SonodexHow rules work
You set criteria, for example “Genre is House, BPM 120 to 126, rating 3 stars or more”. The list updates as soon as you import new tracks or change tags. Some programs allow AND and OR conditions and exclusions.
Useful Smartlists for everyday use
“New and unheard”: imported in the last 30 days, no plays. “Warm-up”: energy 3 to 5, 115 to 122 BPM. “Peak”: energy 8 and above. “No genre”: shows tracks that still need tags. “Favourites this year”. Combined with key (see harmonic mixing) you find matching candidates for every track.
Limits
Smartlists are only as good as your metadata. If genre or energy are missing, the list stays empty or incomplete. Also, not all programs understand the same rules: when you switch, Smartlists can arrive as normal playlists.
In practice: five Smartlists to start with
Start small. A “New” list, one for your warm-up, one for peak time, a “No genre” one as a to-do list and one “Favourites”. You need no more at the start. When something is missing, you add a rule.
After changing rules, spot-check the results. A rule that is too narrow hides tracks, one that is too wide pulls in ballast.
It also helps to look at the order of the criteria: begin with whatever restricts you most, for example the genre, and refine afterwards with BPM, energy or key. That way you quickly see which rule gives you too many or too few matches.
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a playlist and a smart playlist?
You fill a playlist by hand; a smart playlist fills itself by rules.
Do smartlists work in other DJ programs?
That depends on the target program. After the sync, check whether they arrive as a Smartlist or as a normal playlist.