compatible = same code · ±1 hour · relative A/B · advance +2 hours for an energy boost

Mixing guide · 5 min

Move around the wheel like a clock

The Camelot wheel maps the circle of fifths onto a clock face so key compatibility becomes simple arithmetic. Treat it as a fast filter for candidate tracks, then let your ears make the final call.

Quick start

A reliable starting point

01
Identify the current key
Detect or confirm the key of the playing track, then select its code on the wheel. The BPM & Key detector reports Camelot codes directly.
02
Shortlist the neighbors
The highlighted segments—same code, one hour up or down, and the relative A/B partner—share most of their notes with your selection.
03
Audition before committing
Compatibility describes scales, not arrangements. Preview the blend; clashing melodies can ruin a theoretically perfect pairing.

The system

A clock face built from fifths

Each hour step on the wheel moves seven semitones—a perfect fifth—so adjacent codes share six of their seven scale notes. That is why moving one hour in either direction usually sounds smooth.

The outer B ring holds major keys and the inner A ring holds their relative minors. Codes with the same number use exactly the same notes; only the tonal center changes.

one hour = a perfect fifth = one accidental changed

Core moves

The four low-risk transitions

Same code: identical scale—the safest possible blend.
One hour clockwise: lifts perceived energy while keeping six shared notes.
One hour counterclockwise: relaxes the room without an audible key clash.
Letter swap (8A to 8B): switches between minor and major mood over the same notes.

Advanced moves

Energy boosts and calculated risks

Jumping two hours clockwise raises the tonal center a whole step and reads as a clear energy boost. Fewer notes are shared, so it works best during percussion-heavy sections or quick transitions.

Plus two hours: strong lift; blend it during a breakdown or over drums.
Diagonal moves (8A to 9B): combine an energy change with a mood change; audition carefully.
Parallel keys (8B C major to 5A C minor): same tonic, different color—effective but exposed.

Reality check

When the wheel is wrong

Key detection is an estimate, and many tracks drift between tonal centers or use modal scales that fit no single code. If a mix sounds good, it is good—the wheel is a planning tool, not a rule book.

Verify detected keys on sustained, harmonic sections before trusting a code.
Percussive or atonal passages mix freely; harmonic rules barely apply to them.
Keylock and pitch-shifting change the sounding key—recalculate after repitching.

Keep in mind

Studio notes

Plan in pairs

Prepare two options per transition—one same-key and one energy move—so the room decides.

Tag your library

Store Camelot codes in your track metadata to filter candidates instantly while performing.

Ears outrank math

A clashing melody breaks a compatible pairing; a great blend can excuse a forbidden one.

Code	Key	Relative	Energy +1	Energy −1
1A	G# minor	1B · B major	2A · D# minor	12A · C# minor
1B	B major	1A · G# minor	2B · F# major	12B · E major
2A	D# minor	2B · F# major	3A · A# minor	1A · G# minor
2B	F# major	2A · D# minor	3B · C# major	1B · B major
3A	A# minor	3B · C# major	4A · F minor	2A · D# minor
3B	C# major	3A · A# minor	4B · G# major	2B · F# major
4A	F minor	4B · G# major	5A · C minor	3A · A# minor
4B	G# major	4A · F minor	5B · D# major	3B · C# major
5A	C minor	5B · D# major	6A · G minor	4A · F minor
5B	D# major	5A · C minor	6B · A# major	4B · G# major
6A	G minor	6B · A# major	7A · D minor	5A · C minor
6B	A# major	6A · G minor	7B · F major	5B · D# major
7A	D minor	7B · F major	8A · A minor	6A · G minor
7B	F major	7A · D minor	8B · C major	6B · A# major
8A	A minor	8B · C major	9A · E minor	7A · D minor
8B	C major	8A · A minor	9B · G major	7B · F major
9A	E minor	9B · G major	10A · B minor	8A · A minor
9B	G major	9A · E minor	10B · D major	8B · C major
10A	B minor	10B · D major	11A · F# minor	9A · E minor
10B	D major	10A · B minor	11B · A major	9B · G major
11A	F# minor	11B · A major	12A · C# minor	10A · B minor
11B	A major	11A · F# minor	12B · E major	10B · D major
12A	C# minor	12B · E major	1A · G# minor	11A · F# minor
12B	E major	12A · C# minor	1B · B major	11B · A major

Camelot Wheel

Full key map