2011-01-02

When to Use an Auto Beat Match Counter When DJing

When it comes to using an auto beat matching counter while you are DJ'ing there really is no right or wrong answer. Beat matching is an art form that comes along with being a DJ.

When you are first starting out as a DJ you may well want to use the auto beat counter on your turntable or the one that comes on your DJ mixer. There is nothing wrong with that especially when you are just starting out.

An auto beat counter is able calculate the beats per minute of a song. For example if you have the Numark TTX1 Direct Drive Turntable then you have access to its auto beat counter.


  1. Simply place the record on the platter

  2. Put the needle on the record

  3. Start the platter and watch the beat counter calculate the beats per minute on the glowing LCD screen.

The TTX1's built in auto beat counter gives you a good advantage to mixing because now you are able to use your auto beat counter to find out the beats per minute of any song you want and mix songs that have the same beats per minute or close to it anyway.

Your goal is to get a sense of rhythm and timing and a beats per minute or (BPM) counter can do that.

When you are using your BPM counter keep in mind that it may not always give you the correct BPM of a record in order to beat match. You will find this out the more you use your DJ equipment.

The more you know your record and the more comfortable you are with your DJ equipment the less you will find yourself relying on you BPM counter.

The primary purpose of the BPM counter is to give you an idea of the record's speed so you can match beats so that you don't have to rely on it every time you want to match beats. Don't allow the BPM counter to become a crutch for you. Let it aide you in developing your sense of rhythm and timing.

Once you learn the art of beat matching you will be able to mix a lot faster and develop a repertoire of mixes that will pleasing to your audience.

Using your auto BPM counter is probably more helpful when you are listening to record with a more obscure beat pattern. They also work well with music that is upbeat and a little more difficult to get a sense of rhythm. In this case using your auto BPM often is suitable in my view.

But like I mentioned earlier try not let it be your crutch. The more you can rely on your senses the better off you are.




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