Why it matters
Most dance music has a steady beat. If you play two tracks at once and the beats don't line up, it sounds messy, like two people clapping out of time. When they're matched, the two tracks blend into one, and you can move from one to the other so smoothly that the crowd barely notices.
The two parts of beatmatching
Beatmatching has two jobs, and both have to be right:
- Speed (tempo). Both tracks must play at the same number of beats per minute, or BPM. If one is faster, the beats will drift apart.
- Position (phase). The beats must land at the same moment. Two tracks can have the same BPM but still be out of time if one starts half a beat late.
What is BPM?
BPM stands for beats per minute. It tells you how fast a track is. House music is often somewhere around 120 to 130 BPM, while drum and bass is much faster. DJ software shows the BPM of every track, which helps you pick tracks that will mix well together.
The controls you use
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Pitch (tempo) fader | Speeds up or slows down a track to match the BPM |
| Jog wheel | Nudges the track slightly forwards or backwards to line up the beats |
| Cue button | Sets and returns to the point you want to start from |
| Headphones | Let you hear the next track while the crowd hears the current one |
What it looks like in practice
While one track plays to the crowd, the DJ listens to the next track in their headphones. They start it on a beat, compare the two kick drums and adjust the speed until the beats stay together. Only then do they bring the new track into the mix. The crowd never hears the lining up, only the finished blend.
What about the sync button?
Most DJ software has a sync button that matches the tempo and lines up the beats for you. It's a useful tool, and plenty of DJs use it. But it relies on the software reading the track correctly, and it doesn't always get it right. Learning to beatmatch by ear means you can spot and fix problems, play on any equipment and spend less time staring at the screen.
What comes after beatmatching
Once your beats are matched, the next skills are phrasing (starting the mix at the right moment in the music) and EQ (blending the sound of the two tracks). Together, these three skills are the foundation of every good mix.
Learn it properly
Beatmatching is much quicker to learn with someone listening who can tell you exactly what's going wrong. Our Starter course spends the early sessions on it, one-to-one with a working DJ. See all our DJ courses to find your level.