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Creating a music programming template (format) for AutoDJ defines the criteria by which the system will automatically select and play music. A format establishes rules like styles, artists, composers, genres, tempos/modes, and includes options for promos and voice tracks.

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Steps to create a format

1

Select target terminal

In networks with multiple On-Air terminals, choose the terminal where the format will be used from the terminals menu.
If there is only one terminal, the format will automatically be created in the correct location.
2

Create a new format

Press NEW to start with a blank configuration.
Enter the format name in the Format field.
3

Define musical styles

In Styles, expand the list of styles from the Database and press Add to include them.
  • To include all styles, check All.
  • To remove a style, select it and press Delete.
Induced Mode: defines how many titles per style will be scheduled.
Each time you press Add, the style is added to the end of the sequence.
Example: Pop, Pop, Pop, Classic80s, Latin → AutoDJ will schedule 3 Pop, 1 Classic80s and 1 Latin, then restart the cycle.
You can reorder using drag & drop.
4

Choose artists (optional)

Add allowed artists for this format.
The Repeat every box defines the minimum number of songs between two by the same artist (indicative value, not strict).
5

Choose composers (optional)

Add allowed composers.
The logic is the same as for artists.
6

Include Top Hits (optional)

Enable Top Hits to periodically schedule titles marked as Top in InfoMusic-Production.
Select the category (e.g., Top-10, Top-40) and frequency.
Example: Top-10 every 0.5 h → a Top-10 song approximately every 30 minutes.
7

Define genres and their repetitions

For each genre, assign a value in Repeat indicating how many titles of different genres must be played at minimum between two of the same genre.
Example: if Male Solo = 3, between two songs of that genre there will be at least 3 of different genres. (Not a strict rule.)
8

Configure Tempo and Mode matrices

Mark the combinations to restrict in the Tempo (speed) and Mode (sound character) matrices.
  • Marked boxes → reduce the probability of that combination occurring.
  • No restrictions → leave all cells blank.
Example: if in the “Soft” row you mark the “Very Strong” column, AutoDJ will avoid playing a very strong song after a soft one.Prediction rule (first song of block): if a complete row is marked (e.g., Allegro), that value loses priority as first song of the block, to avoid leaving no compatible successors.
9

Insert promotional spots (Promos)

In Promos, the Every Titles field defines after how many musical tracks a promo will be inserted.
The Promo field allows filtering by prefix of the promo title (e.g.: “Summer” → only PromoPGM whose title begins with “Summer”).Recommended categories in InfoMusic:
  • PromoPGM: program-specific promos; inserted every n songs by AutoDJ.
  • Promo: general 24/7 promos; useful for time adjustments (exact pre-break).
  • Separators: pieces that should not be handled automatically.
In Autodj.ini you can redefine which category AutoDJ uses when inserting every n songs: promoPgmClass=PromoPgm (default) or Promo.
10

Enable voice tracks (Partners)

Enable Use Partner Files to play voice tracks associated with each song (Partner files).
If disabled, voice tracks won’t play even if they exist.
11

Verify the format (CHECK)

Press CHECK to validate the format and detect errors (e.g., styles not in the Database). If a style was deleted, AutoDJ might replace it with promos to meet timing; it’s better to correct the format.
12

Save the format

Press Save (disk icon).
The format will be available in the formats menu.
To modify it later: select it, edit and save again.

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Important considerations

  • A template primarily determines which styles AutoDJ can use.
  • Styles come from the Database (not dependent on folder structure).
  • If no format is assigned, Default will be used, which includes all available styles.
  • In multi-terminal installations, create/edit formats by selecting the Current Terminal (see AUDICOM networking).
The Default format acts as a fallback when no specific format is assigned.