TrackRate

TrackRate user guide

Arrangers

Use TrackRate Arrangers, shapers, metrics, strategies, selection mode, and weighted sequencing.

5 questions Updated July 25, 2026
Arranger engine From a candidate pool to a finished sequence
TrackRate Arranger engine workflow Four equally aligned stages show a candidate pool, selection mode, a weighted shaper stack, and the finished track sequence. 1 · CANDIDATES 500 tracks Your filtered source pool 2 · MODE Reorder all 500 or Select 40 tracks 3 · WEIGHTED SHAPERS Shape · energy55% Interleave · genre25% Gap-spread · artist20% 4 · FINISHED ORDER 12345 Ready to preview or save
Selection and ordering are separate. When the source contains more tracks than the requested count, the shapers help choose the subset and then determine its order.

5 questions

What does a TrackRate Arranger do?

An Arranger is a Premium sequencing engine. It can reorder an existing set or select a requested number of tracks from a larger pool and then order them. Unlike Shuffle, it evaluates the sequence as a whole so it can build energy shapes, rotate categories, or spread repeated characteristics apart.

The source pool still matters. Apply only the filters that should define the candidate set, choose a strategy and preset, review the result, and adjust one setting at a time.

What are Shape, Interleave, and Gap-Spread shapers?

Shape moves a measurable value through a planned curve, such as rising BPM or repeating energy waves. Interleave rotates categories such as genres, tags, or folders. Gap-Spread increases the distance between repeats such as the same artist or album.

Example recipe

Use a gentle rising energy Shape, Interleave by genre, and Gap-Spread by artist. The result can begin calmly, alternate styles, and avoid placing the same artist too close together.

Match each shaper to a practical goal
ShaperUse it forExample
ShapeMovement over timeStart calm, rise to a peak, then cool down
InterleaveRotating categoriesAlternate rock, soul, and electronic tracks
Gap-SpreadAvoiding nearby repeatsKeep the same artist at least several tracks apart
Can an Arranger choose tracks as well as reorder them?

Yes. When the source pool is larger than the requested track count, selection mode chooses a subset and then orders it. When the requested count covers the source, the Arranger primarily reorders the existing set.

This distinction explains why the same strategy can produce different membership from a larger library pool but preserve membership in a fixed playlist. Confirm the source size and requested count before comparing two outputs.

Which information and audio measurements can Arrangers use?

Arrangers can use metadata, tags, ratings, play history, artist, genre, and TrackRate’s analyzed audio measurements. Metric-heavy strategies require Calculate Metrics to finish first. Unanalysed tracks cannot contribute reliable RMS, BPM, spectral, or derivative values and may fall back to less informed ordering.

Begin with a built-in strategy whose musical purpose is clear, then inspect its shapers. Custom strategies are easier to understand when you add one measurement or rule at a time.

Why did an Arranger produce an unexpected sequence?

Check four things: whether it was selecting or only reordering, whether the required metrics exist, which preset is active, and how several shaper weights interact. Small weight changes can have a large effect when multiple rules compete.

  1. Test on a smaller visible pool.
  2. Disable all but one shaper.
  3. Confirm the result follows that rule.
  4. Add the next shaper and adjust its weight gradually.
  5. Save the recipe only after the behavior is understandable.