This article and video were sponsored by Mixed In Key, but the thoughts and opinions expressed are our own.
As DJs, we all know that mixing in key can make or break a transition. Having two tracks blend harmoniously can be the difference between a smooth blend and a janky mess.
Many of us just rely on our DJ software to analyse a track’s key, but that might not always be accurate enough. Mixed In Key promises a more accurate analysis as well as a range of extra features that promise far more library management functionality. They’ve even got a tool that allows you to analyse tracks from streaming sites.
We’ll break down just how much of a difference this key analysis makes compared to popular DJ software and consider whether or not Mixed In Key is worth the purchase.
The Problem with Key Analysis in DJ Software
Of course, DJ software like Rekordbox and Serato come with built-in key detection. When you analyse a track in this software, it will show you the key signature along with the BPM and beat grid information. So, what’s the problem with just using this?
We decided to put the reliability of different DJ software to the test. We analysed a collection of over 200 diverse tracks using Mixed In Key 11, Rekordbox, and Serato, and compared the results. The findings were surprising:
- Only 39% of the keys matched across all three platforms.
- 45% of Serato’s key analyses differed from Mixed In Key.
- 38% of Rekordbox’s results also differed from Mixed In Key.
After cross-referencing several tracks with their sheet music, Mixed In Key consistently delivered the correct key, even when Rekordbox and Serato provided conflicting results. For example, some songs were wildly misanalysed by the DJ software, while others were much closer – but Mixed In Key was the most accurate overall.
Mixed In Key shows the key signature in colour-coded Camelot form and adds this meta-data to the files.
What does Mixed In Key do?
Despite its name, Mixed In Key is actually about much more than just key signature analysis. It also offers a selection of other track analysis features that streamline your library management and speed up the process of getting tracks ready for gigs.
The latest version 11 of Mixed In Key brings with it a range of new features that go far beyond the library management tools you get in any DJ software.
Key Features of Mixed In Key 11:
- Advanced Filtering: Sort tracks by key, tempo, energy, or genre to quickly find the perfect song for any set.
- Nested Playlists: Organise tracks with playlists within playlists, ideal for managing different genres or events.
- Snap Cue Button: Automatically adjust cue points to the nearest beat marker, saving time and effort.
- Manual Reordering: Customise your playlists by dragging and dropping tracks into the desired order.
- Modern UI with Expandable Camelot Wheel: A sleek interface with flexible tools for playlist and folder management.
- Emoji Support: Add emojis to labels for quick visual references.
- Standard Key Notation: View keys in Camelot, Flats, Sharps, or standard notation based on your preference.
- Extra Tagging Options: Edit multiple metadata fields, including key, energy, and BPM, for seamless integration with your DJ software.
How to use Mixed In Key
Analysing your tracks with Mixed In Key could hardly be easier. To use it, simply drag and drop your music into the software. Mixed In Key analyses the key, energy, and cue points, then adds the data directly to your tracks’ metadata.
To update this information in your DJ software, you’ve got to reload the tags. You can do this with either a right-click in Rekordbox or through the “Rescan ID3 Tags” feature in Serato. It’s generally also a good idea to disable key analysis in your DJ software to avoid potential conflicts.
You’ve then got to go into the settings in Mixed In Key to sync up the automatic cue points. For Rekordbox users, syncing cue points requires a few extra steps, but Mixed In Key provides a detailed tutorial on their YouTube channel.
Want to learn more harmonic mixing and how you can use it to level up your transitions? Check out our guide to mixing in key for more info.
Mixed In Key Live: Real-Time Key Analysis
Mixed In Key’s regular analysis is great but one of its big drawbacks is that it can take a bit of time to work its magic. This isn’t an issue if you’re preparing your tracks for a USB before a gig, but what about when it comes to streaming or other times when you need on-the-fly analysis. This is where the new Mixed In Key Live comes in.
This listens to any audio playing through your computer and provides real-time key analysis. Whether you’re using a streaming service like Beatport, your DJ software or another site like YouTube, you can check the detected key in moments.
Instead of just showing you one key signature for the audio you’re analysing, Mixed In Key Live shows all the possible harmonic content which is useful for figuring out what tracks could work together.
You could use this to check when a mix doesn’t sound quite right and double-check if it’s showing the same key as what’s coming up in your DJ software. It’s a handy add-on that integrates seamlessly into your workflow without disrupting your music management process.
Is Mixed In Key Worth It?
Mixed In Key 11 retails for $58/£58 (although it’s currently on sale during the holiday period for $34/£35). Unlike an unfortunately large amount of software at the moment, this is a one-off fee. Mixed In Key Live retails for a one-off price of $58/£48.
For a one-time fee, both of these are very reasonable prices in our opinion. If you’re a DJ that uses a lot of harmonic mixing, it’s a super-useful tool that you’ll no doubt end up using all the time.
The extra peace of mind you get from being that much more certain you’re tracks are in the right key is probably worth the money alone for many DJs. That’s before you get into all the extra features that make this a much more comprehensive library management tool and really up the value proposition.
Of course, no software is ever 100% accurate. So, you’ll still need to use your ears as your main reference when mixing. If you want to learn how to use harmonic mixing to unlock some next-level transitions, check out our collection of courses where you’ll learn how to apply these skills to your mixes as well as all the other skills you need to supercharge your DJ career.
8.5 hours 35 lessons Creative 2 hours 24 lessons Creative 5.8 hours 63 lessons Creative 835 hours 1300+ lessons Creative 3.25 hours 64 lessons Creative
DJ Transitions Course
Tone Play DJ Course
The Ultimate Scratching Course
Complete DJ Package
Open Format DJ Course
0 Comments