Understanding BPM and Harmonic Mixing (Camelot Wheel)
BPM stands for Beats Per Minute, the standard measure of song tempo. In dance music, hip-hop, and pop, matching tempos allows seamless beatmatching without clashing rhythms. Harmonic mixing takes this one step further by matching musical keys so transitions sound musically melodic.
| Camelot Code | Major Key (B) | Minor Key (A) | Harmonic Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8A / 8B | C Major | A Minor | Blends perfectly with 7A, 9A, 8B |
| 9A / 9B | G Major | E Minor | Blends perfectly with 8A, 10A, 9B |
| 10A / 10B | D Major | B Minor | Blends perfectly with 9A, 11A, 10B |
| 11A / 11B | A Major | F# Minor | Blends perfectly with 10A, 12A, 11B |
| 12A / 12B | E Major | C# Minor | Blends perfectly with 11A, 1A, 12B |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does song BPM detection work?
Our algorithm analyzes transient energy onsets and autocorrelation over low-frequency rhythmic intervals (kick and snare) between 60 and 190 BPM to find the dominant musical tempo.
Q: How does musical key detection work?
We compute a 12-semitone chromagram (pitch class distribution) from the audio spectrum and correlate it against standard Krumhansl-Schmuckler major and minor harmonic key profiles.
Q: What is the Camelot Wheel code?
The Camelot system (e.g., 8A, 8B) simplifies harmonic DJ mixing. Songs in the same number or adjacent numbers (e.g., 8A to 7A or 9A) blend harmonically without dissonant key clashes.
Q: How do I use the Tap Tempo pad?
Click or press the spacebar in rhythm with your music. The tap counter calculates instantaneous and running average BPM in real time.