Sync and automatic analysis have made life easier for DJs. But scratching and beatmatching remain two techniques that set apart a DJ who simply plays tracks from one who really works with them. In Latin and urban music, where tempos vary widely and the audience expects high-energy moments, mastering these techniques makes a real difference.
Beatmatching: Syncing Two Tracks by Ear
Beatmatching involves matching two tracks to the same tempo and aligning their beats so they play together seamlessly. Even with the sync feature available in Serato DJ Pro, being able to do this by ear is still essential: a poorly analyzed beatgrid, a track recorded with live musicians whose tempo varies, club equipment that’s different from your own…
The Step-by-Step Method
- Listen to the song that's playing and identify the first beat, the "one" of the measure.
- Start playing the next song through the headphones on its first beat, at the exact moment the current song plays its own first beat.
- Compare the two: if the new track is ahead, it's too fast. If it's behind, it's too slow.
- Use the pitch fader to adjust the speed, and the jog wheel to correct any occasional misalignment.
- Check over several measures: two sections set to 4 beats can drift to 32.
The Pitfalls Unique to Latin Music
- Live salsa and bachata: Many classics were recorded without a metronome. The tempo fluctuates slightly, so you have to constantly adjust it with the jog wheel.
- Tempo differences between styles: from reggaeton at around 90 BPM to fast salsa at over 180 BPM, direct beatmatching isn’t always possible. In such cases, you have to use half-tempo or a clean cut.
- Key Lock: If you change the tempo frequently, enable Key Lock to prevent the vocals from shifting up or down in pitch.
Scratch: Add Your Signature
Scratching involves manipulating the sound forward and backward using the jog wheel or vinyl, in combination with the crossfader. In urban music, it comes directly from hip-hop culture. At Latin parties, when used in just the right amount, it creates moments of surprise that the audience remembers.
Basic Scratch Techniques to Master
- The baby scratch: a simple back-and-forth motion on the jog wheel, without touching the crossfader. That's the foundation for everything else.
- Forward scratch: You only let the forward movement through, muting the sound on the return track with the crossfader.
- The chop: You cut a sound into several pieces using the crossfader during a slow movement.
- The "Transformer" effect: quickly and smoothly opening and closing the crossfader while the audio plays, creating a choppy effect.
- The chirp: Move your hand on the jog wheel and the crossfader at the same time but in opposite directions to create a very short, punchy sound.
Choosing the Right Sounds
A scratch sounds better on a short, clear sound: a “hey,” a brass note, a singer’s shout, a snare drum. Prepare your samples in the Serato DJ Pro sampler or mark them with hot cues in your tracks. With stems, you can also isolate the vocals from a track to scratch them cleanly, without the drums in the background.
Setting Up Your Equipment
To scratch comfortably, set the crossfader curve to “cut” mode: the sound will be at full volume from the very first millimeters. On a controller, also check the sensitivity of the jog wheel. A scratch-oriented mixer or a controller with motorized decks will offer more precision than an entry-level controller.
Combining scratching and beatmatching live
The two techniques complement each other. Here’s an example I often use: the current track is playing; I line up the next one by beatmatching, then I bring in its first few beats with some rhythmic scratches before dropping the full track on the “one.” The transition becomes a moment of performance rather than just a simple fade.
How to Improve
- Practice without the sync at least once a week to keep your ear in tune.
- Work on one scratch at a time, slowly, and then increase the speed.
- Record your sets using Serato DJ Pro’s recording feature and listen back to them—out-of-sync parts are much easier to spot afterward.
- Use it sparingly in the evening: on a dance floor full of salsa dancers, two or three well-timed scratches are better than a nonstop display.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does sync make beatmatching unnecessary?
No. Sync is a reliable tool when the beatgrids are analyzed properly, but a professional DJ must be able to do without it at any time—whether in a club or at a festival—even when using equipment they’re not familiar with.
Can you DJ with a controller?
Yes. Most Serato DJ Pro-compatible controllers have jog wheels that are precise enough for basic scratching. For advanced techniques, hardware specifically designed for scratching offers a better feel.
Listen live
Come see me behind the decks at my upcoming parties, or relive my parties through photos.
