im starting to learn about the concept, and im curious on some of your opinions. i can definitely see a lot of DJ's putting together a compilation cd with harmonic mixing as a key element of what they are doing due to having all the time to pre-plan what tracks to include. but what about live sets? do they do it as much or does that limit the spontaneity of spinning live? what about yourself, do you find yourself strictly mixing harmonically live or winging it or even a bit of both? lots of questions I know, but this makes up for me hardly ever making threads
May-29-2008 02:55
echosystm
super wow maker
Registered: Jul 2004
Location:
i just mix whatever sounds good
May-29-2008 02:59
pkcRAISTLIN
arbiter's chief minion
Registered: Jul 2002
Location:
harmonic mixes just sound so much better. the thing about having a bunch of keyed tunes is that you can break the "rules" whenever you want, but you know how and when youre breaking those rules.
i pretty much always mix in key and i enjoy the act of keying records. i felt it gave me a much better understanding on how this whole "mixing" stuff worked too.
if youre talented though and can just mix in key on the fly, all the better. but i gotta work them out and write it down
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May-29-2008 07:47
Acton
Like a FCKNG BIRD
Registered: Mar 2002
Location: London
quote:
Originally posted by echosystm
i just mix whatever sounds good
+1
its nice mixing in key and all, but if i want to play a tune and i hear that it is out of key, it doesn't stop me from playing it
Originally posted by echosystm
i just mix whatever sounds good
+1, if I had a circle of fifths chart in my DJ bag, I'd never want to DJ. To many years of piano training have killed any desire to go through that again, haha.
That said, I oftentimes will take out a track if the key doesn't match up by ear.
I've never bothered to even learn how to key my tracks, let alone mix harmonically. I just go by ear when I'm queuing and if the two tracks obviously don't work I'll switch to something else.
i just mix tunes i like. doesn't bother me if they're in key or not
May-29-2008 18:06
jpgrdnr
Supreme tranceaddict
Registered: Aug 2003
Location: Halifax, Canada
I've never tried it but I understand the principle. And it may be something I'd try for a promo mix or putting out a mix cd. A lot of people swear by it, and it makes sense. Knowing your tracks that well (or having notes in itunes/traktor etc. as a guide) seems nothing but beneficial. Bassline in G for track 1 maps to synth for Track 2 in key of D, makes for some interesting layering possibilities. Or simply knowing that the tracks you're mixing sound musically "good" together as opposed to keys that clash, can be quite the confident boost in a club.
Like people have said as well, experienced DJs probably do this naturally. It seems like something to just step up your game, being a better DJ.
May-29-2008 21:53
PezCore
Supreme tranceaddict
Registered: Dec 2005
Location: Montreal
90% of the time I mix in key. I can't stand anymore those clashing melodies. each and every record in my bag has key/bpm written on it.
but of course you can find tracks that goes well with each other even if they are off key.
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May-29-2008 22:57
woscar
Starstuff
Registered: Nov 2004
Location: Guatemala, Guatemala
Registered: Jun 2004
Location: San Antonio, US : TXTA #156
It really helps your mixes sound cleaner, it lets you save time practicing, and it lets you choose music for a live crowd with a lot more confidence and speed. For example you aren't going to be standing there trying to mix two songs in that don't sound right before you do find one that sounds great because you'll know that just by glancing at your music etc...
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