A Beginner's Guide to Mixing Two Songs Together

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Master one of the most essential DJ techniques
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Mixing two songs together is one of the most essential techniques DJs use to transition from one song to another. It allows the music to seamlessly blend without any gaps in the music. If the music doesn’t stop, the people keep on dancing! This wikiHow article teaches you how to blend two songs together, with expert beat-matching tips from music producer & instructor Timothy Linetsky.

Quickly Mix Two Tracks Together

Load both songs into your DJ software decks. Use the tempo slider to match the BPM and beats of both songs. Count along to the beat and drop the second song on the downbeat of the first song. Use the crossfader to transition from one song to the next.

Part 1
Part 1 of 4:

Finding Software

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  1. Perform a web search for DJ software. Review the functionality of each program to make sure it can blend the songs the way you want. After selecting from the many available options, download and install the program you would like to use. There are many platforms that make mixing songs user friendly:
  2. After installation is complete, you can start mixing songs right away. Some free demo versions of software are only accessible for a limited time after downloading. Get started mixing songs right away to take advantage of the free trial period.
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  3. 3
    Get a DJ controller (optional). While you can mix and blend songs using a computer alone, a DJ controller offers a tactile interface that includes a 2 to 4 channel mixer, volume knobs, EQ, a cross-fader, audio effects, and two simulated turntables called “jog wheels” that give you more control, especially in a live environment. [1]
    • DJ controllers range in price from basic units that you can purchase for under $100 to high-end, expensive units that cost more than $1000. The average DJ controller costs between $200 and $400.
    • When you get more experienced as a DJ, you may want to invest in a DJ Mixer. Unlike a DJ controller, a mixer does not require any computer software. You can use CDs for vinyl, and you get better quality sound.
    • Most DJ controllers come with free software that works with the controller out of the box. For example, basic-tier Pioneer DJ controllers come with Serato Lite.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 4:

Picking Songs to Mix

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  1. 1
    Download a library of songs. You’ll want a variety of songs across different genres. Professional DJs often use different versions of songs than you hear on the radio. Radio mixes tend to be shorter with less consistent intros and outros. DJ mixes have longer intros and outros specifically made for mixing. [2]
    • You can purchase DJ mixes from websites like Beatport , Traxsource , and Beatsource . You can also purchase a wide variety of mainstream music from iTunes and Apple Music.
  2. 2
    Load your downloaded songs into your DJ software.. Different DJ programs may have different user interfaces, but they all have similar features. Most DJ software applications have a browser that contains all the songs you have downloaded. Make sure you place all the songs you have downloaded into your browser folder.
    • Most programs allow you to organize your tracks by genre, tempo, key, or other key features.
    • You may want to create a playlist of the songs you want to DJ before a session.
  3. 3
    Pick two songs you think will blend well together. According to Linetsky, both songs should have similar tempo or BPM (beats per minute). If both songs are in the same key or a similar key, that is also a plus. Both songs should have relatively empty sections (such as an intro, outro, or breakdown) where you can mix the songs together. [3]
  4. Familiarize yourself with the tempo and musicality of the songs you are trying to blend. Make a note of any specific parts of the song that you want to stand out. Pay attention to the intros, outros, and breakdowns to listen for sections you may want to loop and when you want to transition.
    • Most DJ programs have a Deck A and a Deck B that mirror each other on the left and right sides. Both decks have a jog wheel and controls that are used to control the individual tracks. You can load a song into a deck by dragging and dropping it from your browser or playlist into the dock. Then, click the play button on the deck to play it.
  5. In a good musical blend, the sound flows from one song to the next. Try to alternate starting and stopping the two songs to hear how they sound one after the other.
    • Most DJ programs have a crossfader bar on the console between the two decks. This is what you use to switch from one deck to another. Slide the bar all the way to the left to listen to Deck A. Slide the bar all the way to the right to listen to Deck B.
  6. You can use the crossfader bar to switch between decks. Place the cross-fader in the middle to listen to both decks at the same time. Listen to the sound of the songs together to make sure the songs mesh well.
    • Consider the key of each song to make sure they are harmonized. If the key is different, make sure the songs don’t clash or sound dissonant.
    • Listen for complimentary parts where both songs can be played together. This will often be the intros and the outros of the song. However, there may be breakdowns in the middle that can be sampled and mixed with another song.
    • Some DJ programs, like Serato Pro, offer separate stems from songs. These are the isolated vocal, drum, or instrumental tracks. This gives you flexibility when blending parts of a song or the beats. You can even create mashups (i.e., placing the vocal track from one song over the instrumental section of another song.
      • You can purchase stems from stores that sell DJ mixes, or use a stem extractor program that uses AI to separate the stems from songs. However, the quality of AI stem separators may not be as good.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 4:

Matching the Beats

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  1. 1
    Play both songs at the same time. Load the songs you want to mix into both tracks and hit the play button to start playing both tracks.
  2. 2
    Match the tempos if needed. If the second song is slightly faster than the other, you will need to use the tempo slider bar to slow down or speed up the song.
    • You can match the tempo in one of three ways.
      • The first is by listening to both songs at the same time and using your ears to gauge the tempo.
      • You can also use your eyes to gauge the tempo. Most DJ programs show you both audio tracks at the top of the screen.
      • You may be able to see the drum beats in the save file and adjust them by sight.
    • If you are new to DJing, start with songs that are the same tempo so that you can focus on beat matching rather than adjusting the tempo.
    • According to Linetsky, if you don’t know the exact tempo of each song, you can use your ears to guess the tempo, or turn on the metronome on your DJ software and match the tempo with the metronome. Some audio software can figure out the tempo for you automatically. [4]
  3. 3
    Listen to the first song and count along to the beat. You can play the first song in either deck. Make sure the crossfader is set to the deck where the song is playing. Count along to the beat as the song plays.
  4. 4
    Queue the second song while the first is playing. Both decks should have a queue button above or below the play/pause button. Pressing the Queue button starts the song over from the beginning. Press the Queue button for the second button on the first beats of each bar of the first song.
  5. 5
    Start the second song on the first beat of a bar. When you are ready to make the transition, start playing the second song on the first beat of a bar in the first song. Let them both play together.
  6. 6
    Use the jog wheels to adjust the beat. If you don’t drop the second track perfectly on the first beat, you may hear a slight gallop between the beats. You can fine-tune this using the jog wheels. [7]
    • Use the sides of the jog wheels to temporarily speed up or slow down a song. Rotate the side of the jog wheel counter-clockwise to slow down the song. Rotate it clockwise to speed up the song.
    • Rotate the jog wheel one and see if the beats are more or less in sync. If they are less in sync, rotate the side of the jog wheel in the opposite direction. Continue to do so until the beats match perfectly.
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Part 4
Part 4 of 4:

Blending Two Songs

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  1. 1
    Set the crossfader to the left or right deck. Make sure the crossfader is set to the deck of the first song that you have playing.
  2. 2
    Play the second song in the other deck. Make sure both songs are beat-matched. Start playing the second song in the other deck. Make sure the song starts on the downbeat of a bar.
    • Once the track is loaded into the deck, keep hitting the Queue button on the first beat of each bar until you are ready to start playing the second song.
  3. 3
    Use the crossfader to transition from one song to the other. When you are ready to start transitioning to the second song, drag the slider bar from the deck that is currently playing to the next deck. These are the basics of mixing two songs together. [8]
    • Depending on the song, this may be a slow transition or a quick transition.
      • If the songs have long intros and outros, you may be able to use a slow and smooth transition.
      • If the second song has a quick intro, you’ll want to use a quick transition.
    • Make sure you complete the transition before the verse of the second song starts. If you need to prolong the beat, you can do so by looping the track.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Can I mix songs with different BPM?
    Timothy Linetsky
    Music Producer & Instructor
    Timothy Linetsky is a DJ, producer, YouTuber, and music educator based in San Francisco, California. He has been making music for over 15 years, and is known for his YouTube channel You Suck at Producing, in which he does music production tutorials for over 330,000 YouTube subscribers. In addition to teaching music production, he releases his own music as Underbelly. He has taught at schools such as Beat Lab Academy and Pyramind. He is also an Ableton Certified Trainer, and has worked closely with the company to produce tutorial videos and educational content. His original productions have garnered millions of plays on Spotify, and in 2020, he released his debut album Machine Yearning as Underbelly to critical acclaim.
    Timothy Linetsky
    Music Producer & Instructor
    Expert Answer
    The songs you choose should at least have similar BPM so they blend seamlessly.
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  • Question
    What is the best free app?
    Community Answer
    Edjing for a Windows PC is a great app.
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  • Question
    Do the songs Pink Panther and Better Off Alone go together?
    Missabell16
    Community Answer
    Yes, they would sound great together. Maybe change the BPM of one of the songs would work better though. A good app for this is edjing (it's free and you can I use it on a Windows pc).
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      Warnings

      • Copyright laws may prevent you from claiming remixed original songs as your own work. Check with local laws before claiming music to perform.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.masteringbox.com/learn/dj-controller-and-dj-mixer-differences
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g79Ial0L95Q
      3. ↑ Timothy Linetsky. Music Producer & Instructor. Expert Interview. 13 February 2019.
      4. ↑ Timothy Linetsky. Music Producer & Instructor. Expert Interview. 13 February 2019.
      5. ↑ Timothy Linetsky. Music Producer & Instructor. Expert Interview. 13 February 2019.
      6. ↑ Timothy Linetsky. Music Producer & Instructor. Expert Interview. 13 February 2019.
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4JE7lSwwmo
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g471WPgk4Ew

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        Oct 17, 2017

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