Vertical Waveforms and color of downbeat?

[mikehende]

Since the manual would not address these questions I would like to know please if there is a way to preferably have the 2 deck's waveforms side by side vertically and if not then one on top of the other?

Also, is there a specific color for the downbeats or can they be any color depending on the track please? Thanks.

[RoJeC]

The waveforms are stand alone in each deck and in the beatmatcher on top if you enable that row.

There's no spcific color for a downbeat. However some of the color options in Preferences > display show frequency dependent colorization.

[mikehende]

Thanks, I have been experimenting with Serato, Traktor and Virtual DJ but this software is starting to look like the best, for me but here's what I need guys so if you experienced Pro's can advise would be nice. I am not a commercial DJ, I am designated to play music for my friends and relatives when hanging out.

Thing is I never like having to use headphones so I am searching for a software which will allow me to use the waveforms and Sync feature to beatmatch. I know basic beatmatching techniques having used 1200's back in the day but wish to maximize this software's visual capabilities to beatmatch without headphones.

If I can get the waveforms to show the first downbeat that would be best scenario, if not then if there is a way I can recognize the first downbeat accurately from looking at the waveform, that would be great, is that possible please? If not, how can you Pro's here best advise me to use the waveforms to achieve what I am seeking please?

[RoJeC]

Default the analysis of Cross puts the Cue point at the first downbeat.

In many situations this will do. However some track require start at t=0 and others way later in the track.

The beat gird of the track basically is what you align, using same cycle position, shown by the gridmarkers.

[mikehende]

Great thanks but I will need to go through this in slow motion to fully grasp everything if you won mind please.

First thing I need help with is understanding the terminology of the features so please take a look at this screenshot:

https://s1.postimg.org/1jvgfjh5gv/Cross.png

Let me make sure I fully understand what you mean by "The beat gird of the track basically is what you align, using same cycle position, shown by the gridmarkers.

Using "I'm coming out" by Diana Ross as an example as this tune has a long intro, where the arrow is pointing that is the first "bass" beat so my questions would be can Cross automatically be set to kick off from the first kickbass beat or does it set to kick off at the first "snare" beat?

So basically what I would like to do is to line up the kickbass beat of every incoming tune with the kickbass beat of the current playing tune, that I can do by dragging the main beat markers [every 4th beat] to that main thick white line in the middle of the graph but problem I am having is to click exactly on time with the kickbass of the other tune playing or is there a better way to do this?

[RoJeC]

If you hoover over each deck you see a pencil button. Click this button and you'll get some more buttons to manipulate the grid.

The algorithm is more complex. Basically working best for electronic created music. So manual drums may drift.

The intro you mention is a typical exmaple of where the skills of the DJ come in. Sometime you want to use the intro, where other time you need a later start or even only some uptempo part as you mix a bunch of tracks per minute. So it depends on the situation where you would like to cue the track.

In the past all kind of settings where available (first beat with in certain period, minmum volume and more). Now it's just a 'smart' algorithm and if you don't like the result just change it. You can also use 'locators'to set your cuepoint for different circumstance so you don't have to figure it out on every track load.

If you need to set certain positions, make sure your familiar with Snap and Quantize feature.

[mikehende]

Sometime you want to use the intro, where other time you need a later start or even only some uptempo part as you mix a bunch of tracks per minute. So it depends on the situation where you would like to cue the track.

Yes agreed but for now I would like to have every track start on the first kickbass.

In the past all kind of settings where available (first beat with in certain period, minmum volume and more). Now it's just a 'smart' algorithm and if you don't like the result just change it.

Ok so how would I change to first beat [kickbass]?

You can also use 'locators'to set your cuepoint for different circumstance so you don't have to figure it out on every track load.

[/quote]

Link to instructions please?

[RoJeC]

This can be found in the manual.

Basics: have Cross analyse the tracks.
load tracks to deck. Move wave back/forward to select your Cue point.
If you do this while Play use Shift C to set the point. If Pause use C or Cue button.
Set Snap/Quantize value (check manual for explanation of these) to make it easier, like value 1/2.

You could use playlist/autoplay or prepare to make this easier in a batch. By this is wil take you a few secs per track to set your point, asssuming many are right or close.

For locators just press one of the buttons1-4 (or 1-8 if enabled) The point will be marked, or if you set a loop the loop will be set as a 'locator'. These are all saved with the track details in the collection.

[mikehende]

Ok, I will look into all of this indepth tomorrow but just for clarity are those instructions to manually set cue points for each track individually?

[RoJeC]

Yes for every track, but only if you want a different Cue point than the one set by the analysis.

I usually also check the BPM when doing this. In the decks (open the small buttons) you have a /2 and x2 button in case the set BPM range in Preferences is not suited for the track, so you can easily modify.