Typically I start my sets by hitting the play button and playing a song, that really sets the tone for whats next

I usually do something similar BPM-wise as a starting point, but depends on the type of gig/time etc. Quite often I'll drop from 150 back down to 75 + BPM towards the end of my set.

Typically I start my sets by hitting the play button and playing a song, that really sets the tone for whats next


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Thank you DJ Lowrider for your feedback.

I see your point Ralph, but you kinda set yourself up for that one.

Do you start your sets differently? What technique do you use?

Beat me to it... I was gonna say hook up the equipment, boot up the computer and play a song.

But in all seriousness, it depends on you. What mood your in and the audience. It shouldn't be the same each time.

If you mix house music, start with a song that has a long intro (where it starts with just drums and then instruments come in)

I believe that having the equipment set up and pressing play was implied. The question was meant to get a consensus about whether DJ's should start slow/end fast, or vice versa.

I think you're falling into the trap of thinking that BPM corresponds to 'energy' in music.
I usually start with whatever the hell I feel like, which is usually some random tracks I've found and like.

I'm going to try that. Thanks for the feedback.

This is exactly how I start....

Also, I always look around the room to see who is there at the time and feel the vibe of the place. Even if it's early, there should be a vibe. If not, the above works.

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If you have a song that starts something like this: Watchwww.youtube.com , you can start with that song, then once the main drop comes in on this song, mix a song that you like, and start from there.

No offense but you're getting responses like this because this is something that should come naturally to a DJ. Being able to read the room, noting the time of night and what type of venue, target crowd, how many people in the room and their energy level, music that is already playing, etc... All of these things dictate where you could start and where to go from there. Unless you know a room & the crowd it has you should never preplan a set, like starting at this BPM and ending at this BPM. So many newbies don't get that some of this is learned, some of it has to come naturally - and not everyone "has it". I could learn to play guitar but I will never be on the level of Eddie Van Halen or Eric Clapton, etc... - I just don't have "it" in me to create epic guitar solos like they have on the fly. Goes for anything in the Arts, some people just have more natural talent and are inclined to do well. Not saying you don't but there is a bit of attitude amongst veterans towards newbies because the DJ entry level bar has been lowered so much that everyone thinks they can do it. In reality, as with any art, only some people are very good at it and the bad ones only make it harder for the good ones to suceed because they generally take less money, sound bad, play bad - lowering the perception of all DJs.

Thank you for the feedback. I am by no means a newbie. I have been doing it for over ten years now, five professionally. I asked the question because when I listened to sets by some other DJ's like Branchez and Diplo, I have heard both of them start off with really high tempo/high energy tracks, then get progressively slower. I usually DJ for older expatriate crowds overseas (30-50yrs), and the way I play has never been a problem (which is the way I learned). I was thinking that this maybe a new thing among younger crowd goers, and wanted to get opinions of DJ's who are more experienced playing for younger audiences (17-25yrs), which I am not. Also, I didn't take into account that those sets were not performed in front of live audiences, so that might not be what they would do normally.

it really depends on when you're playing, who you're playing for, and what kind of party you're playing.

DJs like Diplo can pretty much play anything because they are a draw and people are paying to see them be them. They are also inevitably getting big headline timeslots with openers building the energy for them to play at prime time.

Artists like Dipo are usually playing festival type situations. In those situations your doing a quuck set and the most important part is the first 3 sings. you want to come out hard and grab peoples attn but after about 3 songs their gonna wonder off to another stage or fall into a k-hole anyway so noones paying attn to what your playing anyway

If after 10 years you have to ask this type of question then, no offence, you should hang up your headphones.

No offence, I think your comment is painfully ignorant. I laid out the fact that I had limited experience with the younger demographic, and I was getting feedback from others that do. As an experienced DJ, I know that styles and preferences change pretty quickly. I live overseas and play to audiences that do not want to hear contemporary pop music. The question I asked was related to some mixes I've heard (that's if you bothered to read it.) and whether or not there was a new trend among younger DJ's (although I wouldn't consider Diplo young). But thank you for confirming that the education system in America has completely failed because it is clear your reading comprehension abilities are lacking.

Put the needle on the record
Put the needle on the record
Put the needle on the record
Put the needle on the record
Put the needle on the record

When the song beat goes like this

Pump up the volume
Pump up the volume

Im not from America dude. I have 2 masters degrees. Who's ignorant? After 10 years you should know that BPM doesn't correlate to energy. Be faithful and toms diner are both around 100. Why would you assume this kind of logic? After 10 years you should know there are no "set rules" as to to how to start your set. This depends on a whole range of variables from the time of the night to the theme, all the way down to the architecture of the venue. You should just "get it". That's supposed to come naturally for DJs. If you haven't by now you never will.

By the way, I read everything. Nothing wrong with my comprehension. I'm just astounded at this type of question.

Im not from America dude. I have 2 masters degrees. Who's ignorant? After 10 years you should know that BPM doesn't correlate to energy. Be faithful and toms diner are both around 100. Why would you assume this kind of logic? After 10 years you should know there are no "set rules" as to to how to start your set. This depends on a whole range of variables from the time of the night to the theme, all the way down to the architecture of the venue. You should just "get it". That's supposed to come naturally for DJs. If you haven't by now you never will.

I didn't know there was a Rhodes scholar in the group. You must have gotten your degrees from the Braille Institute because now I'm convinced that you can't see. I never asked about any "set rules." Stay on topic, Einstein.

You know what? I want to apologize to DJ Matty Stiles. I shouldn't have taken your comment personal. You don't know me. I don't know you. I know what my intent was when I asked the question. I didn't appreciate your comment, but it's your right to say what you want.

Its an incredibly subjective question don't you think? So many variables that can affect why, when and how you should start a set. So although a lot of people have decided to answer your question sarcastically, Its actually impossible to answer in a way that would be appropriate or helpful to your specific circumstance unless you describe that specifically. Does that make sense to you?

I know exactly what you mean, but thanks for the feedback. The last few sets I had listened to made me question if I had been missing something. The answer DJ M.Bezzle gave made the most sense to me.