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How organized are you with your sets?

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How organized are you with your sets? Posted on: 25.06.2012 by Shakita Salansky Hello DJTT, Just wanted to get your opinions on how much effort you put into prepping for a gig or set. I know personally I try to make it as live as possible. By this I mean, knowing my songs and putting them in a folder, but I try to read the crowd and play throughout the folder. Not This songs here, and this is next, etc etc. So how do you play? Pre-recorded, or to the extreme of purely winging it.
Dorie Scelzo 27.06.2012	Originally Posted by 3heads Why would you import it as a Traktor Playlist? I pretty much play exclusively from the iTunes node in Traktor, no need to import anything. As long as you don't need to edit tags in Traktor (which I don't really see why you would - except if you're one of those "notes in a comment field" guys) the iTunes integration is sufficient. The last version of Traktor I used wouldn't load cover art in the iTunes node, and I can't believe without cover art. And since I mostly use wav files, I ended up having to manually load them in each, which got annoying. I'm not going to lie, that was 90% of the reason I switched from TP to SSL instead of TSP……better iTunes integration. I hope they fix that (or already have) because it would mean upgrading for more IO would be a lot cheaper.
Celestine Porebski 27.06.2012	Originally Posted by mostapha On Traktor, I'd do the same thing and import the playlist to my Traktor collection as a new Traktor Playlist and play from that. Why would you import it as a Traktor Playlist? I pretty much play exclusively from the iTunes node in Traktor, no need to import anything. As long as you don't need to edit tags in Traktor (which I don't really see why you would - except if you're one of those "notes in a comment field" guys) the iTunes integration is sufficient.
Pilar Maure 26.06.2012	Originally Posted by Patch I am REALLY considering starting to use iTunes for my library, and setting up a whole bunch of smart playlists... I know that time spent doing that will REALLY pay off! Just this month started to import into Itunes first after going straight into Traktor. Cannot believe how much time it saves when organizing your folder's. I have set up a lot of smart playlist's according to import date, day week, month as well as variations on this sub genre rating etc. This now allows me to import form the iTunes library into the relevant traktor folders. Also if I forget the track name, artist I can then use the smart playlists 'on the fly' to find them again.
Shakita Salansky 26.06.2012	Originally Posted by Vandalus I listen to all of my new tracks and assign them a rating on the 1-5 star scale: 1 star = early mood tracks / these are great for a warmup set. 3 star = great middle of the road tracks, can play all evening /day with these. 60% or so are in this classification probably, if not more. 5 stars = massive peak time tracks. I like the idea of this, and definately will have to look more into it. I'm assuming, still categorized by genre, yet at the same time sub-folders based for rating?
Cassie Sangermano 26.06.2012	Originally Posted by shr3dder Completely wing it myself. Never been one for too much pre-planning, takes the fun out of it. I have a playlist or two usually (some newer stuff, stuff I want to try fit in) and a well tagged library (key, bpm and genre) that's it, I treat it like when I played records, I can just take more with me. I use the "Preparation List" playlist a lot each gig, kinda like throwing the records in a pile. Never been one for intensity levels or notes on tracks, I just don't see the point personally. I am exactly the same. Look around my library, find tracks I like, add them to prep playlist. Then play from the prep playlist. Got a couple of playlists (Newest releases, classics etc.) but other than that I wing it.
Dorie Scelzo 27.06.2012	Originally Posted by 3heads Why would you import it as a Traktor Playlist? I pretty much play exclusively from the iTunes node in Traktor, no need to import anything. As long as you don't need to edit tags in Traktor (which I don't really see why you would - except if you're one of those "notes in a comment field" guys) the iTunes integration is sufficient. The last version of Traktor I used wouldn't load cover art in the iTunes node, and I can't believe without cover art. And since I mostly use wav files, I ended up having to manually load them in each, which got annoying. I'm not going to lie, that was 90% of the reason I switched from TP to SSL instead of TSP……better iTunes integration. I hope they fix that (or already have) because it would mean upgrading for more IO would be a lot cheaper.
Brunilda Kora 28.06.2012	Originally Posted by most Complete seat of the pants from a crate. I can't believe it! I thought you'd have a separate supercomputer in the back room running sub-routines and macros and spitting out suggestions on punched cards linked to you by a vacuum chute...
Kecia Wnukowski 28.06.2012	I usually have a 200 tracks "crate" that 'moves' each month + an essential crate (my kinda best of if you prefer). When I start a set live I know where I start and where I want to end (my first or two first tracks and my last ones). So I know roughly the path I want to take. If I play (or playED actually - that was a long time ago) after someone I usually go with the flow but then play one my track as a kind of reset (not something that I've produced, I mean a track that really fits my style or the music I play, a fx sound or a piece that 'mark' my take over the decks.). I also have at least one or two times with some technical routines (technical may be too strong a word but something that is a bit technic whatever that is and that I may have rehearsed before). I also consult from time to time previous playlists from sets I made. etc, etc..
Celestine Porebski 27.06.2012	Originally Posted by mostapha On Traktor, I'd do the same thing and import the playlist to my Traktor collection as a new Traktor Playlist and play from that. Why would you import it as a Traktor Playlist? I pretty much play exclusively from the iTunes node in Traktor, no need to import anything. As long as you don't need to edit tags in Traktor (which I don't really see why you would - except if you're one of those "notes in a comment field" guys) the iTunes integration is sufficient.
Dorie Scelzo 27.06.2012	Complete seat of the pants from a crate. I use iTunes to manage digital music and use a combination of sorting my entire library by "Date added", some smart playlists (genres, tempos, comments, etc.), and a few manual playlists to make a "crate" for the evening (as another playlist with just the date as its title) that Serato sees automatically. On Traktor, I'd do the same thing and import the playlist to my Traktor collection as a new Traktor Playlist and play from that. If I want to move out of it, I can. Though, I usually don't. Basically…it's exactly the same process as when I was on vinyl except that the computer is doing the sorting and searching for me.
Stefania Herb 27.06.2012	my crates are all by genre and then left in order by bpm, but i use seratos colors to indicate hot tracks that go down well or i us ethe comment section to make associations (like dancehall riddims i can drop) i really just read the crowd, i dont plan muchcos every wekk the crowd is a lil diffrent like last week it was all 90's hiphop type of crowd but the week before they were viben on dubstep so i just work my genres by bpm and find what they bite on and then i work em like 2 dollar hoe's till they call last orders
Jona Slon 27.06.2012	All my tracks are between 100-130bpm so i have my songs in playlists according to genre Generic Commercial Electro (ministry of sound kinda stuff) House Tech & Progressive (Not that much of this) Electronica & French (justice, sebastiAn etc.) - Genre i mainly play and in a seperate wallet i have dubstep and other stuff
Brunilda Kora 27.06.2012	Smart lists are blowing me away right now - you can set up smart lists based on key. That means you can do a search ONLY on those tracks are key compatible and similar tempo, or, the bit that pricked my ears up, compatible keys for energy boosts or energy drops... I can't decide if I want to install iTunes on my DAW, though...
Pilar Maure 26.06.2012	Originally Posted by Patch I am REALLY considering starting to use iTunes for my library, and setting up a whole bunch of smart playlists... I know that time spent doing that will REALLY pay off! Just this month started to import into Itunes first after going straight into Traktor. Cannot believe how much time it saves when organizing your folder's. I have set up a lot of smart playlist's according to import date, day week, month as well as variations on this sub genre rating etc. This now allows me to import form the iTunes library into the relevant traktor folders. Also if I forget the track name, artist I can then use the smart playlists 'on the fly' to find them again.
Shakita Salansky 26.06.2012	Originally Posted by Vandalus I listen to all of my new tracks and assign them a rating on the 1-5 star scale: 1 star = early mood tracks / these are great for a warmup set. 3 star = great middle of the road tracks, can play all evening /day with these. 60% or so are in this classification probably, if not more. 5 stars = massive peak time tracks. I like the idea of this, and definately will have to look more into it. I'm assuming, still categorized by genre, yet at the same time sub-folders based for rating?
Cassie Sangermano 26.06.2012	Originally Posted by shr3dder Completely wing it myself. Never been one for too much pre-planning, takes the fun out of it. I have a playlist or two usually (some newer stuff, stuff I want to try fit in) and a well tagged library (key, bpm and genre) that's it, I treat it like when I played records, I can just take more with me. I use the "Preparation List" playlist a lot each gig, kinda like throwing the records in a pile. Never been one for intensity levels or notes on tracks, I just don't see the point personally. I am exactly the same. Look around my library, find tracks I like, add them to prep playlist. Then play from the prep playlist. Got a couple of playlists (Newest releases, classics etc.) but other than that I wing it.
Ashanti Andreacchio 26.06.2012	I have a few playlists whit music I most probable will play. and listen to them every now and then removing what gets old or not so hot. When I get new songs I add them to one of those playlistes depending on energie or style. All my playlistes are under 150 tracks. It's all songs that will work depenting on what crowed shows up.
Celestine Porebski 26.06.2012	Originally Posted by Patch Energy (still trying to work this out, actually! The star rating can be little restrictive...) I tried the star-rating thingy at some point, but it didn't work for me. I realized that estimating the energy level of a track is highly dependent on the context you play it in, so I gave up on that.
Brunilda Kora 26.06.2012	I'm always interested to see some people arrange their library by date/year of release. To me, that is not something I really consider when programming a set. Now - if you're programming an 80's set or a 90's Hip-Hop set, you're gonna want to know the release date/year. But most of the time, for me at least, the date is completely irrelevant... For me, it's Key, BPM, Artist, Title, Genre (maybe even Sub-Genre), Energy (still trying to work this out, actually! The star rating can be little restrictive...), Notes/Comments. Your organisational technique HAS to evolve over time. It's one of the time consuming elements of being a DJ that REALLY pays off. I am REALLY considering starting to use iTunes for my library, and setting up a whole bunch of smart playlists... I know that time spent doing that will REALLY pay off!
Carmelo Politowicz 26.06.2012	I listen to all of my new tracks and assign them a rating on the 1-5 star scale: 1 star = early mood tracks / these are great for a warmup set. 3 star = great middle of the road tracks, can play all evening /day with these. 60% or so are in this classification probably, if not more. 5 stars = massive peak time tracks. I try to be judicious about using the 5. I use 2 and 4* as placeholders for those tracks that I feel can go both ways, i.e., can be an early track, but also can also hold its own in the middle of the evening , maybe for when it seems like a break is needed. same with the 4, can use to go big, but can also be perfectly fine in the middle of a set. I tend to try not to use 2 & 4 too often. These are my guidelines - its less about tempo and more about the energy of the track. I have folders based on genre, although I do make cross-over folders, i.e. when a track can go between house/tech-house I have a folder for that, same with tech-house/techno. Within that, I tend to organize by my star structure. I also make comments about the energy and feel of the track (e.g., "tribal and groovy with long break"), note if a certain element that is prominent, or if it has a break/intro/outro that is unique that needs my attention. Lastly, if the track has been played out by a DJ I know, then I tend to include that information. For example, "Bonaroo" to me means that Sasha & Digweed played it at Bonaroo in 2007. I know that set like the back of my hand since I've listened to it like 50 times, so if I don't immediately recognize the name, that triggers my memory. I also have all my tracks key'd, so that's another organizational tool at times.
Cole Maroto 25.06.2012	Originally Posted by shr3dder I tend to play tech house/minimal or Boys Noize style electro, but I have done quite a few commercial house/top 40 gigs but that's a whole different library that I keep separate I can't see how it makes much difference. It's definitely a case of personal preference, I believe a lot of it comes from being from a vinyl background, the idea of extensive prep seems excessive, I try to just "know" what's in my library. I've been key marking records long before I discovered Traktor, so if anything that's become way way easier. Its a pretty rigid screening process to get in the library in the first place, so with the combination of knowing the tunes and the key being tagged usually gives me a damn good idea of what'll work and what won't, and generally the waveform will tell me about any breakdowns etc. I may have forgotten were there, "needle search" is also an incredibly useful function for those moments where you just aren't sure. i hear ya. for me, i would rather put in a little more time prepping up front to make it consistently easier on myself later while still allowing me freedom to play on the fly. i don't always worry about reading my notes either as they are just guidelines that can be used. the most important factors i always look at are the key, bpms and usually energy level.
Shakita Salansky 25.06.2012	Originally Posted by shr3dder Completely wing it myself. Never been one for too much pre-planning, takes the fun out of it. I have a playlist or two usually (some newer stuff, stuff I want to try fit in) and a well tagged library (key, bpm and genre) that's it, I treat it like when I played records, I can just take more with me. I use the "Preparation List" playlist a lot each gig, kinda like throwing the records in a pile. Actually agree with this, although I was never apart of the vinyl tradition. I can see where the pile of vinyls idea comes into play with a set playlist. I got a slew of tracks I have capabilities to play, to say I remember every second of every song would be crazy, but then again that is why I have a cue button.
Ara Tima 25.06.2012	Originally Posted by squidot i get that, but prepping a track doesn't really take me that long, usually just a few minutes each. sometimes if i just feel like listening to the whole track it takes a little longer. for me, my fun gets killed when i make the wrong choice and i'd rather be a bit more prepared but still able to play a set and completely wing it...just with some assistance. i guess it just depends on what type of music you play and what you prefer. i have a vast library with many genres/vibes and a bad memory so for me to be able to narrow my track selections down based on these elements quickly is amazing for me. where you stop your prep work is personal to your preferences and workflow. you are keying your tracks and making sure your library is tagged properly so it's all part of the same process. I tend to play tech house/minimal or Boys Noize style electro, but I have done quite a few commercial house/top 40 gigs but that's a whole different library that I keep separate I can't see how genre makes much difference. It's definitely a case of personal preference, I believe a lot of it comes from being from a vinyl background, the idea of extensive prep seems excessive, I try to just "know" what's in my library. I've been key marking records long before I discovered Traktor, so if anything that's become way way easier. Its a pretty rigid screening process to get in the library in the first place, so with the combination of knowing the tunes and the key being tagged usually gives me a damn good idea of what'll work and what won't, and generally the waveform will tell me about any breakdowns etc. I may have forgotten were there, "needle search" is also an incredibly useful function for those moments where you just aren't sure.
Cole Maroto 25.06.2012	Originally Posted by shr3dder Completely wing it myself. Never been one for too much pre-planning, takes the fun out of it. i get that, but prepping a track doesn't really take me that long, usually just a few minutes each. sometimes if i just feel like listening to the whole track it takes a little longer. for me, my fun gets killed when i make the wrong choice and i'd rather be a bit more prepared but still able to play a set and completely wing it...just with some assistance. Originally Posted by shr3dder Never been one for intensity levels or notes on tracks, I just don't see the point personally. i guess it just depends on what type of music you play and what you prefer. i have a vast library with many genres/vibes and a bad memory so for me to be able to narrow my track selections down based on these elements quickly is amazing for me. where you stop your prep work is personal to your preferences and workflow. you are keying your tracks and making sure your library is tagged properly so it's all part of the same process.
Cole Maroto 25.06.2012	Originally Posted by Toastmaster Kudos to your amazing organization. Had I the time, and were I a more full-time DJ, I would definitely get this organized with library settings. Perhaps I can try and squeeze out some time of my busy weekends and do this on Sundays. i know there's just not enough time in the day for most of us, but if you can find a little to get a workflow that helps you it will pay off in the long run i believe. the good thing is you can implement it into your method slowly while you still continue to dj the way you normally do. that's what i've been doing with traktor cause if i had to only prep and never play it would make me crazy. that's part of the reason i moved away from ableton. or you could try and do these things while you are playing at home, but i find that i get a bit sloppy when doing that so i keep the two separate. i also just picked up a maschine and i'm now trying to balance time into learning that and making some beats as well.
Ara Tima 25.06.2012	Completely wing it myself. Never been one for too much pre-planning, takes the fun out of it. I have a playlist or two usually (some newer stuff, stuff I want to try fit in) and a well tagged library (key, bpm and genre) that's it, I treat it like when I played records, I can just take more with me. I use the "Preparation List" playlist a lot each gig, kinda like throwing the records in a pile. Never been one for intensity levels or notes on tracks, I just don't see the point personally.
Chrissy Kynard 25.06.2012	Originally Posted by squidot this system does take me some time to prep but it works very well for me when i'm currently practicing live. i can play tracks completely on the fly and will be able to work with crowd reaction while still feeling very comfortable since i have many helpful tools and notes in place. Kudos to your amazing organization. Had I the time, and were I a more full-time DJ, I would definitely get this organized with library settings. Perhaps I can try and squeeze out some time of my busy weekends and do this on Sundays.
Cole Maroto 25.06.2012	i'm fairly new to traktor and i am currently working on prepping a bunch of deep house cuts of various vibes. what i am going to have in the end is semi genre specific playlists that contain a spectrum of sounds (ie electro/progressive/breaks, deep sounds, etc) that can work well together over the course of a set. i have them all sorted by key and then bpm. i am in the process of making sure grids are correct and while i'm doing that i rate the song as well as use a 1-5 system for energy level (which i write into the catalog field i believe). i add cue points in songs (with notes) to show where major events happen or where a loop can be used when it's not obvious. i use cues to cut out portions of songs that are too long or have bits i don't like. i also add little modifiers to the genre field to breakdown the vibe even further. so if i have a deep house track thats funky i'll throw an F in there to signify this, or P for progressive, T for tech, etc. if i find songs that work very well together i will also put in a comment so i know i can fall back on any number of tracks that work...i just have to pick the direction the crowd and i are feeling at that moment. Like Bassline Brine i am not very good with memory so having notes is very helpful for me. this system does take me some time to prep but it works very well for me when i'm currently practicing live. i can play tracks completely on the fly and will be able to work with crowd reaction while still feeling very comfortable since i have many helpful tools and notes in place.
Amberly Maimon 25.06.2012	I have my crates as well... HOT <- anything that is hot right now and a must play for the younger people Medium/Slow <- hot tracks as of now that are a little slower Intros/Special <- tracks that I start my set with, special tracks like happy birthday etc.. Promo <- I got a lot of friends in the hip hop game that are up and coming artists so I throw all their stuff there so I can squeze some of their tracks on my sets Those playlists I edit them all the time... stuff gets imported or deleted from there after that I have playlists by music gernes that all my colleciton is there
Golden Faubert 25.06.2012	my crates are unvelievably organised, i have a crate for every year since 1989 for house, 90's onwards for hip hop etc... main floor fillers, general time fillers, loads of warm up folders etc... BUT when it comes to actual live organisation, nothing beats reading the crowd, yes all of my tracks are categorised but that has very little to do with my actual set, it just makes things easier to find, 99% of my live set is crowd reading
Chrissy Kynard 25.06.2012	I do 2 hour Livestream DJ sets every week, so taking the time to plan out a set while working (I have a job that requires me away from the computer constantly), practicing general DJ techniques (still relatively new) and barely living is a pain. For those sets, I usually have 15 new tunes from beatport each week and try to use these throughout the set. Even so, I usually dive in to my regular playlist as well as I progress. Most of the time though, I don't plan out which tracks to play; I plan my first and second track and see how the mood progresses and harmonics flow. For live sets, I usually build a playlist with the tunes I believe I'll play or tunes that might be requested or are big crowd pleasers. Most of the time its overstocked and I still dive back into the entire library due to an inspirational moment during the set. Even so, usually just the first and second track is planned and I progress from there. Finally for in-house mixes or demos, I take planning to the extreme. I find each song I want to play, determine good mixing points, ensure harmonics mix well, and plan the few FX I will use. I practice the mix 2-3 times, fix any discrepancies and then play it for real. Perfection is required for these types of mixes (I believe).
Reda Holdsworth 25.06.2012	Originally Posted by JasonBay As long as your organized, you should be able to show up, read the crowd, pull up the correct folder or playlists, and go to town. I agree 100% I've been trying something new, organizing playlists by BPM lately. Seems to be working nice for me. It's nice to see some different styles in the same folder that mix well. I played some remix disco last Thursday & everyone loved it. I would have never pulled that folder up in the past.
Celestine Porebski 25.06.2012	Well, I have to admit, I'm not as organized as I want to be (but in the end: who is?). I have 2 big "crate playlists" according to a subjective feel of the tracks (actually, I've just started a third one and others could follow, just depends if I get a clear idea how to categorize further) and I try to fit the tracks I buy into those (of course any given track could also be placed in both). All in all those two playlists probably contain around 550 tracks at the moment. Then before a gig I try to create a specific "crate playlist" for that gig with a reasonable amount of tracks for the timeframe I have to play, I usually aim for 5-6 times the number of tracks I'm likely to play (approximately 150 tracks for a 2h set), but most times I can't really reach that aim and end up with like 250 tracks or so (maybe some more time for the "distillation process" would help, but I usually waste that time beforehand looking for new tracks on Beatport) - but that's still somehow managable. And even then I sometimes find myself falling back on the big playlists. But all in all this system works for me, of course I could be more rigid in the process, but there always will be room for improvement (if there isn't, you're doing something rome), therefore I'm quite content with my workflow at the moment.
Georgina Schatzman 25.06.2012	As long as your organized, you should be able to show up, read the crowd, pull up the correct folder or playlists, and go to town.
Brunilda Kora 25.06.2012	Organisation is everything. But you have to make it completely personal. Everyone's organisation technique is different. Winging it/playing it by ear - it's all just an excuse for not putting in the up front effort of getting organised. Preparation is where all of the hard work is - good preparation pays dividends.
Audrey Pinda 25.06.2012	I have my songs in folders by genre mostly. I also have other playlists of random stuff, some I've just thrown in groups or some on days I've bought music. (iTunes smart playlists ftw). I usually just go with my genre folder... and wing it. Because some of the best combinations I've found have been from digging deep, and mixing stuff that's both old and new, and I might not believe about unless it's right there in front of me. Really though, I'm honestly terrible with song names unless I see it right there in front of my face. I know some folks are amazing with them, but I generally listen to music on shuffle. So while I may KNOW all the songs, I don't always know the name off the top of my head. I'm usually pretty good about making the connection if it's right there in-front of me though :P (Just an honest truth. I know some folks are masters of the memory game, I am not one of them)

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