DJ Tips & Tricks: What Split Cue Is & Why You May Want To Use It

Joey Santos
Read time: < 1 min
Last updated 14 May, 2019

You may have heard DJs talking about something called split cue but many DJs have never actually tried using this feature. Split cue can be found on high end DJ mixers and only a couple higher end DJ controllers, so many newer DJs or DJs on a budget may have never even had the chance to try it. It’s a feature that a majority of DJs in the digital era have never even thought to try but can be so useful once you do learn how it works.

What is split cue?

Split cue allows a DJ to listen to both the master output (what the crowd hears) and the headphone cue output (what you hear in the headphones to cue the next song) at the same time. It does this by splitting the two outputs between the two sides of your headphones. So for example, the left side of your headphones would be the master output and the right side of your headphones would be the headphone cue output.

Why is split cue useful?

Being able to listen to the master output and the headphone cue output at the same time provides a few benefits. The first would be the ability to listen to the master output without the need for a monitor speaker. Not only is this helpful when there is no monitor speaker or if the monitor speaker is not working correctly, it also provides a way to practice at home with just a pair of headphones. Another use would be the ability to use the headphone cue faster compared to switching from master and cue since both are always active.
Watch this video on YouTube.

Do you spin using split cue? Why or why not? Let us know below.

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