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Old 07-02-2008, 02:23 PM
baroquedub baroquedub is offline
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Join Date: Apr 2008
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! Actually there's a good reason I still use the term 'mixtape'...

I use Ableton Live to make these compilations - which is a real cheat as far as beat mixing goes as it's not all done in real time. But I do get to try various things out without having to restart from the start of the set if I make a mistake or don't like something... not at all like using decks! My aim's to create as smooth a musical journey as possible - not a DJ performance. So that's why I call them mixtapes rather than DJ sets (or mixes) - it's getting back to the music compilations I use to make using dual cassette decks (if you're old-school enough to remember those!



btw I don't always use Live's Warp function - the ska mixtape is done entirely without using any audio time stretching - just very careful placement and editing of the audio. I didn't want to compromise the natural groove and live feel of those tracks by making them conform to a rigid bpm.

I also use a lot of editing - sometimes repeating parts of a tracks to make it blend more smoothly with the ones before and after, sometimes also with additional effects like reverb or delay to blend even more.

And finally, if I'm time stretching, I also use a lot of automation on the master tempo so that you don't end up with a mixtape at just one single tempo. I use subtle changes during tracks to have smooth changes in speed.

It's still about crafting the best musical experience i can - and hopefully promoting some quality music to people who might not have heard of all the artists before... but it's just not a DJ mix.
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