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Mix Point Planner

A two-deck transition timeline that turns "how long do I crossfade?" into a number you can trust before you put a needle on the record. Set deck A's current position and the planned transition length, and the planner draws the exact overlap window on both decks, tells you the bar and beat where deck B should drop in, warns if either deck runs out of music before the fade ends, and shows the LP/HP EQ split that keeps two basslines from clashing.

Built for bedroom DJs and teachers who want a visual sanity check on what their ears already hear.

Deck B drops in at
Bar 1, Beat 1
Overlap duration
— s
Fade ends
— s

Deck A — outgoing

— • — BPM
0:00

Deck B — incoming

— • — BPM

EQ-split during the fade

Low / Mid / High band ownership

Each deck is drawn as three nested curves (low / mid / high). During the fade you should see deck A's low band dip first and deck B's low band rise last — that's the LP/HP split that prevents two kick fundamentals fighting.

How to use

  1. Enter deck A's track length, current playhead position and BPM. The playhead is where deck A currently sits in its track — this is where you intend to start the crossfade.
  2. Enter deck B's track length and BPM. Deck B's cue-in point is implicitly at 0:00 unless you also want to start partway through (just shorten its length to simulate that).
  3. Set the transition length in bars (8, 16 or 32 are common sweet spots). The two timelines redraw instantly to show the overlap window on each track.
  4. Pick a crossfade curve. EQ-curve is the safe default for harmonic mixing. Linear works when both tracks have similar tonal balance. Log is good for long blends where you want deck B to stay quiet while a long outro plays out.
  5. Read the result card: drop-in bar & beat for deck B, total overlap duration in seconds, and where the fade ends inside deck B. Aim for the green-light confirmation, otherwise look at the warning.

How to read the result

The drop-in number tells you where in deck B the first audible downbeat lands. If it reads "Bar 33, Beat 1", let deck A play out until 32 bars have elapsed past your current position, then drop deck B exactly on its next "1".

The overlap duration is the crossfade length in seconds; sanity-check it isn't absurdly long (60+ seconds, where both decks lose energy) or so short that it feels rushed (under 8 seconds for typical house / techno).

The EQ-split canvas shows three bands (low / mid / high) for each deck over the course of the fade. With the EQ-curve preset you should see deck A's low band ramp down to zero while deck B's low band ramps up last — that's the LP/HP shape that prevents two basslines clashing. Mid and high bands stay roughly equal throughout.

If a warning shows up, the fade extends past the end of either track. Either trim the bars, move the deck A position, or accept that you'll be mixing into silence for the tail. The green confirmation means both tracks have at least one bar of headroom after the fade ends.

Limitations

FAQ

Why does the drop-in bar show "Bar 1" on a fresh load?
Because you haven't moved deck B's relative start yet. With the default 16-bar fade at 124 BPM that's roughly 7.7 seconds — well inside the first bar. If you want a later drop-in, shorten deck B's effective length so the fade reaches deeper into the track.
Can I save a plan and come back later?
No. This tool is fully client-side and stores no state. If you want to remember a plan, take a screenshot, copy the numbers into a set-list document, or write them on your gear.
Which BPM should I use if the two tracks aren't beat-matched yet?
Enter deck A's BPM. The crossfade duration is calculated from the master tempo (the deck you're fading out of). Deck B's BPM matters only for the relative-beat grid drawn on its own timeline. Beat-match first, then plan the transition.
What's a "sweet spot" for transition length?
For most house, techno and trance: 16 bars (~7.7 seconds at 124 BPM) is the bread-and-butter blend. 32 bars (~15.5 s) for long, smooth crossfades where both tracks share harmonic content. 8 bars (~3.9 s) for dramatic EQ tricks or build-up drops. Anything under 4 bars is really a cut, not a blend.
Does this handle harmonic mixing or key compatibility?
No. This planner only does time, bar and EQ geometry. For Camelot-wheel key matching, use the Harmonic Mixing helper also in the Mixing category.
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