Build your first ten-track crate

The ten-track rule

Pick ten tracks that share enough tempo, energy, or style to mix together. This is your practice crate. Ten is small enough to learn, but large enough to create different combinations.

What to write down

1. Genre or vibe.
2. BPM and key if available.
3. Energy level from 1 to 5.
4. Clean or explicit.
5. Best mix-in and mix-out points.
6. One note about the audience or room it might fit.

Common mistakes

1. Practicing with a streaming search bar instead of a prepared crate.
2. Choosing ten favorite songs that do not mix well together.
3. Ignoring file quality and volume differences.