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Posted by MOSEuphoric on Jul-21-2005 16:18:

This may have been asked before

Is it absolutely mandatory to mix in key? Or can you not mix in key and still have a great set? Also, are their any sets that were in key that absolutely sucked?

Posted by Ste on Jul-22-2005 08:36:

just mix it and if its sounds shit then dont mix it again, simple

small key changes can easily be gotten away with anyway, its usually only if there is a big contrast it sounds bit wrong like a detuned piano.

Posted by djxtension on Jul-22-2005 09:00:

quote:
Originally posted by Ste
just mix it and if its sounds shit then dont mix it again, simple

+1

Key mixing is useful, not essential. If you have never mixed in key before, and your mixes have always sounded good to you, then what's the problem?

Key mixing does improve the flow of a set though, if done right.

Posted by DFOP04 on Jul-22-2005 10:14:

hey ive just learnt how to mix harmonically (in key) and i gotta say its the best thing ive done, mixing sounds so much better and i would deff advise learning, its easier than it sounds just takes some time keying all your tunes, but deffo worth it. mixing has never been so good!!heh

dfop

Posted by Zild on Jul-22-2005 12:59:

I find it helps, especially where trance music is concerned. Most DJs mix in key, through process of trial and error. Trial and error is laughable at best, so I label my tracks.

Posted by Nemesis44 on Jul-22-2005 21:10:

Double edged sword me thinks...

No it's not essential, but if you look at what it is that makes music sound so good (especially trance) it's the harmonies and moods that are created by the producers and ultimately the DJ.

It's like one of those things where you don't fully appreciate it until you have done it and understood it.
Once you have entered the world of harmonics you will sometimes almost cringe when you hear others who don't mix this way.

Most clubbers will know if a DJ is good, but they may not know why. As a DJ you should see yourself as an artist and atleast try and understand something even if you choose not to go down that road.

On the other hand, things come and go and just because you mix harmonically it wont be the sole factor that makes you stand out from the rest. In this day and age it's about far more than that.

Put it this way, I have heard DJ's at different venues drop pretty much the same tracks. Some mix in harmonics and others don't. I know from experience that there is a difference in the general mood of the place.

Cheers
Nem

Posted by Spin Doctor on Jul-23-2005 19:14:

If you�d have asked me 6 months ago I�d have said emphatically no. But after having a wee dabble, I must admit to being won over some what!

Forget the mandatory business for now - if you just learn it because you feel that you absoutley have to then you'll probably only end up getting frustrated with it. Give it a crack. Even if you think it�s a load of rubbish after, you've learnt something new and you don't have to mix that way. Then again, you could decide that it takes mixing to whole new levels. Looks like a win win situation to me!

p.s. It seems a lot more daunting that it really it.

Posted by DJFrostie on Jul-24-2005 00:21:

Nems right it's not essential, but trance lovers have to agree that they get more successful mixes using the keys of their records. Sure you can get by not mixing harmonically but make sure your ears are focused on the music because it might sound great at the beginning but when the music rises then you might clash. i tell others just to try mixing harmonically because Djing is an artform.

Posted by Basstard on Jul-24-2005 01:53:

and if you couldnt be arsed doin what every1 else above has suggested, then switch to house music

Posted by Zild on Jul-24-2005 08:20:

Hell! You better be spinning house music harmonically as well.

Posted by djkoolaide on Jul-24-2005 08:26:

quote:
Originally posted by Zild
Hell! You better be spinning house music harmonically as well.

+1! IMO clashing harmonics sound worse with house than they do with trance (as long as the basslines aren't clashing too )

Posted by Basstard on Jul-24-2005 11:27:

really??

i never thought harmonics were as significant with house music?
i spin both trance and house (trance in the bedroom, house when playin out) and i always found i didnt have to be very picky with what tracks i decided to mix when playin house. trance on the other hand, i found myself tryin a few tracks that just did not sound right together - clashin keys perhaps.

Posted by djxtension on Jul-24-2005 13:14:

I play both house and trance, and I mix both harmonically. So should you.

No, seriously, mixing house is pretty much the same as trance when it comes to harmonic mixing: if you do it, it sounds better. You can do without, but it just doesn't sound as good.