted Entertainment gave a bunch of pertinent information and there's so much more you can do, echo out is a good one, but ideally mix the songs at a different part. Sometimes there's a section later in the song with a random beat. Set up a pre-set loop so when you get to that part it automatically loops and then you can bring in the vocal. Or if you use serato you can use FLIP and make a custom intro edit with that. Check drakes "One dance" for an example of the random beat i think it's after like the second chorus or so. Learn to do some basic baby scratching and mess around with the vox over the current song then try an echo out and drop it in. Sounds great with hip hop or top 40

[@morphman86]

Zack Daniels Thank you, that helped a lot. I'll check them out and try some of the things you explained.

[@ulek_604]

I hope he doesnt mix in real life like that.

[@Psythik]

+Ulek Dikinurmuth Doesn't it make you feel better knowing that even the pros still trainwreck sometimes, though? :)

[@ulek_604]

Psythik It only happens very rarely though. & why would that make me feel better? I like to perfect any kraft that I am into, and if anybody is not doing good at it then thats on them, but I still strive to be in the best position possible. I feel like that would only make someone feel better if they were doing a shit job and had to find some kind of reassurance that they're not SO bad haha

[@blueprint7]

+Ulek Dikinurmuth you seem unpleasant

[@ulek_604]

blueprint7 You seem defensive

[@finzl]

+Ulek Dikinurmuth You seem like one of those pros who only mix techno where most of the time all you have to do is match a blatantly obvious bass drum beat.

[@Scubadog_]

I've learned not to mix anything with Drop It Like It's Hot, because of that spray-paint white noise that's constantly there. Really doesn't work with most tunes.

[@mariogayoso]

what mic are you using to shoot your videos? and thanks for posting that!

[@WaltonV]

I thought it would be a mixing in a DAW, for common songs, and not DJ mix. Then i saw the name of the channel. .=. ;W

[@DrummingStig]

Thank you very much! this is very useful

[@kellymikli]

Ean, what is your mixer of choice? DB4 or DJM900?

[@christianjohnson9000]

i did things backwards and i dont know what to do i learned mad controller and turntablism but i dont know what to play at the clubs i had a horrible gig even though the crowd seemed to like what i played the owner didn't like it so he wouldn't stop bugging me to play what HE liked

[@mattstrash]

Stop whining. For how different the two songs are he did a good job. He might have wanted to slowly fade in the pixies song so it's less piercing, but it worked. The problem is having to transition between those two in the first place, which is the point of tut.

[@nachomartin471]

just play a song after each other, get the verse 1 from the coming song when the verse 2 from the other comes in, don't try mixing it, fade it out in a bar or two

[@Th4nkYou]

Would it be possible to make this kind of Tutorial with Frenchcore or at least Hardcore? :)

[@kupop0w]

Pretty sure after that part in drop it like its hot its just an instrumental with "snooooooop" vocals. I would have looped that and brought the pixies track in there instead

[@sakkomusic7348]

0:19 dat flow dou

[@RoflCopterrzz]

very nice!

[@djs1wiley972]

Thanks

[@spokenforall]

thanks man

[@MrInerds]

Thank You

[@OneOfSixMusic]

Those effects hurt me ears lol

[@kn00tcn]

was hoping for mismatched bpm, but also this doesnt apply to vinyl mixing

[@RichieAnthonyGuitar]

I didn't realize this wasn't a mixing and mastering lesson until 5 minutes in and I've been so confused

[@michaelweidenhoffer1635]

Omfg... Just why?? Btw that whiteboard part was soooo incredible 😂😂

[@officialchelectro]

If I would mix like you do - I will loose my DJ Job - Theorie is good but prefer cutting at the right time - often much more effective...thank you

[@shadowinlight20]

This is a good techniqe,but it relies on those two songs being approximately the same. If you want to mix pop songs of vastly different bpms ,you really cant beatmatch them so this trasition is useless

[@RemcoPeggeman]

Not really, you can't let the complete intro play, but you can hint with little snippets during the chorus. The after the chorus you drop track B immediatly at the verse.

[@drofheim]

Surprised at the criticism, thought it was really good.

[@nacionalstore]

Eu amo este setup!!!

[@leewardlaw4393]

THis mix defo defo works

[@peenchewhay]

that was sick

[@mikiastesfaye]

Very nice explained, but when you mix it, too much effects in my opinion. Overall cool bro

[@fredrock91]

Ean got the most perfect beard ever

[@jpaul0826]

His explanation should be a no brainer to serious DJs.... His execution is, hands down, why house music DJs should never dabble with open format DJing (unless they truly love the art of DJING and not the art of pressing play)... Whether you all want to believe it or not, there is a difference between being a DJ and a clown who makes music and calls himself a dj because he can beat match intros over outros... #nuffsaid

[@koolstup]

This needs to be taught in schools

[@SuperMatrix59]

You know back in the day I didnt have that big chalk board and those sharpies. I JUST ROCKED THE HOUSE WITH MY 1200'S AND VYNIL..SO I SAY WTF

[@aloiziooliveira5484]

Muito legal.......Congratulations!!!!!!

[@evanzie2012]

Now try that with vinyl!!!

[@dylanwrightfilms]

That was dope imo

[@EvandroPastor]

Anyone know witch mixer he is using?

[@iampeaking]

DJM900

[@lakestuntcrew]

So much epicness! lol. thanks for sharing these vids..FOR FREE no less! you guys are best :)

[@ashyslashy7243]

All these pro djs in the comments but yet no one has ever heard of them.

[@priyonjoni]

Ean, I respect you, but way to make mixing pop music seem boring. And what I mean by that is, I'm not one to speak for open format DJs often, but one of the things that make open format DJs who play pop music, whether they are turntablists, CDJists, or controllerists, is the spontaneity, energy, unpredictability, and instictual method of how to mix pop music. While there are exceptions to it, breaking it down into a repeatable routine just makes it mixing pop music seem too methodical, and reducing the impact. I firmly believe and have always experienced that an audience can tell the difference between a DJ in his creative zone versus reciting a tactic.

[@kgreenek]

This is just one trick for your bag. I think it's a great technique to start with!

[@GjestarOfficial]

it's just a training wheels demo. Besides, smooth mixes are fine. If all you do are trick mixes and rapid cuts, it gets old fast. Besides, the crowd doesn't know what they want til you give it to them.

[@MrPainseeker]

Do you have any suggestions on how to incorporate this into a 3 hour set that will also have deep progressive tech house and edm? Like where in my set would it be ideal to drop these tracks?

[@wayneaveyard5021]

if your mixing deep, progressive, tech, house and edm, then want to drop pop tracks the bpm and beats would be way out, if you wanted to bring pop tracks in i would wait untill a break down in the deep, progressive, teck, house edm track then start the pop track or hiphop track, and after the pop track finishes i would bring a progressive track in like "hey brother - avicii" what would already sound "pop'ie" but to be honest if your playing deep, progressive, tech, house and edm you wouldnt use pop or hiphop tracks, however you would use hiphop if you was using trap aswell as deep, progressive, tech, house and edm

[@MrPainseeker]

***** I DJ at weddings and there is no telling with the crowd there. And since it's a wedding, I have to play those cheesy songs. So I thought I would rather compile a list of all such pop hip hop numbers and try to find some spots in my collection to throw them in.

[@wayneaveyard5021]

use break downs then or if you have filter echo with a long tail, use that effect then start the pop songs while the echo tail is still going, hope this helps

[@MrPainseeker]

***** interesting. I do something similar in traktor with the simple delay FX chained with iceverb and a filter. I bump the dry/wet in the last 2 bars gradually-move the filter towards HPF-stop the current song/start the next song.... the effect is similar to what you said. The new song plays while the echo tail slowly fades out. Trying to find more musical ways to do this.

[@wayneaveyard5021]

well pop music isnt made to be mixed, i.e no intro normally. but in my own opinion i dont think this way sounds good the way the guy in this video did it, sounded messy and just not right to me. but i guess its down to each song. but tbh i dont much about playing pop songs of weddings i do clubs and events so never needed to.

[@whitegold2968]

dope

[@milly8496]

Sick

[@retrolectrovideo]

Convincing!

[@DJLITE]

how to traktor x1 equlaizer with music ?

[@zhaominghuang2366]

I feel the mix is fine😊 not like other comments

[@TYMCERQUEIRATCIMAGEM]

Top 10

[@aloiziooliveira5484]

Muito legall....

[@Tommaso_Squarzoni]

So beauty

[@andrzejfrey]

super