In audio engineering, a fade is a gradual increase or decrease in the level of an audio signal. The term can also be used for film cinematography or theatre lighting in much the same way.
Audio mixer faders in a London pub.
3 faders used as graphic equalizer in a personal cassette player
Turntablism is the art of manipulating sounds and creating new music, sound effects, mixes and other creative sounds and beats, typically by using two or more turntables and a cross fader-equipped DJ mixer. The mixer is plugged into a PA system and/or broadcasting equipment so that a wider audience can hear the turntablist's music. Turntablists typically manipulate records on a turntable by moving the record with their hand to cue the stylus to exact points on a record, and by touching or moving the platter or record to stop, slow down, speed up or, spin the record backwards, or moving the turntable platter back and forth, all while using a DJ mixer's crossfader control and the mixer's gain and equalization controls to adjust the sound and level of each turntable. Turntablists typically use two or more turntables and headphones to cue up desired start points on different records.
DJ Qbert manipulating a record turntable at a turntablism competition in France in 2006
World premiere of the Tri-Phonic Turntable, July 14, 1997, London
Record producer DJ Jazzy Jeff manipulating a record turntable in England in 2005.
Sid Wilson of Slipknot operating direct-drive turntables at Mayhem Festival in 2008.