Turntable Rotation ratio to BPM - DJ QUESTION

[amrcel]

I am a senior at the Science Academy of South Texas. One of our graduating requirments is to complete a Research and Design Project. I am a DJ and have learned to beatmatch with much ease but for some time I had a difficult time beatmatching. Mainly because I could not find the pitch for the record not playing to match the BPM of the playing record. A freind of mine started djing at the same time I did. He is still having trouble with beatmatching.
Obviously there has to be a ratio between TURTABLE RPM and TURNTABLE PITCH INCREASE. Since the BPM of a song is determined but the RPM of the turntable a ratio is present there. There has to be an easy ratio to find what amount of pitch increase is needed to match lets say a 130bpm song to 140bpm. I am trying to find this ratio and somehow make it easy for amateur DJ's to maybe look at a chart and easily find this out. Almost using the chart as a training guide.
Does anyone see this being fesible. I would like to hear some comments on it. Do you think it would be "cheating"? Also any help would be appreciated.

Thank You
Marcel

 

[camn]

yo, dont your tables have per cent adjustment on the pitch??

If they, do.. find two records you know the BPMs to, then match them, and see what % change made what % beat change...and get back to us.

xoxo

 

[SPINSTERWUN]

OK

I've been dj'ing for 19 years.

I spin all formats of music:

House
Hip-Hop
Rap
Disco
Rare Groove
80's
70's
etc...

Yes, it would be cheating, but do whatever it takes to float your boat.

That (beat matching) is the hardest aspect of mixing (dee-jaying).

Please do not take offense , but all that technical mumbo jumbo (percentages of the BPM stuff is nothing but crap).

You have to have an "ear" to mix.

Yeah, there are a lot of DJ's out there, but a lot of them have no "real" skills and they sound like SH*T.



No two (2) turntable are set at the same rotational pitch, unless you have the Quartz Lock set (I am assuming that we are using the industry standard Technics 1200 mkII turntable).

So, even if you did figure out the necessary pitch increase to BPM, it would not matter because there is no constant set platter rotation for all turntables (1200's).

What I mean is this...

Both turntables will be in sync (at the same rotation) if the Quartz Lock Light is ON.

If you then put both turntable @ -2 they will not remain in sync.

Or, if you put them @ +4 they will not stay in sync.

Because the Direct Drive motors rotate at slightly different speeds (unless on Quartz Lock).

The easiest way to learn how to "beat match" is this:

Grab your first beat (a kick not a snare) of the song you are cueing.

Drop it on the kick of the song playing.

Within six (6) beats you should be able figure out if you need to speed up or slow down your pitch.

Then start your process over, grab that first beat, drop it on the kick of the song playing let it ride for 4 to 8 beats.

Just keep narrowing down. You should be able to have the song beat matched by your4th or 5th try.

Now when it comes to "blending" music with "LIVE instrument players" then drop that first beat then you will have to "ride" your pitch.

I will expound more on that subject if you would like the additional information. (just post back)

Even when you do finish your research project (because you will figure out the ratio, it's an easy thing to do, plus you seem to be an intelligent person ) it will only be applicable to music in which the BPM's don't change.

Example, Progressive or Trance.

But what about when a DJ spins some Disco or 80's Dance (when a live drummer is utilized, not a drum machine/sequencer)?

I'm late for work, so post me back and I'll answer you back (when I come in from DJ'ing, but I might be a little inebriated ).

Peace Out....

SPIN