Mixing Progressive House

  • Thread starter Thread starter fmorariu
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so my understanding is that you have to have two tracks in key at the same relative tempo, right?

Does that make sense? I know if you pitch up, or down this can change the key.
 
If you are within + or - 2% pitch of the song playing, you should still be in the same key. You might be able to take it up to + or - 3%, but anything above that starts to sound out of key.
 
so when you are going through trying to learn what key your tracks are, I guess you have to play them at the speed that you normally would pitch them at?

g
 
When keying your music, always key @ 0 pitch.

As for what speed is acceptable for harmonic mixing, check this excerpt from harmonic-mixing.com:

SPEED SELECTION

The normal speed of the incoming song should be as close as possible to the speed of the original song. This is because changing the speed normally changes the pitch of music (exceptions include key stabilizer circuits such as Pioneer's "Master Tempo" and Denon's "Key Adjust"). You can sometimes get away with speed differences of up to 3%, but such mixes WILL tend to sound sour.

Do not confuse a 3% speed difference with a 3 BPM difference. They are the same ONLY when pitching up or down from 100 BPM. A 3% speed increase from 100 BPM is exactly 103 BPM. However, a 3% speed increase from 130 BPM is 133.9 BPM, not 133 BPM. A 3% speed increase from 80 BPM is 82.4 BPM, not 83 BPM. As a general rule, a difference of 2 BPM is acceptable for harmonic mixing below 100 BPM. A difference of 3 BPM is acceptable for harmonic mixing above 100 BPM. The longer your harmonic overlay, the more noticeable speed differences will be. Keep speed differences as small as possible.
 
is there anybody of you harmonic mixers who actually masters a tt/cd-player where he can change tempo and key independendly (gemini 6000, ttx, numark cd players; neither possible with (newer) denon nor pioneer)? so you beat - and key-match? Or do you just do harmonic-mixing by selection of the song?
 
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I spin on 1200s, I only do it by selection of the song & trying to keep the < than +-3% pitch change between the 2 songs. I use final scratch at home, it has a key lock, but when I use it, the beats get messed up. Needless to say, I don't use the key lock on Final Scratch.
 
you may have allready think about this: if you use final scratch you could change the keys before your set using some programme like serato pitch´n´time or something similar and have different key versions of the same song - never tried, don´t know how it works
 
One could also time stretch their tracks in Sound Forge or something. If you had a pre-programmed set (or working on a studio-type demo), this comes in handy. I have a 133bpm record that I want to throw in at 129bpm, with a song that is originally at 127bpm. It doesn't sound good mixed as is, but I could time stretch my 133 bpm track so that the bpm goes down to 129 or so, but the pitch/key stays the same. After its time stretched, I could throw down my whole mix & play that particular edited track on final scratch.
 
What do you guys use to record your mixes? Do you record into Sound Forge? If you track your mixes, what do you use -- or do you always just mix tracks live and record? Just wondering what your DJ's use.
 
Korpos

I have to admit to being a complete purist….and a perfectionist……and a dreamer!!!!!!!

I record 75 to 80 minute mixes 100% live straight into a CD recorder. Firstly, I will create a theme or concept in my mind, dream up a title which must loosely be a reflection of the vibe of the recording (i.e. At That Time of the Night, Threshold of a Dream, to name but two of my recordings), shortlist approximately 50 tunes along with a huge variety of samples, experiment, nail down the tracklistings, record 2 CD’s, design artwork, then package them.

I have to take 100% responsibility from the concept stage to the packaging, and software simply cannot and will not play any part. For me, the use of software would diminish the pride I take in the finished result.

If a mix goes wrong, I start again, simple as that. I even place track markers as I go by remote control.

Of course, I am not saying my way is the right way…my way is simply the avenue I wish to pursue and not one I would expect everyone (anyone?) else to follow.

My goal is the perfect (harmonic) mix. Perfection will never be achieved, but I have probably got as close as I ever will, which is down to determination, application, imagination and, most importantly, passion.

Dammit, that was all a bit deep and meaningful!!!!!!!!!!!

Hope it answered your question!!!!!!

Regards

Ian
 
I record straight into sound forge, so that my mix is just one big track. I have RCA cables from the rec out of my DJM600 going into the rec in on my MAudio USB soundcard. I hit record on sound forge and start my mix. After the mix is done, I sometimes need to boost a few frequencies here & there, then I maximize the volume to about -0.3db. I place track markers in the mix (in sound forge), then I hop over to Nero Burning ROM, drag my mix over, right-click, hit properties, & I use the track markers that I made in sound forge to divide the CD up into different tracks.
 
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