Last Updated on December 7, 2022 by Jones Darrin
There are occasions when you must mix using your headphones. This could be because of budgetary constraints, which means you don’t have booth monitors, or you can’t afford them at the moment.
Another reason might be DJing, but you aren’t able to make noise that doesn’t disturb others. The headphones are perfect for mixing, but many people don’t realize how powerful they are. There’s a lot to do when using them and this article will show you how you can use them to the best advantage.
Skilled DJs can perform beatmatching and mix with headphones, but we suggest that you master it with the help of headphones as a novice. It’s difficult to imagine DJs without headphones because it is a part of their attire. Therefore, let’s make the most out of it. This is the principal purpose of a headphone in the mixing process.
Through headphones, DJs can hear the next track they’d like to remix with the one currently playing in the main speakers i.e., the master output of the mixer.
How To Use Headphones While DJing?
DJs wear headphones to beat match the music to their headphones. currently playing a song. They are using one cup to listen to the next song to be played. So, they can mix the beats of each track to ensure smooth mixing and seamless transitions.
The mixers usually have a cue button in the mixers for every channel. When you press the cue switch, it will light up and keep telling you that the signal has been set on the headphones. The sound of the track in this channel is transferred to the headphones once the button is pressed.
Note that the audio of the music track can be heard by the headphones, even though the fader for the channel is set to zero. It is a sign that the DJ can hear the tune that is on the channel in question, however, the audience cannot hear as the channel fader is turned off.
When the music in the headphone is in sync with the music in the primary speaker time, the DJ can increase in volume for the next tracks to ensure that new tracks are seamlessly in the surroundings. It’s a smooth transition and the track that was previously played slowly fades away. DJs utilize headphones to ensure an effortless transition.
Split Cue and DJ Headphones
This button allows you to switch between two modes: stereo split and mono. When the mono split is selected, the mixer will send the cueing signal to the left end of the headphone. In contrast, the master output goes directly to the left cup with the listener.
This can be particularly useful to DJs who want to ensure that the track they are playing matches the current track playing. If you set the toggle to stereo the mixing knob controls what volume is used to signal the Master output.
This feature allows you to listen to the master output as well as headphone cues at the same time. The major benefit of this arrangement is it doesn’t require an additional monitor speaker.
This feature allows you to practice at home at your own pace without disturbing roommates or family members. This feature is much faster than the regular switchover between master and headphone cueing.
Mixing and mixing using DJ Headphones
If your cue mixer knob or the fader is at the halfway point DJ will be able to hear all four channels, or both channels, as the situation may be. Turning it to the left will allow you to listen only to the channels on the left including the primary and third channels.
Naturally, if you turn it left and you hear the balance channels and the third and fourth. These channels are also known as the left and right channels, respectively.
Some of the top mixers have separate buttons for samplers and effects.
DJ headphones
DJs are using headphones that are distinct from regular headphones. The headphones that fold let DJs rotate one cup so that they hear the cueing tracks from one side while the other ear is left to listen to the sounds from both speakers.
It’s only when they are using the split cue that they are required to wear full-on headphones that can hear both the cue sound as well as the master sound.
DJ headphones are a crucial piece of equipment that can decide which channel should be routed to the master output and at what time. The headphones are essential to stop the external sound of speakers so that DJ can hear the next track clearly and arrange the mixing to sound as fluid as possible.
Apart from aiding in making cues, the DJ’s headphones shield the ears of DJs from the blaring sound of the main speaker.
Are headphones required when they are not?
It is also important to realize that you might not require headphones for every session mixing, cueing, and beatmatching if your session is recorded. In this scenario, there is no need to go through the next track beforehand. The mixing has been already done and is arranged in a sequence by the DJ equipment using DJ software.
DJs only need just to add the extra effects and everything is already mixed. Today, the software is capable of dealing with almost every genre and mixing the music digitally, at the optimal entry point.
However, there is a specific scenario in which the digital technology of the hardware or software isn’t helpful and it is a requirement to wear headphones. It’s true. If you are using turning a turntable, you have to use headphones since it’s not possible to accomplish this beforehand, and is not possible to do it with the digital system in an automatic way.
In this case, the DJ’s abilities are useful when using headphones. It doesn’t matter if you are a common user or a professional DJ. It’s important for you to know How to Fix Headphones.
Which are the top headphones?
Before we get into the finer details it is important to know the kind of equipment ideal for the job mix, beatmatching, or scratching. The perfect headphones should have a comfortable fit and include noise-isolation features to ensure that external noise doesn’t enter the headphones when the cueing process is taking place.
The sound must be clear with sufficient bass levels. In addition, the swivel feature lets a DJ listen to it in one ear while placing the headphones on the shoulder. A noise-canceling feature may be an added benefit.
Control of volume
It is essential to keep the headphones at a moderate amount because a large level of volume could cause damage to the inner ear. A large volume during a prolonged period may cause Tinnitus-related disorders (loud continuous whistling or ringing) that can be quite painful.
Then, it could result in a permanent loss of hearing in either or both ears, based on the usage patterns. DJs should also wear earplugs to protect the listener safe from any harm to their ears. The best headphones are designed to block out sound from outside speakers and help DJs listen to the tracks on the headphones with clarity.
It is crucial to realize the fact that mixing devices have a volume knob on the headphone panel and the ability to adjust this volume does not alter any volume output from the mixer.
Beatmatching
To be a professional DJ You must be able to master beatmatching with perfection. Although the most recent DJ equipment can match beats using the aid of both software and hardware, however, it is still necessary to perform it using your hearing.
It’s known as manual beatmatching, and it is done naturally or through practice. Headphones are useful for beatmatching from the observer. Additionally, digital beatmatching can occasionally fail, particularly in certain genres. It is imperative to master it by hand.
It is important to get an audio mixer with the cue mixer buttons. They will allow you to mix two tracks so that you can control the volume of the cueing within the headphones to accommodate both channels.
This means you can maintain an individual track’s volume higher than that of the other track to achieve beatmatching. We’ve taught you about mixing cues in the previous paragraphs, so you should make use of it to enhance your abilities.
You’ll need the mini crossfader to perform the EQ. If you are a novice, you should perform the EQ using headphones rather than performing it live.
By using these channels, you can change from one channel to the next.
The mixing process
Once you are familiar with the controls on your mixer as well as the headphones You are now ready to begin the mixing process. It can be described in the following order:
Volume setting- Adjust the volume to a point at which you can also hear the principal speakers.
Choose a channel by using the cue function on your mixer you can select which channel will be audible for cues.
Mix cue – Move the crossfader to mix the track you’d like to mix Make it sound like a song. Once you’ve perfected it in the headphones, you can play it to the crowd.
Utilizing DJ headphones as Mic
It’s a feature most people do not know about. It’s a great option if your microphone is damaged or is not working properly. It is as simple as plugging in your headsets to the mic socket and gradually increasing the volume.
Connectors should be used if the connector isn’t 1/4 “. The sound might be very low quality, but it will perform the function of an audio microphone. The principle that drives this is the function of the diaphragm in the microphone and headphone microphones, which is identical.
It can function as both an input and an output. This is the reason it functions similarly in certain emergencies. However, there is a danger. You might hear feedback that is nothing more than the sound of high-pitched.
The sound of the speaker is re-entered through the microphone system, and amplifies repeatedly, leading to a snarling degree. It can be adjusted by lowering the volume and moving the microphone towards the primary speaker.
Mixing just with your headphones
There are three scenarios to test your headphones.
Mix at home
You can try this technique in a quiet space. Switch off the headphones and listen to only the headphones and not disturb other people. If you’re traveling, you’re traveling with your headphones and laptop at a minimum. Take advantage of this opportunity to practice.
The ability to mix in your head can open up the possibility of using this method in any circumstance. It is possible to take care of two birds with a stone. A long drive or a lonely evening or even a moment of solitude can be utilized by practicing mixing using just headphones.
knob for cue mixing.
If you’re familiar with mixing in your head, turn on the speakers, and avoid listening to the main speaker when you are in the transitions.
Utilize split cue buttons when there are any available to ensure that you hear cues and master them in different ears. If not, utilize the mix knob for cueing your next track. This is why it is essential to know the ins and outs. This practice scenario using your headphones can be helpful in those situations when monitors might not be readily available.
Test this during live performances
It’s possible that an address you aren’t equipped with monitors you require or are not in or out of. This is where your skills and practice can help you. Also, you can take a look at the in-ear monitoring. These monitors are designed to shield your ears from the noise outside and are also ear-friendly.
In this case, you will be able to mix by using headphones. If you’ve done enough practice, it will be an easy task.
Conclusion
It is essential to purchase good quality headphones to mix cues. After some practice, you’ll be able to master the art of mixing while wearing comfy headphones that can last for hours. It’s an issue of knowing all the functions and features effectively.
