Programming your DJ set effectively means picking the right tracks, organising them smartly, reading your crowd, and staying calm under pressure. Being a DJ can be tons of fun, but it’s also a process that you can always get better at. Understanding your role as a party starter guiding the vibes – rather than solely someone playing music – also goes a long way in establishing your technique when you’re playing a DJ set.

These seven proven tips apply whether you’re a beginner or an experienced DJ.

Find new music in a way that suits you

Before programming your DJ set, you need music. Everyone’s way of discovering new music to play is different, and it’s never been easier to find what you like. You never know what gems you can find by listening to other DJ mixes, podcasts and radio shows across multiple music streaming services. Meanwhile, taking a trip to your local record shop can guide you to some gems.

If that isn’t enough, sites such as Bandcamp and Discogs are packed with a vast pool of tracks to dive into. You can also keep an eye out for what your favorite record labels are releasing to find more inspiration. Then, rinse and repeat all of the above.

Organize your music clearly

Once you have a collection of tracks, sort them so they’re ready when you play. You might group by BPM, genre, mood, or even month of discovery.

This can compartmentalize music for you so that, if you have a Techno set coming up or even a wedding to play at, you’re not scrambling for a playlist on the day and you’re well prepared.

The track is more important than the blend

Now that you have your music library collected and organized, it’s easy to get bogged down in the actual mixing part of a DJ set. But it’s not very beneficial knowing how to blend if a track isn’t right. Prioritizing what you believe will move the crowd is a great foundation for any mix and, with practice, the rest will follow. If it’s a smash hit or a deep cut, the right track can really get the party started.

Play to the crowd

The big day has arrived and your set is about to begin. You may have a plan of what to play already. But keeping an eye on what the crowd likes can inform how your night pans out.

Pay attention to your audience in real time and check the energy levels before you hit the stage. It might work to follow the vibe before getting into your set properly. If they’ve been loving some Hip-Hop over the last half-hour, you can feed that before moving onto what you want to play. It might help keep the crowd engaged.

Keep the volume at a good level

No matter how great your set is, poor volume or distorted sound will kill it. Make sure you keep an eye on your volume levels throughout your session. You could be playing the best set of your life but if it’s too loud or not loud enough, it won’t connect with the crowd. There’s nothing worse than distorted audio getting in the way of a happy crowd.

If the track you play next is slightly lower or higher pitched, turn it up or down to accommodate this shift. If you need to, leave your decks and find your nearest speaker to get an idea. Playing a long track will make sure you’re not rushing back before a track finishes!

Mix it up when you feel confident

Though you’ve meticulously planned your performance, you may feel an itch to completely disregard that and switch things up. Don’t think of DJing as a completely linear process where you play the same 20 tracks all the time.

Trying new combinations, unexpected transitions or genre jumps can elevate your set — but only once you’re comfortable with your base flow.

Stay calm

Every DJ will make mistakes — maybe a blend doesn’t go smooth, or a track doesn’t land. What matters is how you recover, stay composed, and learn for next time.

If something goes wrong when you’re spinning, take it in your stride. Your mistakes don’t define you; how you move the room and how you make your next set your own will always count. Mistakes are part of the journey, not obstacles to success.

Embrace the moment

When it comes to programming your DJ set, good programming isn’t just about what you play. It’s how you prepare, how you adapt and how you deliver. Use these seven tips to sharpen your approach, tighten your workflow and elevate your sets from good to memorable.

‍Check out this tutorial on how to record your DJ mix.

Photo credit: The Lot Radio