Structuring your set

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Structuring your set
Posted on: 07.08.2012 by Ulysses Vittetoe
When you're playing out (or in the bedroom, whatever you do) how do you find yourself generally structuring your sets? Obviously you're going to start slow (relative to the genre you play) and then work your way up from there but how do you go from there? I kind of like to start out with more relaxing tracks and then work my set up to a climax and then wind it down again from there. But I've seen people who do it differently, they'll start slow and just keep working up until their set is over...like their bpm increase and consistently and never varies. You guys have any insights in to how you do things?
Ulysses Vittetoe
08.08.2012
Originally Posted by rdale
I like to start a mixtape with something that I know makes an intro worthy introduction, maybe it is the vocals, maybe it is something different with more instruments and less drums, maybe I know it is catchy or this tune has the potential to be considered a classic in ten years. Then I like to build the energy up a little and then drop it out and build it up over the next few tunes to the meat of the set where there should be less breakdowns, more steady beat. Ideally I have gone thru a couple of routines in this time that aren't distracting, and am letting the groove find the spot. Closing I like to put together some true classics or super interesting current tunes that aren't getting enough love but are great, the bsides that are amazing or the like. The final tune should always be something that I really love a lot, it should make people kind of yearn to get back to this spot on a mix tape and want to start it again.

When I'm playing at home playing for me I just throw on the next tune I want to hear, the next mix I want to play with and have fun.
I like this advice a lot as well. Its important to not just constantly be playing new tracks that no one has heard.
Lela Umanskaya
07.08.2012
Originally Posted by firebr4nd
I really like the "S" analogy. It's great to have varying levels of energy throughout your set. It may work for electrohouse and stuff to just play banger after banger, but that's not the kind of vibe you really want with the likes of techno or tech house.
I never really thought about it, but the S analogy actually sounds pretty applicable. I agree with what SirReal said about programming for the crowd, but in most cases I like to start strong, pull it back, build, peak, repeat, repeat...drop a few classics near the end and then wind it down with something groovy.
Ulysses Vittetoe
07.08.2012
Originally Posted by Jester.NZ
What i usually do is pick a real gem as the starter tune, also several tracks i want to play and where i wanna put them. Last 3-4 tracks are always the massive toe curlers and last tune brings us down to earth. believe of an "S" turned on its side thats how i believe of it.
.. Or just smash them in the face for 2 hours lol
I really like the "S" analogy. It's great to have varying levels of energy throughout your set. It may work for electrohouse and stuff to just play banger after banger, but that's not the kind of vibe you really want with the likes of techno or tech house.
Ulysses Vittetoe
07.08.2012		When you're playing out (or in the bedroom, whatever you do) how do you find yourself generally structuring your sets? Obviously you're going to start slow (relative to the genre you play) and then work your way up from there but how do you go from there? I kind of like to start out with more relaxing tracks and then work my set up to a climax and then wind it down again from there. But I've seen people who do it differently, they'll start slow and just keep working up until their set is over...like their bpm increase and consistently and never varies. You guys have any insights in to how you do things?
Ulysses Vittetoe
08.08.2012
Originally Posted by rdale
I like to start a mixtape with something that I know makes an intro worthy introduction, maybe it is the vocals, maybe it is something different with more instruments and less drums, maybe I know it is catchy or this tune has the potential to be considered a classic in ten years. Then I like to build the energy up a little and then drop it out and build it up over the next few tunes to the meat of the set where there should be less breakdowns, more steady beat. Ideally I have gone thru a couple of routines in this time that aren't distracting, and am letting the groove find the spot. Closing I like to put together some true classics or super interesting current tunes that aren't getting enough love but are great, the bsides that are amazing or the like. The final tune should always be something that I really love a lot, it should make people kind of yearn to get back to this spot on a mix tape and want to start it again.

When I'm playing at home playing for me I just throw on the next tune I want to hear, the next mix I want to play with and have fun.
I like this advice a lot as well. Its important to not just constantly be playing new tracks that no one has heard.
Tamara Lephart
08.08.2012		Hey ranboggy sounds like you have some Caribbean roots. That's pretty much how we do it down here in the Cayman Islands.
Erich Vallabhaneni
08.08.2012		I like to start off with something mellow, but that kinda lets everyone know what they are getting into. Usually its some funky glitch, then i work my way up close to the peak, slow it down alittle bit to get everyone ready, then wind it up and melt their faces off till i end with a gloriously funky track. But like said above, it depends on crowd, set length, and location.
Freida Leash
08.08.2012		I like to start a mixtape with something that I know makes an intro worthy introduction, maybe it is the vocals, maybe it is something different with more instruments and less drums, maybe I know it is catchy or this tune has the potential to be considered a classic in ten years. Then I like to build the energy up a little and then drop it out and build it up over the next few tunes to the meat of the set where there should be less breakdowns, more steady beat. Ideally I have gone thru a couple of routines in this time that aren't distracting, and am letting the groove find the spot. Closing I like to put together some true classics or super interesting current tunes that aren't getting enough love but are great, the bsides that are amazing or the like. The final tune should always be something that I really love a lot, it should make people kind of yearn to get back to this spot on a mix tape and want to start it again.

When I'm playing at home playing for me I just throw on the next tune I want to hear, the next mix I want to play with and have fun.
Bunny Sockel
08.08.2012		With techno I just start off with a relaxing track then build up to a banger e.g Kingswing or grindhouse
Lela Umanskaya
07.08.2012
Originally Posted by firebr4nd
I really like the "S" analogy. It's great to have varying levels of energy throughout your set. It may work for electrohouse and stuff to just play banger after banger, but that's not the kind of vibe you really want with the likes of techno or tech house.
I never really thought about it, but the S analogy actually sounds pretty applicable. I agree with what SirReal said about programming for the crowd, but in most cases I like to start strong, pull it back, build, peak, repeat, repeat...drop a few classics near the end and then wind it down with something groovy.
Ulysses Vittetoe
07.08.2012
Originally Posted by Jester.NZ
What i usually do is pick a real gem as the starter tune, also several tracks i want to play and where i wanna put them. Last 3-4 tracks are always the massive toe curlers and last tune brings us down to earth. believe of an "S" turned on its side thats how i believe of it.
.. Or just smash them in the face for 2 hours lol
I really like the "S" analogy. It's great to have varying levels of energy throughout your set. It may work for electrohouse and stuff to just play banger after banger, but that's not the kind of vibe you really want with the likes of techno or tech house.
Stanley Topoleski
07.08.2012		i have the song i want to start out with sometimes with a follow up song... after that i have a list of 3 or 4 songs i want to play during the evening ... the rest i select while performing. i generally start somewhat slow or with an intro mix then i work my bpm up for shorter sets and bring it back down agian if i am playing longer sets
Antonetta Wikel
07.08.2012		Structuring a set depends totally on what my roll/position is in the programming for the party. I've done everything from opening a evening , lead in to the headliner, headliner, playin to the "Fo in da Mornin' heads", morning sets and being the only DJ for a 15 hour session. All these require different structuring of your mix and music selection.
Jacelyn Turkson
07.08.2012		when i did some of the reggae parties in lauderdale, we would start the evening out with some r&b(maybe 3years back the most) then as the people come in start to bring it to more recent r&b. mainly the early songs were stuff that the ladies liked, because whats a dance with only guys. where there are ladies, men will follow. then start throwing in the dancing reggae nothing too too new. then when the party is full enough hit them with new hip hop, and then hit them with new reggae, and at about 230am is where we throw out the "skin out" tunes. stuff that had the girls getting crazy and dancing with any guy in sight. all this was done while keeping crowds reaction though. at home its similar format but skin out is excluded(not dancing alone). lol... my whole thing about building sets is never never never ever play the big bangers when the evening is still early. nothing worst than repeating a track later in the evening
Margie Pavell
07.08.2012		home is different than playing out...when you play out you need to have a game plan as to the crowd and your position in the evening . Home is about playing records together. I sometimes stopping and starting a few times with different feels and finding transitions between them. Sometimes i just establish a groove and ride it, seat of my pants.
Geri Jarra
07.08.2012		Its all personal. You can Find out what works depending on the crowd and venue. My favorite way is to start (if it's early in the evening ) is with some deep house and minimal techno until it the place starts to fill out. That way people start to get into the mood and drink and socialize which is key early in the evening , but they don't expect much either..

From there I move towards more popular dance tracks. It will get everyone on the floor and dancing. Ill build the energy for a few songs, and once everyone is tired (including me) Ill drop a long epic vocal to calm it down. then slowly build back the energy from there, rise and repeat for majority of the evening .

Once everyones nice an sloppy I bring in some "throwbacks" and 90's jams that we all love

Thats how I basically do it. When I play it's normally at a bar or party, so the crowd fades in, rages, then slowly fades out. If I had a 2 hour set I would do it different.
Latoria Kavulich
07.08.2012		What i usually do is pick a real gem as the starter tune, also several tracks i want to play and where i wanna put them. Last 3-4 tracks are always the massive toe curlers and last tune brings us down to earth. believe of an "S" turned on its side thats how i believe of it.
.. Or just smash them in the face for 2 hours lol

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