How to mix EDM – Three Easy DJ Mixing Techniques

Mixing EDM is all about pacing the build-ups and making the drops feel as big as possible. In this guide, we’ll cover the core principles that make EDM mixing work, and teach you some tried-and-tested techniques you can use in your own sets. We’ll look at three specific transitions that DJs at every level rely on, but also share broader tips on phrasing, energy control and set flow so you can start putting together mixes that sound like they belong on a festival stage.

What Makes EDM Mixing Different

EDM is structured around long breakdowns, tense buildups and big drops. That makes mixing it very different to some genres where you might be slowly blending grooves together. Here, the goal is to line up those big moments so the set feels natural and seamless. Most tracks stay in a narrow tempo range, usually 126 to 130 BPM, so timing and phrasing become the main things to get right. If you bring a track in too early or too late, the drops will clash, and if you let them land on top of each other, the impact is lost. The quieter breakdowns can also catch people out because there’s less rhythm to guide you.

How to mix EDM music – Full Video Guide

This video takes you step by step through all three of the most key techniques for mixing EDM so you can see exactly how to apply them in your own sets.

Three Essential EDM Mixing Techniques

Let’s break down those techniques step by step to really understand what’s going on:

Loop Tightening

Loop tightening is one of the easiest ways to build tension before a drop. You grab a short loop on the outgoing track and make it feel tighter and tighter until the new track takes over.

• Line both tracks up so the drops hit together.

• Just before the drop, throw a one-beat loop on the outgoing track.

• Slowly shorten the loop so it repeats faster and faster.

• Add some reverb or echo to stretch the sound.

• Cut the loop right as the incoming track slams in.

This works best on a vocal, drum hit or synth that stands out on its own. The silence when you cut the loop makes the new drop feel even heavier.

Drop Swap

This one’s about surprise. You let the crowd think they’re about to hear one track drop, then swap it out for another. When you get it right, it’ll get a huge reaction from the crowd.

• Play both breakdowns together so they’re in phrase.

• Let the tension build across both tracks.

• When the drop hits, kill the first track completely and let the second one take over.

• Add quick vocal stabs or FX from the first track to smooth the change.

If the breakdowns aren’t the same length, the drops won’t land in sync, so you’ve got to get your cues right for this one.

Drop Looping

Drop looping keeps part of the outgoing track alive as you hit the new drop, almost like you’re remixing live.

• Set a loop on a vocal or synth phrase before the drop.

• Keep it running as the new track builds.

• Use the crossfader to stab the loop in and out against the new drop.

• Finish it with an effect (vinyl brake or echo always hits well).

Vocals work especially well here as they cut through the mix and give the crowd something familiar to hold onto as the new drop takes over. This effect becomes particularly effective when a vinyl brake effect is applied on the final stab.

Subgenres and Energy in EDM

EDM has so many offshoots and subgenres that it’s easy to get lost in the labels. You’ll hear things like big room, progressive, electro, future house etc., but, in reality, everyone has their own definition. When it comes to mixing, though, the exact name doesn’t matter as much as the energy and vibe the track brings.

A more useful way to think about your library is in terms of mood and intensity. You’ll want tracks that work as openers, tunes that build tension through the middle of your set, and high-energy peak-time anthems. Closing tracks often have a slightly different feel, leaning more euphoric or stripped back to bring things down naturally. To turn your DJ set into a proper journey, you’ve got to give a lot of thought to how the energy levels are evolving throughout and always have the right tracks to match the vibe you’re after readily available.

Colour coding or tagging tracks by energy level can make this much clearer when you’re busy mixing. The important thing is that you personally understand how each track works and where it could belong in your set. If you hammer out nothing but peak-time bangers, the impact wears off quickly, and the crowd will get exhausted. When you space things out and let the energy rise and fall, every drop feels bigger.

Extra Tips for Mixing EDM

Once you’re comfortable with phrasing and timing, these techniques can help your mixes sound more polished and powerful:

• EQ sweeps and filters. During a build, easing out the low end of the outgoing track or filtering the highs can stop things clashing and give space for the drop. Subtle moves make the transition feel smooth without drawing attention away from the music.

• Reverb and echo. These effects work best when you pick your moment. Stretching a vocal with reverb or throwing a short echo on the last sound before a drop can bridge the gap between tracks. Keep the wet/dry low so it adds texture without taking over.

• Loops. Setting a loop before the drop gives you time to get creative. You can extend a breakdown to cue the next track, hold a vocal line and ride it with FX, or keep the crowd hanging before you release into the drop.

• Know your track structure. Spend time learning exactly where the breakdowns, builds and drops fall. If you know what’s coming, you’ll mix more confidently and avoid being caught out by short builds or unexpected edits.

• Think about keys. EDM is full of big leads and vocals. If tracks aren’t in key, your swaps and loops can sound messy. Mixing harmonically keeps everything tight.

• Keep it simple. EDM is already dramatic. A little flair goes a long way, and the real impact comes from timing, phrasing and letting the track breathe.

Learn all about mixing EDM

Hopefully, you’ve now got a clear understanding of the key ideas behind mixing EDM. If you want to go deeper and actually see these techniques in action, make sure to check out our crash course on mainstage EDM mixing. You’ll pick up the essential skills, learn how to make your drops hit harder, and watch real set examples broken down step by step.

It’s available as a part of our Complete Package, which is the ultimate collection of everything you need to know to level up your DJ career.