Try one DJ effect and hear what it changes
An effect changes the sound you already have. In Hearhood's computer DJ layout, two Beat FX units offer effects such as echo, reverb and filter sweep. Their target matters: an effect on one deck and an effect on the master affect different material.
Start with the problem you want to solve
Choose a short familiar passage. Keep the mix level comfortable and begin with effects off. If the tracks are already out of time or too loud, correct that first. An echo does not repair a wrong beat grid.
You might want a small tail at the end of a phrase or less density during a handover. Choose one aim rather than turning on several effects to hear what happens.
Choose the target before the amount
Open Beat FX, select a simple effect and inspect which deck or master it targets. Start with a small depth or level and a short beat setting. Switch the effect on for a brief passage, then off to compare.
The current Beat FX choices include echo, reverb, filter sweep, flanger, phaser, crush, trans and echo out. The second unit comes after the first, so combining them can change the result substantially.
Keep Colour separate in your mind
The top-row Colour choice changes what the channel Filter knobs do: Filter, Sweep, Crush or Dub echo. A knob you previously treated as an ordinary filter may therefore have a different effect after changing Colour. Check the selected mode before moving it during a transition.
A controller's Pad FX mode is not implemented as a full pad-effects workflow. Do not assume every pad function printed on a controller exists in Hearhood.
A useful before-and-after test
Play the same phrase without an effect, add a restrained echo, then bypass it. Notice whether the next vocal remains clear. If it becomes harder to follow, try less effect or a shorter overlap.
Mixing two songs and avoiding vocal clashes are useful prerequisites. The aim is a controlled musical choice, not using every available effect.