DJ altering the tempo of music at DVinfo.net

Paul Mailath · August 22nd, 2011, 08:04 PM

I don't know how often this happens - 1st time I've come across it - it was a pain in the arse!

I spent hours trying to match up the 1st dance to the song they'd supplied - turns out the DJ started the song slower and then sped it up. Once I realised what was going on I had to use the audio from one of the cameras.

Tom Hardwick · August 23rd, 2011, 02:02 AM

You're not alone - I've met this a few times now - with DJs that play CDs as well as MP3s.

Vincent Oliver · August 23rd, 2011, 02:36 AM

When this happens, just use the video sound track together with the ambient noise. Otherwise use your CD track drop out all the video sound track and point the finger at the DJ if the couple complain.

The best solution is to have a word with the DJ beforehand and tell him this track is the couple request and you need to sync the video. Often talking helps in most situations.

Jeff Harper · August 23rd, 2011, 02:51 AM

For the DJ to speed up the first dance song in the middle of it is ridiculous and amateurish. Other times for mixing I understand they need to do this, but for the first dance, give me a break.

Vincent Oliver · August 23rd, 2011, 03:04 AM

Interesting Jeff, I am glad you edited out your first reply

Jeff Harper · August 23rd, 2011, 06:35 AM

Vincent, I'm glad your happy. My first post was fine, except it didnt' apply because I hadn't realized he was talking about first dance. Otherwise, who cares what speed the DJ plays any song? I just matched up three songs in a wedding video and all were speeded up. It took time, but I got it. It is a pain, but the DJ needs to do what he needs to do, and so do we.

The first dance song however is another matter. I'm sure the bride does not expect it to be played speeded up, especially in the middle of the dance.

Chip Thome · August 23rd, 2011, 08:10 AM

I have experienced the dj's having their own "special" cut or mix, as well as live bands doing the same thing. It became real apparent to me early on the best way to be doing this audio is to be recording it directly from them as it happens.

Chris Talawe · August 23rd, 2011, 09:22 AM

I had this same problem before and couldn't get it to sync. I only found out after pluraleyes support had told me about the difference in speed which is barely noticeable. I agree with Chip I just use the song recorded off the DJ's sound board. It works out great too since sometimes the DJ would announce an intro to the 1st dance and I can add that as part of the intro leading to the dance.

Chris Davis · August 28th, 2011, 08:53 PM

As a former wedding DJ (for more than 500 wedding dances) I can tell you it's probably not a matter of the DJ purposly starting the song at a slower tempo, then speeding it up...

If the DJ was beatmatching earlier in the evening (slowing/raising the tempo of one song to match the tempo of another - fairly common among pro DJs) then it's possible the tempo of that particular source was left down a few percent. When the DJ noticed, he probably brought it up slowly so it was at the correct tempo. The average guest would not have noticed. Only the videographer would notice when trying to sync.

August 22nd, 2011, 08:04 PM	#1
Paul Mailath Trustee Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Central Coast - NSW, Australia Posts: 1,606	DJ altering the tempo of music I don't know how often this happens - 1st time I've come across it - it was a pain in the arse! I spent hours trying to match up the 1st dance to the song they'd supplied - turns out the DJ started the song slower and then sped it up. Once I realised what was going on I had to use the audio from one of the cameras. audio problem on Vimeo __________________ Cheers - Paul M. www.perbenyik.com

August 23rd, 2011, 02:02 AM	#2
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	Re: DJ altering the tempo of music You're not alone - I've met this a few times now - with DJs that play CDs as well as MP3s.

August 23rd, 2011, 02:36 AM	#3
Vincent Oliver Trustee Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Chislehurst, London Posts: 1,724	Re: DJ altering the tempo of music When this happens, just use the video sound track together with the ambient noise. Otherwise use your CD track drop out all the video sound track and point the finger at the DJ if the couple complain. The best solution is to have a word with the DJ beforehand and tell him this track is the couple request and you need to sync the video. Often talking helps in most situations. __________________ Eyes are a deaf man’s ears. Ears are a blind man’s eyes

August 23rd, 2011, 02:51 AM	#4
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: DJ altering the tempo of music For the DJ to speed up the first dance song in the middle of it is ridiculous and amateurish. Other times for mixing I understand they need to do this, but for the first dance, give me a break. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

August 23rd, 2011, 03:04 AM	#5
Vincent Oliver Trustee Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Chislehurst, London Posts: 1,724	Re: DJ altering the tempo of music Interesting Jeff, I am glad you edited out your first reply __________________ Eyes are a deaf man’s ears. Ears are a blind man’s eyes

August 23rd, 2011, 06:35 AM	#6
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: DJ altering the tempo of music Vincent, I'm glad your happy. My first post was fine, except it didnt' apply because I hadn't realized he was talking about first dance. Otherwise, who cares what speed the DJ plays any song? I just matched up three songs in a wedding video and all were speeded up. It took time, but I got it. It is a pain, but the DJ needs to do what he needs to do, and so do we. The first dance song however is another matter. I'm sure the bride does not expect it to be played speeded up, especially in the middle of the dance. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

August 23rd, 2011, 08:10 AM	#7
Chip Thome Major Player Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Green Bay Wisconsin Posts: 553	Re: DJ altering the tempo of music I have experienced the dj's having their own "special" cut or mix, as well as live bands doing the same thing. It became real apparent to me early on the best way to be doing this audio is to be recording it directly from them as it happens.

August 23rd, 2011, 09:22 AM	#8
Chris Talawe Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Fremont, CA. Posts: 78	Re: DJ altering the tempo of music I had this same problem before and couldn't get it to sync. I only found out after pluraleyes support had told me about the difference in speed which is barely noticeable. I agree with Chip I just use the song recorded off the DJ's sound board. It works out great too since sometimes the DJ would announce an intro to the 1st dance and I can add that as part of the intro leading to the dance.

August 28th, 2011, 08:53 PM	#9
Chris Davis Trustee Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Willmar, MN Posts: 1,400	Re: DJ altering the tempo of music As a former wedding DJ (for more than 500 wedding dances) I can tell you it's probably not a matter of the DJ purposly starting the song at a slower tempo, then speeding it up... If the DJ was beatmatching earlier in the evening (slowing/raising the tempo of one song to match the tempo of another - fairly common among pro DJs) then it's possible the tempo of that particular source was left down a few percent. When the DJ noticed, he probably brought it up slowly so it was at the correct tempo. The average guest would not have noticed. Only the videographer would notice when trying to sync.