Mixing Top 40?

[bmorr]

When you play top 40, try and find some newer and older top 40 songs that are around the same BPM. Maybe their hip-hop, etc. Start off by briefly mixing one type of bpm with top 40 and then throw in a backspin or sample to switch up into House top 40, or another style of top 40. The key to top 40 is playing songs that ppl know (they don't necessarily have to be new), and that they can dance to. The worst thing you can do is go from a hip-hop top 40 song to a 128bpm top 40 song. You have to have some pace.

For an example of what i'm talking about, check out my recent top 40 mix I just did:

[Austin GoGreen]

Top 40 is easy as pie. Most chorus's are 64 beats when you're talking about songs that are 125-132BPM.

Flo Rida - Good Feelin' (NASA Edit) (32 beat intro)
Nicki Minaj and David Guetta - Turn Me On (32 beat intro)

Set a cue point at the very first down beat of your intro. You may also want to set a 16 beat loop point at the beginning. If you set 32 beat loop it may be too long and you'll get parts of the buildup or a word or two at the end of the loop. Try to avoid that. I like using 16 beat intro loops.

Play out song A until the chorus drops. At the downbeat of the chorus 1, 2, or 3. Drop in your new song. Either loop the first 16 beats or use your 1st cue point to keep it phased properly. You can let the chorus play out and mix the whole 64 beats. If you phase it properly, when the chorus ends on Song A, scratch, use effects, EQ, or fade out. Viola, you're now into Song B.

Basically if a chorus is 64 beats and your intro is 32 you want mix it properlly by dropping the intro on the second half of the chorus. You can either count out in your head to 32 or just learn the track.

If you want to get more technical, add a hot cue to the outro of a song as well. Use the outro to blend with the song you're playing during a breakdown by using loops or cue points. Loops are easier but cues work fine to. That way there is a steady beat.

Every edit/song is different. Learn your songs just as you would with any genre.

[kickassDJ25]

at which point would u mix out of this track

to this song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OnnDqH6Wj8&ob=av2e

[DJ ATX]

Top40 is fucking easy to mix its not even funny.

If there is no intro:
1) make your own by looping an instrumental portion of the song, then after you fade that in, load the song on the other deck and fade that in
2) find the crescendo of the outgoing song and fader slam the incoming song. Still make sure it is beat matched cause it will sound weird if you don't

Phrasing:
When using short mixes, as in you fade in a song and no one is really digging it. I fade in the new song at the beginning of the first chorus and fade it out at the end of the chorus. If you can phrase it to where the chorus ends and the incoming song begins. This can only be done smoothly if you know the songs well.

***Counting bars is the key to mixing top 40***
***Knowing where the songs breaks and drops is another key to mixing Top40*** (for this you actually need to listen to the songs more than once. not hard to do, they play them on the damn radio 3-4 times an hour. LOL)
***Knowing to mix in key also helps***
***Filter effect is your friend***

[Mrspyaman]

Start next song @ 2 min mark count 8 bars cold cut out @ ~2:20 mark or the end of first chorus to exit sooner

at which point would u mix out of this track

to this song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OnnDqH6Wj8&ob=av2e

[fat8ack]

as i say i normally play dubstep and it isnt on most record pools, beatport.

No dubstep on beatport? Um, maybe look a little harder mate, there is a ton of dub on beatport. Seriously? Moombahton is hard to find and BP has hardly any, but dubstep, there is plenty.

[Austin GoGreen]

For International Love I would scratch or drop in my loop at 1:15. I would let the mix ride through the following verse (which I feel loses energy right after the chorus at like 1:30). Hopefully your mixing with an intro of the next song, for example We Found Love by Rihanna. Release the loop at 2:00 which is the beginning of the next chorus of International Love. Fade, Cut, or Scratch out at the 32 beat.

Learn 32 in/out with intros. Download everything with an intro and your problems will go away.

Also, learn what a chorus or hook is in a song. They are easy to identify, this is where you want to start your mix.

[kickassDJ25]

this is head wrecking, I'm just not getting it! Can someone please do a you tube video and mix a few top 40 tracks? please:-)

[AlanS]

this is head wrecking, I'm just not getting it! Can someone please do a you tube video and mix a few top 40 tracks? please:-)

http://www.mediafire.com/?e5vj1cvtv7gsrvb

First songs chorus is 16 bars. Second songs intro is 8 bars. Count the bars and beats on the first song like this "1, 2, 3, 4, 2, 2, 3, 4, 3, 2, 3, 4, etc." When you get to the 9th bar, drop the second song in and work with your eq's.

[AlanS]

Does anyone know where I can embed the audio?