What keys to start a mix with?

I'm about to work on a really big mix right now and I really want to take key into consideration on this one. I just don't really know what key is good to start on. What key do you guys start with?

i normally start with a song i think would be a good intro and then go from there, if key plays a factor, then ill move through em from whatever the intro track is keyed at.

If your serious about doing a whole mix in key, or fluttering around a Camelot wheel, it doesn't matter where you start, as long as you have enough songs in the right key/s to make it work. e.g., if you have lots of songs in 7A,9A and 10A but none in 11A or 12A, start at 3A or 4A so you won't run out of songs before you need a massive key jump.

Although, saying all that, IMHO, mixing in key isn't what defines a good mix, it's just a tool to help you along your sonic journey. The right tune, at the right time, with a good transition makes a good mix! Try not to rely to heavily on it! :D

Just my two pence!

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Originally Posted by Lineypirate

...if you have lots of songs in 7A,9A and 10A but none in 11A or 12A, start at 3A or 4A so you won't run out of songs before you need a massive key jump.

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This is actually almost exactly the case with my library, but is the key of 3a or 4a high pitched or low pitched?

Try starting with a song where you know you can get around the wheel harmonically for at least 3-4 songs before having to totally change gears. I've found as well that if you are really stuck, you can interchange major and minor keys and get away with it and that will usually get you to a completely different part of the wheel to play with and still sounds like you are mixing harmonically. Either that or just end zone mix the 2 songs to get in a new key so there is no clash between the melodies and start going around the wheel again from there.

choose a killer intro track. work out your key progressions from there mate.

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Originally Posted by Garygary1

This is actually almost exactly the case with my library, but is the key of 3a or 4a high pitched or low pitched?

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Key isn't really the same as pitch but 3A is a B Flat Minor and 4A is a F Minor.

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Originally Posted by Jester.NZ

choose a killer intro track. work out your key progressions from there mate.

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+1

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Originally Posted by Garygary1

This is actually almost exactly the case with my library, but is the key of 3a or 4a high pitched or low pitched?

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If you don't know what a key is you shouldn't be asking questions like these. Go buy beginners guide to music theory and get stuck in.

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Originally Posted by Garygary1

is the key of 3a or 4a high pitched or low pitched?

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Have you tried listening to them to determine the difference?