Karaoke Key FAQ
Semitones, original key, gender adjustments, machine differences, duet adjustments, condition.
Frequently asked questions
How many semitones is one key step in TJ/KY?
One button press equals one semitone in both TJ and KY machines. 12 semitones make an octave, so ±6 is exactly half an octave. Older machines may not support half-semitone steps, so round any decimal output to the nearest integer.
How do I find the original key of a song?
Search the song title plus "key" or "original key" on community sites and sheet music vendors. Spotify and YouTube Music expose key data for many tracks. This tool includes a built-in DB of 200 K-pop and 300 ballad original keys for instant matching.
How many keys up should a female sing a male song?
Average is +5 to +7 semitones (a perfect fourth or fifth). +5 and +7 are the most common choices; an octave change is +12. This accounts for the average male range (E2-A4) vs. female range (A2-E5).
How many keys down for males singing female songs?
Average is -5 to -7 semitones. For ballads with a critical chorus high note, drop -12 (one octave) on just the chorus peak rather than the whole song. This tool auto-suggests based on each song's highest note.
Does heavy key transposition harm sound quality?
Karaoke machines stay natural within ±6, slightly unnatural at ±7 to ±12, and noticeably degraded beyond ±12. Octave shifts (±12) are smoother than extreme semitone changes; this tool recommends octave shifts when your value exceeds ±7.