SetPrep

SetPrep is a desktop planning app for DJs who already keep music in Rekordbox, Serato, Traktor, or ordinary folders. It suits performers who want a reasoned running order and cleaner library more than a finished audio mix. Its strongest case is the way it turns planning decisions into notes and ratings inside the library you already use.

Overview

SetPrep reads a DJ library and builds a complete set in a selected mixing style. Each track receives a role in the set’s energy arc, a transition note, and a plain-English explanation of its selection. That makes the result a practical blueprint for rehearsal and adaptation, rather than an unexplained playlist.

The app is operated by Chris Seller as a sole trader. Its privacy policy says music-library data and generated plans are not retained by SetPrep, with the library remaining on the user’s computer. Planning prompts are sent to Anthropic’s API. Account and forum data are hosted in Fly.io’s London region with encryption at rest, and UK and EU users can request access, correction, or deletion.

Key features

Import works with Rekordbox, Serato and Traktor libraries, or with a folder of audio files. SetPrep can write colour codes, transition notes and star ratings back to those three DJ applications. For DJs who organise crates and playlists in one of them, that writeback is more useful than keeping a separate planning document; it also means the app complements an existing performance setup instead of replacing it.

Ten built-in mixing-style templates are based on analysis of real artist sets. They provide distinct planning approaches without requiring you to design a structure from scratch, although the output remains a plan rather than rendered audio. Beat matching, automated mixing and AI track selection are supported, but there is no stem separation and no mix export.

Library housekeeping is a substantial secondary benefit. De-duplication, missing-file finding, filename repair and forgotten-gem discovery address the problems that make a well-planned set difficult to execute. Hot cues, loops, memory cues and structural cues are described as coming soon, so DJs who need detailed cue preparation today will still need another tool.

Pricing

The Free plan is enough for occasional planning, but its three-mix allowance resets on the first day of each month at local midnight. Regular gig preparation will quickly make that cap restrictive, making Pro Monthly the flexible choice for active users. Pro Annual lowers the effective monthly cost for a year-long commitment and protects the subscription rate during that year. There is no free trial, so the free tier is the only way to assess the workflow before paying. Downloads are invite-gated, which adds a practical access hurdle even before plan selection.

Platforms

SetPrep is a desktop app. The beta runs on macOS with Apple Silicon or Intel and on Windows with x64 or ARM64. There is no mobile or web edition, so it is aimed at DJs preparing sets on a computer rather than managing a library from a phone.

Who it's for

Choose SetPrep if your library already lives in Rekordbox, Serato or Traktor and you want an explainable sequence, energy shaping and library writeback in one place. It is particularly suitable for DJs who value preparation and catalogue cleanup, and for those who prefer guidance that can be edited rather than an opaque automatic result.

Look elsewhere if you need exported mixes, stem-based workflows, or mature cue programming now. The monthly free quota also makes it a poor fit for heavy experimentation unless you move to Pro.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Explainable set plans: energy-arc roles, transition notes and plain-English reasons make recommendations easier to judge and rehearse.
• Broad library handling: Rekordbox, Serato, Traktor and folder mode cover common DJ-library arrangements.
• Useful writeback: colour codes, notes and star ratings go back into supported libraries, keeping decisions in the performance workflow.
• Practical housekeeping: duplicate removal, missing-file searches, filename repair and forgotten-gem discovery improve library readiness.
• Clear privacy position: the policy says library data and generated plans are not retained.

Cons

• No mix export: SetPrep plans and assists but does not produce a file you can render and share.
• No stem separation: DJs seeking vocal or instrumental isolation need another application.
• Free-tier ceiling: three mixes per calendar month limits frequent planning.
• Invite-gated beta: access is not immediate, and forthcoming cue tools are not yet part of the current workflow.

Alternatives

For a wider survey of this category, see AI DJ Software.

CortexDJ is the better pick if you want live decks, AI auto-mix, mashups, rendered mixes and export to Rekordbox or Serato, with a free home-use plan covering two computers.

Choose CRATELAB if cloud-library browsing, streaming playback and pulling tracks from the cloud matter more than SetPrep’s set-plan explanations.

djay is a stronger fit for mobile and headset use, since it supports Android, iOS, macOS and Windows and offers a free download with core mixing features.

Pick Offtrack when you want a mobile-first option for Android, iOS or macOS.

automixer.ai suits web users who need project limits, downloadable MP3 exports and browser-based automation.

Mixbridge is a free iOS and web alternative.

Choose MIXX Intelligence if macOS crate analysis with key, BPM, energy, titles, tags, crates and playlists is the priority.

AuraJam is worth considering for web-based creation with daily exports and on-device tools.

Verdict

SetPrep is a good choice for computer-based DJs who want coherent, explainable set plans and direct writeback to an established Rekordbox, Serato or Traktor library. The main reason to choose it is the combination of planning guidance and library maintenance; the main reason to look elsewhere is the lack of mix export, stem separation and finished cue features, alongside the invite-gated beta and three-mix free limit.