Create Your Own Playlists with Spotify Mix: Become Your Own DJ

Have you ever wanted to curate your own Spotify playlists with unique transitions and effects, emulating the flair of a DJ? The Spotify Mix feature now allows you to go beyond simply adding tracks, offering a creative platform to enhance your playlists, complete with the option to share your unique creations with friends.

Understanding Spotify Mix

Launched in beta back in August, the Spotify Mix feature is now becoming available to all premium users on both mobile and desktop platforms. However, it currently remains exclusive to premium members, leaving free users in the lurch.

This feature allows for a variety of transitions and effects to be applied between songs in any self-created playlist. Whether you prefer sticking to similar transitions or enjoy mixing things up, Mix provides an extensive array of options, liberating you from Spotify’s standard transitions.

If you haven’t crafted a playlist yet, now is a great time to start experimenting with the Mix functionality. Consider checking out some tips for playlist creation and management as well.

Getting Started: Creating an Auto Mix

To kick off your journey, the easiest method is to create an Auto Mix. Spotify automatically sets mixing parameters based on your playlist’s song characteristics, such as genre, BPM (beats per minute), and artist.

Although the process is the same on both desktop and mobile, the examples here will focus on the Android Spotify app.

Begin by opening any of your personally created playlists, since Spotify-generated lists and ‘Liked’ songs do not support the Mix feature. Go to Your Library and select Playlists; utilize the By you filter to display only your own creations.

Filtering the Spotify library to only view playlists created by you.

Select Mix located in the options row beneath the playlist details. Each song will then feature a new button below it for adding effects and transitions. By default, the setting is Auto. If you prefer Spotify to handle the mixing, simply tap the Play button and enjoy.

Creating an Auto Spotify Mix on a playlist.

Personalizing Your Spotify Mix

While the Auto option is convenient, it may not cater to your creative needs. If you’re aiming for a more bespoke DJ-like experience, it’s time to customize the transitions for each song.

As of now, custom mixes can only be created through the mobile app, with the desktop option on its way soon. However, any custom mixes you create on mobile will still be playable on the desktop version.

Within your playlist, tap Mix, then select Auto next to the song you wish to modify. It might feel overwhelming with the numerous options available, but take your time to explore until you find the right sound. You can always revert if needed.

In the Edit transition section, tap Custom at the bottom. Next, adjust the ending of the first song and the start of the second as desired. Spotify will loop this small segment until you choose to press Stop.

If you don’t see the Custom option right away, try adjusting the clips or changing any other settings below the songs to make it appear.

Creating a custom Spotify mix in the Edit transition window.

To further personalize your transitions, you can adjust these settings:

Volume – Select from options like Smooth crossfade, Overlap, Fade in fade out, and more. Smooth crossfade typically provides the best transition for most tracks, but experimenting with various settings can yield different effects.
EQ – The default setting is Center bass; however, you also have options like End bass swap or 3-band fade.
Effect – With the default set to None, adding effects can significantly alter your transitions, giving them more depth or impact with options available for creating unique outcomes.

After finalizing your edits, don’t forget to tap Save at the top. You will need to repeat this process for each chosen transition. Since Spotify displays each song’s BPM, rearranging songs based on similar BPM can enhance transition smoothness.

Utilizing Pre-Set Transitions in Spotify

If you’re looking for a more efficient way to create transitions, Spotify offers a selection of pre-set options. Simply tap Mix in your playlist, then select Auto (or the existing transition type) between songs you want to blend.

Choose one of the following pre-set transitions from the bottom of the Edit transition window:

Fade
Rise
Blend
Wave
Melt
Slam

Although you can still adjust where transitions occur by dragging and dropping, using a pre-set option limits your ability to customize the Volume, EQ, or Effect settings.

After investing time in custom mixing your playlist, why not share your groundbreaking work? Once finished, tap the Share icon (the person with a +) situated above your playlist. You can choose your sharing method and the recipients.

You can also collaborate with friends. While starting a Spotify Jam allows listening in real-time, collaborating gives multiple users the power to add or remove songs. Keep in mind that collaborators need to be premium users to mix transitions.

To set up collaboration, tap Mix, then access the three-dot menu above the playlist. Select Invite collaborators at the bottom of the list, which allows you to choose existing friends or send email/text invitations. Keep in mind, these collaborators can modify your playlist, so ensure you have a backup ready.

Become A Dj With Spotify Mix Collaborate

Dismissing Mixes from Your Playlists

If you decide you no longer wish to utilize the Spotify Mix feature, simply revisit your mixed playlist and select Mix again. This action will revert your playlist to its original state.

The good news is that your custom settings and adjustments are not lost. Tap Mix to re-activate your mix whenever you choose.

If you anticipate being without an Internet connection, remember to download your favorite Spotify playlists so your music can play uninterrupted.

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