Transitions & Fades
Once you have an understanding of Song Structures, you need to understand how to combine the parts you would mix with a simple transition or fade.
Look at the example below to visually see the steps you might take when creating a transition or fade while mixing.
Steps taken for diagram below
1. While Track 1 is playing, cue up the song (Track 2) you are going to mix into the song (Track 1) already playing.
2. Start playing the song (Track 2) you are going to mix into the first songs (Track 1) break/chorus. Start with a gradual fade in.
3. Around this time, both songs should be playing together and in sync.
4. You may now begin to use a gradual fade out on the first song (Track 1) . Make the fade complete and you should no longer hear Track 1. Track 2 should be the only one you hear now.
Basic Types Of Fades
There are 2 basic types of fades/transitions you will need to learn first. The easy/gradual fade or the hard/quick fade. Each is used in different mixing situations.
First is the gradual fade (diagram1) in and out. Look at the first diagram and see how the black line which represents the signal level of audio and how you would adjust it accordingly with your mixers crossfader.
It first starts with a low volume and proceeds to rise until it is at the same level as the track you are mixing into. Then you start to complete the crossfade by lowering the audio of the first track. Once you bring the crossfader all the way across, you have completed the fade. Notice how the two signals play together for a period of time in the Crossfade Zone (highlighted in gray), this is “Mixing”.
The hard fade (diagram 2) is just as easy but now you just quickly move the crossfader over without so much of a blend of the 2 songs. You might do this when you need to change the songs quickly or when you are doing a quick mix. Notice the smaller Crossfade Zone (highlighted in gray).
