What is Quick Mixing?
The short version: A DJs ability to quickly, seamlessly transition songs in rapid succession. However, a DJ who mixes too quickly can cause complaints, creating less than ideal experiences. Let’s break this down!
Photo Credit: Michelle Roller, River Lodge, Paso Robles, CA
To start with the positives, a DJ who can quick mix and reads the room can smoothly get out of a song when it’s not working, before it dramatically affects the energy on the dance floor. They can build energy by creatively incorporating songs that aren’t well known aside from their intros or a 30 second snippet that went viral. On the flip side though, if they mix too quickly, especially with hit songs that you will want to sing along with and dance to, it can completely upset the vibe.
Lately I’ve seen a trend where DJs post clips to social media with captions like “3 songs in 1 minute”, “5 songs in 90 seconds”, etc. And I’m not talking about clips recorded at home or in a studio setting. I’m talking about clips recorded live at a wedding, at a formal dance, and at a bar/club. The reality behind these clips is this:
DJs who mix so fast that you only hear 15-25 seconds of a song before it changes evoke the same emotions as if you were excited for ice cream, bought an ice cream cone, and then dropped it after the first bite.
It should be said that the same DJs posting these clips are talented and that quick mix content has performed well on social media. But, in my humble opinion, this trend belongs on social media, in the studio, and in DJ competitions/showcases. Your dance party should be full of fun, memorable moments with your friends and family. It shouldn’t feel like a let-down, confusing, or engineered for clicks online.
For most dance parties and crowds, each song gets played for an average of 1.5-2.5 minutes, before the next transition, depending on crowd, energy, and engagement.
If you’re having a blast and everyone is singing along, that song is probably getting played til its end!
We understand this, just as any talented, experienced DJs know this. We understand when to cut a song off, when to let a song keep playing, and how to transition to keep a dance floor going!
