Tools · Set length
How many tracks do you need?
You have been given a slot. This is how much music it takes to fill it.
Tracks you will play
Tracks to bring
Rules of thumb
| Slot | Quick mixing 3 min each | Typical 4 min each | Long blends 5½ min each |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 min | 10 | 8 | 6 |
| 60 min | 20 | 15 | 11 |
| 90 min | 30 | 23 | 17 |
| 2 hours | 40 | 30 | 22 |
| 3 hours | 60 | 45 | 33 |
Why "plays for" is not the track length
A six-minute track rarely gets six minutes. You mix in over its intro and out before its outro, so the part the room hears on its own is shorter. If you play house or techno with long blends, five to six minutes each is realistic. Open-format and quick-cut sets run nearer two to three.
The spares matter more than the count. A set planned to the exact minute has no answer when the room wants something else. Bringing about a third more than you need gives you room to change direction.
Next: give those tracks a shape.