Newbie!

[dj matt blaze]

I really don't understand why people on here time after time tell a beginner who doesn't even own any hardware yet to start harmonic mixing.

Using mixedinkey and the camelot wheel is way overrated especially for a beginner. The last thing someone learning how to DJ needs is to key analyse all their songs and add limits of following key progression while they are still learning.

Starting out is about experimenting and learning the basics not complicating stuff and adding more layers of confusion. I still don't bother mixing in key, if there is a key clash I will hear it when I cue and I have enough variables I am considering when choosing the next song I'm really not thinking about what comes next on the camelot wheel and if the track in my playlist is an 11A or an 11B and staring at a chart.

Agreed 100%. If it sounds like crap, its going to sound like crap, and no one needs a harmonic wheel to tell you that. I have never chosen my tracks because of Key and I never will. Just like anything else, it can still be in Key and still sound horrible. Also just because its not in key doesn't mean its not going to sound good. There are so many variables that can determine what 2 songs will work well with each other and the Key is just another one that can either work good or bad. It all depends on what part of the songs you are trying to mix. I would say learning how to use loops and effects is way more beneficial and more creative than mixing in Key.

[riotto]

I really dont see the big deal about bringing up harmonic mixing. Yes it may not be perfect, and yes at times songs that are not key compatible do mix, but i personally find it to be a reliable way to find compatible songs. Its not like its a particularly difficult concept either, certain nothing a beginner cannot understand. Its simply a tool and personally I can say that my mixes have benefited so much by including harmonic techniques.