Digs @ Vagabond July 16 2009

[Weizy]

Re: Digs @ Vagabond July 16 2009

international superstar dj, and his tune organizational skills are worse than mine! time to hire a temp and get your tracks labled properly john

Jeff you hit the nail on the head with that comment

I can't believe he still uses CDs with handwritten track names & key. Great to see that John uses Mixed In Key...makes sense considering how well programmed his sets are. John definitely needs an intern with a lightscribe drive to get him organized

[chuckc]

Re: Digs @ Vagabond July 16 2009

Call me clueless or an idiot...but exactly how do you know what key a track is in...Also are you supposed to mix a set in the same key. I just am unfamiliar with this....

[dusk]

Re: Digs @ Vagabond July 16 2009

^^ I'd be interested in a response to this as well.

[day_for_night]

Re: Digs @ Vagabond July 16 2009

Call me clueless or an idiot...but exactly how do you know what key a track is in...Also are you supposed to mix a set in the same key. I just am unfamiliar with this....

you know what key a track is in by running it through a program that labels them for you, "Mixed in Key".

The idea is that you can mix two tracks of the same key, or a key higher or lower. This does not have to be done all the time, infact many (if not most) djs still do not key there music, and their mixes sound great. nothing beats a good ear anyways.

So if I'm playing a track that is a "4A" i can mix in another that is 4A, 4B or one that is 5A or 3A and still have it be 'in key'. have a look at the wheel simon posted. this doesn't guarantee the two tracks will work together in a mix, but increases your odds as they will be matched tonaly. a set would never be played all in the same key, it would sound boring...you go up and down in key through out a set. sometimes in sequence, sometimes not. I've gone back and keyed old mixes of mine out of curiosity, and i've had mixes where its been a 3A mixed into an 11B...and still sounds great. So its a guideline, but not a hard rule.

I know john doesn't use it exclusively when he mixes live (just comparing a couple tracks he mixed from his matter 10.5 set...), and nor do most who use mixed in key. its just a nice feature to have, but it shouldn't be a crutch.

[chuckc]

Re: Digs @ Vagabond July 16 2009

^^^thanks. so is it possible to know the key by listening with the naked ear.

[day_for_night]

Re: Digs @ Vagabond July 16 2009

^^^thanks. so is it possible to know the key by listening with the naked ear.

not unless you're a pretty good musician (or have an instrument like a piano or a guitar that can help you figure it out).