The Upward Spiral
30s preview
- BPM
- 129
- Open Key
- 10d
- Energy
- 61/100
- Pop
- 0/100
- Length
- 6:01
- Released
- 2020
- Genre
- Techno
- Loudness
- -12.5 dB
- Dynamics
- 14.1 dB
- ISRC
- GBR8R1900374
Key, BPM and audio features: model-based audio analysis · how we measure · catalogue updated July 2026
Other versions
- The Upward Spiral (Overlook remix)remix3B · 170
A peak-time tempo techno cut, The Upward Spiral sits in E♭ major (5B) at 129 BPM. The mix is almost entirely instrumental. 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 14 dB). More underground than 99% of Nicolas Bougaïeff's catalogue.
- Brightness:
- brighter than 76% of Nicolas Bougaïeff's catalogue
Sonic profile
Frequency spectrum
amplitude · bass → treble
- 45%
- Low
- 30-130 Hz
- 38%
- Low-mid
- 130-570 Hz
- 17%
- Upper-mid
- 570 Hz-2.5 kHz
- 0%
- High
- 2.5-11 kHz
FAQ
What key is The Upward Spiral in?
The Upward Spiral by Nicolas Bougaïeff is in E♭ major, or 5B on the Camelot wheel.
What BPM is The Upward Spiral?
The Upward Spiral runs at 129 BPM, a peak-time tempo track.
What mixes well with The Upward Spiral?
From 5B it blends harmonically with 6B, 5A, 4B. Moving to 6B lifts the energy a step.
Is The Upward Spiral good for peak time?
With energy 61 out of 100 at 129 BPM, it works best as a mid-set roller.
Mixes harmonically
5B → 4B · 6B · 5AFrom 5B, 6B (B♭ major) lifts the energy a step; 5A (C minor) settles into the relative minor; 4B (A♭ major) cools the energy down a step.
How to mix it
In 5B at 129 BPM: 6B (B♭ major) — move to 6B to push the floor harder; 5A (C minor) — switch to 5A for a mood change without losing the groove; 4B (A♭ major) — drop to 4B to bring the room down gently.
Pitch range at ±6%: 121-137 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 12B rather than 5B; below -5% it reads as 10B. With key lock on, it stays 5B across the whole range.
Programming: a mid-set roller.
Similar tempo
Within ±3 BPM of 129 — beatmatch without a big tempo pull.
More techno
More from Nicolas Bougaïeff
Full profile
Other recommendations
Beyond strict key and genre matches: tracks that still sit in beatmatch range of 129 BPM with a compatible energy and groove — candidates for a key jump or a genre crossover.
