Free Tools for BandLab Producers
BandLab gives you a full DAW in any browser, but it does not include BPM detection with key analysis, chord detection, BPM-synced delay calculators, or scale reference tools. These six free browser tools fill that gap, and they work alongside BandLab on any device, including mobile.
BandLab Does Not Include:
- x Musical key detection from audio files
- x Camelot code output for harmonic mixing
- x Chord progression detection in samples
- x BPM-to-ms delay time calculator
- x Scale reference with 18 scale types
- x Note frequency reference for 808 tuning
6 Free Tools for BandLab Users
Find the BPM and musical key of any audio file. Works on samples, loops, stems, and unreleased tracks.
Detect chord progressions in any audio file. Identifies chord names and shows a chord change timeline.
Calculate exact delay times in milliseconds for any BPM. Dotted eighth, quarter, eighth, sixteenth, and more.
Look up scale notes for any key and scale type. Major, minor, pentatonic, modes, and 18 total scales.
Find the Hz frequency for any musical note. Essential for 808 tuning, EQ, and pitch matching.
Visualize harmonic mixing compatibility. Click any key to see all compatible keys highlighted.
Sample Flip Workflow with BandLab
- 1
Detect BPM and key (BeatKey)
Upload your sample to beatkey.app. Note the BPM, key, and Camelot code. Set your BandLab project tempo to match the detected BPM.
- 2
Find the chord progression (Chord Finder)
Upload the same sample to chords.beatkey.app. Note the chord names and progression. Use these to write matching chords in BandLab's Piano Roll or reconstruct the harmony.
- 3
Tune your 808 (Note Frequency Calculator)
Go to notes.beatkey.app. Find the Hz value of the root note of your track. In BandLab's sampler, set the root note to match. Your 808 will lock to the key of your sample.
- 4
Look up scale notes (Scale Finder)
Go to scales.beatkey.app and enter the detected key. Use the scale notes as the palette for any melodies you write in BandLab's Piano Roll. All notes will be harmonically compatible.
- 5
Set BPM-synced delay (Delay Calculator)
Go to delay.beatkey.app and enter your BPM. Copy the ms value for your note division. In BandLab's delay effect, switch to ms mode and paste the value for a rhythmically locked delay effect.
6 BandLab Workflow Tips
BPM Detection Before Import
Before importing a sample into BandLab, run it through BeatKey to get the exact BPM. Then set your BandLab project tempo to match. This prevents pitch-shifting artifacts when BandLab stretches audio to fit the project tempo.
Key Detection for Scale Lock
Detect your sample's key with BeatKey, then set your BandLab virtual instruments to the matching scale. BandLab's scale lock (available in some instruments) constrains MIDI notes to the detected scale, making everything you play sound in key automatically.
808 Tuning in BandLab Sampler
Use notes.beatkey.app to find the Hz of your target note. Detect the sample key with BeatKey first, then look up the Hz value. In BandLab's sampler, set the root note to match. If the 808 sounds off, check the Hz column in the note frequency calculator and compare to what you hear.
BPM-Synced Delay Effects
BandLab's delay effects have an ms mode. Use delay.beatkey.app to calculate the exact ms for your project BPM. Enter that value directly in the delay plugin instead of using note divisions, which can sometimes round differently across plugins.
Chord Progression Rebuilding
Sample a chord-based loop and run it through chords.beatkey.app. Use the detected chord names to rebuild the progression in BandLab's Piano Roll using the correct notes. This avoids copyright issues and lets you use the progression with your own sounds.
Scale Notes for Melody Writing
After detecting the key of your track with BeatKey, go to scales.beatkey.app and look up the scale notes. Use these as the palette for any melodies or leads you write in BandLab's Piano Roll. All highlighted notes will sound harmonically correct over your chord progression.
BandLab vs BeatKey Tools
| Feature | BandLab | BeatKey Tools |
|---|---|---|
| BPM Detection | Basic (not all formats) | Full audio analysis |
| Key Detection | Not available | Included with BPM |
| Camelot Codes | Not available | Always included |
| Chord Detection | Not available | chords.beatkey.app |
| Delay ms Calculator | Not available | delay.beatkey.app |
| Scale Reference | Not available | scales.beatkey.app |
| Note Frequencies | Not available | notes.beatkey.app |
| Works on Mobile | Yes (iOS and Android app) | Yes (any mobile browser) |
| Account Required | Yes (to save projects) | Never |
| Cost | Free (some paid features) | Always free |
| Offline Support | Yes (desktop app) | No (requires internet) |
BandLab on Mobile + BeatKey Tools
BandLab has one of the best mobile DAW experiences available. All BeatKey Tools work in any mobile browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox) on iOS and Android, so you can use them alongside BandLab on your phone or tablet without switching apps.
- + Open beatkey.app in your phone browser, upload a sample, get BPM and key in seconds
- + Share audio from BandLab to Files, then upload to chords.beatkey.app for chord detection
- + Use scales.beatkey.app to look up scale notes before writing a melody in BandLab's Piano Roll
- + Quick-reference delay.beatkey.app for delay times without leaving BandLab
Other DAW Guides
BandLab Producer FAQ
How do I find the BPM of a sample in BandLab?
Upload your sample to BeatKey (beatkey.app). It detects the BPM and musical key instantly in your browser using audio analysis. Once you have the BPM, enter it into BandLab's project tempo field. BandLab has basic tempo detection for some file types, but BeatKey gives you the exact value with key detection and Camelot code included, which BandLab does not provide.
How do I find the key of a song or sample in BandLab?
BandLab does not have built-in key detection. Upload your audio file to BeatKey (beatkey.app) - it analyzes the audio and gives you the musical key, BPM, and Camelot code in seconds. No account or download required. Works in any browser on any device. Once you know the key, set your BandLab project key to match your sample for correct pitch-shifting and scale-locked MIDI.
How do I calculate delay time in BandLab to match BPM?
Use the BPM Delay Calculator at delay.beatkey.app. Enter your project BPM and it gives you exact milliseconds for every note value (quarter, dotted eighth, eighth, sixteenth, and more). In BandLab, open your delay effect and switch to ms mode, then enter the value. For the classic dotted eighth delay (The Edge sound), use the dotted eighth column in the calculator.
How do I find what chords are in a sample for BandLab?
Upload your sample to the Chord Finder at chords.beatkey.app. It detects chord progressions, identifies each chord name (Dm7, Gmaj7, etc.), and shows a timeline of chord changes. Once you have the chords, recreate them in BandLab's Piano Roll. Works on any audio file including samples, loops, and unreleased music not in any database.
What free tools work best alongside BandLab?
All BeatKey Tools work in any browser including BandLab's built-in browser, so you can use them without leaving the platform. beatkey.app for BPM and key detection, chords.beatkey.app for chord detection, delay.beatkey.app for BPM-synced delay times, scales.beatkey.app for scale notes, and notes.beatkey.app for note frequencies and 808 tuning. All free, no account needed.
Start with BPM and Key Detection
Upload any audio file. Get BPM, musical key, and Camelot code in seconds. Free, no account.
Try BeatKey FreeNo signup. No download. Works in any browser.