One of the most enjoyable parts of planning a social event is making a party mix of music.For good advice and ideas on how to make your next mix truly great, read the steps below.
Step 1: Start with the numbers.
How many people did you invite and how many do you think will show up?Someone is bringing a friend.Will there be drop-ins?What is the age of your guests?Teenagers aren't going to like the same music as adults.Think about how long you want the party to last.A six-hour mix calls for different strategies.When it comes to time and number of people, it's better to underestimate than underestimate.Think about the flex room rather than the number.
Step 2: What makes good party music?
Good party music is upbeat and doesn't require a lot of attention to appreciate.Songs that shift from very loud to very quiet and back should be avoided.Sad and depressing songs, no matter how well-liked they are, don't have a place in a party mix.When you're not sure, go with music that has a good beat and a hook.Some genres are better at providing this type of music than others.Classical music, singer-songwriter style folk, new age, and melancholy independent rock should be avoided in most cases.
Step 3: It's a good idea to gather music.
If your music collection is mostly digital, you should collect any extra albums you might want to use.If you have a physical collection, put it all in one room.Go through everything you have.If you don't know if a song or album will make good party music, you can listen to it and write it down.The goal is to have a wide base of songs.
Step 4: A balance is set.
A party mix is an acceptable place to introduce relatively obscure acts to the people you know, as most audiophiles have a deep-seated urge to share their new discoveries and lesser-known music with friends.The rule of making a great party mix is to lean more towards songs that people will recognize.When people know how most of the songs go, they enjoy party music more.Being a good host isn't about satisfying your ego, it's about making your guests happy.A rule is that no more than 15-20% of your final mix should be unknown or obscure.It's a good rule of thumb for most ordinary kinds of party.Populate the rest of your mix with popular artists from the past and present, such as Michael Jackson, OutKast, and Drake.
Step 5: Decide on a method.
If you're working with all digital music, you have two choices: shuffle or no shuffle.Since you won't know which song is coming next, a more careful balance is needed to prevent songs from the same artist playing back-to-back.You can set moods for different parts of the night if you don't shuffle a playlist.
Step 6: Decide on the method.
The options are slightly different if you're using burnable CDs.Physical media users can shuffle CDs individually, but only in a specific order.You can combine both methods and play the discs in a set order, but with shuffled tracks, if you combine 80 minutes of audio with only one CD-R disc.If you have a multi-tray CD player, you can load up a few discs and shuffle between them.
Step 7: The flow of the party is something to think about.
Party mixes can either be loud and fun from start to finish or they can be laid out along a set trajectory.It's best to go with the second option if you're not going to shuffle.You can set the first half hour or so to be a bit quieter and slower, and plan for a similar break a few hours into the mix.The music can ramp up to a higher energy level slowly, so it should still be fun to listen to.
Step 8: The closing list should be made.
Regardless of which method you choose, plan to have an hour or so of slow, relaxing music set aside.You can use this music to encourage people to head home after the party is over.Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon was once a popular choice for ending the party, but other options include artists such as DJ Krush, or the Replacements.Pick music that has waning energy and a quieter sound.
Step 9: It's time to put your music together.
To be sure you're happy with the song, listen to the beginning in order.If you're shuffling, make sure all the songs work together.You can either save the mix or burn it to discs once you're satisfied.If you're playing music from a phone or mp3 player, make sure you have a cable in your house.Most home electronics stores will sell these for a few dollars.
Step 10: You should play your mix.
Knowing when to start playing is an art.If you wait for a half hour and start when a few more people show up, you will get a better effect.Depending on the type of party you're having and how many friends you have, the starting time may be different.Specific situations and variations are covered in detail.
Step 11: A dinner party is hosted by a class.
If you're throwing a small dinner party for 4-12 people, you don't need to make a huge mix or call for danceable music.Put on some classic jazz to help everyone relax.Not just any jazz album will do; look for famous performers, and lean towards variations on songs rather than original compositions.You don't need a lot of music.Don't shuffle your jazz; instead, go through each album in its entirety, preserving the intended mood.The 20 years between 1951 and 1971 are the era.The sound of jazz from this period is relaxing and sophisticated.Solar Energy, Ray Brown Trio with Gene Harris, Time Out, Dave Brubeck Quartet, Kind of Blue, Miles Davis, and Grant Green are useful starting points.It is possible to try an album of bossa nova or other relaxing sounding music, but be careful not to make your guests feel like they are listening to elevator music.
Step 12: You should make your mix interactive.
If you have a collection of CDs orLPs, this will work best with a digital music player.Before the party, leave the good party albums out in the main area.As guests arrive, put one on and leave the albums prominently displayed so that people can look through them.Offer to let people play albums, a few songs (or one side) at a time, one pick per person.Your guests will have another activity to play with, and you can rest assured that only the chosen albums will be played.If an album is broken, don't leave it out, it would be difficult to replace.The bane of many items is parties.
Step 13: You can create a themed mix.
Themed mixes are a great way to show off a collection that has some depth, and can provide some additional structure to a more public event.Simply look at your collection and make a mix of your favorite songs from different genres.You can make more tightly themed mixes for specific parties.When the music matches the theme of the evening, people love it.An early rock mix is great for a gathering.Any warm summer night can be graced with a lush, decadent air from classic '70s soul.If you want to make a soundtrack for a rave, split your mix between EDM and IDM.You can learn to match beats to make it feel more authentic, but that's not covered here.