what is Cut scratching?

Cut scratching is a basic scratching technique in DJing. It involves quickly cutting back and forth between two parts of a track to create a scratching sound. This is accomplished by moving the jog wheel or crossfader back and forth in quick, precise movements. The sound is created as the needle on a turntable skips over the grooves in the vinyl record or as the audio signal is rapidly moved from one part of the track to another in a digital DJ setup. Cut scratching is considered a basic technique because it is one of the first scratching techniques that DJs learn, and it forms the foundation for more advanced scratching techniques.

Cut scratching is a fundamental scratching technique in DJing that involves rapidly cutting back and forth between two parts of a track to create a scratching sound. Here's a detailed explanation of how cut scratching works:

1. Setting up: To perform cut scratching, you need to have a DJ setup, which can include turntables and a mixer, or a DJ controller and software.

2. Loading a track: Load a track into your DJ setup and start playing it.

3. Moving the jog wheel or crossfader: Cut scratching is performed by rapidly moving the jog wheel or crossfader back and forth. The jog wheel is the circular knob found on some DJ controllers, while the crossfader is a sliding control on the mixer that allows you to mix between two tracks.

4. Cutting back and forth: To create the cut scratching sound, you will need to rapidly move the jog wheel or crossfader back and forth in quick, precise movements. As you move the jog wheel or crossfader, you will hear the sound of the needle on a turntable skipping over the grooves in the vinyl record or the audio signal being rapidly moved from one part of the track to another in a digital DJ setup.

5. Finding the right spot: To create a good cut scratching sound, you will need to find the right spot in the track to cut back and forth between. This spot can be a bassline, a drum beat, or any other repeating element in the track.

6. Experimenting with different speeds: Experiment with different speeds and movements to find the cut scratching sound that you like. Try moving the jog wheel or crossfader back and forth slowly, then try moving it more quickly. You can also try moving it in different directions and at different angles.

7. Incorporating other techniques: Cut scratching is a basic scratching technique, but it can be combined with other scratching techniques, such as transform scratching or crab scratching, to create more complex and interesting sounds.

Cut scratching takes time and practice to master, but it's a great place to start if you're new to DJing. As you become more skilled, you can move on to more advanced scratching techniques and start creating your own unique scratching styles.