12A Camelot compatible keys

12A is C♯ minor. The codes Sonata calls In key from here are 12A, 11A, 1A and 12B.

  • 12A C♯ minorSame key. Key clash: no.

    12A into 12A is the same key. Sonata calls that In key.

  • 11A F♯ minorOne step down. Key clash: no.

    12A into 11A (F♯ minor) is one step down the wheel. Sonata calls that In key.

  • 1A A♭ minorOne step up. Key clash: no.

    12A into 1A (A♭ minor) is one step up, a perfect fifth, seven semitones. Sonata calls that In key. It is the usual small lift.

  • 12B E majorRelative major or minor. Key clash: no.

    12A into 12B (E major) is the same number on the other ring. Sonata calls that In key.

  • 2A E♭ minorEnergy boost +2. Key clash: yes.

    12A into 2A (E♭ minor) is two steps up, a whole tone. DJs call this an energy boost. It is not a smooth match, and Sonata flags it as a key clash.

  • 7A D minorSeven numbers. Key clash: yes.

    12A into 7A (D minor) is seven Camelot numbers, one semitone between the tonics. That is a key clash, not a boost. When a note says "+7" and means seven semitones, it is the one-step-up move above.

The energy boost

12A into 2A (E♭ minor) is two steps up the wheel, a whole tone. DJs call that an energy boost. Sonata flags it as a key clash, not as In key. Hear it before you rely on it.

Seven semitones is not this move. That is one step up the wheel, already In key. Seven Camelot numbers is one semitone, and that clashes too. Harmonic mixing energy boosts walks through both. Check the pair in the key checker.

Mixing from here

  • The smooth moves are 11A (F♯ minor), 1A (A♭ minor) and 12B (E major). Sonata calls those In key.
  • 2A is two steps up, the energy boost. Sonata calls that a key clash. Hear it before you rely on it.
  • Leave the pitch alone. Sonata does not transpose, so a clash stays a clash.
  • A smooth key is not a smooth blend on its own. If the tempos are more than about 10 percent apart, or the beat is unclear, the pair does not get a beat-locked blend. It gets an echo out or a plain fade.
  • Play the pair. The label is a flag, not a listen.

Check 12A against another key. Neighbours: 11A, 1A, 12B (E major). Read how to plan a DJ set, or how to structure a DJ set.

Try it with your tracks.

Add files in 12A and the keys around it. Sonata reads the Camelot key, flags a clash, and plays the pair. Hear your whole set before the gig. Your first mix is free, up to 10 tracks.

Hear your set