Pitch vs Tempo vs Hybrid

[KevMaverick]

I'm an older guy - not used to all this digital stuff! I started with vinyl, moved onto cds, now I'm a computer DJ and would like a little advice:

Which is best to use when mixing - pitch, tempo, or the hybrid mode?

[Hannes]

If you scratch: speed mode (key-lock off)

If you mix: tempo (key-lock on)

if you do both: hybrid mode (key-lock on, but with a "smart-off" when going over 25% pitch)

[daniel clark]

time for two dumb questions key lock smart off

[Hannes]

key-lock/pitch-lock: i think it´s called master tempo on cdjs, keeps the pitch when changing the speed of the record.

smart-off: well, it turns itself off, but in a "smart" way.
example: key-lock is on until +-25% tempo is reached, but it doesnt instantly turn itself off, but until +-35% is reached. So basically the +-35% difference is compressed into a 10% window, making a smoother sound/feeling.

[daniel clark]

are thease features hardware or software related /activated

[Hannes]

its software related, see the buttons over the main-waveform, right and left of the mixer section in the display?!

you can click through the different pitch-lock modes (Speed-Tempo-Hybrid)
When using Vinyl make shure to select "Activate scratch in Tempo and Hybrid Mode" from the preferences.

[daniel clark]

thank you told you some dumb

[Hannes]

no problemo mr. clark

[Jim B]

It all depends on what sort of music you play IMO

I mix House (Vocal and Funky) which normally has a BPM of around about 128. So my pitch changes are relativaly small. I would say about 1-2 bpm (+ or - ). So I use Pitch.

If I was to make a drastic change in BPM and then I would use Tempo. Increasing the BPM by quite a lot in Vocal tracks can have a huge affect. Making the vocals sound like chipmonks, which doesn't sound good at all.

If using Tempo on a older system or a system that just meets the recommended requirements it can have a big affect on your CPU usage. Something to watch out for when using the feature.

[KevMaverick]

Thanks so much guys - this has been a big help.

I too mix mainly house music, but sometimes I have to do one or two 80's pop mixes - that is way more difficult!

I think I'll stick with pitch for the more modern dance/house stuff, and have a go at tempo with my 80's/pop stuff.

I'll have to experiment a bit more, obviously, but thanks again everyone for your great advice.