Washinii
Hey mates!
I'm just a silly bedroom DJ myself, but I was wondering how you guys sort your music library?
As of right now I just have a 10gb folder with sub-folders sorted like this: "Band - Album". But I'm having a hell of hard time dj'ing when I keep having to look through 4-6 folders each time a song is put on, just to find that one song that will go well both in key & tempo.
I've read "The art of dj'ing", and the authors suggest categorizing ones music collection by either key, tempo, genre, or mood (uptempo, downtempo, climax etc). But of course that is going to take a whole day and a lot of time to consider each song's individual "mood", and I'm willing to do that but I wanted to hear how you guys originize your music on your computer before you go on a gig. Do you just make long playlist? Sort by genre? Sort by flavour?
tl;dr : What's YOUR way to sort your virtual music collection?
Cheers!
-Mikkel
I'm just a silly bedroom DJ myself, but I was wondering how you guys sort your music library?
As of right now I just have a 10gb folder with sub-folders sorted like this: "Band - Album". But I'm having a hell of hard time dj'ing when I keep having to look through 4-6 folders each time a song is put on, just to find that one song that will go well both in key & tempo.
I've read "The art of dj'ing", and the authors suggest categorizing ones music collection by either key, tempo, genre, or mood (uptempo, downtempo, climax etc). But of course that is going to take a whole day and a lot of time to consider each song's individual "mood", and I'm willing to do that but I wanted to hear how you guys originize your music on your computer before you go on a gig. Do you just make long playlist? Sort by genre? Sort by flavour?
tl;dr : What's YOUR way to sort your virtual music collection?
Cheers!
-Mikkel
Posted Sun 21 Mar 10 @ 10:17 am
dizzyrocks2001
I think you'll find most users will sort by genre. For example in my "Hip Hop" folder I have many subfolders, like "Hip Hop (Crunk)", "Hip Hop (Old School)", "Hip Hop (Commercial)" etc. And by the way, I keep all my 20,000 tracks in one giant folder and use iTunes to create all my folders and subfolders. That way you can have a song in multiple folders and not have duplicates of the song. For example; "It Takes Two" by Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock is in my "Hip Hop (Commercial) folder, "All Time Greatest Party Hits" folder, and a folder I call "Urban Hype". Or you can use virtual folders within VDJ to organize your music. But I find the advantage with using iTunes is you can use your iTunes folders in both VDJ and Serato. Also, i find importing new music is easier when you can tag it and organize it within the same program. Not to mention, If I ever have a problem with the VDJ database (which I haven't yet), I know that my folders will always be intact within iTunes.
As for organizing by mood or key or any other method, you can always use VDJ to sort those parameters with filter folders or column headings. To be honest though, I don't know a single DJ who organizes by anything other than genre as their main criteria.
As for organizing by mood or key or any other method, you can always use VDJ to sort those parameters with filter folders or column headings. To be honest though, I don't know a single DJ who organizes by anything other than genre as their main criteria.
Posted Sun 21 Mar 10 @ 11:08 am
djles.co.uk
I Originally used VTT for a few years then had a short flirt with OTS. I then spent 4 years using PCDJ (the original Red) then PCDJ FX before going onto Traktor for 2 years then, after a (very) short time with PCDJ VJ, I finally moved to VDJ around 2 1/2 years ago.
My method for the last 12 years has always been to organise my tunes into Windows folders, that way whatever software I use will have the same structure, i.e.
1980s
Key (30-40 of the most popular key tunes of the decade), Dance1, Dance2, House, Ska, Indie, Party, Heavy, Other
1990s
Key, Dance1, Dance2, House, Rave, Indie, Party, Heavy, Other
This structure has prevailed throughout since I originally built the mp3 Database in 1998 (was less than 10 gigs then, now 180+ gigs and 20,000 mp3s!)
I did use playlists in PCDJ and just re-created them when I converted to Traktor. When I moved from Traktor to VDJ I did find there was a way of converting Traktor playlists to VDJ playlists. Can't remember how I did it now, however, I don't use playlists now. Mainly because my residency gigs are predominately request driven due to the excellent search facility in VDJ. I regularly get 50-60 requests on a gig and just queue them up in the right hand column (autoplay). I shuffle them around into the order I want to play them, but, I manually load them to the players from there. However, if for some reason I need to leave the DJ Booth I can just hit the autoplay.
I did have a spell using playlists in VDJ, but, they didn't follow the song if it was moved. I also re-created the playlists in Virtual Folders, but, I found a few annoying problems using them too. So, I ditched them in favour of just using the explorer window on the left column.
Don't really used the Filter Folders.
One thing that has come from my PCDJ Red days, the folders in Red were always listed by default in the BPM order. This is good for beatmixing as suitable tunes wirh the same or near tempo are listed together. I got so used to that way of listing I continued the same way in Traktor, I now do exactly the same in VDJ.
I have just started moving my videos into the same type of structure as I have over 3,100 videos now and growing weekly.
Hope this helps and gives you plenty of ideas for your own way of working.
Cheers
Les
My method for the last 12 years has always been to organise my tunes into Windows folders, that way whatever software I use will have the same structure, i.e.
1980s
Key (30-40 of the most popular key tunes of the decade), Dance1, Dance2, House, Ska, Indie, Party, Heavy, Other
1990s
Key, Dance1, Dance2, House, Rave, Indie, Party, Heavy, Other
This structure has prevailed throughout since I originally built the mp3 Database in 1998 (was less than 10 gigs then, now 180+ gigs and 20,000 mp3s!)
I did use playlists in PCDJ and just re-created them when I converted to Traktor. When I moved from Traktor to VDJ I did find there was a way of converting Traktor playlists to VDJ playlists. Can't remember how I did it now, however, I don't use playlists now. Mainly because my residency gigs are predominately request driven due to the excellent search facility in VDJ. I regularly get 50-60 requests on a gig and just queue them up in the right hand column (autoplay). I shuffle them around into the order I want to play them, but, I manually load them to the players from there. However, if for some reason I need to leave the DJ Booth I can just hit the autoplay.
I did have a spell using playlists in VDJ, but, they didn't follow the song if it was moved. I also re-created the playlists in Virtual Folders, but, I found a few annoying problems using them too. So, I ditched them in favour of just using the explorer window on the left column.
Don't really used the Filter Folders.
One thing that has come from my PCDJ Red days, the folders in Red were always listed by default in the BPM order. This is good for beatmixing as suitable tunes wirh the same or near tempo are listed together. I got so used to that way of listing I continued the same way in Traktor, I now do exactly the same in VDJ.
I have just started moving my videos into the same type of structure as I have over 3,100 videos now and growing weekly.
Hope this helps and gives you plenty of ideas for your own way of working.
Cheers
Les
Posted Sun 21 Mar 10 @ 1:39 pm
Charlie Wilson
Windows folders are best, no brainer really. Isn't it?
Posted Sun 21 Mar 10 @ 2:47 pm
Caliente123
You setup your folders so you can find them fast. You can do them by Genre or by sessions. Your bigest misatake would be to organize it by artist or year etc. You organize your folders so you can have songs ready instant. This is why some djs kill the crowd because they take too long to find there next song.
Posted Sun 21 Mar 10 @ 8:14 pm
djozborne630
I actually setup pre-playlists by genres with bpm written next to it in Excel and go to the playlist when needed. I just minimize & restore Excel when needed in my computer while VDJ is running. Perhaps not the norm, but works for me.
Posted Sun 21 Mar 10 @ 8:49 pm
DHoude
I use the Artist then Album folder structure method myself as I know I can always find it in 30 seconds or so that way. The Search in VDJ is so good, you should not have to worry about folder structure. Then just use you current Artist/Album way as a slower but reliable back up.
As for organizing my Hit or Pick lists, I make manual playlists in iTunes that can be seen in VDJ. I find browsing in iTunes tends to go better and faster than VDJ (Full screne and ID tag writting). Plus you can just click the store arrows next to the song to find it and others like it in thier on line store (they have great suggestions). Playlists can have any criteria that is important to your performance (like 80s, Rock or current hits).
As for analysing BPM and Key, I make a filter folder that looks for any song that dose not have a BPM. That way I have all my new songs in one list, instead of anaylising all 13,000+ each time.
Once your whole library is scanned in VDJ, add BPM and Key to the top catagories in your song browser window. Then you can just click the catagories at the top, like Artist (to sort Alphabetically) or click BPM or key to sort by those.
The idea hear is you would find the playlist you want to pick songs from (select it in the Browser tree on the left) then all the songs in that list are now in the song browser window. Which you will be able to sort your playlists by any catagory that you want, with a simple click.
As for organizing my Hit or Pick lists, I make manual playlists in iTunes that can be seen in VDJ. I find browsing in iTunes tends to go better and faster than VDJ (Full screne and ID tag writting). Plus you can just click the store arrows next to the song to find it and others like it in thier on line store (they have great suggestions). Playlists can have any criteria that is important to your performance (like 80s, Rock or current hits).
As for analysing BPM and Key, I make a filter folder that looks for any song that dose not have a BPM. That way I have all my new songs in one list, instead of anaylising all 13,000+ each time.
Once your whole library is scanned in VDJ, add BPM and Key to the top catagories in your song browser window. Then you can just click the catagories at the top, like Artist (to sort Alphabetically) or click BPM or key to sort by those.
The idea hear is you would find the playlist you want to pick songs from (select it in the Browser tree on the left) then all the songs in that list are now in the song browser window. Which you will be able to sort your playlists by any catagory that you want, with a simple click.
Posted Sun 21 Mar 10 @ 9:05 pm
GadgetMan
I seem to be different to many others...
I store all my files as they originally came. In other words how they were ripped. I catagorise my files so that I can find them easily in the file system. Why? cos the VDJ search is quick and I rarely browse with folders while DJing.
I have several master folders: Artists, Charts, Collections, Compilations, Groups, Karaoke, Labels, Live, Remix Services, Remixes, Singles, Soundtracks. Everything is then stored under one of these folders.
I use MediaMonkey to tag & rename and it makes it very easy to follow my naming conventions.
As stated, VDJ makes finding any one of my tracks easily. I make sure the play count and last play columns are visible so I make sure I pick the right version of the track. I never delete duplicates as I intend to keep my collection complete.
I use virtual folders and filters in VDJ to fine tune my collection so that the less frequent tracks are only a click or two away. I also review my history regularly and make sure frequently played tracks are added to my virtual folders.
I always add new tracks and scan them before playing them for the first time.
So effectively, my library is stored in my file system in a logical (anal some would say) system that enables me to locate albums/songs easily. I use the tools in VDJ to make tracks easy to find without having to resort to browsing...
All I can say is, it works for me... Which is what all that I need. You need to find a system that works for you...
Cheers,
Roy
I store all my files as they originally came. In other words how they were ripped. I catagorise my files so that I can find them easily in the file system. Why? cos the VDJ search is quick and I rarely browse with folders while DJing.
I have several master folders: Artists, Charts, Collections, Compilations, Groups, Karaoke, Labels, Live, Remix Services, Remixes, Singles, Soundtracks. Everything is then stored under one of these folders.
I use MediaMonkey to tag & rename and it makes it very easy to follow my naming conventions.
As stated, VDJ makes finding any one of my tracks easily. I make sure the play count and last play columns are visible so I make sure I pick the right version of the track. I never delete duplicates as I intend to keep my collection complete.
I use virtual folders and filters in VDJ to fine tune my collection so that the less frequent tracks are only a click or two away. I also review my history regularly and make sure frequently played tracks are added to my virtual folders.
I always add new tracks and scan them before playing them for the first time.
So effectively, my library is stored in my file system in a logical (anal some would say) system that enables me to locate albums/songs easily. I use the tools in VDJ to make tracks easy to find without having to resort to browsing...
All I can say is, it works for me... Which is what all that I need. You need to find a system that works for you...
Cheers,
Roy
Posted Mon 22 Mar 10 @ 8:10 am