Setting Cue points for your whole music collection

[@lifastorm]

This guy needs to be protected! He’s too important. Great work man

[@djTLMtv]

🙏🏽

[@Sadiquecat]

The ironic thing is, the more tracks I have the more I feel obliged to cue point them all. As a Dj who plays lots of genres to be able to play at any time in any party, and a radio DJ who's got to find lots of new music every week. I can't know all my tracks. So having a hotcues around to quickly jump and have that quick listen / insight is really helpful. Another reason why I put hotcues is if the 2nd drop is different from the first, I put a hotcue there so I can visually tell that it's different and I might have a listen to see if I want to let the first or second drop. Plus it gives me the time to listen more to my tracks and get to know my library more.

[@RiddyOnline]

I normally just do my cue points when preparing a set. As a dancehall DJ, I normally have to run through a lot of tracks (upwards of 80-100 songs) in an 1-1.5 hour set so not having a cue point means I normally have to take an extra 10 - 15 seconds to load up and find the proper cue point location for a track which kind of takes away from the turn and burn, fast paced nature of a dancehall set. Would love to have all my cue points set but that takes forever and i'm constantly adding new tracks so probably not the most efficient use of my time.

[@djTLMtv]

Do you end up playing so many tracks because you play multiple artists on the same riddim? So where I play one Hip Hop track you might play 3 or 4 (or more) artists on one riddim in that same time?

[@RiddyOnline]

@@djTLMtv Good question! That's part of it, yes....the other part is caribbean crowds in general get bored very fast if you play more than 1:30 of a song especially when you're in the main time of the night, so in general you're only going to be playing hook, verse, hook OR hook, verse OR verse hook (or sometimes even just the hook...lol...but that's a little extreme imo..but i've seen plenty of djs do it just for the pop) before you move on to the next track. Pretty much as soon as I drop a track, I'm already loading up the next one within seconds to drop right away. The best dancehall DJs do this while chatting on the mic....i'm still to perfect that level of multitasking..lol. To bring things full circle....you're absolutely right, if you're playing riddims, you can't afford to linger on a single song especially if it's something like diwali riddim (e.g. Sean Paul - get busy) where there's so many good tracks on the riddim so you have to play at least 3 or 4 in quick succession.

[@agnesherba8205]

OK... late to the DJ TLM game, but OMFG, you sir are straight gold. Just... YES, and THANK YOU.

[@ScottSummersLV]

ON THE FLY MY FELLOW DJS, Do em all! As soon as they're playing; make a double, set one at the top of the song and skim through the doubled track to find points of chorus, break down or whatever's interesting in that song. Oh and Always look for and cue a key word/phrase to scratch, most ad-libs are great for this. Much love TLM, you're such a great person and DJ for sharing your knowledge and experiences with us. You are greatly appreciated!

[@djTLMtv]

Thanks! I actually do that too (double and quickly go through it to find the points I want to cue

[@duboi1475]

In Rekordbox I give every track an energy rating and color code as I cue point them up. When I practice I have an intelligent playlist that has all tracks with no color & no stars for rating. Since I'm mostly breaks and doing primarily long blends not really knowing the music in and out helps me to learn adjusting the EQ on the fly to smooth out the blend. If a track I am sorting through is particularly good and I know I want to play it out I'll add it to one of my playlists that I will play out.

[@Gregatron82]

I tend to set cue points as I'm playing. Sometimes I'll go back and set them more precisely and even name them. I love the delete-from-library option in Serato (ctrl + shift + delete) for when I have doubles of a song. 👌

[@sarangmhaskar8151]

Updating your music collection and marking cue points is an endless saga. I guess you do need to set cue points in your library till it has a sizeable genre/style collection.. And from there on just add those tracks with the cues set that are most likely to make it to your live setlist.. He nailed it though.

[@househeadspeakz]

TLM, I feel most DJs are making things harder than it is. I am glad you made this and previous vids on Cue Points. I just start using them on my tracks and it makes a huge difference in preparing to beat-match and making your transition from one track to another. I'm an upcoming House DJ who also has a monthly online radio show. Since I discover setting and marking Cue Points, I intend on using them for every set. My question is when you set up your cue points on your rekcordbox software, will it remember it on the CDJs (using Pioneer). This is a month later: I found that once you place cue points and export them to your USB flash drive, your cue points, playlists and everything was there went I plug it to the CDJs. You don't have use place cue points on every track in your library. I set mine went I going to play on my radio show or a schedule gig. Trust me it helps a great deal.

[@djTLMtv]

If you set your points in Rekordbox and export those tracks to your flashdrive or sd card, the cdj’s will read the cue points

[@TITANoner]

So something to be aware of, you may only have access to three hot cues. Most of the older Pioneer hardware was only designed for 3 or less hot cues, so it may be better to use HID if you're needing more than that. I use HID in clubs because it's not far off from my home controller set up and it allows me to have all 8 hot cues with my SP1.

[@churchillcoins8519]

Get Mixed in Key 8 or newer. Every analyzed track gets tagged with the key, energy level and 8 cue points. MIK does a good job analyzing the track and putting the points in useable places.

[@djTLMtv]

Mixed in key is great, but it doesn’t really help me with cue points. A lot of my cue points are for specific lines or words so I have to set those manually

[@churchillcoins8519]

DJ TLM TV I agree for Rap, R&B, Reggae the cue points aren’t as useful. For House, Electronic Music it works better.

[@TITANoner]

@@churchillcoins8519 Meh. When I was using Serato, I was deleting them anyways as most of the time as it was placing them in spots that didn't make sense for my style of playing. Also, Rekordbox doesn't support MIK's cue placement. So while this applies to most DJ software, it doesn't apply to Rekordbox.

[@pfv3462]

maybe a stupid question, but what is the first line you see at the beginning of a song on your dj software? this is not a Q point, but the music always starts on this line, so why make a Q point there yourself?

[@alainnn.2459]

During track-import I'll also have Rekordbox analyse Phrasing. In the display-settings I make sure that the phrasing is displayed in View-settings (both for the track and overall). After the import I open Performance-mode (this doesn't work in Export-mode for some reason), put the track on one of the decks. Then I open the Beatgrid-edit (the one where I can change the starting grid-point for example), on the right side of it there are options for cutting the nice colorful Phrases-bar displayed underneath the track if it shows a Chorus with a length of 2 phrases (each phrase should usually be 8 bars long) or to change it from being called Bridge to Verse if needed. To change the start- , or end-point of of the phrase: click on the phrase (so it is selected and drag either point to the right spot. Repeat for all the other phrases of the track and I have a (visually) much better and quicker overview of how the song is structured and about how long 'till I have to mix in the next track. Note that the colors of the different types in Phrasing can't be changed (so red for Intro, yellow for Bridge, etc.). I gave up being mad about that and now just use the same scheme for my hot-cues as well. Also, the phrases underneath the track can only be edited when the Grid-edit-tab for that track is open, under all other circumstances they can't be edited.

[@mikewright7964]

What would you consider a warmup DJ track? You are meant to begin at a low level but are those ”nice, calm tracks but not something you really dance to” too low or okay?

[@djTLMtv]

No, it should still be something you can move to. It can be chill, but not on some lounge/background music vibe ;)

[@precisiondjservicesdjcam7711]

Perfectly said. Great insights as always. Its cool to hear your thoughts that Ive pondered n walked down myself.

[@eriklavsjo8717]

I used to set up to every single one of them, but these days I only do it to the songs that actually need it, for example something I'm doing something crazy with. Keep up the good work, see you!

[@deejayghettoroatanhn]

1question str8ight from honduras504 caribien island (Roatan) ¿the pioner cdj 1000 3 is the same use as your turntable?

[@sotoalfredo20]

When I was a digital Dj pool member it had pre set cue points on all the tracks. It was ok but yea I set cue points whenever I practice

[@reedy8585]

I find it depends on the track I'm mixing in or out with the cue points can vary sometimes. if you've got a good kick or rhythm you can loop it eq the top end off and mix in the next track from the intro or break but it does depend on the track

[@carlparker7227]

This is literally what I’ve been doing the last 3 weeks lol setting cue points 😂 this has helped thank you man! Will definitely spend more time practicing

[@swiftbiscuit455]

I recently bought a controller to dip my feet into this craft. I've only been at this for maybe 50 hours but I had a fever dream about cue points and figure I'll just cue up the songs as I play them out at home. Worth the time in my opinion. My transitions need a lot of work but adding cue points has improved those by much.

[@77Spionkop]

I have never used a cue point in my life and every mix I've ever done has been me throwing on a track and building my set freestyle

[@9WON6SLOTS]

How many Hot Que points can you have on one channel on the Pioneer S11?

[@joannelindsay4977]

I used DJ City record pool it sets all cue points at the beginning which is helpful. So at least I have one. Any tracks outside of DJ City I add cue points at practice time. For bangers I always set multiple cue points especially for featured artist or banging beats and loops. When I get ready for a set I always record 60 minute recording because I make it a practice to start playing 1 hour or at least 30 minutes prior to start time. It gives me time to get settled adjust sound, change clothes, put on makeup etc....lol...Then I am ready for work!!

[@djTLMtv]

So you’re basically doing a warming up set at home before you go to the club? That’s one way to het yourself in the right vibe for sure!

[@joannelindsay4977]

@@djTLMtv -- Yes, within 30 minutes of me starting live the party is jumping. I mostly play private parties although

[@vlim644]

Hi DJ TLM, I understand that you play freestyle, which makes you a perfect one to take this question: What’s the thinking behind choosing opening/intro tracks for different occasion? Such as house party, company dinner n dance, club etc. I’m having a corporate gig where the event will go thru a series of agenda (speech, dinner, awards) and end with a dance floor session. I’m wondering how should I open up the dance session. Appreciate that. Btw, your tips and insights have been great help in what I do. Cheers

[@isaiahfurrow7414]

I'm still working on adding cues, as needed... just sitting down amd adding cues to all of them at one time would be a huge task, amd wouldn't work for me.... I have cues at the beginning of just about every track, and then at certain parts of other tracks...some have 1 cue, some have more...just depends.... Lately I've been adding "mix out" cues like you mentioned, but only for certain songs.... My big job lately, is going through and re-doing beatgrids, which is a huge job, especially with lots of older musoc in different genres.... I'm starting with the songs I play most often and then will work through the entire library.... doing this so I can use the beatgrids to create SoundSwitch light shows... I will only create custom shows for certain songs, the rest will get lighting shows generated by the software for now... and if the song isn't good enough to warrant setting a few cues amd doing the beatgrid, then I have to decide if I'm even keeping it , or makomg room for different tracks in my collection.... Still trying to decide if I should set a maximum size for my library, like 20,000 or something....

[@djTLMtv]

Yup, I still need to do the beatgrids one day

[@DJDynablend]

I set cue points for all my popular songs! All of them!

[@TeaBagginsMcGee]

I use "mixed in key" it can auto make cue points. This let's me skip fast threw a track to see if that's what I wanna play. Helps if you don't have needle drop. I'm open formate and my cheaper deck doesn't have needle drop

[@oliverforceofficial]

Very nice video! What works for me is making myself the question "would i cue this track?" just to see if it deserves to be on my collection 😄

[@hot4futureyears2come]

i am a clue point junkie. lol. use it like he said. finger drumming/remixing/ and rearrange the song. alot of my track have 4 to 8 cue points each. :) but not all is needed.

[@plasmalabtv]

Thanks for all your cool tips and time! Greetings from México City! 🇲🇽

[@djTLMtv]

Salute 👊🏾

[@ClectaSkiMusic]

Took me months to get "Most" my tracks in cue points, Its kinda easy for me because most of my tracks are 8bar intro edits from DJ Pools & edits i made by myself.. Being an open format DJ playing in Weddings, Club, Bars etc... My library is well over 20,000 tracks, so yeah.. its a lot of work, but hey its my job so it gotta be done at some point

[@Darnellmk3]

Some tracks i get from my DJ pool already have them witch is awesome

[@Dj_rueboi]

Easiest way on serato is by setting your quantize to 1/4 and just hit the new cue where ever you need to

[@DanielleKingdjdinosaur]

sometimes i set cue points on a tune but i dont always use them.Some tunes never have cue points and doubles are better.Some i leave them just as they are.About just over half have cue points that i will use .Like all things they are tools but like all the tools on dj software they are options.When i first started using Serato i just mixed like i used to and gradually got into all the other stuff over time .I have the sampler but its funny i dont really use it.I use the cue points but a lot of what i do is very much like when i used vinyl.There is one thing i do use and thats the video.

[@irritablysavvy]

Yes. I name them too. Why go digital otherwise??? Intro 16, Verse 1, Chorus...

[@djTLMtv]

💯

[@Dj_rueboi]

I am a cue point addict. I hate it

[@djTLMtv]

😄😄 Cue point rehab

[@Dj_rueboi]

DJ TLM TV lmfao!!! This video is my outpatient rehab

[@gh0stmthd13]

DJ TLM TV I hardly use my cue points is it bad if I usually mix songs from the start of the track with the current song either being around half way or near ending. Rather than mixing in a new one half way in using a cue point?

[@LP00151987]

Thank Bro.

[@terryjones2263]

Mix in key will set them for you

[@joannelindsay4977]

DJ TLM. can you make a video on whether to pay for uploading recordings and how to get paid from those recordings? Copyright issues etc? I am noticing people are steaming more than playing CDs besides most cars and PCs are moving away from CD players.

[@djTLMtv]

When you say recordings, are you talking about original music, your own productions?

[@joannelindsay4977]

@@djTLMtv -- Is a mix called original when you sight the artists songs/name? When is our artistry of mixing considered original?

[@djTLMtv]

Joanne Lindsay No, I meant original as music you made. So not another artist’s songs

[@joannelindsay4977]

No I do not have original music/beats yet.

[@Lipi19821]

help. my songs are downloading faster than I can set cue points.... what to do... LOL

[@timnccu7]

i put cue points on every track i get that intend to play

[@weedyweedpecker9710]

You can use Mix in key 10… it automatically puts 8 cue points to the tracks you import into it. Afterwards you import those songs in your DJ software

[@weedyweedpecker9710]

Sometimes you need to adjust a few of them though

[@djTLMtv]

You could do that with a lot of the previous versions of Mixed In Key, but the automatic cue points never matched with how I use cue points. I have version 10 now so I’ll test it again, but everyone uses cue points differently

[@fazeraoe9582]

Obviously you should not put cue points on track you're never going to play because these tracks should not be in your workspace to begin with.

[@djdoobieone]

i do it on a fly....

[@djdoobieone]

so next time is there

[@thatchinaboi1]

This new DJs are so God damn lazy these days. If you don't take the time to set up cue points, then I can't imagine you have taken the time to listen to the track thoroughly. SMDH

[@Ministe01]

This dude did more talking then he actually did putting his hands on buttons to setup cue points. Boo!