How To Use Harmonic Mixing

Bottom line, harmonic mixing eliminates key clashes.  When you mix harmonically, your vocals, melodies and basslines will all be in key (harmony). 

Harmonic mixing helps you achieve a 'live mash-up' effect and encourages creativity.  You'll discover unusual song mixing combinations, like The Beatles vs. Jay-Z, or you can simply enjoy flawless DJ mixing, like Armin Van Buuren, Paul Van Dyk and Sasha.

With harmonic mixing, it's essential to know the key of every song you play.  Mixed In Key software scans your entire music collection (MP3s and WAVs) to make this easy.  When scanning is done, Mixed In Key displays your results in the Camelot Easymix notation (e.g. 4A, 6B) or Flat/Sharp notation (e.g. F minor, B-flat minor).

Camelot Easymix method

The Camelot notation makes harmonic mixing easy.  Below is a picture of the Camelot Easymix Wheel:




(Image showing the Camelot notation)

On this wheel, musical keys can be seen as hours on a clock.  For example, 4 o'clock corresponds to 4A or 4B.  The A letter represents Minor keys. The B letter represents Major keys. 

To use harmonic mixing in your DJ sets, subtract one hour, add one hour, or stay in the same hour as your last song.

If you're in key of 4A, your next song can be 3A, 4A or 5A.

You are simply subtracting or adding one hour.

By using this method, your mixes will be harmonic.  Because it is based on music theory, harmonic mixing works for all music genres.
 

Create Interesting Mixes

Get creative!  You're in control.  Using the Camelot method, you can move around the Camelot wheel one step at a time.   With every mix, you can change keys.

For a special effect, mix between the inner and the outer circle.  Try this:  Stay in the same hour, but change the letter.  For example, you can mix from 10B to 10A.  If you are in 10A, your next song can be 10B (change letter), 9A (subtract one hour), 10A (same hour), or 11A (add one hour). 
 

Example Mix

For your first harmonic mix, find two songs that have the same key code.  Mix them together using your favorite DJ equipment or software, and you'll hear a smooth transition every time.  From there, you can experiment with other harmonic mixes.  
 

Our Approach to Harmonic Mixing

We recommend going clock-wise or counter-clockwise around the wheel, changing key every couple of songs.  For example, we may play:  10A > 10A > 10B > 9B > 8B > 8A > 7A > 6A for a 100% harmonic DJ set.  It never gets boring because there is a music progression happening during the entire mix.   Your audience will love it as well.  This is the method used by top Mixed In Key DJs such as Pete Tong, Deep Dish and thousands of others.
 

Advanced Topics for Professional DJs

Below is a list of topics you may find interesting and helpful:

Community topic:  "Energy Boost" mixing (+2 on Camelot wheel)

Community topic:  How to organize your CD collection for Harmonic Mixing 

Advanced tutorial:  Understanding how tempo affects the key when mixing

Visit Community.MixedInKey.com to read more tutorials.

 

Get the full version of Mixed In Key 3

Mixed In Key was created to detect the key and tempo of your MP3 and WAV files.  Click here to buy the full Version 3.0