When you load a record on a deck, rekordshelf scores every other record in your collection to suggest what might mix well next. Each candidate gets a score from six factors, weighted by how reliable each signal is.
The algorithm doesn't pick for you — it surfaces options so you spend less time searching and more time playing.
The strongest signal. When you mark two records as a good pairing during a session, that relationship is remembered permanently. A confirmed pair gets the maximum score boost — it's the closest thing to “I know these work together.”
Example: If you've paired “Kerri Chandler — Atmosphere” with “Ron Trent — Morning Factory” before, it'll always rank high when either is playing.
Musical key compatibility using the Camelot wheel. Same key scores +3. Relative major/minor (same number, different letter) scores +2. Adjacent keys (one position up or down on the wheel) score +1.
Example: Playing 8A (Am) → 8B (C) is a relative key match (+2). Playing 8A → 7A (Dm) is an adjacent match (+1).
A note on Camelot and vibing
The Camelot wheel is a helpful compass, not a rulebook. Here's the thing — the moment you adjust pitch to beatmatch, the key shifts. A “perfect” Camelot match on paper isn't exactly what you're hearing through the speakers.
Worrying too much about numbers takes you out of the moment. The best transitions come from listening, not staring at a screen. Use the key suggestions as a starting point, then trust your ears. If it sounds right, it is right.
How close the tempos are. Within 5 BPM scores +1 (easy beatmatch). Within 10 BPM scores +0.5 (workable with pitch adjustment). Beyond that, no bonus.
Example: 128 BPM → 126 BPM = great match (+1). 128 → 120 BPM = close enough (+0.5).
Shared mood tags between the two records. Each shared mood adds +0.5, capped at +1. This encourages staying in a vibe — deep, groovy, euphoric, dark — without forcing it.
Example: Both tagged “deep” and “groovy” → +1.0. One shared tag → +0.5.
Records from the same label often share a sonic DNA — a consistent mastering style, a house sound. Same label gets a small +0.5 bonus.
Example: Two Mule Musiq releases, two Clone records, two Moodymann joints on Mahogani.
Records you play more often get a tiny boost — you reach for them because they work. Each play adds +0.05, capped at +0.3. This is intentionally small to avoid over-recommending the same records.
The A column is minor keys, B is major. Same row = relative key. One row up or down (same column) = adjacent compatible key.
| Minor (A) | Key | Major (B) | Key |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1A | Abm | 1B | B |
| 2A | Ebm | 2B | F# |
| 3A | Bbm | 3B | Db |
| 4A | Fm | 4B | Ab |
| 5A | Cm | 5B | Eb |
| 6A | Gm | 6B | Bb |
| 7A | Dm | 7B | F |
| 8A | Am | 8B | C |
| 9A | Em | 9B | G |
| 10A | Bm | 10B | D |
| 11A | F#m | 11B | A |
| 12A | Dbm | 12B | E |