Manual-
Advanced Techniques
Scratch
LIVE
contains features that allow some advanced techniques. These techniques will require practice to perfect, but will allow
you to perform feats not possible with normal DJ equipment.
Mixing with only one turntable
The single turntable technique allows you to mix as if you had two turntables, using just one. If one of your turntables is not perform-
ing properly, or if you only have one available, you will be able to continue to mix the way you are used to.
The following is a step-by-step description of mixing using a standard 2-channel mixer, with one turntable set up on the right
hand side of the mixer. In this example, all mixing is done with the mixer crossfader.
1. Load a track onto the right deck in Scratch
LIVE
and play it in
abs
mode. The crossfader is set to the right hand side.
2. Put the left hand deck into
int
mode and load a track.
3. Flick the
reverse input control
switch. The physical record now controls the left hand deck in Scratch
LIVE
, and the right hand
channel of Scratch
LIVE
plays on in
int
mode.
4. Cue the record and mix in the track. Note that you will be using what feels like the wrong channel of your DJ mixer to do this
– the crossfader will be moving away from the turntable.
5. Having completed the first mix, flick the
reverse input control
switch. The track you just mixed in will play on in
int
mode, and
the physical record is now back to controlling the right hand deck in Scratch
LIVE
.
6. Load a track on to the right deck in Scratch
LIVE
, and mix as normal.
7. Flick the
reverse input control
switch.
8. Load a track on the left deck, and mix — moving the cross fader the wrong way.
9. Flick the
reverse input control
switch, and repeat.
Swapping the turntables mid-mix
This technique is intended for scratch DJs who favor one hand over the other. For example, say you are a right handed DJ (meaning
that you like to use the crossfader with your left hand, and move the record with your right hand), occasionally you will be playing a
record on the right turntable, and wish that it was on the left turntable so that you could scratch over it on the right. This technique
will allow you to swap the turntables.
The following is a step-by-step description of scratching using a 2-channel mixer fitted with a crossfader reverse switch (also
known as a “hamster” switch). In this example, the user wants to have the crossfader in the left hand, and record on the right.
1. The track is playing on the right hand turntable. The scratch sample is loaded on the left side. These need to be swapped.
2. Set the left deck in Scratch
LIVE
to
int
mode and close the left hand vertical fader on the DJ mixer. (Alternatively, you could set
the left deck to
rel
mode and start the turntable, but you would have to match the tempo with the other turntable).
3. Flick the
reverse input control
switch.
4. Move the crossfader to the center position.
5. Activate the reverse hamster switch.
6. Move the crossfader to the left.
7. You can now scratch as normal — but remember, the vertical faders, EQ and gain are reversed!
8. To get back to how you started, close the left vertical fader.
9. Move the cross fader to the middle.
10. Deactivate the hamster switch.
11. Move the crossfader to the right.
12. Flick the
reverse input control
switch.
