Techno Transition Techniques

DDJ-FLX4 Cheat Sheet

Hard Swap/Cut

  1. Identify the drop point in your incoming track and set a Hot Cue there
  2. Wait for the end of a phrase in your current track
  3. Press the Hot Cue on the incoming track exactly on the beat
  4. Quickly move the crossfader to the incoming track's side

Example: At the end of an 8-bar phrase in Track A, hit the Hot Cue on Track B's drop and immediately slide the crossfader to the right

Tonal Risers

  1. Load a track with a good build-up section
  2. During the last 8-16 bars before transition, apply high-pass filter (turn filter knob clockwise)
  3. Gradually increase the filter intensity as you approach the drop
  4. Release the filter right as the new track drops

Example: As Track A builds up, turn the filter knob clockwise to around 2 o'clock position, then return to center when Track B drops

White Noise & Crashes

  1. In Rekordbox, set up the Noise color FX (Settings > View > Effect Panel > Sound Color Effects)
  2. Turn the parameter to about 2 o'clock position
  3. During transition, apply the Noise effect by turning the filter knob
  4. Combine with Echo effect for smoother transitions

Example: 8 bars before transition, turn on Noise effect, gradually increase intensity, then cut with Echo out

Impacts & Sub Sweeps

  1. Set up a reverb effect on Beat FX
  2. During transition, apply reverb with LEVEL/DEPTH knob at maximum
  3. Cut the fader quickly after applying
  4. Start the new track immediately

Example: Apply reverb to Track A, turn LEVEL/DEPTH to maximum, cut the fader, then immediately start Track B

Drum Fills

  1. Find a section with drum fills in your track
  2. Set a Hot Cue at this point
  3. During transition, trigger the Hot Cue
  4. Use the drum fill as a bridge to the next track

Example: Set Hot Cue D at a drum fill section, trigger it during transition, then bring in Track B as the fill completes

Filtering

  1. Start by cutting the highs on the incoming track
  2. Gradually fade in the track while slowly bringing back the highs
  3. Simultaneously cut the highs on the outgoing track
  4. Swap the bass EQs (reduce outgoing, increase incoming)

Example: Cut highs on Track B, start fading in, gradually restore highs while cutting highs on Track A, then swap bass EQs

EQ Manipulation

  1. Bring in the new track with bass EQ fully down
  2. Adjust mid and high EQs to blend with current track
  3. When ready to complete transition, swap the bass (cut outgoing, bring in incoming)
  4. Gradually fade out the old track

Example: Bring Track B in with bass at -12 o'clock, adjust mids/highs to blend, then swap bass and fade out Track A

Vinyl Breaks and Spinbacks

  1. Ensure your controller is in vinyl mode (default on FLX4)
  2. At the end of a phrase, press and hold SHIFT + ON/OFF to activate the vinyl break effect
  3. Keep your finger on the ON/OFF button
  4. Let go of SHIFT and bring down the fader

Example: At phrase end, hold SHIFT + ON/OFF, release SHIFT, cut fader, then start new track

Spatial Washout

  1. Apply reverb effect to the outgoing track
  2. Increase the LEVEL/DEPTH to maximum
  3. Cut the fader to create the washout effect
  4. Bring in the new track

Example: Apply reverb to Track A, increase LEVEL/DEPTH to maximum, cut fader, then start Track B

Reverb & Delays

  1. Set Beat FX to Echo with 1/2 beat timing
  2. Apply the effect to the outgoing track
  3. Increase the LEVEL/DEPTH knob
  4. Cut the fader while the echo is active

Example: Set Echo to 1/2 beat, apply to Track A, increase LEVEL/DEPTH to 3 o'clock, cut fader, then start Track B

Loop Speed Variation

  1. Set a 4-beat loop on your current track
  2. Use the CUE/LOOP CALL buttons to halve the loop size (creating faster rhythm)
  3. Continue halving to build energy
  4. Release the loop and transition to the new track

Example: Set 4-beat loop, press CUE/LOOP CALL< to make it 2-beat, then 1-beat, creating tension before releasing

Volume Fading

  1. Start playing both tracks in sync
  2. Ensure bass EQ is down on the incoming track
  3. Gradually raise the channel fader on the incoming track
  4. Simultaneously lower the outgoing track's fader

Example: With both tracks playing, slowly raise Track B's fader while lowering Track A's over 8-16 bars

Synth Breakdown Creation

  1. Apply high-pass filter to current track (turn filter knob clockwise)
  2. Add reverb effect with Beat FX
  3. Create a temporary breakdown by manipulating both effects
  4. Bring in the new track during this created space

Example: Apply high-pass filter to Track A, add reverb, create atmospheric breakdown, then bring in Track B

Filter Modulation

  1. Apply filter effect to current track
  2. Rhythmically modulate the filter knob in time with the beat
  3. Create movement and energy by varying the filter intensity
  4. Use this rhythmic pattern to transition to the next track

Example: Apply filter to Track A, modulate between 10 and 2 o'clock positions in rhythm, then bring in Track B

Backspin Transition

  1. Select "backspin" from the release FX (hold SHIFT + ON/OFF to access)
  2. Apply the effect 4 bars before the drop of your next track
  3. Hold the ON/OFF button to maintain the effect
  4. Release and cut the fader when ready to drop the new track

Example: 4 bars before transition, hold SHIFT + ON/OFF to select backspin, maintain effect, then release and cut to Track B's drop

Echo Out

  1. Set Beat FX to Echo with 1/2 or 1/4 beat timing
  2. Make sure level is down before applying
  3. Turn on the effect, then increase LEVEL/DEPTH
  4. Cut the fader while effect is active

Example: Set Echo to 1/2 beat, turn on effect, increase LEVEL/DEPTH to maximum, cut fader, then start new track

Reverb Out

  1. Set Beat FX to Reverb
  2. Turn on the effect with LEVEL/DEPTH at minimum
  3. Increase LEVEL/DEPTH to maximum
  4. Cut the fader to create a reverb tail

Example: Set Reverb effect, turn on, increase LEVEL/DEPTH to maximum, cut fader, then start new track at appropriate point

EQ Mixing Fundamentals

Contributed by: u/Megahert

  • Always use EQ mixing - it's not just a technique, it's essential practice to keep your mixes sounding clean
  • Avoid "Volume Fading" as it can sound lazy - instead, use loops and EQ to extend your outgoing track
  • Be mindful of maintaining drive - ending hi-hats/shakers mid-phrase can kill the energy of your mix
  • Never play two basslines simultaneously - always cut the lows on one track during transitions

Strategic Looping

Contributed by: u/Megahert

  • Set your loop 4 or 8 bars after the beginning of a phrase for easier mixing
  • This gives you a window to match the phrase to the first beat of each track
  • Looping is essential for quality seamless mixing
  • If you hear dissonance between tracks, quickly hit a loop and kill the mids of one track (preferably the incoming one)

Precise EQ Control

Contributed by: u/Megahert

  • Bring in your incoming track with both lows and highs turned down
  • Mix in new elements slowly at specific bar intervals
  • This creates the impression of new layers being added rather than a new track starting
  • Watch out for quantization differences in house music that can cause high-hat clashing