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Picking 'x' number tracks ahead whilst mixing harmonically
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| bent |
I find it really hard to mix harmonically and still think 2/3 tracks ahead even though I can beatmatch really quickly ... however I haven't been mixing harmonically 'that' long, and I only remember the keys by memory for a couple of tracks .. but there are a few mixes that I remember were really good and were obviously in key so i don't need to look..
Is it still possible to mix harmonically and think a few tracks ahead? If any of you guys can, does it take aaages to get to that stage?
Also when flippin' thru ur records/cds/mp3s or whatever, do you guys
a) look for a tune that you think would go well (similiar style/sound etc), then check to see if it will go down harmonically; or
b) look through for a tune that is in key and about the same bpm first off (sometimes I do this if its taking me too long to find a song, after a lot of bad guesses) |
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| oDrori |
| Personally I prefer (A) since I ussually want a constant progression in my set rather than a monotonous, fabulous harmonic display... |
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| u4ea |
I have all of my vinyl keyed/bpm'd, as well as all of the mp3s (burned to CD) I purchased at beatport.com. I have my tunes arranged by genre & then by key. I use the camelot method (numeric system for keys). Check out their page. They assign a numeric number to a specific key. For example, Aminor = 8A (# = the numeric value of the key & the letter A designates a minor key, B designates a major key (rare)). For your next track you can play a song in the same key, 8A Aminor (root key), or a perfect 4th (Dminor, 7A on camelot), or a perfect 5th (9A on camelot). Do you see the pattern? If you are in 8A, look for a 7x, 8x, or 9x song for your next track.
While mixing harmonically (99% of the time), I try to plan somewhat. Usually, if I'm in one key, and I want to play a song that's a few keys away, I try to build up to that song. For instance, if I'm in the key of Aminor (8A using camelot) and I want to play a song in Gbminor (11A), I try to find a few tracks that are between those two...such as Am (8A) -> Em (9A) -> Bm (10A) -> and finally into Gbm (11A) (all are perfect 5ths).
I highly recommend checking out that camelot site. Its a great way to key/organize your tunes.
I also use final scratch (@ home mostly). That is great for organizing my tunes by genre & then harmonically. I can display the track title, artist & comments for the song. In my comments field, I put the Camelot #, the key (redundant, I know), the bpm. I usually sort my collection by commment, so that gives me an idea of what songs will fit next harmonically. |
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| Nemesis44 |
Most of the time I plan and build where I am going with the mixes but sometimes you just get a feel for what the crowd seems to be reacting to so you try and go with that.
I know my record box so well that I have to say that I don't really think about it too much. Just seem to feel what comes next, and in time you will know what the crowd needs.
I also make sure to mix in key though as that is still the best way to work the crowd providing you do it right.
Cheers
Nem |
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| ezbeats |
i have all my records arranged by the 'camelot sysytem' too i spose. so if i want to get to a certain track, then yes, ill plan out what needs to be played to get there, but if i dont have anthing in mind of what i want next, i look at my options, which is usually anywhere from 3-20 songs. but of course the number of tracks that you have as options are all dependent on your record size collection...
*edit* so basically what the above people said too :) |
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| bent |
Yeah the camelot site is great .. I don't use the 8A etc system I just made a table of the Key, then the 7 compatiable (to some extent) keys..
Ok so it looks like most guys who posted who mix harmonically don't 'guess' a song first, they go to the spot in their crate with the compatiable keys. I'm not trying to be critical here sinceyou guys know way more than me i just wanna know wats right and wrong, but doesn't that make you feel like its a bit too non-creative if instead of picking from your whole crate, you have the in-key tracks already grouped .. i know its time-saving, but dont you think this kinda takes the creativity away? Btw as i mentioned before i'm not trying to attack you guys in any way.. I am a newcomer to harmonic mixing so to speak. |
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| xmotleyx |
i'm new to it too but this is the way i look at it:
before i was baiscally harmonic mixing the hard way. i would do trial and error if i did not have a feeling for what i wanted to mix into the current track. But, if i did have a feeling for the next track, i would usually be correct. Unless the beats were too far apart or it happened to be a sour key.
Now it is still a creative process. I do not have to use trial and error when i cannot think of a track to play next. Moreover, the "feeling tracks" are the same as they would have been before keying them out; but now they end up being in the proper section of my bag or crate. Sometimes, I have noticed that i see records that i would not thought of if I did not know the key. Thus making me more creative...
Also now, if i feel for a track to spin and i notice that it will not work due to key/bpm i think twice. This saves me time and allows me to be more creative with my mixing. Not to metion it gives me more time to enjoy the music.
cheers... |
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| Mr.Mystery |
I don't really need to keep track of anything, I can usually hear in my head what track will fit with what. Of course it's a bit difficult if you're playing a bunch of new tracks you've just got but they all fit into place sooner or later.
All that categorisation and planning sounds weird to me. |
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| xmotleyx |
| Nowhere in my message did i say i plan a set. I never plan a set EVER!!! |
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| Mr.Mystery |
| quote: | Originally posted by xmotleyx
Nowhere in my message did i say i plan a set. I never plan a set EVER!!! |
Who said you did? |
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| DJ Dinz |
Hi...
What u call harmonic??
Sometimes ppl said that the key/bassline of the song must be the same... But from what i heard..
i guess there is no need to have the same bassline/key... as long as this two song sound like one... Try Rio Klien - Fearless with Agnelli Nelson - holding onto nothing.. i beatmacth them n play around with the vocal when there is chance... it heard so harmonic, it heard like one song...
Correct me if im wrong... Peace
:tongue2 |
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| Nemesis44 |
| quote: | Originally posted by Nou
Im going to assume that Nems harmonic list is in the Camelot system? |
It's in both Chromatic (Real music theory) and Camelot.
Cheers
Nem |
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