---
title: "Key Properties"
url: "https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/html/CKSOUND-ID_CKEY_PROPERTIES.html"
section_path: "Animate > Timeline > Menu > Create > Add Special Tracks > Keys and Special Keys > Sound Key > Key Properties"
element_id: "CKSOUND"
group_id: "ID_CKEY_PROPERTIES"
description: "This option fixes the key at the current time and thus protects it against unintentional movement, for example."
---

## Key Properties

![Image: 012842.jpg](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/012842.jpg)

### Key Time

Parameter ID: `ID_CKEY_TIME`

The key is shown in this frame of the animation.

### Lock Time

Parameter ID: `ID_CKEY_LOCK_T`

This option fixes the key at the current time and thus protects it against unintentional movement, for example.

### Breakdown Color

Parameter ID: `ID_CKEY_BREAKDOWNCOLOR`

See [Breakdown Color](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/html/CKVALUE-ID_VKEY_PROPERTIES.html.md).

### Mute

Parameter ID: `ID_CKEY_MUTE`

This mutes the key, which means that none of the stored values of these keys are evaluated in the time intervals between these muted keys. Instead, the values of the neighboring keys that are not **muted** continue to be evaluated. The effect is therefore as if the muted keys were not there at all. This can be used, for example, to temporarily deactivate the secondary movements of an animation in order to concentrate on the key poses of the remaining active keys and, for example, to be able to fundamentally examine their timing.

### Breakdown

Parameter ID: `ID_CKEY_BREAKDOWN`

See [Breakdown](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/html/CKVALUE-ID_VKEY_PROPERTIES.html.md).

### Volume

Parameter ID: `CID_SOUNDKEY_VOLUME` · Range: [0..+∞%]

This value specifies the volume of the corresponding sound file.

### Balance

Parameter ID: `CID_SOUNDKEY_BALANCE` · Range: [-100..100%]

This value specifies the stereo balance of the corresponding sound file. Values between -100% and 100% are permitted. Negative values cause the volume to be shifted to the left channel, positive values cause the volume to be shifted to the right channel. The balance is set to 0% by default (even balance).

> **Tip:** If you play an animation with the **Play sound** option activated, Cinema 4D mixes all sound tracks together without evaluating **Volume** and **Balance**.