Mixed in Key
by David Sabat | Published January 2007 | In the Mix Archives

While DJs tend to have an ear for music, they don't all have the ear of a musician. There are many DJs who are very creative and are great at finding ways to make two songs that are not compatible work well together - and then there are the rest of us.

Mixed in Key is software that can help DJs stay in key while blending songs together to create the "perfect mix". This is referred to as "harmonic mixing" which eliminates key clashes and keeps vocals, melodies and bass lines always in-tune.

Mixed in Key claims to eliminate all key clashes, out-of-key vocals and muddy mixes from your DJ sets by analyzing your music files, determining the key, saving identified keys into MP3 ID3 tags automatically, and giving you the option to rename your files to include the key and BPM (beats per minute). Mixed in Key uses a numbering system to help DJs match songs based on key. The system is called the Camelot Sound EasymixTM System and it's very easy to follow. By renaming your files, the software makes it quick and easy to find songs that go well together.

The Camelot Sound EasymixTM System uses a diagram that looks like a clock and each key is assigned a keycode number from one to twelve. The keycode numbers correspond to a key in music theory. The outside edge has "B" letters representing Major keys and inside edge has "A" letters representing Minor keys (see the diagram on the right). Here's how it works: You are mixing harmonically when you subtract one hour (-1), add one hour (+1), or stay in the same hour. If you're in key of 12A, you can mix into 11A, stay in 12A or mix into 1A. It's like subtracting and adding one hour. You can shift from a Major Key to a Minor Key by staying in the same keycode, such as 10B to 10A.

I'm sure you're thinking "does this really work?" Well I put it to the test. I had the software scan my music library and rename files to include the Mixed in Key keycode. I burned about 5 CDs. The CDs contained files with only one keycode on each CD. For example, CD1 had files coded 10B, CD2 had files coded 11B, and CD3 had files coded 12B. I proceeded mix using only these CDs and following the method of harmonic mixing described earlier. Surprisingly, everything was in key and each mix was very smooth. The only drawback was that I felt limited in my choices of music to play. However, that's the idea isn't it?

Is this "cheating?" If you are one of the few DJs who always mixes in the right key then you might think so because it does level the playing field. However, Mixed in Key may give you choices of songs that will keep you in key, but it does not know which songs will keep your crowd happy. Only the DJ can make that call. It also does not mix for you. So again, it's up to the DJ to master the art of blending music.

Mixed in Key is perfect for users of Serato Scratch Live, Final Scratch, or another digital mixing system since all files are digital and can be renamed to include the Mixed in Key keycode for quick access. However for those who are mixing with CDs, you will have to re-burn your entire music library and organize them by the Mixed in Key keycode in order to be most efficient in selecting music on the fly.

+ System Requirements: Windows Version: Windows 2000, 2003 or XP. Mixed In Key uses Microsoft .NET 2.0 Framework. Mac Version: Mac OS X 10.3.9 or higher is required. Suggested retail price: $58.00.

+ Manufacturer's Website: www.mixedinkey.com

David Sabat is the Founder and CEO of ChicagoSoundSource.com - Artist Management, Promotions and Label.

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