How to do a short blend on the downbeat
A quick overlap so the keys never get time to clash.
- Essential
- medium
- About 4 bars
When to use it
- Use it when both songs sit at a similar energy and when the next song brings more energy.
- A natural fit for pop/open-format, hip-hop/R&B, house/techno and Afrobeats/Latin.
- Works when the tempos are up to about 8% apart, because the overlap is short.
- Both songs' melodies overlap, so it sounds best when their keys are compatible on the Camelot wheel.
Step by step
- 1Sync B and cue it a few beats before its drop.
- 2Start B so its drop lands on A's next phrase.
- 3Keep B's bass down while both play, for 2 bars max.
- 4On the downbeat, swap the bass and pull A out fast.
See it on a controller, and hear it with your own songs
Cueball picks the right technique for every pair of songs in your set and animates the knobs and faders in time with the music.
Build a set for freeGenres this works for
- How to mix Bollywood songs
- How to mix Punjabi and bhangra songs
- How to mix Afrobeats and amapiano
- How to mix reggaeton and Latin music
New to DJing? Start with how to DJ for beginners and the 6 basic transitions.
Similar techniques
- Long blend + bass swapRide both tracks together, then hand over the bass.
- Filter handoffWash A out with the filter while B comes in.
- Hard cut on the phraseSnap from A to B exactly on a new phrase.
- Quick cutStop A, start B. Bold and clean.
- Tempo ramp, then blendGlide the tempo over, then do a short blend.
- SpinbackRewind A like a vinyl spin, then slam B in.