Two decks. One good mess.

Load the room, not just a screen

1. Open the DJ workspace from Mix. Load a track into Deck A, then a different track into Deck B.
2. Turn the master down, start one deck and raise it comfortably. Confirm actual sound before touching Sync.
3. Use deck gain and EQ to balance levels. The crossfader blends the two decks; at an endpoint you should hear the corresponding side.

Find beat one before chasing sync

Check BPM and the first downbeat for each track. Set Beat One, adjust the grid and confirm it before Sync. Half/double BPM helps when an analysis suggests the wrong rhythmic level.

Choose a Master deck. Sync follows a confirmed grid; it cannot make a wrong beat grid sound right. Variable-tempo tracks may need manual riding rather than a fixed-tempo sync.

Touch the platter. Hear the answer.

Platter gestures momentarily bend the deck’s playback rate. Release to return toward its base speed. Use the pitch-range and tempo controls for the lasting change.

Key Lock preserves pitch during tempo changes. With Key Lock off, tempo and pitch move together. Cue and hot cues return to chosen positions; audition deliberately before a live transition. Loop a short phrase, then try a longer loop and listen at the seam.

Keep the transition

1. Start DJ recording, perform your transition, then stop the recording.
2. Open Takes and preview the saved take. Check the beginning, transition and end.
3. Use Print to Tape with the intended track and playhead selected. Audition the inserted audio in the arrangement.
4. Save the project and export a project bundle. Export the stereo song separately when you want a listening copy.

Headphones are not a second output by magic

Independent cue requires a verified interface with at least four outputs: program on 1–2 and cue on 3–4. A stereo-only route cannot provide an independent headphone mix. Connect the right hardware before relying on pre-cue.