not at all? I don’t count often as such i suppose, but i do keep track of sections and phrases kind of automatically.
If I have a track that starts with a (equivalent of) 3 beat vocal sample or something (you know the kind I mean, short vocal statement before the beat kicks in) then I’ll count to be sure.
I work on 16 generally, or drop straight after the breakdown
I guess I more feel it than anything else. Sometimes I’ll look at the counter in traktor to see where it thinks I should be, but you have to grid your tracks a certain way for that to work every time. I don’t really do that either, but if the counters off I’ll know it pretty quick after I glance at it.
haha tbh I’ve never used the beat counter, don’t really know how it works and have no need for it.
i didnt see it mentioned, but as you get better you tend to be harder on yourself. ive been practicing for what i feel is a big opportunity next weekend, and i stop after 3-4 tracks thinking ive screwed up. the wife will come in and say, “whyd you stop, that was great?”
so. take a break, have a smoke / walk / fap? switch genre like was mentioned and clear your head.
Careful of your gear.
I am with you on 16 bars.
I tend to work in 8 beat bars anyways…my mind sees it easier than 4 beat bars.
I think its from my production days…
After a while of counting your phrases it gets to the point where you don’t have to. At least for me, tapping my foot became an automatic counter to the point where I don’t have say “1,2,3,4” in my head. So nowadays I can just feel when the phrase is going to end.
Also a little EQ tip, don’t turn your knobs until the 4th beat in every bar, and only a tiny bit like +/-5db..then at the end of a phrase when theres a loud symbol you can tweak it heavier.
Oh and 16 bars=1 phrase in MOST house, electro, trance. There’s exceptions so you have to be ready to adapt.
1 bar = *4 beats 
*On songs with a 4/4 time signature
4 bars=happy party goers & DJ 
LOL!! Go Out Loud Man!!
I don’t know why, but i never needed to count the track out… I always just sort off got it right… Saw somewhere in the thread that taking risks is good, an i couldn’t agree more…
Planning out a set is nice, and you know exactly when to do what, but i find that rather boring to play, risking it all, throwing it all in and then hoping for the best? Now that’s a thriller. Sometimes you screw it up bad, and sometimes it sound wickedly crazy! That makes DJ’ing fun!
I think it’s good to go in with a plan. Setlist, Cue Points..but also to throw in some randomness on top of it
This is all very helpful. I’ve been dicking around with all the suggestions. the reverse grain gater trick is kind fun but i found it only really useful on certain songs.
I appreciate all the help guys!
I think im going to stop with Electrohouse for a bit as someone mentioned ill go take a smoke and a fap as well. Everything i’ve been spinning is electrohouse/dubstep. Im gonna get some trance and some ambient and throw some fiddy in there to get out of this habit of electro. You can only listen to so much Porter Robinson!
I’ve been playing drums for 8 years, and can sort of feel where I am, even when not counting. But thats a bit long for retraining.
But the beat counter and beats to cue could help.
You can put them in you Deck header.
just look in the preferences. It does require hotcues set at the right place to work best