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Oct 26, 05
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Getting louder and louder when you mix
As much as I complain when I hear a DJ gradually getting louder and louder as his/her set goes on, I do it too! I blame it on the fact that my hearing is not what it used to be..
I'm embarrassed that I have a diploma for things like setting levels and EQs, yet when I'm getting into a set, the volume just creeps louder and louder. I guess each track I mix in is a tiny bit louder than the last? Anyone else have this problem? How to stop? 
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Oct 26, 05
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Duct tape on the track faders.
 I used to do the same during live sets... but I record every set, and when I was reviewing them after each show, I noticed the ones where I crept the volume up, it started to sound like shit... I was losing all my detail just to get a little more oomph out of the bins. Mind you, that extra oomph is awfully nice. :) Now, my secret trick is to make friends with the sound guy, soundcheck hella first, set my levels at unity and don't touch them no matter what - if I need the extra oomph, I ask the soundguy if he can give me any more... if he/she is good, they know their rig far better than I could anyway, so if they think it can take a little more, they'll usually give it up.
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Oct 26, 05
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I don't think its a problem all the time. Alot of times I find bringing the next track a little louder then the last adds to the flow I'm trying to create. For instance if I'm going to a track that has alot more energy then the last sometimes bringing it in a little louder compliments the mix. That being said I know what you mean! sometimes its impossible to focus on your eqs when you have so many other distractions around you. My problem isn't really the volume going up but the volume going up and down and up and down and oh whered the midrange go? to oh! Where did all the bass go. I wish that records were all pressed exactly the same. But I guess thats like having training wheels on a bike and it would take out some of the fun/challanges of spinning records.
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Oct 26, 05
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i think it's a universal dj affliction. only thing i try to do is keep my eyes on the levels. I'm amazed at how many djs i know and have seen have the mixer levels obviously clipping in the reds when they play and it just keeps getting louder and louder as they mix.
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Oct 26, 05
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It's even more amazing how many dj's pay no atttention to the levels in the first place. Gotta be one of my biggest dj pet peeves! Just cause it sounds good in the booth or on stage doesn't meen it sounds good on the floor! anyway, I'm guilty of the whole creeping volume thing as well...
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Oct 27, 05
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sometimes you've got a record that's pressed differently and the only way to make it mix properly is to play it slightly louder than the last record, but then you've got to remember that it's playing louder on the levels and not end up playing your next track at the same level... it's more a question of knowing your records than consciously boosting the EQ... every DJ has the same problem, because none of us is a machine that can tell exactly how much the volume goes up or down while you're mixing :)
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Oct 27, 05
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^ yea, but as a DJ, you've got a machine right in front of you that tells you the average levels of your tracks. I can't count the number of DJs (including "big-names") that have the levels on their mixer going well into the reds and clipping all over the place making the tracks sound like shit.
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Oct 27, 05
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i watch my levels fine at home but its hard when you're playing out
im not used to the level readings on the pioneer 600 but EVERYWHERE ive played so far they're almost always been in the red to begin with haha
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Oct 27, 05
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That's why you look at your meters. To turn the volume down in the middle of a track, turn down each band on the EQ by small amount at time. This way there is no noticeable drop in volume.
BTW I think Jungle Dj's have it worse for running in the reds, where House DJ often give way too cold signals out of there mixers.
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Oct 27, 05
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I'm currently talking to them - I got a pair of ER-6 earbuds, and the adapters, and they don't seem to fit in my ER-15 earmolds... something screwey there. I got mine done at an audiologist just off Broadway near Granville, I can't remember the exact name or address right now. The audiologist was great, but I'm not sure if the plugs themselves are up to the Etymotic spec... I'll let you know in a few days when they respond to my latest mail. I have to say tho, if you're not *mixing* music live (and I mean like a band or a live-pa or something, not mixing records), you probably don't need the custom plugs for any reason other than comfort. The Etymotic ER-20's (http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er20.aspx) are probably more than suitable, and WAAAAAAY cheaper. Oh, btw, the ER-15's should cost between $120-$150. Go to a mall, pay $200 - gotta pay the mall tax, y'know? Last edited by mux; Oct 27, 05 at 07:43 PM.
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Oct 27, 05
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Oct 27, 05
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Oct 27, 05
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Hrm I'm curious what the outcome will be with earplugs.... you mentioned your hearing is not what it used to be.... depending on the "severity" of what ever certain mhz that you can hear do you think that the ear plugs will help???? The reason I am asking this is because I myself suffer from hearing loss in my right ear... Was actually born with it... I can get away with beatmatching with headphones with using that ear but of course the headphones would be covering the pinna of the ear that go's to the external acoustic meatus and then to the ear drum.... With that you also have the temporal muscle that once relaxed also helps with better sound waves going through.... I can't imagine at least in my condition as to how ear buds would be of any benefit. It wouldn't give that "thud" beat affect as it would normally do with headphones....
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Oct 28, 05
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There was a thread about earplugs on tranceaddict a while ago. Person named Freak (knowledgeable) using -15db custom made plugs:
http://www.tranceaddict.com/forums/s...2&pagenumber=1 follow-on thread: http://www2.tranceaddict.com/forums/.../247483-1.html
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Oct 28, 05
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Psidream got custom fitted at www.soundidears.com and got the er25's. I'm probably gonna give that a shot, i've already done damage arrrgh. Better late then never i guess.
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