How do techno DJs judge whether two tracks will sound cohesive together?
I have a question about track selection and sonic continuity in deep / hypnotic techno DJing.
When mixing techno, I feel that the current track and the next track should usually have some kind of cohesion, unless the DJ is intentionally creating a sudden contrast or dramatic shift. Especially in deep or hypnotic techno, I feel that the transition works best when the overall atmosphere, groove, and sonic character do not suddenly fall apart.
However, I find it difficult to describe exactly what this cohesion consists of. I assume it may involve things like:
* perceived loudness and overall pressure
* the relationship between kick and bass
* low-end weight and balance
* midrange texture
* brightness or harshness in the highs
* rhythmic density and groove
* sense of space, reverb, and depth
* overall energy level and tension
As an amateur DJ, I find it very difficult to judge this only through headphones in the booth. When I cue the next track in my headphones, I can check the beat, phrase, and general vibe, but I often cannot tell whether the track will really blend well with the one currently playing until I hear it through the main speakers. Differences in low end, loudness, midrange texture, or overall pressure become much more obvious once the track is actually played on the sound system.
So I would like to ask more experienced techno DJs, especially those who play deep or hypnotic techno.
How do you judge whether two tracks are sonically compatible?
Do you prepare your tracks in advance in Ableton or another DAW, for example by adjusting loudness, EQ, or overall balance? Do you analyze waveforms or spectrums and categorize tracks based on sonic characteristics? Do you use detailed tagging systems? Or does this mostly come from experience, so that you can tell from a short headphone preview whether a track will work in the current context?
Any advice about preparation, tagging, or how to train this skill would be very helpful.