Derrick MayDerrick May @ DGTL São Paulo 06.05.2017

    Classics · 1h 58m · Dgtl · analysed 18 Aug 2026

    Overall score
    86/100
    Level
    festival ready
    Duration
    1h 58m
    Genre
    Classics

    About this classics set

    Derrick May @ DGTL São Paulo 06.05.2017 is a classics DJ set by Derrick May, running 1h 58m. It was measured by the SOONOS multi-agent engine and scores 86/100 overall — festival ready.

    The engine files this performance as “Promising”.

    Derrick May proves that soul and machine are not mutually exclusive, creating a groove that is both industrial and deeply human.

    How the score breaks down

    SOONOS scores this set across 5 weighted categories. The strongest is IDENTITY at 95/100; the weakest is TECHNIQUE at 80/100.

    The final score is capped by measured -: the DSP layer overrides the listening layer whenever it measures an execution issue directly in the audio.

    Analysis coverage for this file is 100% — the share of the set the engine could measure with full confidence.

    Energy and structure

    The energy curve was sampled at 59 points, moving between 75 and 95 on the SOONOS energy scale — a moderate dynamic range across the set.

    6 transitions were detected and scored individually.

    Beat-grid measurement (DSP) reports 777.6 grid breaks per hour, with a median beat offset of 21 ms.

    Listen to the original set

    Full SOONOS analysis

    TECSELNRGCRWHRMGRVCRESIG
    0

    Derrick May proves that soul and machine are not mutually exclusive, creating a groove that is both industrial and deeply human.

    The 8 dimensions

    Technical precision0
    Track selection0
    Energy arc0
    Crowd control0
    Harmonic depth0
    Groove patience0
    Creativity0
    Signature0

    Score breakdown

    TECHNIQUE

    How well did you execute?

    25%80
    Beat Alignmentmeasured80
    Transition Qualitymeasured60
    Phrase Accuracymeasured91
    EQ & Frequency Control (estimated)measured86
    Tempo Stability (estimated)measured88
    Technical Cleanlinessmeasured80

    STORYTELLING

    Did the mix go somewhere?

    25%91
    Narrative ArcAI93
    ProgressionAI91
    Tension & ReleaseAI87
    Section AwarenessAI91
    Flow ContinuityAI96
    PayoffAI92

    ENERGY

    Did you control the room?

    20%88
    Energy Curvemeasured84
    PacingAI93
    MomentumAI95
    Peak ManagementAI89
    Energy HandoffAI93
    Fatigue ControlAI71

    SURPRISE

    Did you remain unpredictable?

    15%86
    Unexpected MomentsAI84
    ContrastAI83
    Transition Varietymeasured95
    Selection RiskAI91
    FreshnessAI70
    Surprise ControlAI84

    IDENTITY

    Did the mix sound like you?

    15%95
    Selection QualityAI95
    Identity ConsistencyAI98
    IntentionalityAI97
    ConfidenceAI97
    RestraintAI87
    SignatureAI97

    Final score capped by measured execution (-) — weighted average was 88.

    Energy arc

    12:00117:55

    Transitions analysed (6)

    5:22

    Minor EQ overlap

    82
    9:10

    Perfect rhythmic blend

    intentional_artistic

    100
    12:34

    Long percussive blend with EQ sculpting

    Smooth integration of the incoming hi-hats, creating a unified groove.

    88
    16:22

    Fast layering with manual correction

    Audible manual adjustment on vinyl, adds to the raw energy of the set.

    75
    25:00

    Percussive blend

    Smooth integration of new rhythmic elements, maintaining the driving momentum.

    85
    30:15

    Quick EQ swap

    A slightly abrupt transition that causes a minor wobble in the groove before locking back in.

    72

    Technical subscores

    86

    EQ balance

    87

    Beat alignment

    91

    Energy control

    88

    Tempo stability

    88

    Loudness control

    93

    Musical coherence

    79

    Harmonic compatibility

    83

    Transition cleanliness

    Measured (DSP)

    21.2 ms

    Beat-grid drift (median)

    219.9 ms

    Drift p95

    7,057

    Boundaries detected

    130

    Hard cuts / h

    22

    Clipping events

    502

    Level jumps

    Measurement confidence 100% · analysed on the full audio.

    Recurring patterns

    • Recurring phase misalignment

      Beats drifting out of phase produce flammed kicks that read as sloppy. Detected 2× (16:22, 30:15).

    • Long static loops (6×)

      Sections sitting on the same loop without layering, EQ moves or tension shifts (17:00, 26:00, 32:00, 35:00, 42:30, 47:00). Long loops kill dancefloor momentum.

    What SOONOS heard

    • Unmistakable artistic identity
    • Relentless groove continuity
    • Soulful track selection
    • Exceptional rhythmic layering.
    • Unwavering energy and drive.
    • Clear artistic identity.

    Timeline

    • 19:45Percussive Peak
    • 23:10Energy Plateau
    • 16:22Risky pressure or vibe dip
    • 28:30Groove Lock
    • 30:15Minor Phase Drift

    Coaching notes

    • Practice manual beatmatching with complex percussive tracks to minimize phase drift.
    • Experiment with more dramatic EQ sweeps to add another layer of dynamism.
    • Incorporate a brief atmospheric breakdown to reset the crowd's ears before the final peak.
    • Continue to master the art of percussive layering to maintain high energy.
    • Experiment with brief atmospheric breakdowns to create more dynamic contrast.
    • Explore subtle melodic elements to add a layer of 'soul' to the industrial sound.
    • Continue to explore the balance between relentless drive and subtle melodic evolution.
    • Maintain the high level of technical precision during complex layering.
    • Experiment with even longer, more gradual transitions to further enhance the hypnotic state.
    Listen on SoundCloud

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    Questions about this analysis

    What score does Derrick May's Derrick May @ DGTL São Paulo 06.05.2017 get?
    Derrick May @ DGTL São Paulo 06.05.2017 scores 86/100 in the SOONOS Mix Database (festival ready), based on audio measurement plus multi-agent listening.
    How long is Derrick May @ DGTL São Paulo 06.05.2017?
    The analysed recording runs 1h 58m.
    Which part of the mix scores best?
    IDENTITY is the strongest category at 95/100, while TECHNIQUE is the lowest at 80/100.
    How is this score calculated?
    SOONOS measures the audio with a DSP pass (beat grid, loudness, tempo, energy) and runs a multi-agent listening pass on top. Measured axes always override the listening layer, so an execution issue heard in the file caps the final score.

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