I learned on vinyl in the 90s before all this waveform visualization technology came along. We used to think it was cheating to write your tempo settings for each record when prepping a set. That shit was hard. We’d cheer each other on for just not train wrecking on a complicated mix. This new automatic sync and visualizations and tempo readout shit is great. Makes mixing 1000% easier and you can do faster more technical mixes you just could not do reliably in a live set back in the day. Ain’t no going back. You don’t see people riding horses to work just cause that’s the original way to do it.
THATS WHY WE OLD SCHOOLERS HAVE THE EDGE WITH THE LATEST TECH...WE HAD TO PUT RECORDS IN THE SAME JACKET OR LINE UP ALL THE RECORDS IN COLOUR OR BEHIND ONE ANOTHER WITH A PIECE OF PAPER AS A PARTITION FOR DIFFERENT SETS OR GENRES...WELEARNED TO BLEND TUNES BY EAR, SO WHEN THESE NEW SCHOOLERS HAVE PROBLEMS WITH USING EASIER DJ EQUIPMENT I JUST LAUGH......IF THE ISSUES ARE WITH SOFTWARE OR LAPTOP THATS FINE I UNDERSTAND...I SEE ALOT OF DJS WHO REALLY NEED TO USE SYNC AND THEY STILL STRUGGLE TO JUGGLE AND MIX PROPERLY...I ONLY USE SYNC TO MIX FASTER SO I HAVE TIME TO EQ AND DO MY LEVELLING
Learning on vinyl was super tough !!!!!!! :)::) that was my way and I still love mixing on records :) virtual DJ is ok I guess for certain things I just love that real touch, always have :)
I'd forgotten about that aspect, cheering when someone pulled off an epic mix without it all turning to a train wreck - which is literally what it sounded like. I still remember the time i f'd one up at a house party, being commisserated by the other DJs. It was SOOOO close. darn it. freaking record ran out before the next drop was ready, my bad for dropping in 8 beats early... Modern Djing is so much better.
@@SiFi_Music i gave up mixing for a while, when CDJs took over. Vinyl has that finger on the record, looking at the music in the grooves magic, and CDJs sucked balls, never quite managing to connect my hands to the music. Fully digital djing is good, though
@@djcarlo its cus they're fucking jealous .that they can't do what you do! There is no fucking way you can do all those tricks and also having to worry about manually beat matching as well .you would get drift . impossible . These idiots aren't battle djs .they know shit all
When you learn to drive a car, learn to drive a stick shift ... then drive automatic all you want. The day you borrow a car with a stick shift, you won't regret it learning it.
People who complain about sync, usually have a lot of gigs, and have been in it for a long time. The people that complain about people who complain about the sync button, usually don't last long in the game anyway, and barely have their first gig. It's ok, they won't be in it very long. ;)
I ❤️ the sync button! I am djing since 20 years, that means we had too learn beatmatching by ear. But now you can do a lot of crazy stuff with Sync. Everybody can learn beatmatching by ear, but not everybody is a good DJ - it takes more then that!
this. you can teach a four-year old to beatmatch by ear. Choosing and playing a four hour set to a bunch of hippies high on a beach somewhere... that takes experience and skill.
I started DJing in the mid 80's, and the first kind of mixing me and the other guys in our crew did was. Either a baby scratch cut in, or dropping in on the beat. Not because we didn't know about beat matching but because we had old ass mix and match turntables, and a tiny 2 channel mixer from Radio Shack. One was an old Pioneer from somebody's brother's stereo system and the other was a really old Marantz with a missing foot on the bottom. The Pioneer played 45's and 33 rpm. But the Marantz played 45, 33, and 78 rpm with the added bonus of a little pitch control knob that we tried to use like a real pitch control.🥴 So the beat drop, or scratch cut was used quite a bit before we saved enough $ to buy our first 1200's, and a Numark mixer. Still going strong to this day, but now I use a Pioneer DDJ-SZ and my lap top. And yes, I do use the sync button, makes it a whole lot simpler and makes all the effects work together nicely. But you have to still listen, because sync doesn't work properly every time. I play Old School Rap and R & B and 60's and 70's Funk. Most of that music was live bands, the BPM isn't locked in like on modern dance music. So I always have my fingers on the platter and my ear on the beat.
People complain about the new technology of DJing including the sync feature are just cranking people. I don't miss paying $10 for a 12" record (for 1 song), carrying 10+ crates of records up a flight of stairs (plus 2 technics 30lbs each + mixer + a coffin), or having to replace my needle every few weeks. I love the new technolog - it makes a bad DJ good and a good DJ great.
I started DJing in 1986 with miss matched turn tables and an analog mixer from Radio Shack. I can match beats manually but since I went digital I enjoy using the technology. If you use a laptop and digital controllers you can,t be critical of anyone. It,s about using what you have to make the best music.
I feel you .... realistic belt drive turntables from radio shack..... realistic mixer with a crossfader so stiff that my fingers should look like Popeyes forearms.
Same thing I said even before I saw your comment bro. If you use a computer you have already advanced from what they were doing in the beginning. I had different belt drive turntables back in the days with the Realistic mixer. Respect.
First lesson I learned back in the early 80’s was beat matching. I use sync now,, I have nothing to prove to anyone. I beatmatch when I have to,,, period. If not ,,, I don’t. simple as that.
hit the nail on the head. it's about proving yourself. dick waving, basically. no-one cares, except other dick-wavey DJs. the crowd certainly doesn't :)
Does Sync teach you: - song flow - phrasing - song selection - EQ mixing - being a good DJ Absolutely not. Can Sync help you in a pinch or to achieve very specific transitions or help you not look like a terrible drunk jerk or help you have fun when you're goofing around with your friends or help you flesh out weird ideas while you're brainstorming at home? Yes, totally. Sync is a tool that we all can employ when we want to use it, but it's not something you can rely on forever. At some point, you can walk up to a gig and be introduced to completely foreign gear that you will need to teach yourself how to use (SOMETIMES IN THE MIDDLE OF YOUR GIG!) like how I had to teach myself how to use a Heath & Allen Xone 92 because the headliner had a specific tech rider and the promo team/club didn't want to swap gear. Having proper fundamentals in beatmatching and mixing will carry you much further than relying on Sync ever will.
@@colt2356 looks like you misunderstood *quahogconvo's* comment.He says that beatmatching is just _one of many_ other skills DJ must have. Moreover, BM is absolutely technical, mechanistic thing, and Sync button just help us align kicks between two songs and "move" pitch slider to the right position, nothing more. On the other hand, song flow, phrasing, EQ mixing etc are absolutely artistic stuff, there are not buttons like "Search for drop" or "Make build-up" on any controller. IMHO beatmatching is something like multiplication table: you should know that 2x2=4, but in the real life any of us do use calculator (i.e. Sync btn).
I learnt on virtual DJ and used sync because I didn’t have a way of splitting the audio. Years later I’ve brought technics and cdjs and can beat Match. However my mixes are better from my auto sync days because I could concentrate on selection rather than just beat matching. It’s all about your selection and your love of music, not just the technical aspect. Respect a fellow DJ! 🙌🏻
I have a friend who started the same way, and he's one of the more popular DJs now in Metro Manila! At the end of the day, it's all about giving your audience the good time they deserve!
@@djcarlo couldn’t agree more. Some of the best DJs I know don’t even want to be behind the decks, they’d rather be on the dance floor raving! We need to end this toxic attitude. Makes me wonder how many amazing DJs there are out there who won’t play out because they don’t want to deal with the haters.
@Tha Realness You are making a lot of assumptions. I have been DJing for many years and know my basics. By your argument, no one should use the loop function. Think about it and don't be a dumbass.
@@anthonyholmes71 lol for real. The people dont give a damn. I dont either. If i go out and a dj is playing. I show them love regardless. Because as djs we are a family
Love your vids Carlo! I started Djing about a year ago and found myself using the sync button to match BPMs. Until a month ago, I started learning from a Dj and he hates using the sync button and thinks "its not real djing". The issue is that I know how to beat match by ear and blend tracks together without sync but doing the manual work makes my sets/mixes boring and too long to transition between songs. My generation of audience has a picky and short attention span that if you lose it for a second it is hard to get it back, that is why cutting and quick mixing is essential. I wish older generations of Djs would see how much Djing is changing and that the old ways would not be forgotten.
Glad you mentioned DJs that beat match by their eyes. That’s the number 1 cause of ‘Serato Face’. My view is Sync can help maximise creativity if you know what you’re doing. The prep required to beat grid some tracks is a talent in itself.
I just watched this video and knowing how you think about the sync function makes me appreciate your videos and lessons even more. Glad to see that some skilled DJs embrace progress and convenience. Thanks for having an open mind.
I love the sync button. Im all about efficiency. This argument is similar to some musicians bashing on producers using drum machines and other sampled sounds to produce their tracks. I still love those tracks and most producers are likely using sampled sounds today.
DUDE! You totally read my mind when it comes to looking at the displayed BPM. No different than using the sync button. I am still new to my controller and since I am a very experienced drummer, I already have the ability to beat match, so I honestly don't even know how to use the sync button. Have not pressed it once. Once I am more comfortable with the gear, I am sure I will find it to be of service on occasion. So far the most difficult thing for me has been just fully learning the software and hardware so as to fully exploit their possibilities. BTW, my first gig went so-so but I totally KILLED my second gig. It was a blast! Third gig tomorrow night! Thanks again.
Sync phobia is like homophobia. You only fear what you secretly are tempted to try but are ashamed to admit because you care too much what other people think. 🤷🏽♂️
DJ Carlo Atendido wasn’t directed at you. You’re doing the right thing! I was speaking about the folks who respond negatively towards folks who use the sync feature correctly. Besides, if someone doesn’t know how to beatmatch, the sync button can quickly turn into the trainwreck button.
At the end of the day it’s another tool in your arsenal. The audience could care less what you’re using, as long as you play good music, as well as rock the party. Appreciate your channel and content Carlo.#Salute
My short and extremely exciting path of discovering love for DJing started with loops and actually way more complex staff than what eventually in the end one finds being essential to playing music and that is to simply play music. I use sync in order to allow my self needed time to manipulate my sets enough for them to be a complete freedom of expression. After coming all the way to begining and now understanding the core of the every single track I can mix and blend both styles and I cannot be happier about it. Carlo your skills and you personality are so much above anything one could expect from any corner, thank you so much for being you and for sharing your knowledge like this 🙏 I have learned so much from you and it's a pleasure to see your work!
I have been a DJ for a while and just like you I can scratch and used vinyl ....but I use it so I see nothing wrong....you still have to know how to DJ because not every song will work even if it has the same BPM
New dj, just been spinning for a couple weeks. Love this video, love sync, love using different methods for different situations. Thank you for appreciating the old methods while embracing new technology as well!
I use sync, I'm very influenced by old school dj techniques. its obvious to hear someone overusing sync but going 1000s of songs and setting speed and matching ques slows up your chances of going harder. use all the tools you have provided and bring your own style to all of your work.
DJ Carlo Atendido but should u play what u like or play for the crowd? As in should u cater to the audiences preference or if they don’t like it just rub it off as this is not the right crowd for me?
@@artemjetman I saw a video that had a good suggestion for this - the 2:1 rule. Play two tracks you know the crowd will recognize and enjoy then one that you like that maybe they don't know, but is a similar style so you think they might like it too. If you don't like a certain genre of music and find yourself asked to DJ that style of music, you can always decline, bonus points if you're friends with a DJ who likes that type of music and can point the client in the right direction! That being said, I don't even really use that rule much, as I'm not a professional dj but occasionally find myself DJing events and parties and I usually just play songs I like and sets I've made that I feel have a good vibe and I can mix well, with the occasional exception if someone requests a specific song I have and I'm feeling it, and it usually goes over well bc a lot of time people are just there to have a good time and listen to good music 🤷♂️
I'm glad that you, who I follow, share these thoughts like this. I mean, according to this logic, DJs from 90s can say that DJs who play on mixers are fake DJs. It's about evolution. I'm a beginner but I first learned how to beatmatch and then started using sync because I'm now more focused on my sound that anything else.
@@AveMcree I agree and disagree. Agree in the sense that if you don't know how to beatmatch...yes...your skills are not refine. However, if you already know how to beatmatch and have no problem with it. Then there is nothing wrong with using it to be more creative.
When I connected my vinyl player to the mixer at a party the dude I was playing back 2 back with told me I wasnt allowed to mix on vinyl cuz hed never beat matched before... Imo dude lacked an important skill...
As a DJ of the early 80s I used vinyl and the ear to beat match, I feel sync is just another tool as Serato is to DJ’s today, but I think as beginner DJs you should learn the right methods of DJING without initially using sync so they can understand how valuable and useful tools like sync can be. It took me a long time to adapt to using programs like Serrato based on how I learn to DJ. The tricks and things we did with two turntables and a mixer was incredible for its day but with tools like sync and Serato will take your DJ to the next level
I do agree! In fact, my How To DJ for Beginners video implores viewers to learn proper beatmatching (by ear) before going full visual/sync. Sync is amazing though for cutting up the decks while mixing! That's why I always use it in my mix videos!
Djing house and hip hop for nearly 30 years, I do agree it's a skill that should be learned. However to insult another dj for using it may discourage them. No need for that. Keep up the great work.
I use sync because I have a ddj sx2 and when I use the 4 channels, I don't want to mess around with the tempo of the tracks(on a 4 decks controller it could be very confusing) so I can avoid mistakes during a gig. Sync is not cheating, if it can be useful to save some precious time to add more techniques and vibe to your set.
I've been djing for over 15 years. I started with belt drive turntables and a Stanton mixer. Technology has come so far....why not take advantage of it. Sync isnt always right. There is still small adjustments that always need to be made to have a smooth sounding set. It is important to be able to mix by ear but, using the technoloogy to eliminate that step to further other aspects of our sets is a no brainer. I will never fell bad for using the technology that is offered but, I'll always remain humble and never forget where it all started.
If sync button was so bad, companies making consoles wouldn't be adding it on them. Poor people simply burn by others success. Your are so helpful Carlo. Thank-you. 😄
For math, I use a calculator. My math teacher said that I won't always have one, but that was before the mobile phone. My point is that there is now a generation of DJ's who have the tech to do something that us older DJ's used have to do manually. They are still getting the job done, however they may not realise what else they can do by knowing how it used to be done.
I use sync when doing crazy beat tempo change when i need both decks to change speed at the same time. also when using four deck (and i only have two channel mixer. when you are a quick open format DJ you learn how to listen and beat match quickly . When i need too i can use (EYE SNYC) which is helpful when performing. :)
Well said Carlo. Im time served on vinyl from the 80s. Djing today is way past beatmatching. Im a digital open format dj-the new gen tech lets me do so much more and people have fun at my events. 🎉
Thank goodness you've adapted and elevated bud! There's always so much more to music than transitions nowadays. Song choice is still a major part of it, but crafting experiences out of it? Now that's the ticket!
I dont consider the sync button as a bad thing. Its pretty useful for fast transitions and stuff like that... As long as you are capable of manual beat matching, there's no shame in using it
My first & only DJ lesson ever was DJ'ing w/out headphones. The idea was in the event the headphone jack (male/female) is busted you'll have to mix based on your digital meter per channel & cueing up your mix on its first drop or sound.
My first lesson was building up a bank of songs that were the same bpm and building sets and playlists around slappers that are the same bpm And then I found out I like playing stuff faster than the original tempo so just used an auto sync to keep them at a constant anyway.
Sync is a great tool. Something I learned about syncing that I am not crazy about is how if I have two tracks synced and I load another track onto the deck that I am going to play the next track on, I must make sure sync is totally turned off on that deck before loading the new track on it or else even if I turn off sync afterwards, it goes ahead and forces me to push the fader all the way up and down in order to engage the manual manipulation of the bpm. After reading the manual on my controller it told me to make sure sync is off before loading that track that I want to slow down or speed up! Great video and love your attitude on DJing. Subscribed! 👍
I personally beat match because i love it and it goes so well with trance / techno / progressive because the variations in the mix is sometimes pretty cool. being a little bit offbeat every now and then gives a real human touch to your mix. if your doing a lot of samples and scratching and other things then using sync is probably the way to go as you have enough on your plate already with all the bits and pieces your adding to the mix.
A LOT of DJs need to hear that statement. Beginners so they don't use it as a pure crutch, and others so they can stop saying I'm not a real DJ just because I choose to use sync in the videos hahahaha
love sync, creates so much space to get far more creative when mixxing, but yeah started 20 years ago and actully learned the process of beat matching with vinyl.. so there's that
Back in the late 80s mixing was totally different to what it is now. Not having to worry about whether a track will be out in 32 or 64 beats , enables those fingers to be free , for tone adjusting , and other modern trickery for epic blends, or bouncing synths off each other .... that couldn't possibly be achieved when u r too busy riding a platter. Today's djs are far more visual orientated , I know i rely on my eyes way more than my ears , for about 10 years now. It's evolution .
This whole discussion about it is so superfluous! ... It does not matter nowadays which techniques you use .... It is important, what comes out at the end that it pleases the people ... thus a flow with the people build. AND THAT IS WHAT LASTING COUNTS !!!!
To each their own. There's always the purists that prefer doing 100% of everything manually and those that leave 100% of the heavy lifting to the controller... Everyone has their own style to DJing. There isn't a universally "right" or universally "wrong" way to do it. It all boils down to if your set/ mix sounds good. That's it. I've used sync since I started DJing. Now I definitely CAN beatmatch, but it's just quicker and more convenient. Plus it allows the DJ to spend more time looking at the crowd and interacting with it.
I sync with routines that have fast changeovers. Easier than trying to get the fader that precise. Of course not all sync are built the same. I’ve used all of the major software and some just don’t feel right when using.
My thoughts on the use Of sync are: If you are using it to be more creative or more accurate in less time because you have to or fixing mistakes quickly is totally ok i use it a lot of times when for example i let a drop that is the end of a song and i need to put something quick and i dont have time to match i rather focus on the metric than matching
When I started djing I was introduced to the sync button but I ended up teaching myself how to beat match by ear but I still use the sync button from time to time if a) I'm mixing multiple songs (using all 4 channels) quickly and don't have the time to properly beat match or if I'm doing a tempo change like one track at 128 and the other at 110 and transitioning one to another using the tempo fader. But what I learned from a few buddies of mine in Vegas is it's there for a reason find away to use it and use it creatively.
This video nails it on the head! I've been a DJ for over 20 + years. Played in many clubs beat matching regular old school Dennon CD players by ear ... I understand all the fundamentals about mixing that I learned naturally. I find using sync gives me time to work on many other things in my mix that I haven't been able to do before which I LOVE. It's like a breath of fresh air.. I use it as a tool for a DJ that already has skill and you would never know I use it unless I told you... You can always tell a beginner using sync.. and I agree that you should learn the true skill before using it and "claiming" to be a DJ.. Just makes you look and sound foolish.
"Oh, look! That physicist is using a four-function calculator! Shame on him!" Why is he using it? Because he's got far more important things to solve than to worry about doing mental addition/subtraction/multiplication/division. Same thing with a DJ; you have your effects, loops, cues and song choice to worry about - so why waste time on something relatively trivial when it's already there for you? As you say though, a beginner should definitely master the art first before relying on an automated feature, just as a primary school kid needs to master the art of basic maths before being allowed to use a calculator - or just as a learner driver should master the art of reverse-parking before being given parking sensors and a reversing camera.
I've heard a lot of my musician friends say "it amazes me people don't know how to use sync" and they're the ones headlining the local shows or opening for bigger artists 👌
That's a very VERY strange thing to say haha, but well, I sort of agree in the sense that they use sync as a crutch instead of a tool for more creative mixes!
I’ve been taking lessons for about 2 months from a friend now and I had no idea what sync was, because use I never used it. It wasn’t until someone asked me if I used it I had to look up what it does lol. I’m feeling pretty cool right now 😏
Long before I bought a controller, I hired djs for parties - and neither I, not anyone else at the party either knew or cared about how a dj beat matched. All I cared about was how good the music sounded, song choices, and whether or not people were dancing. The controversy is not real, real customers don't care.
I’ve been DJing for 35 years, beat matching is one of the most important skills a DJ can learn. Once this has been mastered, then beat matching using BPMs and synch is fine. The second most important skill is music programming, knowing how to program the night and take dancers through a journey. The kit that I first learned on (circa 1986) was 2 RadioShack/Realistic, belt driven turntables and a Pyramid 2 channel mixer.
Carlos, I agree with you 500%!! When I learned how to dj back in the 90’s we didn’t have visual to let us know what dj software know now. So yes we had to train our hears and know your music. I remember listening and organizing my records putting the similar sounding songs close to each other. When I decided to get back into it 20 yrs later I was amazed how fast I picked up beat matching on a controller. Where now i put all my energy trying to learn the trick you show us on RUclips. You rock, and thanks for putting out all the tutorials you do
tl;dr; It‘s all just about the music and having a great time. I‘m an old school DJ, who learned mixing electronic music with two or three turntables. I can do long sufficient clean blends using just my ear. (And in some venues like parking houses or empty industry halls that was really hard.) When the first Pioneer club mixer showed up with BPM counters build in that was considered „cheating“. Then CD players were cheating. Visualization was cheating. computers were... The sync button... the scratch buttons ... man, you can even say the pitch fader is cheating. And you’re headphone... come on... that doesn’t work out. I thing most people want to „rescue“ their skills and knowledge. In Germany we say „Besitzstandsbewahrer“. People who defend their possessions and status. That’s egoistic, nothing more. Think and feel like the „customers“ - the dancers, the party people, the listeners, ... They just want to have a good time hearing good music. I‘m now mostly playing using four decks in Traktor with much loops and sometimes remix decks. And yes, I use sync from the very beginning of my sets. It doesn’t hurt - not even interest - anybody. If some nerds showing up, it‘s only „wow“. Do it your way to give the crowd what they need. Use as much technology as you want or need. Enough said ... I must try out the new phase firmware now. 😉
Back in ‘94 I got my fist set of 1200. I I remember it would take me over 2 hours to beat match my first two records, it was the hardest thing ever. Now a days we have all this tools to simplify mixing and it’s great! Shot outs to all the pioneers. “It’s all about the music”.
Indeed! The pioneers all worked to make our current industry a reality! At the end of the day, if you're still putting on a show and the crowd is loving it, then you're good! Still do recommend that everyone learns to beatmatch before anything else though.
Love sync as an assist. But I prefer a manual over an automatic (at the very least paddle shifters). More fun. only time I prefer an automatic is in traffic.
I used BPM matching by matching the tempo according to the BPM readout on CDJ-1000's nearly 15 years ago, I even won a large capital city DJ comp by doing this. Beat matching is also a learned skill, I learnt on vinyl and still prefer it to this day. Keep doing what you are doing Carlo, I enjoy watching your videos.
@@svenpoelmans3688 Yes. Back in '92, pre the current equipment, there was a DJ, who had BPMs written on his records. Had to do the math to get them BPMs. :)
Very well said senpai 😊 Couldnt agree more with those. Thank you for sharing your unbiased thoughts about using the sync button. I bet a lot of people here have learned a lot again or enlightened from the guru himself, the one and only DJ Carlo 👉😎🎧🎶 Woot.
honestly i love sync, it really helps me to do quick transitions, without sync i wouldn't be able to do fast transition, i would last forever, and i wouldn't be able to play all the songs i want, plus i can create create build ups really quick with no worries, if you fail to sync manually, people wont dance, and will look confused if two tracks arent sync and that will totally ruin your set
This is like transition era of digital photography few years ago. People (some photographers) hated using "auto-focus" back then. They said it was cheating. You have to adjust manually to get the focus. But they forgot that photography is not only about pressing the button and done. It's just a tool to make life easier, so we can do something more like the composition, lighting, depth of field, tone color, creating moments, etc. It's all same like DJing nowadays, we can do another creativity. And your points are absolutely make sense. Great video, man!
Agreed - DJing is about: Music selection/Digging Reading the crowd Choosing the right record at the right time Technic including beatmatching, but Hey, use sync if you know to do it by ear&hand in case of
As a old school vinyl DJ i just love the feel of mixing tracking in manually. Also I love to scratch, cut and use my skills. But when I use Virtual DJ and playing House music, I like to lock samples(Such as audio clips from films) or bits of tunes in a loop, and use the sync button to match the BPM/tempo of the song I am playing and mix that in, then fuck about with effects, EQ and such on both playing. A complimentary sound/soundscape by the synced loop brought in, gives flavour and personal artistic licence to the playing song. Sync can be used as a creative tool in digital mixing if used wisely!!
@@djcarlo , Ive been dj'ing since 1998, in my day you learned the hard way, which was also the only way ;) In fact, I shall be spinning those wheels tonight for the pleasure of me and my neighbors
I started spinning in the 80s and STILL using the Technic 1200s I bought back then. All I had to mix with were my ears. U explained it the SYNC BUTTON very well. I personally jus cant use it LOL. Even on controllers.
Using sync is something that I avoid because I aim to build excellent beat-matching muscle memory and that only comes with constant repetition. The only reason I would personally use sync is to change drastic BPM difference during build-ups, allowing me to focus on blending effects than actively holding the tempo as I go higher or lower.
Agreed. Learning how to beat match back before technology took over , was how I got jobs . The only DJs who worked in my city , were people who could put the songs together & keep the night flowing . I have a XDJ-RX with Sync & I liked being able to bring in a faster or slower moving song & move the two songs together to the incoming track . I still use my CDJ-2000s (2010)to mix sets which don’t have sync & sometimes it would be nice . Also , mixing in key is a valuable technique to understand that’s now made unnecessary due to newer kits .
"Immature path and exploit this topic" 😂 lezzgo!! 🔥 Btw just my opinion, There's a reason why the SYNC button is present almost at all dj equipment, you all are just insecure at all the skills that different dj has and specially at Dj Carlo. some djs do Reaction Video? Bullcrap. Go and make some people dance and enjoy the moment like Dj Carlo does! Peace. Out.🤘
Amen to this !! I learnt on vinyl 20 years ago with two copies of the same track in my bedroom. Took me weeks but then it just clicked. Roll forward 20 years and I now use controller/laptop and also xdj1000/djm set up. I still beat match manual although on all my kit, even without sync it shows you the bpm of each deck so is still infinitely easier than vinyl. I had someone dissing controller users as button pushers on Facebook so I did a video of me with laptop screen covered beatmatching blind just to prove a point. I agree that newcomers should get that skill nailed even though they don’t have to. Some great DJ’s use sync, it gives them more time to be creative so I have no issue with it at all, but I’m pretty proud of the fact that I’m from an age where I had no choice but to use my ears.
@@djcarlo hey I was wondering. When you hit the sync beat button it matches the BPM. Is it possible to match the first beat with the last beat without changing the BPM?
I love the sync button to this day. The button doesn’t necessarily match the actual beats, just the bpm. It’s still your job to make it sound good! I think sync is a great teaching tool, because if you learn beat matching and then hit sync you can instantly learn what two beats that aren’t matched sound like too.
Sayooj Garrix struggle is real man 😂. I had a gig one time last year but I use Spotify bc I had no idea about any of the DJ Pools & I don’t have $ to pay per song. Anyway they told me the place will have WiFi & they didn’t and the hotspot I used was horrible
I'm 50 and I learnt to mix on belt drive turntables! That's hard but it made me a super smooth mixer then on the 1200's and mix just with the pitch without touching the platter with your hand! Now I love all the new tek and sync button as well. As long as you use it to create more! Nice vid bro!!
I have been DJ'ing for 20+ years, learned on belt drive tables and a crap two channel mixer (learning and beat matching on that rig was like an olympic sport). Bought some real deck (1200's) which I still have and use today. Did a live mix dnb radio show for 4 years with just tables and a mixer. Finally got into the DVS game but still used my 1200's. Just recently I started geeking out with a couple different controllers. Bring on the tech! It's so much fun to smash through tunes quickly and not have to worry about bumping a platter/wheel or messing with pitch! More double drops and live re-working are now possible. DJ'ing is evolving but, people have always just wanted to shake their butts. That is the DJ's only job, doesn't matter how they make it happen.
Wow! What an experience! Thanks for sharing them! And yes! People likes to dance and we should give them what they want - good music to dance with! Awesome takeaway!
Im a dj who started on 2 1200’s and a mixer in the 90s’. So glad i started during this time. Ive worked in many night clubs over the years club owners only care if people are dancing and the bars are ringing cash. Sync is just another tool to be creative. I use sync sometimes and really dont care what people say. I agree with the guy who said most people who complain have 0 gigs.
Thanks! That is the best explanation to this silly controversy of using sync. Sync is simply practical, and a real lifesaver when you are in front of a real crowd in a stress situation. It is just one of those many features of todays electronic DJing and for that certainly not the last.
OMG Carlo you are so right about this, im a pro deejay starded in 1986, im perfectly capable of mixing and beatmatching songs (on cassetes too in our time) but now i use beat match..Why??? because now in 2022 the technology makes my life easier instead of thinking beat matching a song now i can be more creative and thinking about making a cool transition or choosing every next song be better than previous....so its a really BS why some deejays hate sync button...regards
Perfect explanation. It's a tool, use it and use it wisely. I use it for trippy in sync bpm drops and it helps me focus on track selection instead of lining up for 20 seconds or struggling in a super loud stage environment
I learned on vinyl in the 90s before all this waveform visualization technology came along. We used to think it was cheating to write your tempo settings for each record when prepping a set. That shit was hard. We’d cheer each other on for just not train wrecking on a complicated mix. This new automatic sync and visualizations and tempo readout shit is great. Makes mixing 1000% easier and you can do faster more technical mixes you just could not do reliably in a live set back in the day. Ain’t no going back. You don’t see people riding horses to work just cause that’s the original way to do it.
THATS WHY WE OLD SCHOOLERS HAVE THE EDGE WITH THE LATEST TECH...WE HAD TO PUT RECORDS IN THE SAME JACKET OR LINE UP ALL THE RECORDS IN COLOUR OR BEHIND ONE ANOTHER WITH A PIECE OF PAPER AS A PARTITION FOR DIFFERENT SETS OR GENRES...WELEARNED TO BLEND TUNES BY EAR, SO WHEN THESE NEW SCHOOLERS HAVE PROBLEMS WITH USING EASIER DJ EQUIPMENT I JUST LAUGH......IF THE ISSUES ARE WITH SOFTWARE OR LAPTOP THATS FINE I UNDERSTAND...I SEE ALOT OF DJS WHO REALLY NEED TO USE SYNC AND THEY STILL STRUGGLE TO JUGGLE AND MIX PROPERLY...I ONLY USE SYNC TO MIX FASTER SO I HAVE TIME TO EQ AND DO MY LEVELLING
@@runchunesound6546 No need for caps, you look like a fk moron
Learning on vinyl was super tough !!!!!!! :)::) that was my way and I still love mixing on records :) virtual DJ is ok I guess for certain things I just love that real touch, always have :)
I'd forgotten about that aspect, cheering when someone pulled off an epic mix without it all turning to a train wreck - which is literally what it sounded like. I still remember the time i f'd one up at a house party, being commisserated by the other DJs. It was SOOOO close. darn it. freaking record ran out before the next drop was ready, my bad for dropping in 8 beats early... Modern Djing is so much better.
@@SiFi_Music i gave up mixing for a while, when CDJs took over. Vinyl has that finger on the record, looking at the music in the grooves magic, and CDJs sucked balls, never quite managing to connect my hands to the music. Fully digital djing is good, though
First DJ skill to have: To play good music
Yep.
True
Agree
100%
Word
Sync button is like power windows...one less thing to worry about while your driving
Couldn't agree more allows more time to be creative with the FX.
Totally agree.
@@djcarlo uu0oxh bhduucuufifgvdjd
@@djcarlo its cus they're fucking jealous .that they can't do what you do! There is no fucking way you can do all those tricks and also having to worry about manually beat matching as well .you would get drift . impossible . These idiots aren't battle djs .they know shit all
More like cruise control..don't have anything to worry about..sick back and pretend to be a good driver..
“It’s about making people dance” - you got it
Yes it is! Thanks for watching the video!
it's also not stop people dancing
When you learn to drive a car, learn to drive a stick shift ... then drive automatic all you want. The day you borrow a car with a stick shift, you won't regret it learning it.
Great one my friend! Thanks for watching!
A large amount of Dj´s will never play out or get a gig, just have fun, no one should care regardless.
I know I'm certainly not in it for any professional aspirations. Just the high of getting loved people to move :)
DJs who complain about using sync are usually DJs who have 0 gigs.
Word
Haha me thinks you could be right 😂
People who complain about sync, usually have a lot of gigs, and have been in it for a long time. The people that complain about people who complain about the sync button, usually don't last long in the game anyway, and barely have their first gig. It's ok, they won't be in it very long. ;)
@@djchuckone1 Ok boomer
@@endofourlives Waahhh
I ❤️ the sync button! I am djing since 20 years, that means we had too learn beatmatching by ear. But now you can do a lot of crazy stuff with Sync.
Everybody can learn beatmatching by ear, but not everybody is a good DJ - it takes more then that!
this. you can teach a four-year old to beatmatch by ear. Choosing and playing a four hour set to a bunch of hippies high on a beach somewhere... that takes experience and skill.
I started DJing in the mid 80's, and the first kind of mixing me and the other guys in our crew did was. Either a baby scratch cut in, or dropping in on the beat. Not because we didn't know about beat matching but because we had old ass mix and match turntables, and a tiny 2 channel mixer from Radio Shack. One was an old Pioneer from somebody's brother's stereo system and the other was a really old Marantz with a missing foot on the bottom. The Pioneer played 45's and 33 rpm. But the Marantz played 45, 33, and 78 rpm with the added bonus of a little pitch control knob that we tried to use like a real pitch control.🥴 So the beat drop, or scratch cut was used quite a bit before we saved enough $ to buy our first 1200's, and a Numark mixer. Still going strong to this day, but now I use a Pioneer DDJ-SZ and my lap top. And yes, I do use the sync button, makes it a whole lot simpler and makes all the effects work together nicely. But you have to still listen, because sync doesn't work properly every time. I play Old School Rap and R & B and 60's and 70's Funk. Most of that music was live bands, the BPM isn't locked in like on modern dance music. So I always have my fingers on the platter and my ear on the beat.
Wow! This is a story! Thanks for sharing your DJ experience on how sync worked with you too!
People complain about the new technology of DJing including the sync feature are just cranking people. I don't miss paying $10 for a 12" record (for 1 song), carrying 10+ crates of records up a flight of stairs (plus 2 technics 30lbs each + mixer + a coffin), or having to replace my needle every few weeks. I love the new technolog - it makes a bad DJ good and a good DJ great.
I started DJing in 1986 with miss matched turn tables and an analog mixer from Radio Shack. I can match beats manually but since I went digital I enjoy using the technology. If you use a laptop and digital controllers you can,t be critical of anyone. It,s about using what you have to make the best music.
Damn! 1986! Sir Eric, such a great honor. Cheers! 🍻
I feel you .... realistic belt drive turntables from radio shack..... realistic mixer with a crossfader so stiff that my fingers should look like Popeyes forearms.
that is a pro's ego-free comm. respect
Same thing I said even before I saw your comment bro. If you use a computer you have already advanced from what they were doing in the beginning. I had different belt drive turntables back in the days with the Realistic mixer. Respect.
First lesson I learned back in the early 80’s was beat matching. I use sync now,, I have nothing to prove to anyone. I beatmatch when I have to,,, period. If not ,,, I don’t. simple as that.
hit the nail on the head. it's about proving yourself. dick waving, basically. no-one cares, except other dick-wavey DJs. the crowd certainly doesn't :)
@@AlIguana Exactly!!
Does Sync teach you:
- song flow
- phrasing
- song selection
- EQ mixing
- being a good DJ
Absolutely not.
Can Sync help you in a pinch or to achieve very specific transitions or help you not look like a terrible drunk jerk or help you have fun when you're goofing around with your friends or help you flesh out weird ideas while you're brainstorming at home? Yes, totally.
Sync is a tool that we all can employ when we want to use it, but it's not something you can rely on forever. At some point, you can walk up to a gig and be introduced to completely foreign gear that you will need to teach yourself how to use (SOMETIMES IN THE MIDDLE OF YOUR GIG!) like how I had to teach myself how to use a Heath & Allen Xone 92 because the headliner had a specific tech rider and the promo team/club didn't want to swap gear. Having proper fundamentals in beatmatching and mixing will carry you much further than relying on Sync ever will.
learn all u can
Sync is there let’s all enjoy it
@@colt2356 looks like you misunderstood *quahogconvo's* comment.He says that beatmatching is just _one of many_ other skills DJ must have. Moreover, BM is absolutely technical, mechanistic thing, and Sync button just help us align kicks between two songs and "move" pitch slider to the right position, nothing more. On the other hand, song flow, phrasing, EQ mixing etc are absolutely artistic stuff, there are not buttons like "Search for drop" or "Make build-up" on any controller.
IMHO beatmatching is something like multiplication table: you should know that 2x2=4, but in the real life any of us do use calculator (i.e. Sync btn).
@@colt2356 Reading comprehension, not even once.
quahogconvo brilliantly said! I agree!
I learnt on virtual DJ and used sync because I didn’t have a way of splitting the audio. Years later I’ve brought technics and cdjs and can beat Match. However my mixes are better from my auto sync days because I could concentrate on selection rather than just beat matching. It’s all about your selection and your love of music, not just the technical aspect. Respect a fellow DJ! 🙌🏻
I have a friend who started the same way, and he's one of the more popular DJs now in Metro Manila! At the end of the day, it's all about giving your audience the good time they deserve!
@@djcarlo couldn’t agree more. Some of the best DJs I know don’t even want to be behind the decks, they’d rather be on the dance floor raving! We need to end this toxic attitude. Makes me wonder how many amazing DJs there are out there who won’t play out because they don’t want to deal with the haters.
@@robertmichaelholliday8161 and that’s me🎉
The only thing that matters is your AUDIENCE - Do they even know what sync is? No - All they care about is a GREAT set :)
Tru so true
As long as the music is hot, the crowd won't care if the music is coming from somebody's watch plugged in to the speakers.
Real talk
@Tha Realness You are making a lot of assumptions. I have been DJing for many years and know my basics. By your argument, no one should use the loop function. Think about it and don't be a dumbass.
@@anthonyholmes71 lol for real. The people dont give a damn. I dont either. If i go out and a dj is playing. I show them love regardless. Because as djs we are a family
Love your vids Carlo! I started Djing about a year ago and found myself using the sync button to match BPMs. Until a month ago, I started learning from a Dj and he hates using the sync button and thinks "its not real djing". The issue is that I know how to beat match by ear and blend tracks together without sync but doing the manual work makes my sets/mixes boring and too long to transition between songs. My generation of audience has a picky and short attention span that if you lose it for a second it is hard to get it back, that is why cutting and quick mixing is essential. I wish older generations of Djs would see how much Djing is changing and that the old ways would not be forgotten.
If you can beatmatch manually, then you're good! No need to impress those who don't need to be. Just keep giving the crowd a good time!
Glad you mentioned DJs that beat match by their eyes. That’s the number 1 cause of ‘Serato Face’. My view is Sync can help maximise creativity if you know what you’re doing. The prep required to beat grid some tracks is a talent in itself.
I just watched this video and knowing how you think about the sync function makes me appreciate your videos and lessons even more. Glad to see that some skilled DJs embrace progress and convenience. Thanks for having an open mind.
Yay! Thanks for the kind words! I’m glad we’re pretty much on the same page! Cheers!
I love the sync button. Im all about efficiency. This argument is similar to some musicians bashing on producers using drum machines and other sampled sounds to produce their tracks. I still love those tracks and most producers are likely using sampled sounds today.
This made my day... Thanks for all the vids, my gig went so well because of you. I need to work on my scratching tho.
DUDE! You totally read my mind when it comes to looking at the displayed BPM. No different than using the sync button. I am still new to my controller and since I am a very experienced drummer, I already have the ability to beat match, so I honestly don't even know how to use the sync button. Have not pressed it once. Once I am more comfortable with the gear, I am sure I will find it to be of service on occasion. So far the most difficult thing for me has been just fully learning the software and hardware so as to fully exploit their possibilities. BTW, my first gig went so-so but I totally KILLED my second gig. It was a blast! Third gig tomorrow night! Thanks again.
Sync phobia is like homophobia. You only fear what you secretly are tempted to try but are ashamed to admit because you care too much what other people think. 🤷🏽♂️
i wouldnt compare a button with your entire sexuality LOL
DJ Carlo Atendido wasn’t directed at you. You’re doing the right thing! I was speaking about the folks who respond negatively towards folks who use the sync feature correctly. Besides, if someone doesn’t know how to beatmatch, the sync button can quickly turn into the trainwreck button.
@@priyonjoni couldn't agree more!
LoL 😂
At the end of the day it’s another tool in your arsenal. The audience could care less what you’re using, as long as you play good music, as well as rock the party. Appreciate your channel and content Carlo.#Salute
My short and extremely exciting path of discovering love for DJing started with loops and actually way more complex staff than what eventually in the end one finds being essential to playing music and that is to simply play music. I use sync in order to allow my self needed time to manipulate my sets enough for them to be a complete freedom of expression. After coming all the way to begining and now understanding the core of the every single track I can mix and blend both styles and I cannot be happier about it. Carlo your skills and you personality are so much above anything one could expect from any corner, thank you so much for being you and for sharing your knowledge like this 🙏 I have learned so much from you and it's a pleasure to see your work!
I'm so glad you see things like I do man! Sync is an amazing tool, especially when used properly. Just so one can do so much more with the music!
I have been a DJ for a while and just like you I can scratch and used vinyl ....but I use it so I see nothing wrong....you still have to know how to DJ because not every song will work even if it has the same BPM
Tru
New dj, just been spinning for a couple weeks. Love this video, love sync, love using different methods for different situations. Thank you for appreciating the old methods while embracing new technology as well!
Of course! I love marrying the new and the old for DJ sets; there's so much you can do with both at your fingertips!
I use sync, I'm very influenced by old school dj techniques. its obvious to hear someone overusing sync but going 1000s of songs and setting speed and matching ques slows up your chances of going harder. use all the tools you have provided and bring your own style to all of your work.
SPEAKING THE TRUTH! 🙏🏻🙌🏻 sync helps let me focus on the most important thing making sure my crowd is having an amazing time 🕺
Looking for the right song is also a talent dont forget this people!
True
DJ Carlo Atendido but should u play what u like or play for the crowd? As in should u cater to the audiences preference or if they don’t like it just rub it off as this is not the right crowd for me?
@@artemjetman I saw a video that had a good suggestion for this - the 2:1 rule. Play two tracks you know the crowd will recognize and enjoy then one that you like that maybe they don't know, but is a similar style so you think they might like it too. If you don't like a certain genre of music and find yourself asked to DJ that style of music, you can always decline, bonus points if you're friends with a DJ who likes that type of music and can point the client in the right direction!
That being said, I don't even really use that rule much, as I'm not a professional dj but occasionally find myself DJing events and parties and I usually just play songs I like and sets I've made that I feel have a good vibe and I can mix well, with the occasional exception if someone requests a specific song I have and I'm feeling it, and it usually goes over well bc a lot of time people are just there to have a good time and listen to good music 🤷♂️
thats true, if two songs have the same bpm but they sound totally similar, the crowd will notice, you will notice, and it could be even embarrassing
I'm glad that you, who I follow, share these thoughts like this. I mean, according to this logic, DJs from 90s can say that DJs who play on mixers are fake DJs. It's about evolution. I'm a beginner but I first learned how to beatmatch and then started using sync because I'm now more focused on my sound that anything else.
Exactly! The landscape for DJing has changed, and so have people's expectations and tastes. Adapting is always important!
Using sync doesn't determine your skill set lol
Faxx
Troy Allen it really does!
Ave Mcree I agree it does.
@@AveMcree I agree and disagree. Agree in the sense that if you don't know how to beatmatch...yes...your skills are not refine. However, if you already know how to beatmatch and have no problem with it. Then there is nothing wrong with using it to be more creative.
When I connected my vinyl player to the mixer at a party the dude I was playing back 2 back with told me I wasnt allowed to mix on vinyl cuz hed never beat matched before... Imo dude lacked an important skill...
Well said Carlo! All that matters is that the people in front of the DJ decks are having a great time!
As a DJ of the early 80s I used vinyl and the ear to beat match, I feel sync is just another tool as Serato is to DJ’s today, but I think as beginner DJs you should learn the right methods of DJING without initially using sync so they can understand how valuable and useful tools like sync can be. It took me a long time to adapt to using programs like Serrato based on how I learn to DJ. The tricks and things we did with two turntables and a mixer was incredible for its day but with tools like sync and Serato will take your DJ to the next level
I do agree! In fact, my How To DJ for Beginners video implores viewers to learn proper beatmatching (by ear) before going full visual/sync. Sync is amazing though for cutting up the decks while mixing! That's why I always use it in my mix videos!
I just started as a DJ and your videos have been a huge help!
as Jared Jackson said "some of y'all forget your JOB is to rock the crowd above and beyond any equipment discussion"
word
@@thisisjaredjackson5941 🙏
Djing house and hip hop for nearly 30 years, I do agree it's a skill that should be learned. However to insult another dj for using it may discourage them. No need for that. Keep up the great work.
Exactly! Encourage people to keep learning and keep DJing in itself alive. Don't ostracize others just for making use of technology!
I use sync because I have a ddj sx2 and when I use the 4 channels, I don't want to mess around with the tempo of the tracks(on a 4 decks controller it could be very confusing) so I can avoid mistakes during a gig. Sync is not cheating, if it can be useful to save some precious time to add more techniques and vibe to your set.
Yes! That's true! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
I've been djing for over 15 years. I started with belt drive turntables and a Stanton mixer. Technology has come so far....why not take advantage of it.
Sync isnt always right. There is still small adjustments that always need to be made to have a smooth sounding set.
It is important to be able to mix by ear but, using the technoloogy to eliminate that step to further other aspects of our sets is a no brainer. I will never fell bad for using the technology that is offered but, I'll always remain humble and never forget where it all started.
If sync button was so bad, companies making consoles wouldn't be adding it on them.
Poor people simply burn by others success. Your are so helpful Carlo. Thank-you. 😄
I guess they need to sue the makers! Thanks for watching!
For math, I use a calculator.
My math teacher said that I won't always have one, but that was before the mobile phone.
My point is that there is now a generation of DJ's who have the tech to do something that us older DJ's used have to do manually.
They are still getting the job done, however they may not realise what else they can do by knowing how it used to be done.
I use sync when doing crazy beat tempo change when i need both decks to change speed at the same time. also when using four deck (and i only have two channel mixer. when you are a quick open format DJ you learn how to listen and beat match quickly . When i need too i can use (EYE SNYC) which is helpful when performing. :)
Well said Carlo. Im time served on vinyl from the 80s. Djing today is way past beatmatching. Im a digital open format dj-the new gen tech lets me do so much more and people have fun at my events. 🎉
Thank goodness you've adapted and elevated bud! There's always so much more to music than transitions nowadays. Song choice is still a major part of it, but crafting experiences out of it? Now that's the ticket!
I dont consider the sync button as a bad thing. Its pretty useful for fast transitions and stuff like that... As long as you are capable of manual beat matching, there's no shame in using it
Exactly! As long as your skills are all in place, might as well use all the tools to make your set sound great!
My first & only DJ lesson ever was DJ'ing w/out headphones. The idea was in the event the headphone jack (male/female) is busted you'll have to mix based on your digital meter per channel & cueing up your mix on its first drop or sound.
Ohh! Thanks for sharing that experience and how you work around! Cool!
My first lesson was building up a bank of songs that were the same bpm and building sets and playlists around slappers that are the same bpm
And then I found out I like playing stuff faster than the original tempo so just used an auto sync to keep them at a constant anyway.
Thank you so much for watching and sharing your experience!
Sync is a great tool. Something I learned about syncing that I am not crazy about is how if I have two tracks synced and I load another track onto the deck that I am going to play the next track on, I must make sure sync is totally turned off on that deck before loading the new track on it or else even if I turn off sync afterwards, it goes ahead and forces me to push the fader all the way up and down in order to engage the manual manipulation of the bpm. After reading the manual on my controller it told me to make sure sync is off before loading that track that I want to slow down or speed up! Great video and love your attitude on DJing. Subscribed! 👍
I agree! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
I personally beat match because i love it and it goes so well with trance / techno / progressive because the variations in the mix is sometimes pretty cool. being a little bit offbeat every now and then gives a real human touch to your mix. if your doing a lot of samples and scratching and other things then using sync is probably the way to go as you have enough on your plate already with all the bits and pieces your adding to the mix.
Beginner DJs needed to hear that closing statement
A LOT of DJs need to hear that statement. Beginners so they don't use it as a pure crutch, and others so they can stop saying I'm not a real DJ just because I choose to use sync in the videos hahahaha
In Germany we would say: Der Neid der Besitzlosen 😁
Hahaha
Haa you need to add a ARCHTUNG! in there somewhere. Hahaha
My first lesson when I learned how to DJ was beatmatching. And mind you I was DJing in Vinyls (Pure Vinyls) with a pair of Technics 1200s
love sync, creates so much space to get far more creative when mixxing, but yeah started 20 years ago and actully learned the process of beat matching with vinyl.. so there's that
Thanks for sharing your thoughts regarding this controversial topic! Cheers!
Back in the late 80s mixing was totally different to what it is now. Not having to worry about whether a track will be out in 32 or 64 beats , enables those fingers to be free , for tone adjusting , and other modern trickery for epic blends, or bouncing synths off each other .... that couldn't possibly be achieved when u r too busy riding a platter. Today's djs are far more visual orientated , I know i rely on my eyes way more than my ears , for about 10 years now. It's evolution .
This whole discussion about it is so superfluous! ... It does not matter nowadays which techniques you use .... It is important, what comes out at the end that it pleases the people ... thus a flow with the people build. AND THAT IS WHAT LASTING COUNTS !!!!
To each their own. There's always the purists that prefer doing 100% of everything manually and those that leave 100% of the heavy lifting to the controller... Everyone has their own style to DJing. There isn't a universally "right" or universally "wrong" way to do it. It all boils down to if your set/ mix sounds good. That's it.
I've used sync since I started DJing. Now I definitely CAN beatmatch, but it's just quicker and more convenient. Plus it allows the DJ to spend more time looking at the crowd and interacting with it.
I sync with routines that have fast changeovers. Easier than trying to get the fader that precise. Of course not all sync are built the same. I’ve used all of the major software and some just don’t feel right when using.
My thoughts on the use Of sync are: If you are using it to be more creative or more accurate in less time because you have to or fixing mistakes quickly is totally ok i use it a lot of times when for example i let a drop that is the end of a song and i need to put something quick and i dont have time to match i rather focus on the metric than matching
When I started djing I was introduced to the sync button but I ended up teaching myself how to beat match by ear but I still use the sync button from time to time if a) I'm mixing multiple songs (using all 4 channels) quickly and don't have the time to properly beat match or if I'm doing a tempo change like one track at 128 and the other at 110 and transitioning one to another using the tempo fader. But what I learned from a few buddies of mine in Vegas is it's there for a reason find away to use it and use it creatively.
Yay! I agree! Thanks for sharing your insightful comment! Use it creatively indeed!
that's so true. I didn't even go into the problematic of multiple decks in my comment (Looking at you, Hawtin)
3:03 is pretty spot on for the "Sync haters" 😂😂😂
This video nails it on the head! I've been a DJ for over 20 + years. Played in many clubs beat matching regular old school Dennon CD players by ear ... I understand all the fundamentals about mixing that I learned naturally. I find using sync gives me time to work on many other things in my mix that I haven't been able to do before which I LOVE. It's like a breath of fresh air.. I use it as a tool for a DJ that already has skill and you would never know I use it unless I told you... You can always tell a beginner using sync.. and I agree that you should learn the true skill before using it and "claiming" to be a DJ.. Just makes you look and sound foolish.
"Oh, look! That physicist is using a four-function calculator! Shame on him!" Why is he using it? Because he's got far more important things to solve than to worry about doing mental addition/subtraction/multiplication/division.
Same thing with a DJ; you have your effects, loops, cues and song choice to worry about - so why waste time on something relatively trivial when it's already there for you?
As you say though, a beginner should definitely master the art first before relying on an automated feature, just as a primary school kid needs to master the art of basic maths before being allowed to use a calculator - or just as a learner driver should master the art of reverse-parking before being given parking sensors and a reversing camera.
Slide rules are cool😂
I LOVE this comment!
true, the calculator analogy came to my mind
I've heard a lot of my musician friends say "it amazes me people don't know how to use sync" and they're the ones headlining the local shows or opening for bigger artists 👌
That's a very VERY strange thing to say haha, but well, I sort of agree in the sense that they use sync as a crutch instead of a tool for more creative mixes!
I’ve been taking lessons for about 2 months from a friend now and I had no idea what sync was, because use I never used it. It wasn’t until someone asked me if I used it I had to look up what it does lol. I’m feeling pretty cool right now 😏
Rock on! Thanks for sharing your experience!
Long before I bought a controller, I hired djs for parties - and neither I, not anyone else at the party either knew or cared about how a dj beat matched. All I cared about was how good the music sounded, song choices, and whether or not people were dancing. The controversy is not real, real customers don't care.
Bingo! It all boils down to whether or not the clientele are having a good time
I’ve been DJing for 35 years, beat matching is one of the most important skills a DJ can learn. Once this has been mastered, then beat matching using BPMs and synch is fine. The second most important skill is music programming, knowing how to program the night and take dancers through a journey. The kit that I first learned on (circa 1986) was 2 RadioShack/Realistic, belt driven turntables and a Pyramid 2 channel mixer.
Carlos, I agree with you 500%!! When I learned how to dj back in the 90’s we didn’t have visual to let us know what dj software know now. So yes we had to train our hears and know your music. I remember listening and organizing my records putting the similar sounding songs close to each other. When I decided to get back into it 20 yrs later I was amazed how fast I picked up beat matching on a controller. Where now i put all my energy trying to learn the trick you show us on RUclips. You rock, and thanks for putting out all the tutorials you do
tl;dr; It‘s all just about the music and having a great time.
I‘m an old school DJ, who learned mixing electronic music with two or three turntables. I can do long sufficient clean blends using just my ear. (And in some venues like parking houses or empty industry halls that was really hard.)
When the first Pioneer club mixer showed up with BPM counters build in that was considered „cheating“. Then CD players were cheating. Visualization was cheating. computers were... The sync button... the scratch buttons ... man, you can even say the pitch fader is cheating. And you’re headphone... come on... that doesn’t work out.
I thing most people want to „rescue“ their skills and knowledge. In Germany we say „Besitzstandsbewahrer“. People who defend their possessions and status. That’s egoistic, nothing more.
Think and feel like the „customers“ - the dancers, the party people, the listeners, ... They just want to have a good time hearing good music.
I‘m now mostly playing using four decks in Traktor with much loops and sometimes remix decks. And yes, I use sync from the very beginning of my sets. It doesn’t hurt - not even interest - anybody. If some nerds showing up, it‘s only „wow“.
Do it your way to give the crowd what they need. Use as much technology as you want or need.
Enough said ... I must try out the new phase firmware now. 😉
Thanks for all the insight DJ Carlo. Love your content
For sure Walter! Really glad you appreciate the content 🥳
Back in ‘94 I got my fist set of 1200. I I remember it would take me over 2 hours to beat match my first two records, it was the hardest thing ever. Now a days we have all this tools to simplify mixing and it’s great! Shot outs to all the pioneers. “It’s all about the music”.
Indeed! The pioneers all worked to make our current industry a reality! At the end of the day, if you're still putting on a show and the crowd is loving it, then you're good! Still do recommend that everyone learns to beatmatch before anything else though.
is like to drive a manual shift car or an automatic one, the objetive is just drive and arrive to our destination, no matter how.
Love sync as an assist. But I prefer a manual over an automatic (at the very least paddle shifters). More fun. only time I prefer an automatic is in traffic.
Driving cant be compared with djing
@@neilmaile2442 what I wanted to say. 😏
I used BPM matching by matching the tempo according to the BPM readout on CDJ-1000's nearly 15 years ago, I even won a large capital city DJ comp by doing this. Beat matching is also a learned skill, I learnt on vinyl and still prefer it to this day.
Keep doing what you are doing Carlo, I enjoy watching your videos.
I use SYNC to avoid math whenever necessary.
Math?
@@svenpoelmans3688 Yes. Back in '92, pre the current equipment, there was a DJ, who had BPMs written on his records. Had to do the math to get them BPMs. :)
@@jinkenz6459 not really tho, they wrote the bpms on the records so they knew what was close to each other, beatmatching was done by ear
@@svenpoelmans3688 Not the records he had :)
@@jinkenz6459 how did that work then? Let's say one rec is 115 bpm and the other is 120bpm,you calculate the % and they were perfectly matched?
Very well said senpai 😊 Couldnt agree more with those. Thank you for sharing your unbiased thoughts about using the sync button. I bet a lot of people here have learned a lot again or enlightened from the guru himself, the one and only DJ Carlo 👉😎🎧🎶 Woot.
honestly i love sync, it really helps me to do quick transitions, without sync i wouldn't be able to do fast transition, i would last forever, and i wouldn't be able to play all the songs i want, plus i can create create build ups really quick with no worries, if you fail to sync manually, people wont dance, and will look confused if two tracks arent sync and that will totally ruin your set
You got that right! Thanks for sharing your valid insights! Good for ya on how you take advantage of sync!
I totally agree. No matter what technic you use as long as you make the people dance and enjoy the music, then that is fine.
Bingo! Unless you're competing ala Redbull Threesytle, anything to make the crowd enjoy themselves is good.
Do you know DJ Ravine? You know, that guy, WHO’s using a ruler in instead of a banana?
This is like transition era of digital photography few years ago. People (some photographers) hated using "auto-focus" back then. They said it was cheating. You have to adjust manually to get the focus. But they forgot that photography is not only about pressing the button and done. It's just a tool to make life easier, so we can do something more like the composition, lighting, depth of field, tone color, creating moments, etc. It's all same like DJing nowadays, we can do another creativity. And your points are absolutely make sense. Great video, man!
Sync is there for a reason, so use it
Agreed - DJing is about:
Music selection/Digging
Reading the crowd
Choosing the right record at the right time
Technic including beatmatching, but Hey, use sync if you know to do it by ear&hand in case of
Yes! Your points are valid! Thanks for watching!
“Insecure DJ champion” best. humble. brag. ever.
As a old school vinyl DJ i just love the feel of mixing tracking in manually. Also I love to scratch, cut and use my skills. But when I use Virtual DJ and playing House music, I like to lock samples(Such as audio clips from films) or bits of tunes in a loop, and use the sync button to match the BPM/tempo of the song I am playing and mix that in, then fuck about with effects, EQ and such on both playing. A complimentary sound/soundscape by the synced loop brought in, gives flavour and personal artistic licence to the playing song. Sync can be used as a creative tool in digital mixing if used wisely!!
sometimes sync doesn't even work
And sometimes it works too! So I guess there's no really a solid rule! Cheers!
@@djcarlo , Ive been dj'ing since 1998, in my day you learned the hard way, which was also the only way ;) In fact, I shall be spinning those wheels tonight for the pleasure of me and my neighbors
I started spinning in the 80s and STILL using the Technic 1200s I bought back then. All I had to mix with were my ears. U explained it the SYNC BUTTON very well. I personally jus cant use it LOL. Even on controllers.
No worries! Everyone has their own style!
It’s just a tool. Doesn’t make you a better or worse DJ. Carry on.
Using sync is something that I avoid because I aim to build excellent beat-matching muscle memory and that only comes with constant repetition. The only reason I would personally use sync is to change drastic BPM difference during build-ups, allowing me to focus on blending effects than actively holding the tempo as I go higher or lower.
That's a very fair way of looking at it! It really does help with the major BPM shifts!
Agreed. Learning how to beat match back before technology took over , was how I got jobs . The only DJs who worked in my city , were people who could put the songs together & keep the night flowing . I have a XDJ-RX with Sync & I liked being able to bring in a faster or slower moving song & move the two songs together to the incoming track . I still use my CDJ-2000s (2010)to mix sets which don’t have sync & sometimes it would be nice . Also , mixing in key is a valuable technique to understand that’s now made unnecessary due to newer kits .
"Immature path and exploit this topic" 😂 lezzgo!! 🔥 Btw just my opinion, There's a reason why the SYNC button is present almost at all dj equipment, you all are just insecure at all the skills that different dj has and specially at Dj Carlo. some djs do Reaction Video? Bullcrap. Go and make some people dance and enjoy the moment like Dj Carlo does! Peace. Out.🤘
I never use sync when DJing live good video DJ Carlo 👍🏾🤘🏾 i beat mixed like have a song a cappella then instrumental of another song
That's fair! If it works for you, then stick to it!
Sync is just another tool on the controller.... USE IT! 💯
Amen to this !! I learnt on vinyl 20 years ago with two copies of the same track in my bedroom. Took me weeks but then it just clicked. Roll forward 20 years and I now use controller/laptop and also xdj1000/djm set up.
I still beat match manual although on all my kit, even without sync it shows you the bpm of each deck so is still infinitely easier than vinyl.
I had someone dissing controller users as button pushers on Facebook so I did a video of me with laptop screen covered beatmatching blind just to prove a point.
I agree that newcomers should get that skill nailed even though they don’t have to.
Some great DJ’s use sync, it gives them more time to be creative so I have no issue with it at all, but I’m pretty proud of the fact that I’m from an age where I had no choice but to use my ears.
Beat Sync haters probably use cruise control when they drive
Lols. Make use of technology! Embrace it! Hahaha, I don't know why they don't want to!
@@djcarlo hey I was wondering. When you hit the sync beat button it matches the BPM. Is it possible to match the first beat with the last beat without changing the BPM?
I TOTALLY agree with you young man. REGARDLESS of using sync you still have to rock the crowd.
Yay! Thank you for understanding my points! Stay awesome!
sync makes my mixes better! so where is a reason don't use it? :D
I love the sync button to this day. The button doesn’t necessarily match the actual beats, just the bpm. It’s still your job to make it sound good! I think sync is a great teaching tool, because if you learn beat matching and then hit sync you can instantly learn what two beats that aren’t matched sound like too.
Mixing on a mixer is out of budget
So, mixing on djay 2 lol
Sayooj Garrix Same here!!
@@Ayeebarkley 😂 😁
Sayooj Garrix struggle is real man 😂. I had a gig one time last year but I use Spotify bc I had no idea about any of the DJ Pools & I don’t have $ to pay per song. Anyway they told me the place will have WiFi & they didn’t and the hotspot I used was horrible
I'm 50 and I learnt to mix on belt drive turntables! That's hard but it made me a super smooth mixer then on the 1200's and mix just with the pitch without touching the platter with your hand! Now I love all the new tek and sync button as well. As long as you use it to create more! Nice vid bro!!
no matter what happen we are here to support you bro 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼
I have been DJ'ing for 20+ years, learned on belt drive tables and a crap two channel mixer (learning and beat matching on that rig was like an olympic sport). Bought some real deck (1200's) which I still have and use today. Did a live mix dnb radio show for 4 years with just tables and a mixer. Finally got into the DVS game but still used my 1200's. Just recently I started geeking out with a couple different controllers. Bring on the tech! It's so much fun to smash through tunes quickly and not have to worry about bumping a platter/wheel or messing with pitch! More double drops and live re-working are now possible. DJ'ing is evolving but, people have always just wanted to shake their butts. That is the DJ's only job, doesn't matter how they make it happen.
Wow! What an experience! Thanks for sharing them! And yes! People likes to dance and we should give them what they want - good music to dance with! Awesome takeaway!
Im a dj who started on 2 1200’s and a mixer in the 90s’. So glad i started during this time. Ive worked in many night clubs over the years club owners only care if people are dancing and the bars are ringing cash. Sync is just another tool to be creative. I use sync sometimes and really dont care what people say. I agree with the guy who said most people who complain have 0 gigs.
Thanks for sharing your sentiments re: sync usage! Wish you all the best in your gigs!
Thanks! That is the best explanation to this silly controversy of using sync. Sync is simply practical, and a real lifesaver when you are in front of a real crowd in a stress situation. It is just one of those many features of todays electronic DJing and for that certainly not the last.
OMG Carlo you are so right about this, im a pro deejay starded in 1986, im perfectly capable of mixing and beatmatching songs (on cassetes too in our time) but now i use beat match..Why??? because now in 2022 the technology makes my life easier instead of thinking beat matching a song now i can be more creative and thinking about making a cool transition or choosing every next song be better than previous....so its a really BS why some deejays hate sync button...regards
Dang dude, cassette mixing is something I've only ever heard of, and never seen! And absolutely there; let technology help you!
@@djcarlo ..haha it was a long long time ago...there was tape decks with speed adjust..it was fun😂
Totally agree. You start with crappy turntables. Then move up to Technics. Then controller.
Thank you so much! Woot woot!
Perfect explanation. It's a tool, use it and use it wisely. I use it for trippy in sync bpm drops and it helps me focus on track selection instead of lining up for 20 seconds or struggling in a super loud stage environment
Exactly! Abusing the sync is like abusing any other effect. But as a tool? Man oh MAN is it useful!