TEASER: Mixed In Key — from utility to pro software

Most companies add features to software. Mixed In Key are wrapping entire DJ software around its key feature. New software ahoy.

mixed in key dj software teaser

Realising the importance of harmonic mixing, Mixed In Key established itself as the preeminent force in this emerging field, to the point where every other piece of DJ software does, to some degree, address this particular setting-teeth-on-edge issue. But not content with just sitting on the sidelines being nothing more than a trusty sidekick to the big boys, Mixed In Key has announced its intentions to eat at the grown-ups table. Behold a teaser from their Facebook page.

Right now, all anyone has is this image plus comment from Mixed In Key staffers on the Facebook page. So picking through what they say:

  • Fully midi mappable, with compatibility at launch for many popular controllers including Pioneer and “all Native ones”.
  • Combined Mac/PC license with identical functionality. I’m guessing no Linux because there’s no money in it.
  • No word on when it’s due, but has been used live by Mixed In Key people and “worked flawlessly”
  • No plans to support video
  • CDJ support planned, but initially it’s standalone controllers and mouse/keyboard
  • Timecode is classed as legacy. No plans for support.
  • An all new beat grid that’s “not like Serato or Traktor”.
  • Mixed in Key 6 built-in, and will continue to work on its own.
  • 500 beta invites going out next week.

The screenshot itself is a tad sparse on detail. I’d say it’s most likely heavily redacted to keep the cool new toys private until they’re ready to show off a little. But by the sounds of it, the Mixed In Key team have had a long hard look at how DJs work and the tools they use, and tried to things differently. “We made something more exciting and interesting than a two-deck DJ app. It’s not djay, Serato, Traktor or even Ableton Live. You’ll see exactly what I mean when it goes public” they said. How differently remains to be seen though, and if DJs will adapt to different. You’re quite a conservative lot when you want to be.

It’s far too early to pass judgement on this software based on few simple comments, and time will tell if this move is genius or folly. But it’s a crowded market with established software with decade-long pedigrees. Looking forward to next week’s Facebook bun fight for betas.

Mark Settle
Mark Settle

The old Editor of DJWORX - you can now find Mark at WORXLAB

Articles: 1228

22 Comments

  1. It’s a circular issue. There’s no money in it because there’s no users… Because there’s no apps. I’d dump Mac or Windows if I knew there was a version of Traktor on Ubuntu. For lots of people, the only reason they use Windows is because they have no choice.

  2. Valve, Traktion and Bitwig all seem to think it’s worth doing. If you go by the Humble Bundle stats Linux users pay the most for software across all platforms.

    The thing is that it’s not actually any effort to support multiple platforms if you build software to be cross platform from the start- it’s only really expensive if you start on one and have to port to the other. It doesn’t really make any sense to start a software project and not design it to be relatively platform agnostic any more.

  3. Actually. To be quite honest (and I hate to sound lazy on this subject). But there are certain features that MIK has in it’s software that I didn’t see iTunes/Serato/Traktor opening up to.

    The latest feature they released on their last “major” update was the energy levels. I want my software to have these features in their own “banks” of information. Because it takes out some of the additional work I have to do.

    Not that I mind preparing tracks, but I like info…and I like having that info right in front of me, and if I don’t agree with the rating given by MIK, I am fully capable of changing it myself. And energy levels is one I want to see added to features.

  4. They probably had to make this move..With all major players getting Key recognition in their software they would have not made it going forward in the long term..I disagree with the timecode being legacy comment..I think their is a real DVS opportunity to combine time code with hardware like the new reloop table to make a system to replace/rival Rane/Scratch now that its software down the Traktor path..

  5. Interesting!
    Is this a separate app to MIK or a replacement/upgrade? Free or fee?

    I wonder if the reason for not implementing timecode is that it can warp tracks like Ableton Live (which locks to a set tempo & can’t be scratched)? I’ve been waiting/hoping for a long time that eventually some DJ software would add warping ability. Live does it, but it’s a DAW and is missing a lot of “standard” DJ features.

    To have warping in “proper” DJ software would be most excellent, dude.

  6. Something is really wrong with this company IMHO. I really do not undersand, why they should address resources for jumping into the dj software arena? Isn’t saturated enough? I understand that MixedInKey market is going to collapse due to the native integration of key detection in almost all DJ software out there, but please…

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