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-- Mixed In Key 4.0 Out Now - Created for Top 20 DJs
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Mixed In Key 4.0 Out Now - Created for Top 20 DJs

Hi all,

This is Yakov from Mixed In Key. I've been a TranceAddict for 7+ years, and I am proud to announce the release here:

Mixed In Key Version 4.0 is now available from www.MixedInKey.com and www.Xone.co.uk


Here is the screenshot of the Allen & Heath "XONE" version:



New features:

• Improved algorithm to find the key of every track
  
• Improved graphic design
  
• A fast way to create playlists in �Browse Collection� to organize music files
  
• New quality-control feature: While scanning music files, Mixed In Key detects if the volume is too loud, the song is off-key or there are too many clipped peaks. Version 4.0 suggests how to improve those audio files to make them sound better for a live DJ performance
  
• Ability to add custom keywords to each track for quick searching
  

What's the difference between a 5A track and a 5B track?

How can tracks with different BPMs (+/- 10 range) both be 5s or 4s?

quote:

Originally posted by TranceOwnsLol What's the difference between a 5A track and a 5B track?

Here is the simple answer: There are 24 keys in Western music. 12 are Minor, 12 are Major. When you see the letter "A", it means that the song is in a minor key (sounds sad, melodic, nostalgic). When you see the letter "B", it means that the song is in major key (sounds uplifting, bold, energetic).

To mix harmonically, visit this link:

http://www.harmonic-mixing.com/HowTo.aspx

quote:

How can tracks with different BPMs (+/- 10 range) both be 5s or 4s?

Keys are completely separate from tempos. You can have a Timbaland song in 5A and a Jazz composition in 5A. There are lots of Trance songs in 5A as well. The key tells you which musical notes are used in the song so you can avoid key clashes when you're mixing.

Does that make sense?

Ok I get it, so the software just helps me pick out tracks that will sound nice when mixed with each other. I thought it gave keys for tracks so that you know how you will program your set -- 1A track mixed to a 2A track, 3A...12A.

Thanks for the link.

quote:

Originally posted by TranceOwnsLol Ok I get it, so the software just helps me pick out tracks that will sound nice when mixed with each other. I thought it gave keys for tracks so that you know how you will program your set -- 1A track mixed to a 2A track, 3A...12A. Thanks for the link.

Well, they don't necessarily sound nice together, but they do sound nice together harmonically. There is of course a lot more things going on in a track except for the harmony of them.

If you know what tracks sounds good rhytmically, genre-wise, mood-wise and all that already, the program just tells you if they sound good harmonically as well. So it's just another layer in your decision-making process. And it will also enable you to mix two melodies with
each-other, allowing for more intresting transitions and mash-ups, something you can't really do without harmonic mixing.


And. Thanks for the great program Yakov

Interesting program.

I'd be curious to see how many DJs actually consider harmonic mixing when doing their sets.

quote:

Originally posted by Yohan Interesting program. I'd be curious to see how many DJs actually consider harmonic mixing when doing their sets.

Are u kidding? Harmonic mixing is extremely important to most DJ's who are anyone. I key every track I have when I get it so I know ahead of time I can use it with another track or not. Makes a huge difference to the sound of a mix and flow for that matter.

with trance yes, with mostly percussive genres no.

i do not mix harmonically and oddly enough most praise comments i get are about the flow ...even by those who did not really like the tracks.

there are many other ways to make a set flow than with harmonics...it is why 3 decks works nice

quote:

Originally posted by KiNeTiC ENeRgY Are u kidding? Harmonic mixing is extremely important to most DJ's who are anyone. I key every track I have when I get it so I know ahead of time I can use it with another track or not. Makes a huge difference to the sound of a mix and flow for that matter.

I know what track I want to use not by the key, but intuitive feeling of knowing that next track and whether it works or not.

harmonic mixing sounds like nice idea, but seems very mechanical way of DJing

quote:

Originally posted by Yohan I know what track I want to use not by the key, but intuitive feeling of knowing that next track and whether it works or not.

That is for me too.

personally i think its a great tool for promos, you have all the time to pick the perfect track, but mixing live i find i rather just play what i feel.. its a great program though especially since i don't have a piano or anything to key the tracks myself. thanks for the really great product

quote:

Originally posted by Yohan Interesting program. I'd be curious to see how many DJs actually consider harmonic mixing when doing their sets.

Most of Top 20 DJs use harmonic mixing. From the DJ Mag top 100 list, the names in bold are harmonic DJs:



01. Armin van Buuren (harmonic)
02. Ti�sto
03. Paul van Dyk (harmonic)
04. Above & Beyond (harmonic)
05. David Guetta (harmonic)
06. Ferry Corsten
07. Sasha (harmonic)
08. Markus Schulz (harmonic)
09. John Digweed (harmonic)
10. Infected Mushroom

11. Deadmau5
12. Carl Cox (harmonic)
13. Sander van Doorn (harmonic)
14. Paul Oakenfold (harmonic)
15. Richie Hawtin
16. Hernan Cattaneo (harmonic)
17. James Zabiela (harmonic)
? 18. Andy Moor
? 19. Eddie Halliwell
20. Axwell

I'm not sure about Andy Moor or Eddie Halliwell -- I haven't heard anything about them.

quote:

Originally posted by nchs09 That is for me too.

The best thing about harmonic mixing is, if no song just jumps out at you... with some basic knowledge about the song, and you know its (one of) the correct key(s) then its a lot less likely to sound terrible.

quote:

Originally posted by nennon Most of Top 20 DJs use harmonic mixing. From the DJ Mag top 100 list, the names in bold are harmonic DJs: 01. Armin van Buuren (harmonic) 02. Ti�sto 03. Paul van Dyk (harmonic) 04. Above & Beyond (harmonic) 05. David Guetta (harmonic) 06. Ferry Corsten 07. Sasha (harmonic) 08. Markus Schulz (harmonic) 09. John Digweed (harmonic) 10. Infected Mushroom 11. Deadmau5 12. Carl Cox (harmonic) 13. Sander van Doorn (harmonic) 14. Paul Oakenfold (harmonic) 15. Richie Hawtin 16. Hernan Cattaneo (harmonic) 17. James Zabiela (harmonic) ? 18. Andy Moor ? 19. Eddie Halliwell 20. Axwell I'm not sure about Andy Moor or Eddie Halliwell -- I haven't heard anything about them.

where did you get this information?

A number of these DJs use Mixed In Key software both publicly and privately (check http://www.MixedInKey.com/Reviews.aspx).

Armin gave an unusual quote once:

"Some (DJs) focus on the bullshit in the dance music industry and should really just focus on the music and focus on mixing in key," he grumbled to One Week To Live, "You know, some of my colleagues do not give a damn about mixing in keys and bpms and I think that's absolutely repulsive," he added.

I don't think it's in his character to be negative (the journalist probably caught him on a bad day), but Armin has always been a big supporter of harmonic mixing. All his ASOT shows are harmonic.

As far as the other DJs go, it's pretty easy to tell who mixes harmonically -- there are no key clashes in their DJ sets.

these guys also play the same tracks for 6 months before changing often in the same order.

I am thinking of getting this software but not quite sure yet...?

If you are interested in Harmonic Mixing, I would suggest checking it out. It isn't too expensive, and will save you a lot of time.

I bought version 3 back in August. I have been very happy with it. I'm not sure if I'll upgrade to version 4 though.

There are other programs out there that will key your tunes for free if u know where to look, and no I don't mean piracy. Those of u not keying must play minimal so yea no wonder why u don't key. Key clashing on a big system with tunes that have elements is horrid and embarrassing.

I remember some guy posted here on ta that he made a program taht was free.... maybe using the search button, sorry i cant be of more help.

There is Rapid Evolution, which is free.

Not to discredit it, but i found it to be a lot less intuitive when compared to MiK.

did the algorithm change at all? ie: does it pick up keys of psytrance any better?

Jay

quote:

Originally posted by Polt There is Rapid Evolution, which is free. Not to discredit it, but i found it to be a lot less intuitive when compared to MiK.

Yeah. And it's pretty unstable.

do it by ear and dont waste your money on average programs.

That's bullshit that you need to mix harmonically unless you're playing minimal.

The reason some of the DJ's listed (apart from the fact they are paid to endorse products in one way or another), is that they have to play a lot of tracks and can't be bothered/have time to properly learn them so they (or should I say they get their assistants to) use programs like mixed in key so they don't have to worry about a melodic clang.

Perfect example is armin - he plays just about every trance track released in a given week on ASOT, so no wonder he wants to avoid clashing melodies. It takes the guesswork out of it but does the average DJ really have a radio show where they have to play probably 80+ new tracks a week? No. Most Dj's have a crate of tunes, they learn and experiment and as time goes on, things go in and out of that current crate.

I've never used mixed in key (or similar) in the 10 years+ I've been Djing - I just find learning your tracks, using your instincts, trusting you natural musical intuition and experimenting is the best way to go. I would probably use MiK if I had to (see reasons above) and I think this is a very useful tool for those who want to play it safe (mobile DJ's etc) but personally I find it sucks the life and fun out of Dj'ing.

I'm not sure that's a valid quote (or at least it's context) from Armin anyway - I seriously doubt it repulses him that other DJ's do not mix in key but I think he way very well have distain for other DJ's who don't give a fuck about the music, and concentrate on money, women(or boys), drugs, press, connections or all of the above.

But then again that goes for the whole entertainment industry anyway.

Sorry went off topic, but to sum: would be useful if I didn't have time to practise mixing and especially if I had money to to pay for someone else to find the key for me.

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