Week 6: Using AI to DJ

Introduction

I have a lot of records and every so often run a vinyl-only DJ night for friends and fellow nerds. I’m more of a selector than a beat-matching purist (i.e., I’m not very good at mixing), so I aimed to make my set feel smoother and more polished.

The Experiment
The challenge? Mixing vinyl comes with its quirks—like finding the right spot on a record for seamless transitions—and my sets jump between reggae, disco, rock, and electronic music. Keeping everything cohesive while watching the crowd’s vibe isn’t easy.

The Process and the Struggle
Here’s how it all played out:

1. Preparing the Input
   I decided on records, then took photos of my handwritten tracklist and fed those to ChatGPT. It converted them into text, creating a list to work with.

2. Structuring the Set
   I asked ChatGPT to arrange the tracks based on BPM, vibe, and track length. It made suggestions about track order and mixed things up depending on which set I was playing (early vs. late). I got it to add and remove certain tracks, and it suggested different ways of doing things.

3. Asking for Mixing Advice
   I asked ChatGPT for practical tips on mixing vinyl. It suggested:

   • Practicing cueing the perfect spot on each record.
   • Using bass cuts to make transitions smoother.
   • Focusing on energy rather than strict BPM matching.

4. Trying (and Failing) to Make ChatGPT Listen
   I even tried to get ChatGPT to “listen” to my mixes by allowing it to hear how I was mixing based on its instructions. This wasn’t successful.

5. Track Recommendations
   Claude’s recommendation for a Prince track I wouldn’t normally pick made it an interesting sparring partner.

6. Adapting On the Fly
   Some AI suggestions didn’t work perfectly in the moment—there were strange juxtapositions that felt off. But part of being a superstar DJ is thinking on your feet and reading the crowd, which AI can’t do (yet).

The Outcome
The set was better than usual, and the extra preparation gave me more confidence.

• Having a structured plan let me relax and enjoy the process.
• Mixing tips didn’t really work, but I think that’s more down to me being a bad pupil than AI being too bad of a teacher.

This process augmented how I approach DJing. I’ll still rely on serendipity and instinct, but AI gave me different ideas and ways to look at things.

Key Takeaway
AI can’t replace the art of DJing, but it can enhance your preparation, refine your techniques, and even surprise you with creative suggestions.

Pro Tips for Beginner DJs Using AI:

1. Organize Your Input: Take photos of your ideas or digitize your collection. AI can help sort and analyze it.
2. Let AI classify: It was good at understanding genres, what would fit together, BPMs, and track lengths.

What’s Next?

• I want to see how ChatGPT handles my full vinyl collection. Could it recommend tracks I’ve forgotten about?
• I’m considering theme-specific sets (only 70s’, non-English songs, or female vocalists) for future parties.

Join me as I do 52 AI experiments in 2025. From teaching me to DJ to analysing interviews I’m documenting all I learn.