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DJ Foundations
Free cheat sheet

The EQ Transition Cheat Sheet

The three EQ moves that make every blend cleaner — no sync, no FX.
DECK A — going out HI · flat MID · duck LOW · OUT 40–100 Hz killed DECK B — coming in HI · flat MID · flat LOW · UP only one bass at a time SWAP ON THE 1 one hand down, one hand up, same motion on a 16- or 32-bar phrase boundary
The three moves — that's 90% of a clean EQ blend
1
Bass out before it lands −∞ on Deck B low
Bring the incoming track in with its low EQ already killed. Two kicks in the 40–100 Hz range at once is mud — only ever one bass playing.
2
Swap the low end on the phrase A low ↓ · B low ↑
On the first beat of a new 16- or 32-bar phrase, cut the outgoing bass and lift the incoming bass in one motion. The ear expects change on a phrase line, so it lands invisibly.
3
Duck one mid so the vocals don't fight −6 to −10 dB
If both tracks have vocals or a lead line (roughly 250 Hz–2 kHz), pull the mid down on the one you're leaving. Clears the clash without gutting the groove.
When it still sounds wrong
Muddy / boomyTwo basses open. Cut one all the way — don't split the difference.
Hollow / thin in the blendYou cut the low on both. Bring one back up to flat.
Vocals or leads clashingMid fight. Duck the outgoing mid, or mix out of a breakdown with no vocal.
Harsh / piercing on topTwo sets of hats stacked. Trim Deck B's highs a touch until the swap is done.
Fine in the cans, bad on the speakersYou're mixing by the meters. Cue the room and trust your ears, not the lights.
Drill these three before your next set — then they're automatic.
Practise it for real — the free EQ trainer & full transition walkthrough are at djfoundations.com/start
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