How to Make a Song Mashup: Tempo, Crossfades and Layers

To make a song mashup, open the free Song Mashup Maker, add two to four songs from your device, drag the handles on each waveform to pick the part you want, press Match tempo so the beats line up, and choose a style: one after another with crossfades, or layered on top of each other. Press Preview mashup to hear it on the page. It keeps playing in a background tab or with your phone locked.

Everything is mixed in your browser: your songs are never uploaded, and previewing is free.

What makes a good mashup?

A mashup sounds natural when the songs feel like they belong together. Three things decide that:

1. Tempo. Songs at similar speeds (beats per minute, BPM) can be lined up so their beats match.
2. Key. Songs in the same or related musical keys sound pleasant together; clashing keys sound "off", especially when layered.
3. Energy and mood. A calm ballad straight into a hard dance drop rarely works, even if the tempos match.

The tool detects each song's BPM as it loads, which takes care of the first point. For the key, trust your ears: if two layered parts sound sour, try a different section or song.

Which style should I choose: sequence or layered?

Style	What it does	Best for	Difficulty
One after another	Each part plays in turn, blending into the next with a crossfade	Medleys, DJ-style mixes, "best parts" edits	Easy
Layered on top	Parts play at the same time from their own start points	Vocals of one song over the beat of another	Harder

If it's your first mashup, start with "One after another". Crossfades hide small differences in tempo and key, so the result almost always sounds smooth.

How do I make a mashup step by step?

1. Add your songs. Drop two to four songs into the Song Mashup Maker. Each one shows its waveform and detected BPM.
2. Pick the best part of each song. Drag the start and end handles to the section you want, usually a chorus or a strong verse. You can also use the arrow keys for precise moves (Shift moves five seconds).
3. Put them in order. Use the up and down arrows on each song card.
4. Match the tempo. On songs 2–4, press "Match tempo to song 1". The speed changes so the BPM matches the first song.
5. Set the crossfade. 2–4 seconds is smooth for most songs. Longer crossfades suit slow songs; short ones suit beat-driven music.
6. Preview. Press Preview mashup. After any change, press Update preview to hear the new version.
7. Listen anywhere. Switch tabs or lock your phone and the mashup keeps playing. Use the lock-screen or headphone buttons to pause and skip. Mashups are for listening on the page and can't be downloaded.

How does tempo matching work, and when does it go wrong?

Tempo matching changes the playback speed of a song. Because the tool changes speed the classic way, the pitch moves too: faster is higher, slower is lower. Small changes are barely noticeable, but large ones make voices sound odd.

• Within ±5%: usually unnoticeable.
• 5–8%: fine for most music, with a slight pitch change.
• Above 10%: vocals start to sound chipmunk-like or sluggish. Pick songs with closer tempos instead.

The tool also tries double and half time. A 70 BPM ballad can match a 140 BPM dance track without being sped up twofold, because every second beat lines up.

BPM detection works best on songs with a clear drum beat. Songs without drums, or with lots of tempo changes, may show "tempo unclear"; set their speed by ear in that case.

How do I layer a vocal over another song's beat?

This is the classic mashup trick, and the filters make it much cleaner:

1. Switch to "Layered on top".
2. On the vocal song, set Low cut to "Cut bass (150 Hz)" so its own bass and kick drum don't fight the other song's beat.
3. On the beat song, set High cut to "Soften highs (4 kHz)", or "Bass & beat only" for an even cleaner bed, so its vocals and cymbals step back.
4. Use "Starts at" on each song to line up where the vocal comes in.
5. Lower the beat song's volume a little (70–85%) so the vocal sits on top.

Filters can't fully separate a vocal from its music, so some of the original backing will remain. Choosing a song section with sparse instruments, such as a breakdown or a quiet verse, helps a lot.

Can I make a slowed and reverb mashup?

Yes. Tick "Make it Slowed + Reverb" and the whole mashup gets the classic slowed preset (0.80× speed with reverb). For more control over slowed settings, see how to make slowed and reverb songs. You can also make each song brighter and faster first with the Nightcore Maker, or heavier with the Bass Booster.

What are the most common mashup mistakes?

• Tempos too far apart. Big speed changes make vocals sound wrong. Choose songs with similar BPM.
• Two vocals at once. Layering two lead vocals almost always clashes. Layer a vocal over an instrumental section instead.
• Abrupt cuts. A crossfade of zero seconds sounds like a skip. Use at least 1–2 seconds.
• Too long. The best mashups are short and focused. Two or three strong sections beat five long ones.

A note on copyright

A mashup combines other artists' recordings, so the original rights still apply. Mashups are fine for personal listening and practice. To publish one on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube or streaming services, you need permission from the rights holders, or a platform licence that covers it. Using your own music or royalty-free tracks avoids the issue.

Quick checklist

• Choose songs with similar tempo and mood.
• Pick one strong section from each song.
• Match the tempo, keeping speed changes under about 8%.
• Start with crossfades of 2–4 seconds.
• For layers, cut the bass on the vocal song and the highs on the beat song.

Open the Song Mashup Maker and hear your first mashup in a couple of minutes.