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Quicksilver
Advanced Member
Sweden
2,545 posts
Joined: Jul, 2007
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 Posted - 2011/04/11 : 20:44:15
When you mix, what do you look for in an opening track, what do you think an opening track should have or be like?
The first thing I look for in an opening track is an actual intro. I think it's really boring to start a mix with the first beats of the intro unless there's a lot of melodic or vocal elements. I'm also very picky about how the first second sounds, like I don't want it to start with a single kick drum and crash and then some pads... I want a smooth intro! I think I spend more time sometimes to find an intro rather than building the tracklist, haha.
Also for the first track, I can't describe it but sometimes I just hear: "This is a great opening track!". I can't put my finger on exactly what it could be that makes me feel that. I don't choose my favourite track to open with, unless it's a great opener.
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JayHH86
Advanced Member
Vietnam
1,400 posts
Joined: Dec, 2008
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Posted - 2011/04/11 : 20:49:15
Yeah, I try to avoid using boring beats as an intro as well. Some piano or something is always nice to use.
I'll often be listening to tunes, minding my own business, and I'll hear something and think: "Mmm, that is very naughty indeed. I must use this as an intro for my next mix". But then I totally forget it and nothing ever comes of it.
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Samination
Advanced Member
Sweden
13,281 posts
Joined: Jul, 2004
195 hardcore releases
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Posted - 2011/04/11 : 20:52:03
I tend to not use tracks that are meant for intro (like 'intro mix'). Someone had the intention of using that track as intro.
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Samination, Swedish Hardcore DJ
Happy, UK Hardcore, Freeform, Makina and Gabber
http://samination.se/
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The Dopeman
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
1,393 posts
Joined: Aug, 2005
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Posted - 2011/04/11 : 20:56:33
well when i practice mixing i always try to go for a track that's gonna set the tone for the rest of the mix i always get kinda stumpde when choosing the first track for a mix aswell
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Quicksilver
Advanced Member
Sweden
2,545 posts
Joined: Jul, 2007
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Posted - 2011/04/11 : 20:58:39
Doesn't have to be just that the track has a "real" intro, but that you can play around a bit to get a cool intro.
I once opened with Scott Brown's remix of Cannonball... The tune starts with "Rolling like a" then the beat intro... I played the "Rolling like a" and then cued to the start of the breakdown where it starts with "cannonball". Sounded awesome!
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DJ Lawlzy
Advanced Member
Canada
520 posts
Joined: Oct, 2007
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Posted - 2011/04/11 : 21:05:08
quote:
Originally posted by Quicksilver:
Doesn't have to be just that the track has a "real" intro, but that you can play around a bit to get a cool intro.
I once opened with Scott Brown's remix of Cannonball... The tune starts with "Rolling like a" then the beat intro... I played the "Rolling like a" and then cued to the start of the breakdown where it starts with "cannonball". Sounded awesome!
I love that remix! I always thought it would make a great intro :)
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Warnman
Advanced Member
Germany
2,677 posts
Joined: Jun, 2010
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Posted - 2011/04/11 : 21:21:37
Tmo Kevin Energy's opening at Hardcore Energy 2 is outstanding. I love this kind of relaxing starting for about 2:30 min and the beat entry afterwards.
And I have noticed, it works quite good to start with a Breakbeat Hardcore track.
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Edited by - Warnman on 2011/04/11 21:22:13 |
Samination
Advanced Member
Sweden
13,281 posts
Joined: Jul, 2004
195 hardcore releases
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Posted - 2011/04/11 : 22:18:46
quote:
Originally posted by Warnman:
Tmo Kevin Energy's opening at Hardcore Energy 2 is outstanding. I love this kind of relaxing starting for about 2:30 min and the beat entry afterwards.
And I have noticed, it works quite good to start with a Breakbeat Hardcore track.
I found it completely boring to be honest. I dont want to wait over 2 minutes for the track to start.
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Happy, UK Hardcore, Freeform, Makina and Gabber
http://samination.se/
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Warnman
Advanced Member
Germany
2,677 posts
Joined: Jun, 2010
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Posted - 2011/04/11 : 22:57:13
quote:
Originally posted by Samination:
I found it completely boring to be honest. I dont want to wait over 2 minutes for the track to start.
OK, it's the art of teasing and I like it!
Just like most of the girls don't go straight way and ask you to screw them right away without any teasing. 
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Edited by - Warnman on 2011/04/11 23:01:06 |
Mortis
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
7,493 posts
Joined: May, 2004
341 hardcore releases
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Posted - 2011/04/11 : 23:17:14
If I'm pre-planning a mix then first of all I come up with the idea for a mix, then I go shopping for tracks (or vice versa). I'll have a basic idea for the design of the mix and what direction I want to take it, so I buy tracks. I'll get the tracks for the mix, load them all up in windows media and start arranging the layout from there. Most of the time the intro track just works itself into the mix naturally.
If it's an unplanned mix then the intro track will set the tone for the whole mix so I tend to get something energetic and different to the basic 4x4 intro.
Intro's, like all parts of a set are what you make it. Sometimes the basic 4x4 is ok and other times the massive 2min "intro version" of a track is just boring.
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latininxtc
Advanced Member
United States
7,307 posts
Joined: Feb, 2006
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Posted - 2011/04/12 : 02:44:51
quote:
Originally posted by Samination:
quote:
Originally posted by Warnman:
Tmo Kevin Energy's opening at Hardcore Energy 2 is outstanding. I love this kind of relaxing starting for about 2:30 min and the beat entry afterwards.
And I have noticed, it works quite good to start with a Breakbeat Hardcore track.
I found it completely boring to be honest. I dont want to wait over 2 minutes for the track to start.
wow 2 mins? reminds me of the intro of the 2nd cd of HU 2010 cd. it was semi-funny, but usually I skip it
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z121231211
New Member
United States
61 posts
Joined: Oct, 2009
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Posted - 2011/04/12 : 14:03:32
I usually start my mixes in the middle of a track, usually a little before the drop.
It's a lot easier than finding a song with a good beginning, just find a part you'd like in any song to start the mix with.
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jenks
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
3,701 posts
Joined: Feb, 2003
19 hardcore releases
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Posted - 2011/04/12 : 14:19:33
Idea balls and a manatee tank.
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NekoShuffle
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
1,480 posts
Joined: Nov, 2009
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Posted - 2011/04/12 : 19:10:12
I wouldn't bother with a full intro playing live unless EVERYONE knew it (Like techno wonderland or Follow the Sun) otherwise I would play the first few beats but they'd have to be interesting and have some pace and not get boring too quickly.
I would use full intros on recorded mixes though, it's just that playing out live a lot of people might get bored of a long intro. It depends when you're playing. First or last set I would use a long intro, but anything inbetween I want to keep people on the floor from the last set and I think that an extended intro might be too much of an excuse for them to take a long breather (and miss my set). But different strokes for different folks really, just do what you think is appropriate for the time, the place and the type of set you're playing.
Intros are nice but if I'm on the dancefloor with loads of energy from the last set and someone starts playing the intro to 2001: A Space Odyssey I'm not gonna have the patience to hear it all and I'll probably run off quick to see what's going on in other rooms, then end up forgetting about it etc. etc. but I don't think there's a wrong or right answer, if people enjoy your style then keep doing what you're doing
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Citrick
Average Member
Ireland
234 posts
Joined: Jan, 2009
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Posted - 2011/04/12 : 22:27:38
I like long intros when I'm listening to a mix. I think the intro to the Breeze CD of CXH 4 is a good one.
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Quicksilver
Advanced Member
Sweden
2,545 posts
Joined: Jul, 2007
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Posted - 2011/04/12 : 23:37:40
Yeah, opening tune on Breeze's CXH4 mix is good! I also love the Kevin Energy & Sharkey intro to HU2010. :D
I hear what you say about differing between what the circumstances are around the mix, Neko. Definitely.
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