Harmonic mixing
Encyclopedia
Harmonic mixing or key mixing is a DJ's continuous mix between two pre-recorded tracks that are most often either in the same key, or their keys are relative
or in a subdominant
or dominant
relationship with one another.
The primary goal of harmonic mixing is to create a smooth transition between songs. Songs in the same key do not generate a dissonant tone when mixed together. This technique enables DJs to create a harmonious and consonant mashup
with any music genre
.
in the DJ collection by using a piano
. The root key that fits the track perfectly may be used to create harmonic mash-ups with other tracks in the same key. The root key is also considered compatible with the subdominant, dominant and relative major/minor keys.
A more advanced harmonic mixing theory has been proposed which accounts for the various modes as well (aeolian, ionian, lydian, mixolydian, dorian and phrygian). It is shown that these alternate modes can be seen as variations of the traditional major and minor keys, and that they can be translated to traditional keys via the Circle of Fifths
.
Which notes are in the scale is much more important than which is the tonic, so these can be converted to one mode, such as minor. For example F lydian and B locrian contain the same notes as A minor, so these should be compatible, and slightly less with D minor and E minor.
, the manufacturer of DJ products have released DJM-800, an audio mixing console
capable of correcting the key of the track while it is being played. Allen & Heath
has teamed up with Mixed In Key
to release music software that analyzes MP3
and WAV
files and determines the musical key of every file. MixShare frequently updates a freeware
utility called Rapid Evolution
which can also detect the musical key, in addition to the BPM, of audio files. MixMeister has continued to offer "harmonic mixing" features in their DJ software. Traktor DJ Studio software from Native Instruments
and Torq from M-Audio
display "Key" columns in their interfaces to allow for easy sorting of songs by key as does Virtual DJ from Atomix
as of version 5.0.
There have been only been three software key detection accuracy comparisons to date, one initiated by Camelot, another by DJTechTools.com. The latter featured MixMeister, Rapid Evolution
, Mixed In Key
, and BeaTunes
.
A more recent comparison with commercial dance music was done by DJ House Container. This comparison included Mixed In Key
version 4 and 5 and the new Rapid Evolution
version 3 Beta 58.
DJing for Dummies book, published in the US on January 29, 2007, and in the UK on December 1, 2006, includes a chapter dedicated to harmonic mixing called "Building a Foolproof Set."
2008 - 9 Inch Remix Service has developed its own variation to the cycle of fifths system named the Cycle of Fifths Harmonic Mixing Block. Initially derived from the 16th century notation used by musicians, DJ SARGE X is credited with its adaptation to suit a new age DJ needs.
Relative key
In music, relative keys are the major and minor scales that have the same key signatures. A major and minor scale sharing the same key signature are said to be in a relative relationship...
or in a subdominant
Subdominant
In music, the subdominant is the technical name for the fourth tonal degree of the diatonic scale. It is so called because it is the same distance "below" the tonic as the dominant is above the tonic - in other words, the tonic is the dominant of the subdominant. It is also the note immediately...
or dominant
Dominant (music)
In music, the dominant is the fifth scale degree of the diatonic scale, called "dominant" because it is next in importance to the tonic,and a dominant chord is any chord built upon that pitch, using the notes of the same diatonic scale...
relationship with one another.
The primary goal of harmonic mixing is to create a smooth transition between songs. Songs in the same key do not generate a dissonant tone when mixed together. This technique enables DJs to create a harmonious and consonant mashup
Mashup (music)
A mashup or bootleg is a song or composition created by blending two or more pre-recorded songs, usually by overlaying the vocal track of one song seamlessly over the instrumental track of another...
with any music genre
Music genre
A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other types of music...
.
Traditional methods
A commonly-known method of using harmonic mixing is to detect the root key of every music fileAudio file format
An audio file format is a file format for storing digital audio data on a computer system. This data can be stored uncompressed, or compressed to reduce the file size. It can be a raw bitstream, but it is usually a container format or an audio data format with defined storage layer.-Types of...
in the DJ collection by using a piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
. The root key that fits the track perfectly may be used to create harmonic mash-ups with other tracks in the same key. The root key is also considered compatible with the subdominant, dominant and relative major/minor keys.
A more advanced harmonic mixing theory has been proposed which accounts for the various modes as well (aeolian, ionian, lydian, mixolydian, dorian and phrygian). It is shown that these alternate modes can be seen as variations of the traditional major and minor keys, and that they can be translated to traditional keys via the Circle of Fifths
Circle of fifths
In music theory, the circle of fifths shows the relationships among the 12 tones of the chromatic scale, their corresponding key signatures, and the associated major and minor keys...
.
Which notes are in the scale is much more important than which is the tonic, so these can be converted to one mode, such as minor. For example F lydian and B locrian contain the same notes as A minor, so these should be compatible, and slightly less with D minor and E minor.
Recent developments
In 2006 and 2007, harmonic mixing has attracted substantial media attention. Pioneer Pro DJPioneer Corporation
is a multinational corporation that specializes in digital entertainment products, based in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan. The company was founded in 1938 in Tokyo as a radio and speaker repair shop...
, the manufacturer of DJ products have released DJM-800, an audio mixing console
Mixing console
In professional audio, a mixing console, or audio mixer, also called a sound board, mixing desk, or mixer is an electronic device for combining , routing, and changing the level, timbre and/or dynamics of audio signals. A mixer can mix analog or digital signals, depending on the type of mixer...
capable of correcting the key of the track while it is being played. Allen & Heath
Allen & Heath
Allen & Heath is a company based in Penryn, Cornwall, England, specialising in the manufacture of audio mixing consoles...
has teamed up with Mixed In Key
Mixed In Key
Mixed In Key is Windows and Macintosh software that simplifies a DJ technique called harmonic mixing. The latest version of Mixed In Key analyzes MP3 and WAV files and determines the musical key of every file. Knowing the key, DJs can use music theory to play songs in a harmonically-pleasing...
to release music software that analyzes MP3
MP3
MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 Audio Layer III, more commonly referred to as MP3, is a patented digital audio encoding format using a form of lossy data compression...
and WAV
WAV
Waveform Audio File Format , is a Microsoft and IBM audio file format standard for storing an audio bitstream on PCs...
files and determines the musical key of every file. MixShare frequently updates a freeware
Freeware
Freeware is computer software that is available for use at no cost or for an optional fee, but usually with one or more restricted usage rights. Freeware is in contrast to commercial software, which is typically sold for profit, but might be distributed for a business or commercial purpose in the...
utility called Rapid Evolution
Rapid Evolution
Rapid Evolution is a freeware software tool for DJs, providing advanced filtering and searching features suitable for musicians. It can analyze audio files and automatically determine many properties, such as the musical key, beats per minute , beat intensity and ReplayGain. It currently...
which can also detect the musical key, in addition to the BPM, of audio files. MixMeister has continued to offer "harmonic mixing" features in their DJ software. Traktor DJ Studio software from Native Instruments
Native Instruments
Native Instruments is a technology company that develops software and hardware for music production and DJing. The company has originally been identified mostly with software instruments, but has also expanded to various other music equipment segments in recent years.Current products of Native...
and Torq from M-Audio
M-Audio
M-Audio is a business unit of Avid Technology that designs and markets digital audio and MIDI interfaces, keyboards and MIDI controllers, synthesizers, loudspeakers, studio monitors, digital DJ systems, microphones, and music software...
display "Key" columns in their interfaces to allow for easy sorting of songs by key as does Virtual DJ from Atomix
Atomix
Atomix may refer to:* Atomix , a computer puzzle game* Atomix , a popular magazine for video game consumers in Latin America* Atomix , a Linux distribution developed by Atomix Development Team...
as of version 5.0.
There have been only been three software key detection accuracy comparisons to date, one initiated by Camelot, another by DJTechTools.com. The latter featured MixMeister, Rapid Evolution
Rapid Evolution
Rapid Evolution is a freeware software tool for DJs, providing advanced filtering and searching features suitable for musicians. It can analyze audio files and automatically determine many properties, such as the musical key, beats per minute , beat intensity and ReplayGain. It currently...
, Mixed In Key
Mixed In Key
Mixed In Key is Windows and Macintosh software that simplifies a DJ technique called harmonic mixing. The latest version of Mixed In Key analyzes MP3 and WAV files and determines the musical key of every file. Knowing the key, DJs can use music theory to play songs in a harmonically-pleasing...
, and BeaTunes
BeaTunes
BeaTunes is a commercial software package for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X, developed and distributed by tagtraum industries incorporated. It originally started as a tool for detecting the BPM in music managed by Apple's iTunes. Since version 3, beaTunes is not dependent on iTunes anymore and...
.
A more recent comparison with commercial dance music was done by DJ House Container. This comparison included Mixed In Key
Mixed In Key
Mixed In Key is Windows and Macintosh software that simplifies a DJ technique called harmonic mixing. The latest version of Mixed In Key analyzes MP3 and WAV files and determines the musical key of every file. Knowing the key, DJs can use music theory to play songs in a harmonically-pleasing...
version 4 and 5 and the new Rapid Evolution
Rapid Evolution
Rapid Evolution is a freeware software tool for DJs, providing advanced filtering and searching features suitable for musicians. It can analyze audio files and automatically determine many properties, such as the musical key, beats per minute , beat intensity and ReplayGain. It currently...
version 3 Beta 58.
DJing for Dummies book, published in the US on January 29, 2007, and in the UK on December 1, 2006, includes a chapter dedicated to harmonic mixing called "Building a Foolproof Set."
2008 - 9 Inch Remix Service has developed its own variation to the cycle of fifths system named the Cycle of Fifths Harmonic Mixing Block. Initially derived from the 16th century notation used by musicians, DJ SARGE X is credited with its adaptation to suit a new age DJ needs.