What is a DJ Set Planner & Harmonic Mixing?

A DJ set planner is a tool that analyses the BPM and musical key of every track in your library and generates a running order optimised for harmonic mixing — the technique of transitioning between songs whose keys are compatible. When two tracks share adjacent positions on the Camelot Wheel, the mix sounds musical and seamless rather than jarring. Professional DJs including Carl Cox, Richie Hawtin, and David Guetta use harmonic mixing as a core part of their set preparation.

Our tool automates the entire process. Upload your whole folder of tracks, click Analyse, and within seconds you have a colour-coded set list with a compatibility score for every transition — plus a downloadable CSV spreadsheet you can import into any DAW, set-planning app, or DJ software.

The Camelot Wheel — Visual Reference

The Camelot Wheel, popularised by Mixed In Key and originally developed at Harmonic-Mixing.com, maps all 24 major and minor keys onto a 12-position clock face. Use this chart as a quick reference when building or reviewing your set order:

How the Camelot Wheel Works

Each position has an "A" side (minor) and a "B" side (major). Here are the key rules:

• Same key (perfect match): Identical Camelot code — e.g. 8A → 8A. No key change at all; ideal for a seamless blend.
• Same number, different letter: 8A and 8B share the same tonic note. Switching between them creates a mood shift (minor ↔ major) with no harmonic clash.
• Adjacent numbers (±1), same letter: e.g. 8A → 9A or 8A → 7A. These keys share many common tones — the smoothest-sounding transitions.
• Adjacent numbers, different letter: e.g. 8A → 9B. A little more harmonic tension, but still works well.
• +7 semitones (dominant move): e.g. 8B → 3B. A powerful "energy boost" trick used by DJs to lift the crowd.

See the full Camelot key chart at Harmonic-Mixing.com. For music theory background on why compatible keys sound good together, the Circle of Fifths on Wikipedia is an excellent starting point.

How to Use the DJ Set Planner — Step by Step

1. Upload your tracks — drag and drop a folder or select multiple files. MP3, WAV, FLAC, AAC, OGG, and M4A are all supported.
2. Click "Analyse All Tracks" — the tool detects the BPM and key of every song directly in your browser. No files are ever sent to a server.
3. Review the set list — tracks are ordered for maximum harmonic compatibility. Each transition shows a green (harmonic match), amber (compatible), or red (key clash) indicator.
4. Download or export — save as CSV for Excel/Google Sheets, open as PDF for printing, or copy as plain text for your notes app.

Also try our BPM and Key Finder to analyse individual tracks, or use the BPM Tapper to tap out tempo by ear.

Frequently Asked Questions about Harmonic Mixing

What is harmonic mixing?

Harmonic mixing is the practice of sequencing DJ tracks so that adjacent songs share musically compatible keys. Because both tracks contain many of the same notes, their melodies and chord progressions blend together naturally during a mix transition, avoiding the dissonant "clash" you hear when two incompatible keys are overlaid.

How many tracks can I analyse at once?

What audio formats are supported?

How accurate is the BPM and key detection?

Can I export the set list to rekordbox, Serato, or Traktor?

Are my audio files uploaded to a server?

More Free Tools

• BPM and Key Finder — upload a single track and instantly see its BPM, musical key, and Camelot number.
• BPM Tapper — tap to the beat to measure tempo without uploading a file.
• Online Metronome — keep perfect time while practising or producing, with 4/4, 3/4, 2/4, and 6/8 support.