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-- Proper length for a mix?

Proper length for a mix?

Do people have opinions about the standard length of a DJ mix now that mp3 technology is extremely pervasive?

This history is pure conjecture on my part, based on assumptions, not empirical evidence nor experience: In the early days of DJ mixes, the cassette tape was the standard, so DJ composed 90-minute mixes with a brief intermission at the halfway mark. Thus, the two sides of the tape could have radically different styles, as each 45-minute mix began with a different opening track that set the tone for the mix.

Enter the CD. DJs now make shorter mixes (80 rather than 90), and only get to use one opening track, so the notion of a halftime intermission is forgotten. For the most part, DJs bang away for 74+ minutes.

The Essential Mix and other radio shows, however, preserve the tradition of longer DJ mixes. Many DJs making appearances on the two-hour long Essential Mix offer a breakdown/pause/rethink at the one-hour mark (See James Zabiela's Essential Mix from 2004 as a good example).

Upon the creation of internet radio shows, bedrooms DJs flock to the "airwaves," cutting their 80 minute mixes down to a brief 55-60 show. Simultaneously, the iPod and other mp3 players take off, meaning that mixes may be of any length the DJ chooses.

So, my questions:
1. Does anyone have actual information about the history of the length of DJ mixes that would modify my hypothetical story?
2. How long do you like to make your mixes? One hour for a radio show? Three hours to take the listener on a journey? 35 minutes so that you can lay down about six tracks, give your listener something to think about, and then say goodbye?

Personally, I enjoy doing 35-40 minute, so that you can lay down a theme, explore it a bit, and then wrap it up. Simultaneously, I think that an 80 minute CD is too short, but tend to find that 90 minutes is enough to have a more extensive, complete mix.

Thoughts?

i think you have given this WAY too much thought. I just do a normal CD -- 74 to 80 minutes.

Agree.

I usually go for about CD length.

Often though I'll go for something around 55 - 60 min....especially for themed mixes. No "Journey", but it's enough to tell a story, and not so long that it starts to feel monotonous (like a movie that carries on for an hour after the climax).

at least an hour in my books.

If I'm making a CD, I try to fill the whole thing up. If' it's a radio show, 55-60 minutes, unless I can go longer.

depends on how i feel and what i'm playing

simple as that.

for example. i just did a couple weeks ago that has 19 tracks in 62 minutes and i felt that was long enough to get the point across for the mix.

if im recording itll be either as long as the media im recording to (tape, cd etc, i dont really record longer than that, i get bored when im just playing to myself)

if im playing out..... til someone throws me off the decks

as long as you possibliy can (without trainwreaking) although it's much more important to play to your crowd's energy and size.

Usually 55 to 70, no less.

Offical (demo cd and such) - 55 to 60 mins
Unoffical - however the fuck long you want ie. Some dude on sas-tv span for 25 hours straight - mix or die?

I usually try and fit my mixes onto an 80-minute CD. Sometimes I'm in the mood for something longer, but usually 80 minutes is about it.

Well.. actually the length of a musical piece can make a difference when a new medium is discovered. In 1982 when the first cd was made the initial format was 73 minutes and I dont remember exactly how many seconds. This was exactly that long because the head of the develoption crew really loved Beethoven's Symphony 9 and told the guys to make the thing fit onto a cd. A bit history here for you guys

Anyhow I usually go for about around 60 minutes. I have recorded shorter sets in the past - like 30 minutes and so. But this kept me thinking that the set isnt complete. So usually an hour.. or two.

Yup, about an hour should be fine. I would say 55 - 80 minutes is long enough.

Just take as much time as you need to get your point across. If you can 'tell your story' in 55 minutes, don't put in another track that doesn't add anything to the mix.

even 90 mins is short for me

Ive played 6 hours in clubs before

planning a possible attempt to break the world record for longest continuous dj mix soon.... (75 hours) watch this space

Hmmmm... three days for mixing.. sounds like hard work.

To original poster.
Hardly worth thinking about so much butif you are thinking of a demo I usually find that about 40 or 50 mins is fine. Any more and people aren't really gonna be bothered to listen and the other think is make sure that you split the track so that they can hear your transitions and track changes. No one is in all honesty going to listen to your mix in any greater depth anyways.

For your own enjoyment do what you feel is best but remember it is good to try and work a 2 hour set as it takes a bit more than you think and most bedroom DJs never really work for that long.

Cheers
Nem

promo mixes, try to keep it at 60 mins max. imagine a radioshow wanted to play it, if it was 74 mins, they'd have to cut a bit out.

otherwise, do it as long as you like.

do try to make long mixes for your own enjoyment though, a 6 hour set is something that definitely polishes your skills.

CD is best for friends, as 99.9% of everyone has a cd player, by now

I aim to fill a CD, however in general I feel that 60mins will usually do the trick nicely.

I say 60 minutes to 90 minutes for me. After that I sorta just kill it =\. Maybe I can go longer some day in the future.

+1 with Lane.

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