This is a experimental page for discussing the various properties of songs, their effect on the sound and mixing, and determining them (perhaps with computer algorithms).
BPM (beats per minute): Not only can this reveal a lot about the tempo and energy of a song, but it imposes very real restrictions on compatible songs when mixing.
Key: Most songs tend to have a dominant key, dance music tends to be mostly in minor keys. This information is necessary for
harmonic mixing.
Time Signature: Most DJs ignore this because most dance music is in 4/4 time, but when different it is necessary to know to properly beat match.
Beat Intensity: An indicator of how intense the beat is. There are algorithms which can approximate this (see
Tangerine. Rapid Evolution might support this soon as well.