What software?

[reminisce discos]

Hi all,

Can anyone recommend which dj software i should use . i have just started out on the laptop path and any suggestions would be appreciated,

many thanks

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Please have a look round the forum and use the search facility as this has been discussed a million times. Thanks.

Look for PCDJ, Virtual DJ, Traktor, Ots, Bpm studio, Mixmeister, Sam party DJ, PCDJVJ.

If you Google each of the above, you'll find free trial versions of them all. Give them a try and then come back and ask questions.

[reminisce discos]

Will do thanks for that, i have used SAM and found it pretty good

[KaraokeDJ]

Mixmeister (www.mixmeister.com) without a doubt. It's fantastic for any DJ who wants to plan well in advance and be able to drop in any requests along the way... I've used it in my last few gigs and wouldn't even consider anything else.

Martin

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I've used it in my last few gigs and wouldn't even consider anything else.



Even if you hadn't tried anything else? :confused:

[KaraokeDJ]

Even if you hadn't tried anything else? :confused:

I have tried various other DJ software and while I appreciate that they each have their own strengths and weaknesses - I have found the one I like best. Virtual DJ, PCDJ, Traktor etc., all are really good for the 'club' DJ or any DJ who likes to do loads of live mixing etc., but what I found with the new Fusion version of MixMeister (with dual outputs) is that I can set-up several mixes in advance, loop bits instantly, throw in a gap wneh I want to announce something and drop in pre-saved sets whenever I want to - it's simply brilliant and when I said I wouldn;t consider anything else, that's because I have tried many over the past few years and this one, for me, is everything that I, as a mobile DJ, needs.

Martin

[Larry B Entertainment]

I quite like the idea of being able to map out songs minutes or hours ahead but then again i like the conventional look of 2 virtual cd decks thats why i went with pcdj. But i can see the benefits of being able to programme tracks and speech slots in advance.

[sleah]

all are really good for the 'club' DJ or any DJ who likes to do loads of live mixing etc., but what I found with the new Fusion version of MixMeister (with dual outputs) is that I can set-up several mixes in advance, loop bits instantly, throw in a gap wneh I want to announce something and drop in pre-saved sets

:confused: you've just described some of the things a 'club' DJ might do:confused:

anyway...... I'm a PCDJ Blue vrm man, it does exactly what I need, and only a little of what I don't:D
I particularly like the record case in PCDJ, it's one of it's main strengths.
You simply point it at several folders on your hard drive, so you can have 60's, 70's, 80's, rock, mash-ups etc without seeing any other folders that are lurking around which can muddle the screen.
It essentially emulates a twin cd player, so the interface is nice and familiar.
you *really* need some kind of hardware controller though.... I hate using the mouse unless it's to scroll through the record case.

[Larry B Entertainment]

Im find the keyboard shortcuts quite usefull. Yes the record case is good and looks nice and neat on the screen.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

:confused: you've just described some of the things a 'club' DJ might do:confused:



I was thinking that too.

I'm not sure how you would set mixes up in advance either? Surely, as a mobile, you read the floor and then determine what people will dance to.

I aslo don't understand the bit about needing a gap to announce something - can't you use turn the faders on your mixer down?

[DJ James Lake]

I have used Traktor DJ Studio for 3 years now and found it to be rock solid. Any function can be mapped to a midi controller. (DAC-3 or any other midi based controller).

It certainly is a Pro Application.

Yes I do a lot of mixing, but it can be as simple or complicated as you want. It had a very conventional display that looks like cd players. It has 4 decks which come is very useful.

One thing I have found with all other DJ packages except Traktor is that so much valuable screen space is taken up by the decks themselves, personally I prefer to be able to display as much of my playlists as possible on screen for my selection.

The only program I have found close to Traktor is Virtual DJ which does perform very well. It just seems very toy like after Traktor and is no where near as stable.

If you want to take Traktor to a whole other level you can upgrade it by buying Traktor Scratch. Then Traktor DJ studio gains full vinyl or cd control and an extremely well built external 8 channel sound card comes with Traktor Scratch as well.

http://www.native-instruments.com:80/index.php?id=djline

[Vectis]

Big OTS fan here. I don't use it as primary playout - just for background sequences etc. (and as backup obviously) but it's intuitive, sounds great thanks to built-in processing tools and what's more it runs like stink on quite low-spec hardware.

Been running for about 3 years now with absolutely no problems whatsoever.

[sleah]

One thing I have found with all other DJ packages except Traktor is that so much valuable screen space is taken up by the decks themselves, personally I prefer to be able to display as much of my playlists as possible on screen for my selection.

I'm right with you on that one! As I don't use mixing, looping or silly on-screen mixers, PCDJ is pretty good in terms of screen layout. Just the decks visible across the top and the rest showing the record case.

[leighinstoke]

There seems to be two schools of user when it comes to PC playback. Those that want comprehensive mixing facilities with software like Traktor, etc and additonal VJ/KJ facilities then those who just seek an additional form of playback (like myself) who prefer simplicity with software such as PCDJ.

Just decide that you want to do, try some packages and settle on one you are comfy with.

Leigh.....

[pagan_flame]

I'm right with you on that one! As I don't use mixing, looping or silly on-screen mixers, PCDJ is pretty good in terms of screen layout. Just the decks visible across the top and the rest showing the record case. ...which is just like OTSDJ. :confused:

(Mine doesn't even have the images at the top - just playlist, media library and decks at top or bottom as you prefer)

http://www.otsav.com/doc/webdoc/originalmainshotreal.jpg

[TLC]

OTSav for me all the way, Rock solid

[flatliners]

i use virtual dj and it works a treat and you can change the skins so if you want a pair of pioneer cdj 1000 on your screen then bingo.
i use the tascam skin

[robbiedj]

OTSav for me all the way, Rock solid

Me too.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Can you use a controller with Ots?

[Vectis]

Yep. Not sure which, but I know you can.

[Javlingames]

I use Serato www.scratchlive.net . Great programme for club and mobile DJ's, great for basic playback and great in the club for mixing (Serato comes with timecoded vinyl and cd's). There is a huge forum with scratchlive owners all over the world sharing tips, help with problems, feature suggestions and a general chat forum. Serato also supply regular updates which are totally free. Serato Scratch Live has become the industry standard vinyl emulation programme in the world and is used by many many famous DJ's. Just my 2 penneth

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Why would you want to use it if you were a mobile though?

[Javlingames]

Because it is a very stable programme that has never crashed on me, I dont even have a spare cd ready I am that confident in it! (i will regret that comment this weekend no doubt). You dont have to use the timecode cd's and vinyl because there are short cuts on the keyboard. I know 4 or 5 mobile dj's that use it and they love it, most of the time they use the shortcuts on the keyboard but if they do an 18th, 21st or a young wedding etc they can take their decks in and use it that way. There are lots of programmes to choose from, its just that I personally recommend this one.

[Larry B Entertainment]

Because it is a very stable programme that has never crashed on me, I dont even have a spare cd ready I am that confident in it!

All software is stable until the first time it crashes half way thru a gig and the whole system goes down :beer1:

[Totally Plucked]

Big OTS fan here. I don't use it as primary playout - just for background sequences etc. (and as backup obviously) but it's intuitive, sounds great thanks to built-in processing tools and what's more it runs like stink on quite low-spec hardware.

Been running for about 3 years now with absolutely no problems whatsoever.

Totally agree 100% rock solid :)

[Ryu]

I'm on Virtual DJ. Good interface, Good with the Total Control I've got, handy if I want to drop into a bit of beatmatching, and simple enough for my technophobe father to get the hang of too!

[DJ James Lake]

Why would you want to use it if you were a mobile though?

Why not, I use the same setup except with Traktor Scratch/Traktor DJ Studio. It allows me to DJ the way I like best, with vinyl turntables but without the need to carry heavy record cases.

[paull]

Hi,

I also use Traktor with a midi contorller and it has a lot of flexibility and a great database from finding those elusive tracks.

Paul

www.spectrumdisco-dj.co.uk

[Gavin Matthews]

Because it is a very stable programme that has never crashed on me, I dont even have a spare cd ready I am that confident in it! (i will regret that comment this weekend no doubt). You dont have to use the timecode cd's and vinyl because there are short cuts on the keyboard. I know 4 or 5 mobile dj's that use it and they love it, most of the time they use the shortcuts on the keyboard but if they do an 18th, 21st or a young wedding etc they can take their decks in and use it that way. There are lots of programmes to choose from, its just that I personally recommend this one.

I use serato scratch live on my disco and find it to be the best program, having used traktor & PCDJ Red and FX in the past.