fully agree on the running in circle impression if you keep on the green lights path . For my part, I force myself while mixing not to jump on a green light track from time to time to change direction several times in a set.
Yep, totally agree. I've begun sorting playlists while I'm mixing by BPM. If a track is out of key, I stick to the 8 to 16 bars at the beginnings and ends where there is usually just percussion. If it is in key, then I might get cute and go for a 1 to 2 minute long blend. Helps to avoid missing a tune when I finally work my way over to that new release banger at 12A just to realize it's way slower than what I'm currently playing.
I definitely find myself in a traffic light jail sometimes, especially when I'm playing long (+3hr) sets.
It's not great for the punters musically, or when they see a grown man scolding himself and sending himself to sit on the dj booth naughty step while playing the full 14 min version of The Sugarhill Gang while he reflects on the err of his ways
I agree, although by mixing in key you're keeping your set cohesive with itself. It's good to experiment and jump between keys from time to time, but for a set to have a meaningful progression, I'd say it's best to stay in key for as long as you feel you're telling something, even more so if it's a short set.
This was really really good to find out the pros and cons of mixing in key. I only do this if the next tune is in key otherwise it's getting mixed. Thanks for this....
I agree.. i am no expert at keys but I feel like no matter what software is used it not accurate enough. I am surprises there has not been any major improvements on this over the years. I also over use traffic light.. and lean on it way too much. Thanks for the reminder about this.
Hi Chris, definitely agree. I've only had my controller and Rekordbox for a month and jumped right into blending, looping, and eq mixing. I found myself always relying on what would be in key and would get limited. (Also would get limited due to navigation mistakes 😅)
Last night, I was messing around and decided to jump like 5 keys over and it worked out really well. Broke the dependence on key mixing and is something I am going to keep in mind in the future as I build my library. Thanks for the newsletter, it was very helpful!
intelligent playlists are the way to go. I've recently started managing and categorizing my library with many different "intelligent" scenarios. Where this helps me the most is playing on any equipment that isn't CDJ3Ks. The 3Ks have a majority of the track information shown, but the XZ does not. Makes it a lot harder to wade through 1000s of tracks.
A common pitfall of key mixing is relying on the limited key match options of the traffic light system. There are several other compatible key paths that Rekordbox doesn't show. One I use all the time is +5 and same letter, i.e. 4A to 9A.
Some key changes that can provide some contrast to the smoothness of typical key mixing are -3 and same letter for a "pay attention" mix , -5 and same letter for a "Jaws mix", +3 and change from A to B to go from minor to major of the same key. +6 and same letter can also work sometimes. Some of these are explained in detail on Mixed In Key's website.
(Chris, I have no doubt you're already aware of these but maybe this will help others to find new paths through their libraries.)
This made me realize how I stuck myself in a box. I’m a beginner so I get a lot of benefits from mixing in key especially when switching genres so how would you approach that issue when mixing different genres? Let’s say afrobeats and deep house?
I think the same principles apply, if you can find percussive sections to mix over each other, or perhaps different transitions that don't rely on long blends as a starting point
fully agree on the running in circle impression if you keep on the green lights path . For my part, I force myself while mixing not to jump on a green light track from time to time to change direction several times in a set.
Solid tip- need me some of those 11A’s from time to time haha
Yep, totally agree. I've begun sorting playlists while I'm mixing by BPM. If a track is out of key, I stick to the 8 to 16 bars at the beginnings and ends where there is usually just percussion. If it is in key, then I might get cute and go for a 1 to 2 minute long blend. Helps to avoid missing a tune when I finally work my way over to that new release banger at 12A just to realize it's way slower than what I'm currently playing.
I definitely find myself in a traffic light jail sometimes, especially when I'm playing long (+3hr) sets.
It's not great for the punters musically, or when they see a grown man scolding himself and sending himself to sit on the dj booth naughty step while playing the full 14 min version of The Sugarhill Gang while he reflects on the err of his ways
I agree, although by mixing in key you're keeping your set cohesive with itself. It's good to experiment and jump between keys from time to time, but for a set to have a meaningful progression, I'd say it's best to stay in key for as long as you feel you're telling something, even more so if it's a short set.
You're right !!!
I used traffic light as a suggestion but not as a Obligation.
Thanks for sharing the knowledge.
Yeah I’ve got a little ocd with it when mixing on digital.When I mix records it feels less restrictive as I can’t see the keys.
This was really really good to find out the pros and cons of mixing in key. I only do this if the next tune is in key otherwise it's getting mixed. Thanks for this....
music to my ears! more people need to say this out loud, i feel like the DJ community went too bullish on the mixing in key trend
I agree.. i am no expert at keys but I feel like no matter what software is used it not accurate enough. I am surprises there has not been any major improvements on this over the years. I also over use traffic light.. and lean on it way too much. Thanks for the reminder about this.
Hi Chris, definitely agree. I've only had my controller and Rekordbox for a month and jumped right into blending, looping, and eq mixing. I found myself always relying on what would be in key and would get limited. (Also would get limited due to navigation mistakes 😅)
Last night, I was messing around and decided to jump like 5 keys over and it worked out really well. Broke the dependence on key mixing and is something I am going to keep in mind in the future as I build my library. Thanks for the newsletter, it was very helpful!
Sometimes taking that risk ends up delivering the best results 🔥
Just wish I could afford CDJ3000s. And the new DJM-A9.
Come on EuroMillions !!!
intelligent playlists are the way to go. I've recently started managing and categorizing my library with many different "intelligent" scenarios. Where this helps me the most is playing on any equipment that isn't CDJ3Ks. The 3Ks have a majority of the track information shown, but the XZ does not. Makes it a lot harder to wade through 1000s of tracks.
Yeah, I'm falling into the same trap. The keys have become a chain on me, which I need to break az least sometimes. Thanks for the tip!
Yeah I hadn’t realised how much they were boxing me in
A common pitfall of key mixing is relying on the limited key match options of the traffic light system. There are several other compatible key paths that Rekordbox doesn't show. One I use all the time is +5 and same letter, i.e. 4A to 9A.
Some key changes that can provide some contrast to the smoothness of typical key mixing are -3 and same letter for a "pay attention" mix , -5 and same letter for a "Jaws mix", +3 and change from A to B to go from minor to major of the same key. +6 and same letter can also work sometimes. Some of these are explained in detail on Mixed In Key's website.
(Chris, I have no doubt you're already aware of these but maybe this will help others to find new paths through their libraries.)
I've come across this great article on Reddit ( https://www.reddit.com/r/DJs/comments/c98oeq/camelot_keywheel_rules_transitions_demonstration/ ) a long time ago, which was helpful to break out of your circle every few tracks. I feel like it's a good way of moving away from your current key.
Offcourse, use it with caution as it can really change the mood/energy of your set.
This made me realize how I stuck myself in a box. I’m a beginner so I get a lot of benefits from mixing in key especially when switching genres so how would you approach that issue when mixing different genres? Let’s say afrobeats and deep house?
I think the same principles apply, if you can find percussive sections to mix over each other, or perhaps different transitions that don't rely on long blends as a starting point