As a music fanatic, you may require scales based on chords for a song you have composed or an existing number. Also, if you’re a DJ and want to mix some tracks in the same key to ensure that the whole mix blends flawlessly, you need software that lets you find song keys.
Here is a list of the top tools to help you find the most accurate song keys.
1. Mixed in Key
Mixed in Key claims to be 10 percent more accurate than any other key detection software out there. It can detect the accurate keys of almost most songs. It offers a slick website design and refined user interface, for all music lovers to find a song’s key with ease.
Some of the most notable features of this application include:
- An advanced key detection system to allow users to find compatible songs to mix.
- Verify results with the help of the grand piano added in the software.
- Energy level detection helps to combine songs of the same tempo.
- Customize ID3 tagging to store Mixed in Key results inside your music files.
- Automatically add up to 8 cue points.
Download: Mixed In Key for Mac | Windows (Free)
2. djay Pro
djay Pro is a DJ software offering the most advanced features to detect Keys, BPM, and beats. The software features a frequency-based color waveform to help find keys easily and making the interface more attractive.
In the app, you’ll find the unique, Surface Dial Support that helps browse the music library, scratch, loop, and adjust knobs on the screen for each deck individually. This gives a first-of-its-kind DJ interaction to music lovers.
The basic features of this app include:
- A library of over 20 million songs.
- Advanced audio processing features and audio mixing with adjustable crossfader curves.
- Support for touchscreen and desktop.
- Simple Plug and Play allows you to set up the preferred DJ system easily.
- Provides a multi-channel audio interface to monitor channels while performing.
Download: djay Pro for Mac | Windows (Free)
3. GetSongKey
Useful for DJs and songwriters, this platform offers more than six million databases of keys and other information for music fans. Every track is stored in four categories to make finding the key of the samples easy – Positiveness, Danceability, Energy, and Acuteness.
Moreover, similar songs are also suggested through this software to assist in making complex melodies effortlessly. There is no download required, and you can compose directly from the website of GetSongKey.
The key features of GetSongKey are:
- Includes a song key notation converter that can instantly convert any song key between Music key, Camelot wheel, or Open key notation.
- Has a unique song key finder to identify the key of the song.
- The key transposer feature allows users to transpose any given chord progression into a different key.
- Offers suggestions on the best keys for harmonic mixing for DJs.
- Allows extraction of the song key from any chord progression to surprise your audience.
4. Audio Key Chain
This is an online tool that allows users to identify the key and tempo of an entire song, and find compatible tracks to create mashups. Users can also upload their music and share them in public or choose the website privately as per their choice. The site is completely free to use, but requires you to sign up for a free account to view all the data.
Some key features of the Audio Key Chain are:
- You can save the edited tracks for public collection and results with your friends.
- This platform only supports MP3 and WAV files with a size limit of 15 MB file size to upload the tracks.
- Audio Key Chain database provides users with editable track collection. Users can also contribute to correct any incomplete or incorrect information.
5. Mixxx
Mixxx integrates creative live mixes with digital music files and is an open-source DJ software for Windows, Mac, and Linux. The software provides many handy tools including change BPM (Beats Per Minute), change the cover art, etc. Users can also view and edit detailed song properties just by right-clicking on a song.
Some basic features include:
- The BPM and musical key detection feature help find the next track from the user’s library. You can also use master sync to match the tempo of four songs for a seamless mix.
- You can also use turntables with timecoded vinyl records to control playback and scratch the digital music files.
- It allows for adding multiple effects together and spinning to tracks for various sound effects.
Download: Mixxx for Mac | Windows (Free)
6. Tunebat
Tunebat is a free online tool with a database of over 40 million songs. Apart from rendering information for BPM, it provides recommendations for harmonic mixing. It is a good tool for music producers looking to remix songs and music lovers who want to understand music a bit better by recording and tuning it.
Some of Tunebat’s features include:
- The software is browser-based, so analysis and calculations are performed inside the browser only, and the files are not sent to any other machine, thus keeping your music files secure.
- Tunebat uses ML models with large audio data sets.
- The algorithms were developed by various Ph.D. audio experts to ensure a maximum accuracy level.
7. Scaler-2
Scaler-2 is built around a deep knowledge base of chords, scales, and harmony. It comes with more than 30 internal sounds of piano, synth, orchestral, and guitar, more than 100 new genre-based songs, and 100 new artists’ chord sets.
It provides access via three zones: the upper detection zone, which shows chords identified in incoming MIDI; the middle zone, either showing scale combinations to the best match detected or a scale combination from presets; and the lower zone, which lets users experiment with various chords sequences.
Some features of Scaler-2 include:
- Provides more than 400 genre and artists chord sets.
- Simple drag and drop MIDI export.
- Lock keys of chords to help non-pianists play complex melodies on a MIDI keyboard.
- Available for a price of $49, with an upgrade feature for $19. The prices are set to rise shortly.
Download: Scaler-2 for Mac | Windows (Free)
Use Tools to Make DJing Easier
Whether you are an aspiring creator looking to perform creative live mixes or an experienced DJ, software to find the right song key will help you support your style and techniques for mixing.
So, go ahead and download the tool you think will suit your workflow best, and plunge into the wonderful ocean of music by composing your own music.