CortexDJ vs SetPrep
CortexDJ
cortexdj.comSetPrep
setprep.appSide by side
| Figure | CortexDJ | SetPrep |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $4.92/mo | £5/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 8 | 3 |
| Spec score · AI DJ Software | 9.2 (#1) | 8.3 (#5) |
| Support | Paid Pro plans include priority email support, while privacy questions are handled through a real mailbox rather than a ticket system. | Free includes email support, while Pro adds priority email support; users can also use the forum. |
| What it does | CortexDJ analyzes local music folders and builds beatmatched DJ sets that can be rendered to audio files. | SetPrep is a desktop AI planner that reads a DJ library, proposes a complete set order, maps an energy arc, and explains track choices. |
Plans
CortexDJ
- FreeFree
- FreeFree
- Pro$7.45 a month
- Pro monthly$7.45 a month
- Pro$59 a year
- Pro yearly$59 a year
- Lifetime$127, paid once
- Lifetime$127, paid once
In their own words
CortexDJ
CortexDJ analyzes local music files and builds beatmatched DJ sets from a chosen folder, vibe and length. It identifies Camelot key, energy, BPM and song structure, then adjusts beatgrids to real kick drums. Its automated mixing orders tracks harmonically, shapes an energy curve and applies transitions including filter sweeps, echo throws and bass swaps. Tracks whose beatgrids cannot be locked confidently are excluded from auto-mixes and flagged. Live decks provide EQ, effects, loops, hot cues and pads, and users can take control during an AI mix. All tiers export rekordbox XML with beatgrids, hot cues and crates, plus Serato-readable playlists and crate files; Serato hot cues are not included. The Free plan is for home use and includes analysis, auto-mixing, mashups, rendering and exports. Pro is $7.45 a month and adds controller support, recording, live-streaming and priority email support. Lifetime is $127, paid once. Desktop support is 64-bit Windows 10/11 and a macOS Apple Silicon beta; the browser mixer is a separate beta, not the full app.
SetPrep
SetPrep is a desktop app that plans DJ sets from an existing music library. Choose a mixing style and it returns an ordered set, giving each track an energy-arc role, a transition note, and an explanation of its selection. It reads libraries from Rekordbox, Serato, or Traktor, and can also work from a folder of audio files. Ten built-in mixing-style templates draw on analysis of real artist sets. SetPrep can write colour codes, transition notes, and star ratings back to supported DJ libraries. Other library tools include de-duplication, locating missing files, filename repair, and finding forgotten tracks. The beta is available on Mac with Apple Silicon or Intel and Windows with x64 or ARM64, but downloads are invite-gated. The free plan costs nothing and allows three generated mixes per calendar month. Pro Monthly costs £5.99 a month; Pro Annual costs £59.99 a year. Hot cues, loops, memory cues, and structural cues are described as coming soon.