crossfade
A smooth transition where one audio signal fades out while another simultaneously fades in.
In Depth
Crossfading is essential in DJing, audio editing, and live performance. DJs crossfade between tracks using a mixer's crossfader to create seamless transitions on the dance floor. In audio editing, crossfades eliminate clicks and pops at edit points by smoothly transitioning between adjacent clips. The shape and duration of a crossfade dramatically affect how natural the transition sounds. Linear, equal-power, and logarithmic crossfade curves each have different applications.
The crossfader on a DJ mixer was originally a simple volume control, but turntablists transformed it into a performance instrument, using rapid crossfader cuts to create entirely new rhythmic patterns.