laptop software

[gharbud]

hi i currently have the demo version of virtual dj which is brilliant, i was wondering is their any freeware progams that do the same job? what does everybody use? im only doing weddings and birthday parties so dont need anything fancy just somthing with automix or simalr thanks

[Excalibur]

hi i currently have the demo version of virtual dj which is brilliant, i was wondering is their any freeware progams that do the same job? what does everybody use? im only doing weddings and birthday parties so dont need anything fancy just somthing with automix or simalr thanks

To quote Ms Safka: " They only put a nickel in, but they want a dollar song". Or to put it another way:
Not as far as I'm aware. If anyone knows better, I'd be delighted to be proved wrong.

[simon1969]

Have a look on Ebay for second hand ones or Play or Amazon :) :)

[discomobiledj]

Media Monkey Free....

[WWDJ]

hi i currently have the demo version of virtual dj which is brilliant, i was wondering is their any freeware progams that do the same job? what does everybody use? im only doing weddings and birthday parties so dont need anything fancy just somthing with automix or simalr thanks

In short no. Everyone expects to be paid for the work they do (even it is under the guise of opensource). I guess you are being paid for your weddings and parties and your customers would expect 100% relability in the software that you use.

I use Traktor Pro, but there is also Traktor Duo and Traktor LE comes free with some Native Instruments and 3rd Party products providing an easier upgrade route.

Virtual DJ of course is one size fits all

There is one free option actually that I know of which is OTS Turntables which is basic .. but then it is free!
http://www.otsturntables.com/#__utma=1.2006541736.1280778250.1280778250.1280778 250.1&__utmb=1.2.10.1280778250&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1280778250.1.1.utmcsr=google|utmccn=(orga nic)|utmcmd=organic|utmctr=ots&__utmv=-&__utmk=60205101

[Excalibur]

Media Monkey Free....

A big big thumbs up from me on this one. :thumbs_up:

I've seen questions on the MM forum asking if anyone had/would write an upgrade allowing two decks/playouts. If you only need one, it's unbeatable. :D :D :D If you need two, it's struggling. :( :( :( :( :(

[Daryll]

Try this page

http://mp3.about.com/od/essentialsoftware/tp/free-DJ-Software.htm

Mixxx has come on in leaps and bounds.
I have zero experience of Kramixer.

However I use Ultramixer ( the pro version) IMHO its brilliant.

If you go down the Linux route ;)

http://www.hitsquad.com/smm/linux/DJ_MIXING/freeware/.


A low cost alternative

http://www.spacialaudio.com/?page=sam-party-dj-screenshots

I started off with this , it just works , and has a few features the "big boys" dont , it just looks awful :D .

you could always use two instances of Winamp , and add the Winamp crossfader , again , it works.

Cheerswe

Daryll

[Vectis]

There is one free option actually that I know of which is OTS Turntables which is basic .. but then it is free!
http://www.otsturntables.com/#__utma=1.2006541736.1280778250.1280778250.1280778 250.1&__utmb=1.2.10.1280778250&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1280778250.1.1.utmcsr=google|utmccn=(orga nic)|utmcmd=organic|utmctr=ots&__utmv=-&__utmk=60205101

If you check out the licence Ts & Cs you'll see that it's not free for commercial use. And the unlicensed version puts jingles inbetween the songs every so often.

Good program though.

I cannot believe that anyone would consider playing at "only a wedding" with a free bit of software. I know DJs are (generally) quite tight but that takes the biscuit :Naughty: Would you be using "free" music too I wonder? :bang:

[gharbud]

as i have said we are kind of new to this, after spending £1500 on a disco i didnt expect to pay nearly 300 dollars for the laptop software, we already have the produb license and using a cd pool to download the music

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

as i have said we are kind of new to this, after spending £1500 on a disco i didnt expect to pay nearly 300 dollars for the laptop software, we already have the produb license and using a cd pool to download the music

Er, why didn't you expect to pay $300 for software? You need a professional playout solution to earn money from, so what did you expect? :confused:

[Vectis]

Er, why didn't you expect to pay $300 for software? You need a professional playout solution to earn money from, so what did you expect? :confused:

Perhaps we shouldn't raise the spectre of backup, then :o

[yourdj]

i use Serato itch which needs hardware.

If your on mac (which i assume you are being american) i would recommend DJAY software. very cheap and well worth it.

[robbiedj]

I'm an OTSAVpro man myself.

Has it's own ripping program and auto-beatcount. Can be used for video/karaoke/slideshow projection as well as optional automix. You can even scratch if you really want to.

Check OTS labs website for a demo copy and try for yourself.

[welby]

er...try this....

Opensource - Gratis - Free!

http://www.mixxx.org/

http://www.mixxx.org/images/screenshots/mixxx_170_1_th.png

http://www.mixxx.org/images/screenshots/mixxx_160_collusion_1_th.png

I have never tried it, as i love my VirtualDJ, :) but looks promising.

[yourdj]

For the sake of £60-70 dollars why not buy some half decent software?

how much do you charge for a gig. surly its worth sacrificing an hour or two for some dependable equipment?

There is a massive difference between my djay latency/usability and serato/traktor as they are industry standards now and better than any cheap program. Why risk your laptop crashing. get something decent!

[Larry B Entertainment]

hi i currently have the demo version of virtual dj which is brilliant, i was wondering is their any freeware progams that do the same job? what does everybody use? im only doing weddings and birthday parties so dont need anything fancy just somthing with automix or simalr thanks

If you keep your eyes open and look in the right places you can get deals on software sometimes.

I bought Tracktor DJ Studio 3 for £79 from Native instruments a couple of years ago when they had a deal on it. I still use it today as it does the job very well and is rock solid.
The software is an investment you wont regret. The thing to remember with free or opensource software is that it might have bugs, not be as stable and wont have been as rigarously tested as commercial premium software.

At the end of the day, if you want to deliver the goods, you better get your hand in your pocket first as without the proper tools how can you be the best you can be.

[welby]

The thing to remember with free or opensource software is that it might have bugs, not be as stable and wont have been as rigarously tested as commercial premium software.

I don't often disagree with folks on here, but your statement is not correct.

I work for a software company and I can tell you ALL software has bugs in it, even your windows vista or xp etc.

And as regards testing, some opensource programmes have massive support. One such software that springs to mind is Joomla CMS. It has thousands of users across the world.

Even the latest Virtual DJ 6.1.1 has a bug in it. 6.1.1 cannot operate the dac3 as it stands and the developers are working on a bug fix.

So to imply that opensource software is not in alignment with commercial software is very misleading.

[welby]

oh and while im here, here is another piece of opensource software for VJs:

This could probably give R4 a run for it's money! :ner: :ner:

http://opentzt.sourceforge.net/

http://opentzt.sourceforge.net/images/ss_intro.jpg

[Larry B Entertainment]

I don't often disagree with folks on here, but your statement is not correct.

I work for a software company and I can tell you ALL software has bugs in it, even your windows vista or xp etc.

And as regards testing, some opensource programmes have massive support. One such software that springs to mind is Joomla CMS. It has thousands of users across the world.

Even the latest Virtual DJ 6.1.1 has a bug in it. 6.1.1 cannot operate the dac3 as it stands and the developers are working on a bug fix.

So to imply that opensource software is not in alignment with commercial software is very misleading.

I can see where you are coming from but I just wouldnt use open source software in front of an audience. I believe as with audio and lighting gear, you get what you pay for.
I am aware that opensource projects have massive support and on going development and I am a big supporter of opensource and use many applications myself. I just dont trust them as much as Premium software.
Buying software from a global company such as Native Instruments or Atomix will always be safer than using Mixxx in my opinion, even though it is getting stronger and stronger.

[DazzyD]

er...try this....

Opensource - Gratis - Free!

http://www.mixxx.org/

http://www.mixxx.org/images/screenshots/mixxx_170_1_th.png

http://www.mixxx.org/images/screenshots/mixxx_160_collusion_1_th.png

I have never tried it, as i love my VirtualDJ, :) but looks promising.

Not bad for listening to tracks at home but it doesn't have anywhere the functionality of VDJ6. I've just upgraded to v6 after being happy with v4 for a long time. And, as advised on here, the new automix facility is pretty good for background when I'm doing karaoke and keeps deck 2 free for karaoke tracks.

I'd recommend VDJ any day. (But I also use Traktor for "real" DJing! ;) )

[welby]

Larry/Dazzer,

I must admit I am on your side on this one. I use VDJ 6.1 and I love it. It does all the things that I want it to do and I think it's the right way to go.

I was just making a point about opensource software as I have used it on many occaisons without fault and cost.

I think that if your making a living out of djing then you should invest in good time prooven software and hardware.

Advice on here about products is usually a genuine and is borne out of people's experiences.

So my advice is go and buy some software - you will pay for it on the first gig.

[Larry B Entertainment]

That VJ software looks quite nice. Might have a play with that tonight.

[cosmicdiscos]

Try Sam Party DJ from SpacialAudio. i think its fantastic, it cost me about $80

[simonp]

I'd recommend VDJ any day. (But I also use Traktor for "real" DJing! ;) )


A man talking (bracketed) sense :D :D :D

[DazzyD]

Try Sam Party DJ from SpacialAudio. i think its fantastic, it cost me about $80

I used SAM a few years ago as it had a very good automix function. I used to use it when doing wedding fayres as I could be out front meeting and speaking to potential clients and just let "SAM" get on with playing the music.


A man talking (bracketed) sense :D :D :D

I just find that Traktor gives you finer control over what you're doing. It was very daunting when I first saw it but I persevered and now I think it's a great piece of DJing software.

But, of course, each to their own!