The Camelot wheel
Every musical key gets a code from 1A to 12B. Tracks mix cleanly with the same code, the neighbouring numbers and the inner/outer twin. Click any key to see what mixes with it, read the Open Key and musical name next to it, and open its own page for example tracks.
8A (A min) — these keys mix with it
The number is the position on the circle of fifths. Neighbouring numbers share most of their notes, so 8A into 9A sounds like one piece of music.
The letter is the mode: A is minor (the inner ring), B is major (the outer ring). 8A and 8B are relative keys, they share every note and swap freely.
Going up one number lifts the energy, going down one number relaxes it. Anything else is a key change the crowd will hear; sometimes that is the point.
Six ways to leave a key, from safest to boldest. The example column starts from 8A (A minor).
| Move | From 8A | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| ±0 | 8A A minor | Same key. Nothing changes harmonically; layer, loop, blend as long as you like. |
| A ↔ B | 8B C major | Relative major or minor. Same notes, a different mood: minor feels darker, major brighter. |
| +1 | 9A E minor | One number up. The classic energy boost; the crowd feels the lift without hearing a key change. |
| −1 | 7A D minor | One number down. Same closeness, the other direction; use it to cool a room. |
| +2 | 10A B minor | Two numbers up. A bigger lift that is still mostly in tune; works best over a short blend. |
| +7 | 3A A♯ / B♭ minor | Seven numbers up. The dominant key: real tension, a deliberate change of scene. Mix it fast. |
Camelot, the musical key, Traktor's Open Key notation and the keys each one mixes with.
| Camelot | Key | Open Key | Mixes with |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1A | G♯ / A♭ minor | 6m | 1B · 12A · 2A |
| 1B | B major | 6d | 1A · 12B · 2B |
| 2A | D♯ / E♭ minor | 7m | 2B · 1A · 3A |
| 2B | F♯ / G♭ major | 7d | 2A · 1B · 3B |
| 3A | A♯ / B♭ minor | 8m | 3B · 2A · 4A |
| 3B | C♯ / D♭ major | 8d | 3A · 2B · 4B |
| 4A | F minor | 9m | 4B · 3A · 5A |
| 4B | G♯ / A♭ major | 9d | 4A · 3B · 5B |
| 5A | C minor | 10m | 5B · 4A · 6A |
| 5B | D♯ / E♭ major | 10d | 5A · 4B · 6B |
| 6A | G minor | 11m | 6B · 5A · 7A |
| 6B | A♯ / B♭ major | 11d | 6A · 5B · 7B |
| 7A | D minor | 12m | 7B · 6A · 8A |
| 7B | F major | 12d | 7A · 6B · 8B |
| 8A | A minor | 1m | 8B · 7A · 9A |
| 8B | C major | 1d | 8A · 7B · 9B |
| 9A | E minor | 2m | 9B · 8A · 10A |
| 9B | G major | 2d | 9A · 8B · 10B |
| 10A | B minor | 3m | 10B · 9A · 11A |
| 10B | D major | 3d | 10A · 9B · 11B |
| 11A | F♯ / G♭ minor | 4m | 11B · 10A · 12A |
| 11B | A major | 4d | 11A · 10B · 12B |
| 12A | C♯ / D♭ minor | 5m | 12B · 11A · 1A |
| 12B | E major | 5d | 12A · 11B · 1B |
What mixes with 8A, which tracks live in 5A: every key has its own page with real examples from public sets.
What is the Camelot wheel?
A circle of the 24 musical keys, numbered 1 to 12 with an A (minor) and a B (major) ring, arranged so that neighbours are harmonically compatible. Mixed In Key popularised it; the system itself is the circle of fifths with friendlier labels.
How do I use it when mixing?
Find the code of the track that is playing. The next track should be the same code, one number up or down, or the other letter with the same number. Everything else is a deliberate key change.
What does 8A mean?
8A is A minor. Its neighbours are 7A (D minor) and 9A (E minor), its twin is 8B (C major). Most dance music sits somewhere around 8A to 11A.
Camelot or Open Key?
Two labels for the same wheel. Traktor uses Open Key: 1d is C major, 1m is A minor, and the numbers run seven steps behind Camelot. The table above converts every key.
Where do I get the key of my tracks?
Any set or upload you analyse with ryser.id carries the key of every identified track, classic and Camelot, plus BPM. Rekordbox, Serato and Traktor detect keys too; Mixed In Key is the paid specialist.
Does harmonic mixing always work?
No. Key detection can be a semitone off, tracks are not always tuned to A=440, and a vocal in the wrong register clashes even in a compatible key. The wheel narrows the choice; your ears decide.
Analyse any set or upload with ryser.id and every identified track carries its key (classic and Camelot) plus BPM. The set builder grades every transition on this exact wheel and can order your tracks harmonically.
Analyze a set, keys included.
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