How to mix tracks in different keys?

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How to mix tracks in different keys?
Posted on: 07.05.2013 by Neoma Gunlock
Anyone got any techniques on how to mix two tracks that are in incompatible keys?
Lashawn Maycock
09.05.2013
Originally Posted by 031999
But on a more serious note... the dj who taught me how to mix years ago, before there was key matching, taught me to MATCH THE DRUM MACHINES! if one track had an 808 drum track, just look for another that has an 808 it will sound good and mostly seamless. Again its a guide not a rule!
Actually, that is a very good point indeed. Thinking about it, it is something I've learnt to try and do, particularly as I play Soulful & Deep House in the main, so smoother transitions in terms of percussion/drums is desirable.

I also have to agree with mixing in key, yes, it's a nice thing to do and can sound great, but why limit yourself by constantly referring to your track list by key - many tracks have a breakdown which provides a natural changeover in any case.
Neoma Gunlock
08.05.2013
Originally Posted by 031999
If your unsure wait till the breakdown then just drop a huge track that everyone knows, i guarantee everyone will forget about the last track in less than one second.

But on a more serious note... the dj who taught me how to mix years ago, before there was key matching, taught me to MATCH THE DRUM MACHINES! if one track had an 808 drum track, just look for another that has an 808 it will sound good and mostly seamless. Again its a guide not a rule!
I agree with that. Finding two songs that use the same drum machine or have a similar drum beat will allow for a smooth transition.
Kathe Stump
08.05.2013
Originally Posted by Patch
You CAN harmonically mix 2 tracks that are in completely different keys.

A "key" is just a group of notes.

Melodies in tracks are usually only made up of a couple of those notes in any key.

Different keys share similar notes. So as long as the NOTES in each track ARE hormonically compatible, the mix will be fine.

I'm sure someone with more musical theory experience than me can explain it better...

As someone with more musical theory experience, you are -technically- correct, but -functionally- completely wrong. The chances of two tracks in non-sympathetic keys having only notes that fit together is so small in most genres, that it's not really worth considering as a possibility.

Also, (opinion time) if you want to even believe about paying attention to harmony (which I believe you should) you should be tagging all of your tracks, so that you're not cueing tracks looking for one that fits, because while you're doing that, you're just letting one track play out. Boring DJing. So unless you're really going to tag it
"12a, but also happens to work specifically with 6a", it's kind of silly. You should be able to find tracks that fit much more simply than that.
Neoma Gunlock
07.05.2013
Originally Posted by Jester
If it sounds awful then use different tunes.
How do you usually find compatible tracks? I mean, I find them, but after going through a bunch of different tracks. Is there something you look in the track to help you find a match easily?
Toya Spor
07.05.2013
Originally Posted by shr3dder
Yep. You just mix them.


It's a guide, not a rule.
This is true. The camelot wheel is a good guide, but it's not the bible. Also consider that most software can't determine key correctly 100% of the time, but it does come close, so the key of some songs may be misleading. Just know your music. Throw together different keyed tracks and see what happens.
Neoma Gunlock
07.05.2013		Anyone got any techniques on how to mix two tracks that are in incompatible keys?
Katie Ahmady
09.05.2013		To me there are a few specific situations where I really like being able to mix in key:
- To slowly build energy, I'll play a few songs in a row that have a key one major fifth higher than the last & do smooth transitions
- To quickly build energy, I'll do a more aggressive transition into a track that has a key two major fifths above the last
- To make things interesting while keeping the energy constant, I'll do a really long transition between two similar songs in the same key and play around with the controllers

Other than that I don't worry about it. Like you guys are saying, you don't want to limit yourself by only mixing harmonically! I believe it sounds kind of boring to have a long stretch of songs mixed in key, too.
Lashawn Maycock
09.05.2013
Originally Posted by 031999
But on a more serious note... the dj who taught me how to mix years ago, before there was key matching, taught me to MATCH THE DRUM MACHINES! if one track had an 808 drum track, just look for another that has an 808 it will sound good and mostly seamless. Again its a guide not a rule!
Actually, that is a very good point indeed. Thinking about it, it is something I've learnt to try and do, particularly as I play Soulful & Deep House in the main, so smoother transitions in terms of percussion/drums is desirable.

I also have to agree with mixing in key, yes, it's a nice thing to do and can sound great, but why limit yourself by constantly referring to your track list by key - many tracks have a breakdown which provides a natural changeover in any case.
Neoma Gunlock
08.05.2013
Originally Posted by 031999
If your unsure wait till the breakdown then just drop a huge track that everyone knows, i guarantee everyone will forget about the last track in less than one second.

But on a more serious note... the dj who taught me how to mix years ago, before there was key matching, taught me to MATCH THE DRUM MACHINES! if one track had an 808 drum track, just look for another that has an 808 it will sound good and mostly seamless. Again its a guide not a rule!
I agree with that. Finding two songs that use the same drum machine or have a similar drum beat will allow for a smooth transition.
Lannie Kutay
09.05.2013		If your unsure wait till the breakdown then just drop a huge track that everyone knows, i guarantee everyone will forget about the last track in less than one second.

But on a more serious note... the dj who taught me how to mix years ago, before there was key matching, taught me to MATCH THE DRUM MACHINES! if one track had an 808 drum track, just look for another that has an 808 it will sound good and mostly seamless. Again its a guide not a rule!
Johnsie Kingrea
08.05.2013		As wonderful as it is that we can harmonic mix easier then ever I believe it can also severely limit your creativity. If you followed this rule verbatim you'd be very limited in what songs you can play. This isn't really an option for people who play several different genres. The old rule applies: trust your ears. If it sounds good do it (even if the rules say it shouldn't). I believe it's important that beginner DJ's ignore harmonic mixing all together. So much of learning to DJ is trial and error. No amount of "rules" will ever allow anyone to learn how to mix flawlessly before they've even gotten their hands dirty.
Neoma Gunlock
08.05.2013		I agree... An average crowd will not notice small changes in tracks, all these replies are really helpful. I've been wondering though, how is it you guys find matches for tracks? Like what do you look for in tracks to find compatible matches? I have my way, but I'd like to see what you guys' are.
Kathe Stump
08.05.2013
Originally Posted by Patch
You CAN harmonically mix 2 tracks that are in completely different keys.

A "key" is just a group of notes.

Melodies in tracks are usually only made up of a couple of those notes in any key.

Different keys share similar notes. So as long as the NOTES in each track ARE hormonically compatible, the mix will be fine.

I'm sure someone with more musical theory experience than me can explain it better...

As someone with more musical theory experience, you are -technically- correct, but -functionally- completely wrong. The chances of two tracks in non-sympathetic keys having only notes that fit together is so small in most genres, that it's not really worth considering as a possibility.

Also, (opinion time) if you want to even believe about paying attention to harmony (which I believe you should) you should be tagging all of your tracks, so that you're not cueing tracks looking for one that fits, because while you're doing that, you're just letting one track play out. Boring DJing. So unless you're really going to tag it
"12a, but also happens to work specifically with 6a", it's kind of silly. You should be able to find tracks that fit much more simply than that.
Normand Kaminsky
08.05.2013		IMO songs either sound good together or they dont. I have never used the Key in my mixing.

Like most people have said, use your own ears and listen. If they sound good, mix them, if not try something else.
Meaghan Machold
08.05.2013		echo freeze dat ish!
Carolyne Tint
08.05.2013		I often find myself in the situation of having to mix two songs in very different keys, if the transition sounds really bad, i search for a third song which has a key mid way between the two original songs key, this way is sounds more melodic, avoiding to sound like shit...
Hipolito Scionti
08.05.2013		Just make it a quick mix or use the beat intro and mix with the beat outro...
Brunilda Kora
08.05.2013		You CAN harmonically mix 2 tracks that are in completely different keys.

A "key" is just a group of notes.

Melodies in tracks are usually only made up of a couple of those notes in any key.

Different keys share similar notes. So as long as the NOTES in each track ARE hormonically compatible, the mix will be fine.

I'm sure someone with more musical theory experience than me can explain it better...

But basically:

Originally Posted by Jester
If it sounds awful then use different tunes.
Yu Santellano
08.05.2013		Your average crowd is unlikely to notice unless it sounds *really* bad. So just go ahead and do it. There are no 'rules' like with beatmatching. Though the more elements of the track you mix together, the more noticeable any clash will become until it sounds like a trainwreck.
Augustine Mitzen
08.05.2013		pretty much ^
Neoma Gunlock
07.05.2013
Originally Posted by Jester
If it sounds awful then use different tunes.
How do you usually find compatible tracks? I mean, I find them, but after going through a bunch of different tracks. Is there something you look in the track to help you find a match easily?
Latoria Kavulich
07.05.2013		If it sounds awful then use different tunes.
Toya Spor
07.05.2013
Originally Posted by shr3dder
Yep. You just mix them.


It's a guide, not a rule.
This is true. The camelot wheel is a good guide, but it's not the bible. Also consider that most software can't determine key correctly 100% of the time, but it does come close, so the key of some songs may be misleading. Just know your music. Throw together different keyed tracks and see what happens.
Ara Tima
07.05.2013		Yep. You just mix them.


It's a guide, not a rule.

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