Mix tape sound effects help DJs establish themselves.
The mix tape has become a staple of hip hop music over the last 30 years. The mix tape DJ has been around almost as long as the mix tape itself. Notable mix tape DJ's specialize in releasing music from one artist or various artists on what is known as a mix tape that has some of that DJ's signature sounds and styles throughout the record. Some notable hip hop mix tape DJ's with distinctive sounds and sound effects are DJ Clue, famous for his name dropping with reverb, DJ Funkmaster Flex, known for "dropping a bomb on it," and DJ Khaled, known for his signature line, "we the best."
Word play
Many mix tape DJs like to use pre-programmed signature phrases throughout their mix tapes. This can include using an application such as ProTools or Fruity Loops to record their voice saying their signature phrase and then adjusting the sound effects. This can be done by adding reverb, slowing it down, speeding it up or using an effect known as "chopping and screwing," which involves cutting the words up with brief pauses and slowing the voice down to make it sound deeper and lower. Another popular effect, most notably used by DJ Clue, is using an echo effect to a phrase, dragging it out and letting it transpire over the music on the mix tape.
Bombs and Guns
Another sound effect genre involves using the sounds of weapons. The most famous user of this effect is DJ Funkmaster Flex from New York City who is known for "dropping a bomb" on a song. In this case, he uses the sound effect of a bomb exploding at the beginning of a new and upcoming song as well as right after a very clever or important verse of the song. Flex is also know for "running it back" after "dropping a bomb on it," which means after a verse that is particularly important he will use the turntable to rewind the song after the bomb sound effect is used so that the audience can hear the line again.
Another sound effect used a great deal is the sound of a gun. This can include single shot sounds, full machine gun round sounds, or in many cases simply the sound effect of a gun being loaded and cocked.
Horns, whistles, sirens
Mix tape DJs have also found a great use for some of the most common sounds found in city areas to enhance a song or let their presence be felt in a song. Using the sound of car horns, police or official whistles and, more commonly, air raid sirens or police sirens, mix tape DJs show urgency or importance in a song. DJ Craig G is famous for using the air raid siren sound effect as a way to alert his audience that a new song is beginning or an important part of song is about to happen or just happened. DJs can use these sound effects also to add pacing to songs or as transitions between songs.
