Vortex
30s preview
- Key
- 8A · A minor
- BPM
- 138
- Open Key
- 1m
- Energy
- 94/100
- Pop
- 9/100
- Length
- 6:56
- Released
- 2017
- Genre
- Trance
- Loudness
- -6.8 dB
- Dynamics
- 11.2 dB
- ISRC
- DEQ691800047
Key, BPM and audio features: model-based audio analysis · how we measure · catalogue updated July 2026
A driving up-tempo trance cut, Vortex sits in A minor (8A) at 138 BPM. The feel is dark and driving. The mix is almost entirely instrumental. Its spectrum is weighted to the sub and kick, with a heavy low end. The master keeps unusual dynamic range for club music (crest 11 dB). A 2017 production that still circulates in sets. Darker than 75% of Paul van Dyk's catalogue.
Sonic profile
Frequency spectrum
amplitude · bass → treble
- 36%
- Low
- 30-130 Hz
- 27%
- Low-mid
- 130-570 Hz
- 20%
- Upper-mid
- 570 Hz-2.5 kHz
- 17%
- High
- 2.5-11 kHz
FAQ
What key is Vortex in?
Vortex by Paul van Dyk is in A minor, or 8A on the Camelot wheel.
What BPM is Vortex?
Vortex runs at 138 BPM, a driving up-tempo track.
What mixes well with Vortex?
From 8A it blends harmonically with 9A, 8B, 7A. Moving to 9A lifts the energy a step.
Is Vortex good for peak time?
With energy 94 out of 100 at 138 BPM, it works best as a peak-time weapon.
Mixes harmonically
8A → 7A · 9A · 8BFrom 8A, 9A (E minor) lifts the energy a step; 8B (C major) brightens to the relative major; 7A (D minor) cools the energy down a step.
How to mix it
In 8A at 138 BPM: 9A (E minor) — move to 9A to push the floor harder; 8B (C major) — switch to 8B for a mood change without losing the groove; 7A (D minor) — drop to 7A to bring the room down gently.
Pitch range at ±6%: 130-146 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 3A rather than 8A; below -5% it reads as 1A. With key lock on, it stays 8A across the whole range.
Programming: a peak-time weapon — save it for the main stretch (energy 94/100).
Similar tempo
Within ±3 BPM of 138 — beatmatch without a big tempo pull.
More trance
More from Paul van Dyk
Full profile
Other recommendations
Beyond strict key and genre matches: tracks that still sit in beatmatch range of 138 BPM with a compatible energy and groove — candidates for a key jump or a genre crossover.
![Beat As One [CC453] (Richard Durand Reloaded Mix) by Ferry Corsten cover art](https://i.scdn.co/image/ab67616d00001e025545b90a1f4d36f19bab0063){kind=small}
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