Why are my Key or BPM tags missing?
If Key or BPM tags are missing after analyzing tracks in Mixed In Key, the most common causes are Tag Options settings, DJ software not refreshing the updated tags, file permissions, file format limitations, or an integration workflow that has not been completed.
Start by checking Settings → Tag Options in Mixed In Key. Then confirm that your DJ software has refreshed or reloaded the track tags after analysis.
Check your Mixed In Key Tag Options
In Mixed In Key, go to Settings → Tag Options. This is where you decide what information Mixed In Key writes to your files and where that information appears.
If your Key or BPM information is missing, the first thing to check is whether Mixed In Key is set to write the information into the field you are looking at in your DJ software.
For Key tags, check options like:
- Only write the Key
- Write Key and Energy Level
- Write Key and Tempo
- Write Key, Tempo, and Energy Level
- Update custom Initial Key
- Use Camelot Key notation in comment tags
For BPM tags, check options like:
- Update Tempo tags
- Write Key and Tempo
- Write Key, Tempo, and Energy Level
- Whether your DJ software is reading the Tempo field
- Whether the track already has an existing BPM value
Refresh or reload tags in your DJ software
After Mixed In Key writes tags, your DJ software may not show the new information immediately. Many DJ apps cache track metadata, which means you may need to refresh, reload, or re-import tag information.
The exact process can vary between Rekordbox, Serato, Traktor, and others, so follow the integration tutorial inside Mixed In Key for your specific DJ software.
If tags are missing, try this:
- Close and reopen your DJ software
- Refresh or reload track tags
- Check the correct library column
- Confirm the updated file is the same file your DJ software is using
Also check:
- Is the Key written to comments?
- Is it written to Initial Key?
- Is BPM written to Tempo?
- Is Energy Level written to comments, grouping, or another field?
Follow the integration tutorial for your DJ software
Rekordbox, Serato, Traktor, and others can each handle tags, Cue Points, and library updates differently. That is why Mixed In Key includes integration tutorials inside the software.
If Key or BPM tags are missing, open the tutorial for the DJ software you already use and confirm that the full workflow has been completed.
Why this matters
Some DJ software workflows require a specific refresh, reload, XML, playlist, or library update step before new information appears.
What to confirm
Confirm where your DJ software reads Key, BPM, comments, custom tags, and Cue Points, then make sure your Mixed In Key Tag Options match that workflow.
Check whether Mixed In Key can write to your files
If Mixed In Key can analyze a track but cannot write updated tags to the file, the problem may be file permissions or file location. This can happen if files are read-only, stored in a protected folder, or located on a drive that does not allow writing.
For the most reliable workflow, keep the tracks you want to tag in a local folder where your computer and Mixed In Key have permission to modify the files.
Check for:
- Read-only files
- Protected folders
- External drives with permission issues
- Cloud-synced folders that may delay file updates
- Duplicate files in different locations
Try this:
- Move a test file to a local folder
- Analyze it again in Mixed In Key
- Confirm the tag appears in the file
- Refresh tags in your DJ software
Check the file format you are tagging
Different audio file formats can handle metadata differently. If tags are not appearing, check whether the file format supports the tag workflow you are trying to use.
In many DJ workflows, formats like MP3 and AIFF are commonly used for metadata tagging. If you are using WAV files, be careful because metadata support can be more limited or less consistent across DJ software.
Re-analyze or rewrite tags after changing settings
If you changed your Tag Options after analyzing tracks, you may need to re-analyze the tracks or rewrite the tags so the new settings are applied to the files.
This is especially important if your old settings wrote Key to one field, but your new settings write Key, BPM, or Energy Level to a different field.
When to re-check tags
- After changing Tag Options
- After changing where Key is written
- After enabling Tempo tag updates
- After moving files to a new location
- After refreshing your DJ software library
Good test workflow
Test with one or two tracks first. Confirm that the tags appear correctly before applying the same settings to a large music library.
Understand the difference between tags and Cue Points
Key and BPM tags are metadata written into your music files. Cue Points are a separate part of the DJ workflow and may require a different export or import process depending on your DJ software.
If your Key or BPM appears but Cue Points are missing, that usually means the tag workflow worked, but the Cue Point workflow still needs to be completed.
Tags include information like:
- Key
- BPM
- Energy Level
- Comments
- Initial Key
Cue Points help with:
- Intros
- Breakdowns
- Drops
- Mix-out sections
How to fix missing Key or BPM tags
Confirm the track was analyzed
Open Mixed In Key and check that the track has analysis results. If the Key or BPM appears in Mixed In Key, the analysis completed.
Check Settings → Tag Options
Confirm what Mixed In Key is set to write and where that information should appear. Make sure Key and BPM are being written to the fields you expect.
Check whether Tempo tag updates are enabled
If BPM is missing, make sure the option to update Tempo tags is enabled if that is part of your workflow.
Refresh or reload tags in your DJ software
Open your DJ software and refresh or reload the track metadata. The exact process can vary between Rekordbox, Serato, Traktor, and others.
Check the correct library columns
Make sure you are looking at the field where Mixed In Key wrote the information, such as comments, Initial Key, Tempo, grouping, or another tag field.
Check file permissions and file location
Make sure the file is not read-only and is stored in a location where Mixed In Key can write updated tags.
Test with one local file
Move one test track to a local folder, analyze it, write tags, and refresh your DJ software. If that works, the original issue may be related to file location, permissions, or the previous workflow.
Follow the integration tutorial for your DJ software
Open the integration tutorial inside Mixed In Key for the DJ software you already use. This helps confirm the correct workflow for tags, Cue Points, and library updates.
Common mistakes that make tags look missing
Looking in the wrong field
Mixed In Key may have written the Key to comments, Initial Key, song name, or another field. Check your Tag Options and the matching column in your DJ software.
Forgetting to refresh tags
DJ software may not show updated metadata until you refresh, reload, or re-import the tag information.
Changing settings after analysis
If you changed Tag Options after analyzing tracks, you may need to re-apply the tags or re-analyze the files.
Confusing Cue Points with tags
Key and BPM tags are metadata. Cue Points can require a different workflow depending on your DJ software.
Frequently asked questions
Check Settings → Tag Options in Mixed In Key and confirm where Key information is being written. Then refresh or reload tags inside your DJ software.
Check whether Tempo tag updates are enabled in Mixed In Key, then refresh or reload the track metadata in your DJ software.
The Key may be written to a field your DJ software is not currently displaying, or the DJ software may need to refresh its tags. Check the integration tutorial inside Mixed In Key for your setup.
Not always. Key and BPM are metadata tags, while Cue Points may require a separate export or import workflow depending on your DJ software.
Yes. If you are troubleshooting tags, test with one or two local files first. Confirm that the tags appear correctly before applying the workflow to a large library.
Use Mixed In Key to analyze and organize your DJ library.
Check your Tag Options, write Key, BPM, Energy Level, and Cue Point information, then refresh your DJ software so your library is ready to use.