Mixed In Key
Encyclopedia
Mixed In Key is Windows
and Macintosh
software that simplifies a DJ technique called harmonic mixing
. The latest version of Mixed In Key analyzes MP3
and WAV
files and determines the musical key of every file. Knowing the key, DJs can use music theory
(such as the Circle of Fifths
) to play songs in a harmonically-pleasing order. The software helps to eliminate dissonant tones while mixing songs together using a technique such as beatmatching
.
Mixed In Key software was created by Mixed In Key LLC, a software company based in Washington DC, United States
.
interface for the tONaRT key detection algorithm created by zplane.development. The original tONaRT algorithm created by zplane.development had a simple Windows-based demo which could not process multiple audio files at once. Yakov Vorobyev created a simple C# .NET
Windows
application that could batch-process multiple files. The first version was released on March 25, 2006. Mac OS X development started shortly thereafter, and the first Mac OS X version was released on June 4, 2006.
Since May 2007, Mixed In Key LLC has improved the key detection algorithm by combining tONaRT with a custom in-house algorithm. The new algorithm was released in Version 3.0.
and unfair form of copy-protection, Mixed In Key employees have responded claiming that the new requirement has nothing to do with piracy, stating, "an internet connection is needed to analyze new files because Mixed In Key uses very expensive technology that is not available in 'offline' mode."
, Pete Tong
from BBC Radio 1
, trance producers Blank & Jones
, David Guetta
, High Contrast
, Nick Warren
, BT
and other notable people in the DJ community are known to use Mixed In Key products for harmonic mixing
..
Ali 'Dubfire' Shirazinia from Deep Dish
was a big influence on the development of the Mac OS X version by providing feedback to the development team. After the Mac OS X version was released, Ali used Mixed In Key to help sequence songs for his Global Underground
31
Taipei
album.
to provide co-branded versions of Mixed In Key known as XONE Mixed In Key. Mixed In Key continued to sell "Original" versions of the software. Color scheme
is the only difference between the two versions.
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
and Macintosh
Macintosh
The Macintosh , or Mac, is a series of several lines of personal computers designed, developed, and marketed by Apple Inc. The first Macintosh was introduced by Apple's then-chairman Steve Jobs on January 24, 1984; it was the first commercially successful personal computer to feature a mouse and a...
software that simplifies a DJ technique called harmonic mixing
Harmonic mixing
Harmonic mixing or key mixing is a DJ's continuous mix between two pre-recorded tracks that are most often either in the same key, or their keys are relative or in a subdominant or dominant relationship with one another....
. The latest version of Mixed In Key analyzes MP3
MP3
MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 Audio Layer III, more commonly referred to as MP3, is a patented digital audio encoding format using a form of lossy data compression...
and WAV
WAV
Waveform Audio File Format , is a Microsoft and IBM audio file format standard for storing an audio bitstream on PCs...
files and determines the musical key of every file. Knowing the key, DJs can use music theory
Music theory
Music theory is the study of how music works. It examines the language and notation of music. It seeks to identify patterns and structures in composers' techniques across or within genres, styles, or historical periods...
(such as the Circle of Fifths
Circle of fifths
In music theory, the circle of fifths shows the relationships among the 12 tones of the chromatic scale, their corresponding key signatures, and the associated major and minor keys...
) to play songs in a harmonically-pleasing order. The software helps to eliminate dissonant tones while mixing songs together using a technique such as beatmatching
Beatmatching
Beatmatching is a disc jockey technique of pitch shifting or timestretching a track to match its tempo to that of the currently playing track e.g. the kicks and snares in two house records hit at the same time when both records are played simultaneously...
.
Mixed In Key software was created by Mixed In Key LLC, a software company based in Washington DC, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
History
Mixed In Key software was developed to provide a WindowsMicrosoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
interface for the tONaRT key detection algorithm created by zplane.development. The original tONaRT algorithm created by zplane.development had a simple Windows-based demo which could not process multiple audio files at once. Yakov Vorobyev created a simple C# .NET
.NET Framework
The .NET Framework is a software framework that runs primarily on Microsoft Windows. It includes a large library and supports several programming languages which allows language interoperability...
Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
application that could batch-process multiple files. The first version was released on March 25, 2006. Mac OS X development started shortly thereafter, and the first Mac OS X version was released on June 4, 2006.
Since May 2007, Mixed In Key LLC has improved the key detection algorithm by combining tONaRT with a custom in-house algorithm. The new algorithm was released in Version 3.0.
Controversy
Mixed In Key has faced criticism over its decision to require an internet connection in versions following Version 2.5. While numerous users have identified this as a deterringDeterrence
Deterrence may refer to:* Deterrence theory, a theory of war, especially regarding nuclear weapons* Deterrence , a theory of justice* Deterrence , a psychological theory...
and unfair form of copy-protection, Mixed In Key employees have responded claiming that the new requirement has nothing to do with piracy, stating, "an internet connection is needed to analyze new files because Mixed In Key uses very expensive technology that is not available in 'offline' mode."
Community Interest
Grammy-winning producer Ali 'Dubfire' from Deep DishDeep Dish
Deep Dish is a duo of DJs and house-music producers consisting of Iranian-American members Ali "Dubfire" Shirazinia and Sharam Tayebi. Based in Washington, D.C., Shirazinia and Tayebi are well known for providing house or dance remixes of tracks of famous stars such as Madonna, Cher and Gabrielle,...
, Pete Tong
Pete Tong
Peter "Pete" Tong is an English DJ who works for BBC Radio 1. He is known worldwide by fans of electronic music for hosting programmes such as Essential Mix and Essential Selection on the radio service, which can be heard through Internet radio streams, for his record label FFRR Records, and for...
from BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
, trance producers Blank & Jones
Blank & Jones
Blank & Jones is a Cologne, Germany based Trance duo, consisting of the members Jan Pieter Blank , known as Piet Blank; René Runge , better known as DJ Jaspa Jones; and the producer Andy Kaufhold...
, David Guetta
David Guetta
Pierre David Guetta , known professionally as David Guetta , is a French house music producer and DJ. Originally a DJ at nightclubs during the 1980s and 1990s, he co-founded Gum Productions and released his first album, Just a Little More Love, in 2002. Later, he released Guetta Blaster and Pop Life...
, High Contrast
High Contrast
Lincoln Barrett, better known by the stage name High Contrast , is a Welsh drum and bass DJ and producer.-History:...
, Nick Warren
Nick Warren
Nick Warren is an English house DJ and producer. He is well-known for his eight albums released in the Global Underground series and as a member of the duo Way Out West...
, BT
BT (musician)
Brian Wayne Transeau is a classically trained and Grammy-nominated American music producer, composer, audio technician, multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter better known by his stage name, BT. He is an artist in the electronic genre...
and other notable people in the DJ community are known to use Mixed In Key products for harmonic mixing
Harmonic mixing
Harmonic mixing or key mixing is a DJ's continuous mix between two pre-recorded tracks that are most often either in the same key, or their keys are relative or in a subdominant or dominant relationship with one another....
..
Ali 'Dubfire' Shirazinia from Deep Dish
Deep Dish
Deep Dish is a duo of DJs and house-music producers consisting of Iranian-American members Ali "Dubfire" Shirazinia and Sharam Tayebi. Based in Washington, D.C., Shirazinia and Tayebi are well known for providing house or dance remixes of tracks of famous stars such as Madonna, Cher and Gabrielle,...
was a big influence on the development of the Mac OS X version by providing feedback to the development team. After the Mac OS X version was released, Ali used Mixed In Key to help sequence songs for his Global Underground
Global Underground
Global Underground is a music label founded in 1996 by Andy Horsfield and James Todd. The label symbolizes the international explosion of dance music during the 1990s and first manifesto for high-end DJs such as Sasha, Paul Oakenfold, John Digweed, Danny Tenaglia, Nick Warren, Dave Seaman, Darren...
31
Global Underground 031
Global Underground 031: Taipei is a DJ mix album in the Global Underground series, compiled and mixed by DJ and producer Ali "Dubfire" Shirazinia, one half of progressive house duo Deep Dish. Dubfire's release follows that of his Deep Dish collaborator, Sharam's solo mix, Global Underground 029:...
Taipei
Taipei
Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
album.
Allen & Heath Partnership
On December 22, 2006, Mixed In Key LLC announced a partnership with Allen & HeathAllen & Heath
Allen & Heath is a company based in Penryn, Cornwall, England, specialising in the manufacture of audio mixing consoles...
to provide co-branded versions of Mixed In Key known as XONE Mixed In Key. Mixed In Key continued to sell "Original" versions of the software. Color scheme
Color scheme
In color theory, a color scheme is the choice of colors used in design for a range of media. For example, the use of a white background with black text is an example of a basic and commonly default color scheme in web design....
is the only difference between the two versions.