Add current track conditions to Smartlists

complexprocess

It would be great if Smartlists could update relative to the current master (or most recently played) track. So, for example, we could create a playlist that includes all songs where the tempo is within 10% of the currently playing track's tempo. Or a list that includes all tracks with adjacent keys to the current track. Or both! Maybe this would be a more flexible option than something like the Match feature in Traktor DJ 2 (which I love, personally) that might make it appeal to more users.

deborah621

When a track is playing, the software could use its tempo and key to filter and create a Smartlist with tracks that are within a specified BPM range and/or adjacent keys. Allow users to set their own parameters for what constitutes an ‘adjacent key’ or ‘acceptable tempo range’.

Implementing such a feature would require a combination of music theory knowledge (for key compatibility) and algorithmic programming to create the dynamic playlists. It’s definitely a feature that could enhance the DJing experience by automating some of the music selection process, allowing DJs to focus more on the creative aspects of their performance.

complexprocess

I think the thing that makes this a great feature for the Traktor team to implement is that the software is already aware of all of the things that are needed to make it happen, they just need to be brought together in the smartlist setup tool.

• It already calculates adjacent keys in the browser--you can set it to only color "compatible" keys and it will highlight the key column for tracks which are +1, -1, the same key, or a major/minor variant in the open key format. In traditional key notation that's up a fifth, down a fifth, or the relative major/minor key.
• It already has the ability to show a range of tempos around the current tempo by clicking the magnifying glass in the tempo column. As Deborah notes, it would be great to make this range configurable, but I like the default value well enough.

The only software additions seem to be the ability to update a list when a new track is started (or set to master, perhaps) which Traktor DJ already does with the match feature, and the ability to select these parameters in the smartlist interface. It feels like a great way to make smartlists smarter!