What is a musical key?
Every track with a melody or bassline is written in a key. The key is the set of notes that sound right together in that song. When two tracks in clashing keys play at once, the notes rub against each other and the mix sounds sour, even if the beats are perfectly matched.
The Camelot wheel
Musical keys have names like A minor or D flat major, which can be confusing if you don't read music. The Camelot wheel replaces them with a simple code:
- Each key gets a number from 1 to 12, arranged around a wheel like a clock.
- Each number has an A and a B. A keys are on the inner ring and are minor keys. B keys are on the outer ring and are major keys.
- So a track might be marked 8A (A minor) or 8B (C major).
Which keys mix well?
From any key on the wheel, these moves are usually safe:
| Move | Example from 8A | How it feels |
|---|---|---|
| Same key | 8A | Smoothest blend |
| One step up the wheel | 9A | A gentle lift in energy |
| One step down the wheel | 7A | A gentle drop in energy |
| Same number, other ring | 8B | A change of mood, minor to major |
The wheel goes round in a circle, so 12 is next to 1. Moving further than one step can still work, but it's more likely to clash, so use your ears.
Finding a track's key in Rekordbox
You don't need to work out keys yourself. When Rekordbox analyses a track, it detects the key and shows it in the Key column of your track list. In the settings you can choose to display keys in the alphanumeric style, which matches the Camelot-type number and letter codes. Software detection is good but not perfect, so if a mix sounds wrong, trust your ears over the screen.
Tips for using harmonic mixing
- Learn the basics first. Beatmatching, phrasing and EQ matter more. Key is the finishing touch.
- Not every mix needs it. Tracks with mostly drums and little melody can often be mixed whatever their key.
- Watch the pitch fader. Changing a track's speed a lot can change its key too. Many programs have a key lock feature that keeps the key steady.
- Plan with it. Keys can help you build a set that flows, moving gently up the wheel to lift the energy.
Take your mixing further
Harmonic mixing is one of the skills that makes a set sound polished. It's a focus of our Selector course for DJs who can already mix, and the Headliner course builds it into full set planning. Not sure of your level? Try the course chooser.