Mixed In Key Studio Edition is a DAW plug-in that analyzes the key and chord tones of songs and phrases. Its straightforward controls make it accessible even if you are not confident with music theory. KEYS mode helps identify a song's key, while NOTES mode reveals chord tones, making transcription, loop selection and reference-track analysis easier. In our August 2019 tests, an update also enabled operation in Cubase and Studio One, alongside the officially supported Ableton Live, FL Studio and Logic Pro environments described at the time. Combining the plug-in with your DAW's loop function can help you examine rapid chord changes and save time when producing music.
Analyze Songs and Phrases to Fit Your Music
Mixed In Key Studio Edition is a plug-in designed to identify the key and chord tones of a song or phrase with high accuracy.
It is useful for tasks such as identifying a loop's key before incorporating it into a song, or analyzing a reference track.
It is also very simple to use, so even if music theory and chords are not your strong points, you should find it easy to get started.
How to Use Mixed In Key Studio Edition — Video
Selected Questions and Answers from the YouTube Video
Does it work in NI MASCHINE?
Yes. We confirmed that it worked in MASCHINE in our tests.
Can it really analyze a stereo mix? I cannot work out the chords in a song I made earlier. They seem to use quite a few extensions. I wonder if I can try a demo...
Thanks for your question. A stereo mix with a complex chord progression may be difficult to analyze. A 30-day money-back guarantee was available, so we suggested trying it and letting us know the results.
In Cubase 10, it appears as an effect on the track, but no sound passes through it. Does that mean it cannot be used?
We also tried it in Cubase 10 and could not get it to work at that time. We said we would report any improvements. Please see the August 20, 2019 update below for the subsequent correction.
Mixed In Key SE — Using It in Cubase and Studio One
Update: August 20, 2019 — Using Cubase and Studio One
In our recently published Mixed In Key Studio Edition tutorial video, we reported that the plug-in could not be used in Cubase. After updating to the latest versions available at the time—Mac: 1.2.0.183; Windows: 1.0.95.0—we confirmed that it worked in Cubase 10 and Studio One 4.5 on both Windows and Mac. We apologize for the earlier information and would like to correct it.
If Mixed In Key Studio Edition appears in your DAW, you can update it through SETTINGS > Updates. If you bought it before the update and the plug-in itself does not appear, reinstall it using the link in your purchase confirmation email.
Purchases made after that update should not have this particular issue.
We also confirmed that Captain Plugins, which we covered previously, worked in Cubase 10 and Studio One 4.5 after updating to the latest versions available at the time.
The company also offered a 30-day money-back guarantee after purchase. If the software did not work in your setup, this was an option to consider; check the product page for the applicable terms when purchasing.
How to Use Captain Plugins — Video
Important: Official DAW Support as of August 2019
Although the product supports VST and AU, the officially supported DAWs listed in August 2019 were Ableton Live, FL Studio and Logic Pro; Cubase and Studio One were not officially supported at that time.
Keep this distinction between successful operation and official support in mind. This is historical information from the original article; consult the product page for current compatibility.
Product URL: https://mixedinkey.com/studio-edition/
Using Mixed In Key Studio Edition on Songs and Phrases
Mixed In Key Studio Edition has two analysis modes. Choose the one that suits your task.
First, let's look at how to insert the plug-in.
Inserting the Plug-in
Load the plug-in as an insert on the track you want to analyze.
There is no fixed limit on the number of Mixed In Key Studio Edition instances you can open.
Insert it on the master track to analyze the combined key and chord tones of all the tracks currently playing.
KEYS Mode
KEYS mode analyzes the key of a song or phrase.
Play the material you want to analyze. Analysis begins and possible keys appear.
The candidates are shown as percentages, helping you quickly identify the likely key.
As shown here, you can also analyze a stereo mix containing several instrument tracks.
A song may change key partway through, so focus playback on the section you want to analyze.
NOTES Mode
NOTES mode helps you analyze the chord tones in a phrase.
As with KEYS mode, simply play the section you want to analyze.
The notes that make up the chord appear as shown here.
Enter notes while checking the displayed chord tones to recreate the chord and use it in your own music.
The plug-in does not analyze voicing, however. After entering the notes, rearrange their voicing to suit the sound you have in mind.
Some phrases contain chords that change over very short intervals.
Press Capture to freeze the analysis results at that instant.
If the chords change too quickly, it may be difficult to time Capture correctly, or the analysis may not work as expected.
In that case, use your DAW's loop function to repeat the section you want to examine.
This should help the plug-in analyze it more reliably.
What do you think?
With no unnecessary controls or features to get in the way, this looks like a tool that beginners can use comfortably.
It can help in many situations, including transcription by ear, rearranging or adapting loops, and identifying a song's key.
Being able to identify and enter the notes of a chord easily can also be a useful aid to music production. If you have been looking for a tool like this, take a look!
Product URL: https://mixedinkey.com/studio-edition/
Learning to Transcribe by Ear — Tutorial Series
1. Preparing to Transcribe by Ear
Set up the tempo, markers and other essentials before starting your transcription.
We begin with rhythm, which lets us work without worrying about pitch.
2. Rhythm: Kick and Snare
3. Rhythm: Hi-hats and Cymbals
After the kick and snare, move on to the hi-hats and cymbals.
4. Identifying and Using a Song's Key
Knowing the key of a song
provides a useful guide when identifying pitches.
5. Bass
6. Understanding Chords
7. Chord Progressions
Use the bass and melody as clues
to transcribe the chords.
8. Chord Progressions, Part 2
Learn about notes outside the song's key.
These can add color and emphasis to a song.
9. Upper Accompaniment Parts
👂 Mixed In Key Studio Edition: a useful plug-in for transcription by ear.
It analyzes the key and chord tones of songs with high accuracy and is simple to use, even if you are not confident with music theory or chords.🎥 YouTube: https://t.co/AIBK2mh3Pl
📝 Article: https://t.co/BWZfYqRokF @MixedInKey pic.twitter.com/KkxEhfwjFA
— SLEEP FREAKS (@SLEEPFREAKS_DTM) August 18, 2019
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Which DAWs can I use Mixed In Key Studio Edition with?
The plug-in supports VST and AU. The original August 2019 article listed Ableton Live, FL Studio and Logic Pro as officially supported. We also confirmed operation in Cubase and Studio One after the August 2019 update. The article noted a 30-day money-back guarantee for users whose setups did not work as expected. Check the product page for current compatibility and purchase terms.
Q2. What is the difference between KEYS and NOTES modes?
KEYS mode analyzes the musical key of a song or phrase and shows candidate keys as percentages. NOTES mode displays the notes in a phrase's chords, making it useful for transcription and understanding chord progressions.
Q3. What should I do if the chords change quickly?
Use your DAW's loop function to repeat the desired section, or press Capture to freeze the analysis at a particular instant. These techniques can make the results easier to inspect and improve your analysis workflow.
Q4. Does it analyze chord voicings too?
NOTES mode analyzes chord tones, not voicings. After entering the detected notes, adjust the voicing yourself to match the sound you want.
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