ENHANCE YOUR DJ MIX WITH COLOR FX
6 POPULAR COLOR FX TO USE WHEN DJING

Space

The space color effect is a classic reverb effect. Turning the FX knob to the left applies the reverb to the mid and low frequencies, while turning it to the right applies it to the mid and high frequencies. The parameter knob controls the feedback level, which feeds the reverb signal into itself. Reverb is a classic effect that can intensify a buildup. Typically, you’ll want to apply reverb to the mid and high frequencies and avoid applying it to the low end, which will sound muddy and unpleasant.

Dub Echo

The dub echo color effect adds a delay that fades out over time. Turning the knob to the left applies the echo to the lower frequencies, while turning it to the right applies it to the upper frequencies. The parameter knob affects the feedback of the echo, feeding the signal back into itself. One trick for using dub echo is to apply it to the upper frequencies of a track just before a drop by turning the knob to the right. Cut the track volume and disable the dub echo to let the echo effect ring out over silence, then bring the track back in on the first beat of the drop as the echo trails off.

Sweep

Turning the knob to the left applies a noise gate color effect, with a threshold configured by the parameter knob. Turning the knob to the right applies a band-pass color filter, with the center frequency determined by the parameter knob.

Noise

The noise color effect mixes white noise into the original audio. Turning the knob to the left adds the white noise with a low-pass filter applied. Turning the knob to the right adds the noise with a high-pass filter. The parameter knob controls the volume level of the white noise being mixed into the signal. Sweeping the noise can add movement and drama to a buildup. It can also be used like a pseudo-scratch effect, using the crossfader to apply it rhythmically over a track. It can be combined with additional color effects like gate or space for even more creative sounds.

Crush

The crush color effect downsamples the audio, adding a gritty, lo-fi, digital distortion effect. Turning the FX knob to the left increases the distortion effect, while turning to the right applies the crush effect with a high-pass filter applied, leaving the low frequencies unaffected. The parameter knob controls the intensity of the distortion effect.

Filter

The filter is the most widely used color effect. The filter behaves like an EQ, isolating high frequencies or low frequencies depending on which direction the color knob is turned. Turning the knob to the right applies a high-pass filter, and turning it to the left applies a low-pass filter. The parameter knob controls the resonance of the filter. Depending on your equipment, you may not have other sound color effect options available. In that case, the filter may be the default effect at all times, so simply turning the knob will always apply the filter without the need to select the filter effect first.

Conclusion

The key to using color FX effectively is practice and experimentation. Tailor the effects to suit the genre and audience, and apply them sparingly. Learning when to use color effects effectively will elevate your mix and have a huge impact on the audience.