Square Chain
30s preview
- Key
- 8B · C major
- BPM
- 159
- Half-time
- 80
- Open Key
- 1d
- Energy
- 44/100
- Pop
- 9/100
- Length
- 2:33
- Released
- 2010
- Genre
- Techno
- Loudness
- -11.7 dB
- Dynamics
- 15.6 dB
- ISRC
- GBBPW1000236
Key, BPM and audio features: model-based audio analysis · how we measure · catalogue updated July 2026
Square Chain runs 159 BPM in C major (8B), a fast techno record. It is vocal-led. Its spectrum is weighted to the sub and kick, with a heavy low end. The master keeps real dynamic headroom. The master keeps unusual dynamic range for club music (crest 16 dB). A 2010 production that still circulates in sets. Faster than 94% of Jon Hopkins's catalogue.
- Groove:
- groovier than 89% of Jon Hopkins's catalogue
Sonic profile
Frequency spectrum
amplitude · bass → treble
- 36%
- Low
- 30-130 Hz
- 30%
- Low-mid
- 130-570 Hz
- 24%
- Upper-mid
- 570 Hz-2.5 kHz
- 10%
- High
- 2.5-11 kHz
FAQ
What key is Square Chain in?
Square Chain by Jon Hopkins is in C major, or 8B on the Camelot wheel.
What BPM is Square Chain?
Square Chain runs at 159 BPM, a fast track.
What mixes well with Square Chain?
From 8B it blends harmonically with 9B, 8A, 7B. Moving to 9B lifts the energy a step.
Is Square Chain good for peak time?
With energy 44 out of 100 at 159 BPM, it works best as a warm-up or breakdown cut.
Mixes harmonically
8B → 7B · 9B · 8AFrom 8B, 9B (G major) lifts the energy a step; 8A (A minor) settles into the relative minor; 7B (F major) cools the energy down a step.
How to mix it
In 8B at 159 BPM: 9B (G major) — move to 9B to push the floor harder; 8A (A minor) — switch to 8A for a mood change without losing the groove; 7B (F major) — drop to 7B to bring the room down gently.
Pitch range at ±6%: 149-169 BPM — anything in that window beatmatches without sounding stretched.
Key on the fader: without key lock (Master Tempo on CDJs), above roughly +5% it plays a semitone higher, so treat it as 3B rather than 8B; below -5% it reads as 1B. With key lock on, it stays 8B across the whole range.
Programming: a warm-up or breakdown cut — early set or after a peak to reset the room.
Similar tempo
Within ±3 BPM of 159 — beatmatch without a big tempo pull.
More techno
More from Jon Hopkins
Full profile
Other recommendations
Beyond strict key and genre matches: tracks that still sit in beatmatch range of 159 BPM with a compatible energy and groove — candidates for a key jump or a genre crossover.
