Sometimes you might want to change the key of a track or a sample. For example, if you want to move it up or down a few semi-tones to make sure it mixes harmonically with the surrounding tracks.
DJ.Studio provides a few tools to make this possible.
Key Harmony Table
One of the quickest ways to change a track's key is via the key harmony table. This lets you see how the keys connect to others using the Camelot Wheel and gives you controls for shifting the track's key.
Open the playlist view, and find the track you want to shift.
Click on the Key indicator in the table.
This opens the Key Harmony table for the chosen track.
The key harmony table shows you the track's original key, and how it relates to other keys, and gives you some options for shifting the key.
In the top section, you can change the key by -2,-1,+1,+2 semitones, or reset it to the original key.
The Pitch Mode lets you choose how the pitch-time relationship works
Re-Pitch - Algorithmically adjusts the track, to ensure that the BPM is not affected by pitch changes. This can result in audio artifacts at larger changes.
Vinyl - Mimicking the way pitch and time are correlated on vinyl turntables, the tempo is changed by the pitch. Decreasing the pitch lowers the tempo, and increasing the pitch speeds up the tempo. This has a purer, artifact-free sound, but can cause pitch inconsistencies with BPM changes.
After choosing a new pitch, you will see the key match indicators updated to reflect the new harmonic key relationships.
Change Key from within the Studio
You can also click on the key notation in the left top corner of a track/Sample to transpose the key of the full track/Sample.
Changing the Key in the Track Tab
You can change the key of a track directly in the Studio:
Go to the Track Tab.
Select the song you want to adjust.
Use the key adjustment option to change the key of the track.
Manual Pitch/Key Change Automation
If you want to change the key over time or be more precise with how, and when, the change occurs, you can use the pitch automation control.
This requires more precision to use, but allows for more flexibility.
Open the Studio View from the navigation bar at the top of the screen
Open the Effects Tab in the bottom bar
Click and drag the Pitch Slider. This shifts the key up or down 1 semitone at a time, up to a maximum of +/- 6 semitones.
As you move the slider, you will see a Pitch effect block added to the timeline.
Click on the line to add automation points or drag the yellow automation point to make the block longer or shorter
6. Or click the <> button in the top right corner to extend the effect block to the whole track/Sample
This method can be used to adjust the pitch more precisely, or over time. See this video that illustrates how this works.
Key Adjustments in the Transition tab
During transitions, you can also change the key:
Navigate to the Transition Tab.
Choose Effects > Key Swap or Manual Key to adjust the key during transitions between tracks.
These options should provide flexibility when modifying the key of your tracks while mixing.
FAQs about changing the Pitch or Key of your tracks.
How can I change the key of songs by 1/2 tone in DJ Studio?
You can change the key of a song by 1/2 in the DJ.Studio Playlist by clicking on the key and setting it to another tone. It will show up as + or—in your playlist, and harmonize will take it into account.
How can I change the key of different songs in DJ.Studio, and does this feature work in Mashup mode?
You can adjust the key of a track in DJ.Studio by using the playlist view or the track tab in Studio view. If you are working in Mashup mode, you can use the key options on the track tab or click the title of the track in the timeline and select transpose.
How can you change the key or pitch of a part of a track?
To change the key with more precision:
Put the playhead in your trac
Head over to the Effects Tab.
Use the Pitch Slider to adjust the key. When you move the slider, a yellow effect block will appear.
You can lengthen or shorten the effect block by dragging the yellow points
You can move the effect block by dragging the yellow header
You can click on the line to add Automation Points, allowing you to control key changes at different points in the track.
See this video that illustrates how this works