Number of songs to get started on a playlist/mix

[g_uava]

Do you need to group together a certain number of songs first before getting started on compiling a playlist/mix? Or do you start with a certain prompt, then think up 8/10/however many songs you'd like to put on your playlist/mix?

I've been on a roll with creating mixes and realise I tend to begin with grouping 3 songs together of a similar vibe or style. Then after deciding what I'd title my list, I could quite easily think up the remaining 6 or 7 songs to complete a full mix. Quite different from a decade ago when I first think up the prompt, then think hard on which songs would fit and even go out of way to find new songs just to populate the tracklist for posting on 8tracks 😂

Looking forward to hearing about everyone's mix-creating process!

Comments

[impala_chick]

Most of the time I start with a theme or ship or character that I want to make a mix about, so then I'm not searching blindly. But sometimes I hear a song I really want to build a mix around and then I have to come up with a theme that I think will work.

[g_uava]

That's unusual to start with one song, then coming up with the theme!

[impala_chick]

Maybe that's why it takes me so long to finish a mix! :P

[g_uava]

Oh how long usually? Do you work on a few on and off or really sit down and focus on finishing one?

[impala_chick]

I usually have one that is incomplete for awhile, and then add to it as I have time to listen to more music. But when there's an event deadline, that really motivates me so I have just listened to a bunch of music and finished a mix in like 2-3 hours before. Making mixes = a good excuse to listen to random new-to-me songs!

[g_uava]

Haven't come across in a while events that let participants submit mixes. Sounds amazing to put one together with newish songs in just a couple of hours and have the end result sound great! These days I take that long to finish a mix even with songs I'm familiar with, through putting in a bit extra thought in the arrangement and cover design.

[impala_chick]

I recommend ficinabox - it's open for noms right now but a lot of participants do make fanmixes for it :D

Oh that's a good point though. I rarely make covers these days, and those take considerable time. More and more I'm just making mixes for Tumblr fandom-specific events or lands_of_magic challenges, and just linking to the mix itself or just doing a front cover only.

[g_uava]

Thanks for bringing up the challenges that welcome fanmixes! Technically I also only do front covers with the back just being a minimalist list of tracks included 😂