Do you prefer mixtapes/compilations to have the songs mixed in together?

[R-Tistic]

For those of you who know me as a producer, I have been DJing a lot for the last few months, and haven't really been on the production tip as much.

I post on a few DJ sites, and on one of them, they were saying that "real DJs" don't make mixtapes or compilations without mixing the songs in, having effects, and all that. Before I started DJing, I never cared for mixtapes or albums where the songs were mixed in, usually because I'd take the songs I liked most and put them on my own playlists or CDs, and because of all the effects, shoutouts, rewinds, and all that. However, being that I mix and all that now, I can appreciate these mixtapes more, and I am thinking about making a few where I am mixing everything together.

Let me know how you feel about this...thanks!

[smegma]

I voted for option three. When I'm in the club it's important that the songs are mixed in together, but when I'm playing a cd on my computer, in my room or wherever I wanna be able to skip through the songs and start each song from the start.

[Cheese]

I prefer seperate songs.

[R-Tistic]

I voted for option three. When I'm in the club it's important that the songs are mixed in together, but when I'm playing a cd on my computer, in my room or wherever I wanna be able to skip through the songs and start each song from the start.

That's how I always felt.

I was doing an Old School event one day, and some older dudes came and said I should make some mix CDs with the songs mixed in the way I was doin it.

I just think it's somethin DJs seem to care more about. I've seen DJs on here bash dudes like DJ Clue for not mixin the songs together on his tapes.

[smegma]

I just think it's somethin DJs seem to care more about. I've seen DJs on here bash dudes like DJ Clue for not mixin the songs together on his tapes.

Yeah, I can see where you're coming from. It shows the DJ's skills, but I really don't care how good a DJ is unless he's playing in the club. lol

[KURUPTION-81]

It depends when the tracks were released. If there new tracks i prefer them seperate but if its a mix cd with classic tracks on them that the majority of people heard then i like them to be mixed.

Something that you could put on at a party and just let it play.

[Fresco]

I miss the good old time when we copped a tape for the Dj's performance (scratching, mixing...) instead of the tracklist...

[EXPOSEPONCESENT]

it depends, sometimes i like blend tapes were the tunes are mixed in together like back in the day, other times i like mixtapes witout the mixing so i can get the tunes separetly onto a ipod or mix-cd

[K.Dub]

I voted for option three. When I'm in the club it's important that the songs are mixed in together, but when I'm playing a cd on my computer, in my room or wherever I wanna be able to skip through the songs and start each song from the start.

[Lunatic]

I prefer seperate songs.

[We Fly High]

all good mixtapes better have their shit flowing from beginning to end. for me, mixtapes are more to create a mood or atmosphere. (I dont really listen to rap mixtapes anymore, cos 99% of them are wack)..

Separate tracks dont belong on mixtapes (maybe on rap ones), but thats what regular cds are for, or go burn some mp3s.

A good mixtape maintains a flow and encourages the listeners to ride out the whole cd, therefore eliminating the need to skip or have separate tracks.

[Okka]

voted: Nah, I'd rather have the songs separate so I can take the ones I like together

[acgrundy]

if every song is good, then I like it mixed together and flowing.  but if I only like a song or two, then I don't really like that.

[QuietTruth]

I voted Yes, it gives it a better flow and shows skill and creativity. But it really doesn't matter to me. But what I'm about to say, I may be the only one to like it like this but maybe not, anyways, I like that shit when all the songs flow together and mix well, with the effects over them, not too much the rewinds 15 times but the shouts one in a while don't bother me, the sirens and shit though, I like that shit. LOL. The sound effects is fire imho.

What I can't stand it when songs don't fit wit each other at all and they try to mix them. If the beats don't flow with each other, pause the music, or pause the music with a tag and THAN play the next song, ya feel me? I fuckin' LOVE mixes though, esp. if they ill records. Shit is hype.

[R-Tistic]

Thanks for all of the input.

What I plan to do is drop about 5-6 mixtapes that all contain classic tracks, but all have a theme and flow together. The ones I have thought about are:

Soulful/conscious style (Common, Talib, Raheem, Nas)
New Jack Swing
Funk
Old vs. New, where I'd mix songs together that sampled each other, but mix it in to where you won't really notice the new song is on
West Coast obscure classics, meaning songs that are dope and classic to us true fans, but weren't the top ten hits
West Coast true classics
Up-tempo club
Hyphy mix
New club tracks mix...with most songs being tracks that aren't really as known to most people, but go hard

So yeah..that's just an idea. I will probably put them up for free download...I'm really just doin it for fun. I think I need about 2-3 weeks more practice on the 1200's, and I'll be good to go.