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How to clip a DJ set
Short answer: To clip a DJ set, find the moments the crowd reacts most (usually the drops), cut a short section around each one, check that the framing shows the DJ, and export the files. You can do this by hand in any video editor, or paste a link to the finished set into the Setclipper web clipper, which finds the drops and cuts them into clips for you.
What you need
- A finished set video (a YouTube link, a Google Drive link, or the video file itself), or your own multicam footage.
- A few minutes to review the clips before you post them. Any automatic tool is a first pass, not a final edit.
Step 1: Find the drops
Scrub the set and note each moment where the energy lifts: the build ends and the beat comes back. Mark each one with a timestamp. By hand, the quickest way is to watch with the waveform visible and look for the loudest returns.
Step 2: Cut a section around each drop
Start a few seconds before the drop so the build is felt, and end after the first full phrase of the drop. Short sections work best for Reels, Shorts and TikTok. Export each as its own file. For more on where to cut, see how often to cut a multicam DJ set edit.
Step 3: Check the framing
A clip is only useful if the DJ is on screen. Wide shots can miss the DJ, so look at every clip before you post it. For vertical 9:16, make sure the crop keeps the DJ and the crowd you want. See how to turn a DJ set into Reels and TikToks.
Step 4: Export and post
Download the clips and post them with your own caption. Keep the original audio rights in mind: posting a set with other artists' tracks can trigger platform claims.
Do it with Setclipper instead
- Open the Setclipper web clipper and paste a YouTube or Google Drive link, or upload the video.
- Check the price. It is worked out from the length of your set and shown before you start.
- Press Process. Setclipper finds the drops and cuts each one into a clip. Clips appear as they are cut.
- Pick the clips you like and download them. Vertical 9:16 versions are available; see pricing for plans.
Have raw footage from several cameras instead of a finished set? Use the Setclipper Mac editor: it syncs your cameras from the audio, builds a multicam timeline, cuts on the beat, and exports timeline XML to DaVinci Resolve and Premiere Pro (try a short project first). XML export is available in the Mac editor, see pricing for plans. It needs an Apple Silicon Mac (M1 or newer) on macOS 14 or newer. To learn how camera sync works, read how to sync multiple cameras for a DJ set video.
FAQ
What is the best way to clip a DJ set?
Find the drops, cut a short section around each, check the framing, and export. Do it by hand in a video editor, or use the Setclipper web clipper to find and cut the drops from a finished set.
What is a drop clip?
A short section of a set built around the moment the beat returns after a build. It is the part most viewers want to see.
Will Setclipper always show the DJ?
No. Wide shots can miss the DJ, so check each clip before you post it.
Can I clip a set from a YouTube link?
Yes. Paste a YouTube or Google Drive link, or upload the video file. Only use sets you have the right to use.
How long are my files kept?
Your source video is kept for up to 7 days and finished clips for 30 days. Download what you want to keep.
Can I make vertical clips?
Yes. Vertical 9:16 versions are available; see pricing for plans. The price is shown before you convert.
What if I filmed with several cameras?
Use the Setclipper Mac editor to build the multicam edit. It syncs the cameras from the audio.
Do I need to install anything?
The web clipper runs in your browser. The multicam editor is a Mac app.