Preparing a Techno Set

[Fmshred]

Hey.

I wonder how you guys prepare you sets and playlists for a techno set. I always find myself creating a long playlist and playing exactly this stuff because I tested and prepared these tracks before. How do I get more creative and be able to improvise and have more options than just playing my prepared list?

[mostapha]

Just don't plan.

I have things sorted by key and remember certain groups of songs that mashup well. That's about it.

It's the same as spinning anything else, know your music and trust yourself to make the right decisions. Playing from a set playlist is barely better than an iPod.

[DubluW]

I like to organise things not just by the genre they might be labelled as (IE techno, Grime, House etc) but by what defines the sound of track. It allows you to make up a crate of tunes that are easily interchangeable with other crates. I have Techno that compliments certain grime/house etc tracks, that despite being different genres, go great together.

Genre A shares the same/similar 909/808 clap/bassline/synth etc with genre B so they go in that particular defining crate, regardless of Genre. Refine that crate with BPM and key and it allows you to jump across a lot of different stuff without sounding completely wack and out of place and gives you a lot of flexibility with a lot of different crowds.

[amadeus]

It's actually rather simple, learn your music, listen to it when your not actually djing, once you know it you'll be able to improvise a lot better.

[astromech]

Chuck a bunch of tunes into a playlist you think might get you going, just to take the stress out of the start. Maybe have a intro track prepared. Something like this:
http://www.beatport.com/track/my-bub...ro-mix/1882681

or this:
http://www.beatport.com/track/are-yo...n-tool/1937217

EDIT: the secret is to have a very well prepared library. Make sure all your metadata is up to date and correct, keep ALL your music playlisted in categories you're comfortable with (eg genres that work for you) and keep your plan vague enough to be flexible, but organised enough in case you panic.

[astromech]

It's actually rather simple, learn your music, listen to it when your not actually djing, once you know it you'll be able to improvise a lot better.

I notice you use the Zinken headphones? What do you think of them? I reviewed them for DJWORX and they're now my daily drivers (still use the A&H for DJing).

[amadeus]

I notice you use the Zinken headphones? What do you think of them? I reviewed them for DJWORX and they're now my daily drivers (still use the A&H for DJing).

I actually really like them, isolation is excellent, and they are loud enough in a club,. To be honest they beat the expectations I had for them, and so far have held up really well. I think for the price, they're excellent.

And the headphone cable is pure genius.

[astromech]

I actually really like them, isolation is excellent, and they are loud enough in a club,. To be honest they beat the expectations I had for them, and so far have held up really well. I think for the price, they're excellent.

And the headphone cable is pure genius.

That's pretty much what my review said.

[Fmshred]

Thanks guys! I need to structure my library very well I think.

[Fmshred]

I heard of finding pairs of three tracks that work well together. Does anyone work like this? Sounds pretty good to me.