How to Beatmatch: Beatmatching Tips and Benefits

Beatmatching is a mixing technique used by DJs to match a music track’s tempo with the upcoming track. This technique allows the percussion elements—the hi-hat and kick drum, specifically—to be heard simultaneously when both songs are played at the same time. The purpose of beatmatching is to create a seamless musical experience that allows the DJ to control the energy and rhythm on the dance floor. For that reason, beat matching is considered an essential skill for all DJs.

For some DJs, especially novices, beatmatching is accomplished using the sync button on music management software. This technology can produce a near-perfect beat match without using the pitch fader, which manually adjusts beats per minute (BPM) or nudging the turntable to adjust the track’s speed. But veteran DJs and those who adhere to the “old school” method of beatmatching consider the sync button unreliable and prefer to perform the task manually.

Beatmatching was invented by American DJ Francis Grasso, who matched beats by ear in the 1960s and 1970s. The introduction of a mixer that allowed him to listen to tracks independently of the music playing on his turntable set the foundation for modern beatmatching.

Technological advancements like direct drive turntables with smooth pitch control and compact disc players with pitch control, called CDJs, streamlined the technique. Today, DJs have their choice of software applications designed for use with digital audio files or digital workstations, which allow for real-time beatmatching.

There are several key benefits to learning to match beats, including:

1. 1. Allows you to create music in any format. Learning the basics of beatmatching can enable you to make music with any gear. You can transition from vinyl to digital formats, adapt to environments that won’t allow for all of your equipment, or even take control when software or hardware fails in a crucial moment.
2. 2. Helps train your ear. DJing is about more than just playing dance music or hip hop. It also involves hearing natural connections between songs, or elements of a song, to make a solid playlist with smooth transitions. Technology can beat match, but learning to identify song elements (like a groove or a rhythm) and mixing opportunities is an essential skill.
3. 3. Improves DJing skills. Understanding beatmatching is a core component of DJing that can enhance your appreciation of the technique, the music, and the culture. Becoming a skilled matcher can raise your profile among your peers.
4. 4. Tactile and fun. Technology saves time and allows you to focus on other aspects of your set. But pressing a button doesn’t consistently deliver the level of satisfaction like taking a “hands-on” approach to mixing. The reward for crafting your sound and getting positive feedback from a crowd is worth the extra time.

Here are some tips that can assist you in learning the skill of beatmatching:

1. 1. Experiment with volume. Turning up your headphones may seem like it will help you with cueing, but the increased volume will cover up more than it reveals, so experiment with different volumes. You can also play around with placement to change the tone and focus on a track’s elements.
2. 2. Looping helps. Playing the tracks you want to match in a loop will train you to find and hit your cue point. With practice, the playback will help you find where you want to mix in with greater accuracy and consistency.
3. 3. Try a DJ controller. Learning to match on turntables is just one way to train yourself to learn the technique. You can also learn by using any DJ controller. Turn off the sync function on the deck and turn away the screen, or if you’re using CDJs, cover the BPM counters with tape.
4. 4. Record your mix. Recording the mix and studying the playback can help you pinpoint any timing errors and make necessary adjustments for a cleaner match.

You can learn how to match beats by following a few basic rules. Here’s a step-by-step approach:

1. 1. Pick your tracks. Choose two songs you want to mix with similar BPMs, time signatures, intros, and outros. Avoid songs with too many elements and layers because they can make the match more difficult to achieve.
2. 2. Prepare the tracks. Designate which track is your first track (Track A) and your second track (Track B). Set your cue point on Track B—the first beat or the start of a musical phrase is a good launching point. Then set Track A to go out through your speakers and Track B through your headphones.
3. 3. Play the tracks. Play Track A and wait for the beat or phrase in Track B that you’ve set as a cue point. Now listen for an element in Track 1—something that’s easy to recognize, like a clap or hi-hat. Let the two tracks play, starting Track B from the top of its cue point, and ensure the rhythm of the tracks are in sync. Note how Track A layers on Track B.
4. 4. Adjust the tracks. You’ll notice that at a certain point, your focal point on Track B will either fall behind or ahead of its similar element in Track A. When the distance between the tracks becomes confusing, stop Track B, bring it back to the cue point, and start over, using the same cue point.
5. 5. Refine the tracks. Note the disparity between the two tracks while playing. If Track B goes far ahead quickly, slow down the track to see if that corrects the disconnect. You can also adjust the pitch or nudge the track forward with the jog wheel to see if that bridges the gap and then alter the pitch. Every correction you make requires these two steps as a follow-up.

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