List your setlist and a changeover buffer per song to see the total time your set will actually take.
Between songs there’s almost always a short gap for retuning, banter, or catching your breath, and those seconds add up across a full set. This tool adds a buffer between each song (not after the last one) to your total song length, so your planned set time matches reality.
Songs, one per line (Title: mm:ss):
Buffer between songs (seconds):
Why Buffer Time Matters
Between songs there’s almost always a short gap for retuning, banter, or catching your breath, and those seconds add up across a full set. This tool adds a buffer between each song (not after the last one) to your total song length, so your planned set time matches reality.
How to Use This Calculator
- List each song and its length as “Title: mm:ss”, one per line.
- Enter the buffer time you expect between songs, in seconds.
- Click Calculate to see the total song time, total buffer time, and grand total.
A good starting buffer is often 5 to 15 seconds for a tight set, or 30 seconds or more if there’s banter, retuning, or a instrument change between songs.
Did You Know?
- Venues and sound engineers often build in a changeover buffer when scheduling multiple acts, for exactly this reason.
- A few seconds of buffer per song can add several minutes to a long setlist, which matters when working within a strict time slot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the buffer apply after the last song too?
No, this tool only adds buffer time between songs (n minus 1 gaps for n songs), since there’s typically no changeover needed after the final song.
Can I use this for a DJ set instead of a live band?
Yes, though DJ transitions are often much shorter or even overlapping; adjust the buffer value to match your actual transition style.