The announcement of Key Detector brings a tool to help producers and composers that adds to Waves’ growing suite of pitch utilities. Here we have the details on their latest, including our first look video showing Key Detector’s AI ear in action.

Some very successful engineers (and quite a few artists) are able to create great work despite not having expansive knowledge of music theory. These are guided by their musical instincts which punch through regardless of any formal training. Others working in different genres may not sing or play an instrument; these artists’ talents lie in beat-making and creative music production. Either type of creator will from time to time hit those moments when having a musical ear in the room would have been helpful.

Waves Key Detector

Today sees the announcement of Waves’ key-finding tool for producers, artists, and engineers. Key Detector is described by them as utility that harnesses AI-powered key detection for use on any sample, track or full mix.

Key Detector Features:

• Provides a root note, a scale (major or minor), and two likely alternatives, driven by Waves’ Neural Networks engine.

• Integrates with Waves Tune Real-Time, Waves Tune, OVox, and Waves Harmony.

• The “Transmit” button sends the detected key to all active instances of Waves Tune Real-Time, Waves Tune, OVox, and Waves Harmony.

Knowing the music’s key opens up possibilities such as augmenting productions with samples and other content without ploughing through all available elements in every key to find it. Other uses can be to help along tuning and pitch tools with their detection; most can do this just fine on their own, but having more than one option on hand is always welcome. Key Detector’s Transmit button means that Waves’ other vocal tools can receive key info seamlessly.

Key Detector In Action

In our first look video, we demonstrate how Key Detector can be used in conjunction with other Waves vocal tools to get essential key info for any track. We put its Neural Networks tech to work across an entire mix to establish the key of our track. We then show how easy it is to fire key info to other Waves plugs for pitch related tricks that anchor to the song’s key.

For producers, engineers, and musicians who need to pin down the harmonic centre of their track for tuning, or for those who want to incorporate other content with unknown key signatures, Key Detector promises to be a welcome workflow booster.

Waves Key Detector is currently available for $24.99 (normal price is stated as $64.99), head over to Waves to find out more.