Next track suggestions - DJ Software idea

[ukpartydj]

When I did club gigs a few years back I had a nice long list. Every time I found two tracks that mixed perfectly together I would add that to the list with timings etc so that if I was playing a track I would glance down at my sheet and if one of the "perfect to mix" tracks would be ideal I would pop it on and I could create some excellent mixes this way.

Nowadays I organise all my music into folders and this helps somewhat in remembering what Ska music I have etc but wouldn't it be great if you could press a button and it would come up with suggestions based on tracks you normally play? Or simply pressing a button which would suggest to the software - that was a great follow on track, save the link between the tracks and show it to me when I play this track again.

I know a lot of the time it's all in our head already but if this information was shared by the software you could go one step further and the software could do a search online through the software's library which would essentially be - "What do most people play after uptown funk?" ... I'm going to make an image to illustrate this. Forget about remix stems etc I think this could be a great feature to enhance any DJs performance.

Not that I expect anything to come of it but thought I'd share my idea :)

17524

[ckpr2]

I wrote my own simple DJ software.
There are a line of buttons along the top for play, eject, directory, pause, time left etc etc
Most of the screen is for the display of tracks.
On the left is tracks I can choose from and on the right is the playlist.
I made it so that I can build up a playlist then save it to disc for later use.

[ukpartydj]

I wrote my own simple DJ software.
There are a line of buttons along the top for play, eject, directory, pause, time left etc etc
Most of the screen is for the display of tracks.
On the left is tracks I can choose from and on the right is the playlist.
I made it so that I can build up a playlist then save it to disc for later use.

Sounds all very clever! Well if you ever make your software suggest tracks I'd like to at least be mentioned in the credits :)

[Excalibur]

Sounds all very clever! Well if you ever make your software suggest tracks I'd like to at least be mentioned in the credits :)

I'm not sure about this, but I thought one version of VDJ did this already? I believe it's got awful taste, but hey ho.

[funkymook]

I consider myself far better at choosing music than any software could ever be. I’ve mixed in some real wild cards that have worked perfectly, that’s because I know my music, had chatted to my clients before the event and have been observing the audience.

If I want inspiration I’ve got lots of saved previous playlists, top tunes, genres etc in Traktor I can look at and keep adding to.

[rth_discos]

I would like to be able to write some written notes for tracks.

This could include names of songs that work well after it.

Or times in the song where there are certain elements I need to be aware of.

It's a shame Virtual DJ doesn't offer this.

[funkymook]

I would like to be able to write some written notes for tracks.

This could include names of songs that work well after it.

Or times in the song where there are certain elements I need to be aware of.

It's a shame Virtual DJ doesn't offer this.

I could do that in Traktor if I wanted, some sort of code in any of the free format fields then just search in that field for all songs with that code after it, and there’s your list.

I could also put markers in songs as a visual reminder of key points with notes in a field again.

Doesn’t VDJ have anything similar?

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

I consider myself far better at choosing music than any software could ever be.

2 of my favourite experiences out there this year were mixing Mylo and Bob Marley and LMFAO and Van Halen - both of those came from hearing a little "blip" with about 30 seconds of each song to go where I thought "right let's try this one out" and both of them worked a treat totally out of the blue - kind of takes the fun out of it if vdj or whatever is just firing suggestions at you.

[Benny Smyth]

Well at least we know that there is hope for robots and computers to take over the DJing once Skynet goes active

[ukpartydj]

kind of takes the fun out of it if vdj or whatever is just firing suggestions at you.

I originally thought that about using the sync button. But I use it all the time now. You wouldn't need to listen to it... But it'd based on either your previous choices or other people's.


Well at least we know that there is hope for robots and computers to take over the DJing once Skynet goes active

I was waiting for a robot comment! I'd be very nieve to imagine you'd all think it was a good idea. For inexperienced DJ's it'd be extremely helpful though almost like auto mode for a photographer!

[DazzyD]

I'm not sure about this, but I thought one version of VDJ did this already? I believe it's got awful taste, but hey ho.

VirtualDJ offers suggestions based on BPM. You can set how close to the song your playing you want it to recommend. For examply, I think the default is BPM +/- 5. Therefore, if the track you're playing is 130bpm, VDJ will suggest tracks ranging from 125 to 135. As far as I'm aware it doesn't make suggestions based on genre so its up you to decide which suggestion will work best.

[Nakatomi]

VirtualDJ offers suggestions based on BPM. You can set how close to the song your playing you want it to recommend. For examply, I think the default is BPM +/- 5. Therefore, if the track you're playing is 130bpm, VDJ will suggest tracks ranging from 125 to 135. As far as I'm aware it doesn't make suggestions based on genre so its up you to decide which suggestion will work best.

Truth is, there's no way to know 100% what's going to work next. I actually thought that VDJ's suggestion system was based on data collected from what their other DJs have done historically - and for that very reason I'd be seeking to actively avoid it at all costs. I'm not saying I haven't nicked a good idea or two down the line.. far from it but being spoon fed just sounds unappealing. This isn't anything like sync vs no sync or vinyl vs CD vs digital. This is about creativity, or a lack of it.

In my life I've known loads of DJs you could set your watch by (one party DJ who worked in a bar next door to the club I worked, didn't actually need to look at his discs most of the time. Muscle memory!). I'm always trying to stir things up. I have a load of 'killer moves' I use but I'm always trying to change them around.

Yes there are times when I could do with a helping hand to think of what to play next, but an example of that would be the 80th birthday I played the other week when Doris Day filled the floor. An extreme example maybe - but what will always help above anything else is: Experience.

I wonder how many 'expert' systems would have had me play "YMCA" during the mega cheese set I did last Friday. I did, after 2 Black Lace tracks & it made everybody sit down. It wasn't overload either, cos they all got right back up again when I dumped it for something else in the same cheesy vein (and that was the lot that asked for bloody Rolf!).

I'm really not sure any recording system will ever be much help. Some tracks work well in a certain order & sometimes they won't. It depends on all sorts of factors that are out of our hands. Ok it'll be better than drawing a complete blank but is it a total solution for newbies? God no.

[Excalibur]

Well at least we know that there is hope for robots and computers to take over the DJing once Skynet goes active
As opposed to those DJs who never say a word all night, and stand planted firmly behind the decks all night, moving only their arms? :whistle:


As far as I'm aware it doesn't make suggestions based on genre so its up you to decide which suggestion will work best.
I thought it did. :confused: Deltic knows all about this.




In my life I've known loads of DJs you could set your watch by (one party DJ who worked in a bar next door to the club I worked, didn't actually need to look at his discs most of the time. Muscle memory!). .
The yawning chasm of a trap we've doubtless all fallen into from time to time. :o Residencies can exacerbate the problem, as in the old days, when certain regular customers walked in, you picked up the corresponding singles.

[Corabar Steve]

As opposed to those DJs who never say a word all night, and stand planted firmly behind the decks all night, moving only their arms? :whistle:
If it's good enough for Kraftwerk....

[Benny Smyth]

I was waiting for a robot comment! I'd be very nieve to imagine you'd all think it was a good idea. For inexperienced DJ's it'd be extremely helpful though almost like auto mode for a photographer!

I didn't say that I didn't like it - just thought I'd make an amusing comment. It might be an idea for the inexperienced DJ, but I can see it having detrimental effects too. Eyes on the dancefloor and reading your audience is a greater way to learn that eyes on the laptop and reading a list of suggested tracks.

As for photographers using auto mode, any 'tog worth their salt would avoid that setting like the plague. The only people who auto mode are people who don't know how to use their kit.

[DazzyD]

As opposed to those DJs who never say a word all night, and stand planted firmly behind the decks all night, ...

I thought it did. :confused: Deltic knows all about this.


....

Hmm, you could be right. I found this on Wikipedia:


MusicGroups was a feature added to VirtualDJ 6. MusicGroup collects track histories, and publishes them on Virtualdj.com. Licensed users can make their own single-user groups, or can join a multi-user group. Each MusicGroup page includes a mini-blog, with track history, as well as top 20 played tracks, and saved tracklists. Other users can make comments to the group, and subscribe to the group. The software analyzes track lists, and makes suggestions to what track to mix next. The suggestions are based on what other DJs around the world have played next, with a stronger weight on the MusicGroup the user subscribes to. In essence a real-time track advisor based on evaluating what other DJs around the world are mixing.

I'm wondering if I've never noticed this feature because I don't connect my gigging laptop with VDJ on to the internet. :confused:

[ukpartydj]

Maybe an example might sway your opinions a little :)
Right so I quite often play Valerie by Amy Winehouse but I don't know what to play afterwards, normally it's Blurred Lines but that gets played a lot and not particularly "creative".
Searching through my software which is analyzed with mixed in key it took me 6 mins to get these good matches:

Rock The Boat = Key 5A, Tempo 107, Energy 7
Rock DJ = Key 7A, Tempo 103, Energy 7
My Girl (Otis) = Key 7A, Tempo 103, Energy 4
He's The Greatest Dancer (Chic) = Key 6A, Tempo 113, Energy 7
Walking On Sunshine = Key 4A, Tempo 110, Energy 7
Downtown (Macklemore) = Key 3A, Tempo 110, Energy 7

Now Valerie is = Key 5A, Tempo 106, Energy 6
And Blurred Lines = Key 6A, Tempo 120, Energy 6
So they were already a good match but we've now got some great alternatives:

Downtown - very current, musically flows excellently.
Greatest Dancer - Keeps it upbeat and similar vibe but good classic.
Walking on Sunshine - Injects a bit more liveliness into it, flows well also.
My Girl - Flows well but completely changes the mood.

Now if you've already got all that info in you head that's great but I would personally never have conjured up these ideas with the computer. If the above info was paired with previous data and trending DJ choices maybe not every time but sometimes you'd get a gem of a suggestion?

[Nakatomi]

I sometimes play Town Called Malice or You Can't Hurry Love after Valerie. They generally work flawlessly. Oooo or Are You Gonna Be My Girl.. Where are those in the suggestions eh?;)

[Imagine]

VDJ DOES have the suggestions in it, as Juski rightly says collected from what other DJ's have played next (BPM etc. doesn't come into it).
It's also hit and miss as to whether it actually decides to connect to the interweb servers and actually work (it's called "Live Feedback" by the way). I think with the later versions you may also have to be a Content Unlimited subscriber to get to it....but don't quote me on that.

Have I ever seen anything useful there? Very, very rarely. It'll sometimes come up with a gem that I've forgotten about, but can't beat standing there and watching what the crowd are reacting to on the night.

[funkymook]

Maybe an example might sway your opinions a little :)
Right so I quite often play Valerie by Amy Winehouse but I don't know what to play afterwards, normally it's Blurred Lines but that gets played a lot and not particularly "creative".

I really hope that’s a made up example : )

[Nakatomi]

VDJ DOES have the suggestions in it, as Juski rightly says collected from what other DJ's have played next (BPM etc. doesn't come into it).
It's also hit and miss as to whether it actually decides to connect to the interweb servers and actually work (it's called "Live Feedback" by the way). I think with the later versions you may also have to be a Content Unlimited subscriber to get to it....but don't quote me on that.

Have I ever seen anything useful there? Very, very rarely. It'll sometimes come up with a gem that I've forgotten about, but can't beat standing there and watching what the crowd are reacting to on the night.

This is the whole point. I don't think any amount of watching the crowd can help you pick what to play next. If you draw a blank, you draw a blank. Take my Doris Day example from earlier. I managed to keep them going somehow (I forget how now) but I know I could've done better. To that end in any free time (HA!) I have I've been trying to swot up by sampling music from all over my collection to try & hammer in some new knowledge - at least so I can think of some likely candidates without having to opt for the lowest hanging fruit as often.

I still practice at home sometimes & I think this is essential too.

[ukpartydj]

I sometimes play Town Called Malice or You Can't Hurry Love after Valerie. They generally work flawlessly. Oooo or Are You Gonna Be My Girl.. Where are those in the suggestions eh?;)

Well err umm ... they're not bad choices for song flowability I must say basslines all very similar.


VDJ DOES have the suggestions in it, as Juski rightly says collected from what other DJ's have played next (BPM etc. doesn't come into it).
It's also hit and miss as to whether it actually decides to connect to the interweb servers and actually work (it's called "Live Feedback" by the way). I think with the later versions you may also have to be a Content Unlimited subscriber to get to it....but don't quote me on that.

Have I ever seen anything useful there? Very, very rarely. It'll sometimes come up with a gem that I've forgotten about, but can't beat standing there and watching what the crowd are reacting to on the night.

I've never heard of it ... just opened up my VDJ which I got before I got Traktor and It says it cannot connect to the internet :S but it won't tell me why :(


I really hope that’s a made up example : )

Umm... yeah totally made up ... never done that before HA who would? HA not me ... you've got the wrong person! :angel:

[funkymook]

I sometimes play Town Called Malice or You Can't Hurry Love after Valerie. They generally work flawlessly. Oooo or Are You Gonna Be My Girl.. Where are those in the suggestions eh?;)


Well err umm ... they're not bad choices for song flowability I must say basslines all very similar.

That’s because they’re all a classic Motown rhythm - as is Iggy’s Lust For Life, but I’d save that one for the right crowd.