Testing of various DJ software - Results

[quincy]

Just in case anyone is interested, i thought i'd tell of my experiences testing a range of software DJ packages.

Ones i tested: Virtual DJ, Mixvibes, Traktor DJ, Traktor Studio, DSS DJ

I tested these as they had the best reputation, and generally the best extras like FX and other stuff.

Traktor range of software seems very easy to use, good beat matching and other auto features, good filter and EQ section. But alas, no FX otherwise. Also studio version suffers from no support for second card, only multiple outs from one card. Traktor DJ on the other hand has amny of the features of the studio version (plus 2 card support - horay), but at a much cheaper cost. Less flash filter/EQ, but still great and has excellent loooping facilities. Very easy to use, beatmixing/looping/filtering tracks within minutes. only about 35euro dowload version. I would recommend this to anyone.

DSS DJ works in a very similar fashion to Traktor DJ, similar filter setup and EQ, and similar looping tools. Adds some effects, but only a few and no 3rd party support except for proprietery plugin SDK. The effects are pretty crap. Traktor beats this on pure easy of use and instant fun value.

Virtual DJ is the next step from atomix (some may have seen ejay mixing product, used the same engine). It has decent looping tools, some FX, but sadly the DirectX plugin support seems sluggish and buggy. It is a fun piece of kit, but for example you need to switch panels to access EQ/FX and other sections, so not very intuitive. Given bugs and interface problems, not worth 99euro i feel.

Mixvibes 5 Pro stands out a mile for me, it has brilliant control over the sound, with extensive looping including reverse looping options. Great built-in FX that cover loads of ground, lfo controlled filtrs, flangers, chorus etc. Also DirectX plugin support, crashed a once or twice on exiting plugin but to be honest the included FX are so useful its not a huge issue. Probably many plugins would work fine, i only tried 2.

Furthermore, Micvibes supports up to 16 decks for truly creative mixing, a very customisable crossfader with 3 band EQ crossfader built-in, global filters, limiter, compressor, EQ, recording, sample-player etc. The list is long..

The Pro version is 109Euro. It really seems to cover everything a creative DJ could want, and in terms of sheer number of features it basically destroys the competition. I've scoured the net and checked many more than i've mentioned here, and this has the best feature set of them all.

Last thing to mention is that in order to have MIDI controller support, you have to buy the Pro EX version, this is another 60euro. Keyboard control in pro version is pretty great however, aside from config file setup, but not a big problem.

Hope someone finds all this crap useful

[quincy]

Hey ho, small problem may have arisen with Mixvibes 5 pro.

There seems to be some latency issue with monitoring through my cheapo onboard sound. I have installed ASIO4ALL and that doesn't seem to help, i still only have the regular AC97 in the dropdown for monitor device.

Oddly, if I select the option for multi channel ASIO card, i can select ASIO4ALL as the card of choce. So as it stands, i have a delay between what i hear from my audpohile(master) and what i hear in my AC97(Monitor).

Bit of a bummer. In Traktor DJ, using DirectX for both cards, the latency is perfect it seems. Perhaps if the software was trying to use directX thru the audipohile and not ASIO, it would be better. I'm not sure if that makes sense, but i understand me

[ModuLR]

what about PCDJ Red...

[quincy]

what about PCDJ Red...

Thanks for the suggestion. I checked the website for PCDJ and they seem to have a wide range of option, but when i looked at the feature lists it seems you have to pay through the nose to get beyond very basic things. I think only the top version at over $250 has looping and effects, but i could be wrong.

I'll go check again. Cheers

[quincy]

Update on Traktor DJ

I've had a bit more of a play with this, and with a little learning of shortcut keeys it seems this is a very intuitive system indeed, and entirely capable of fairly complex mixes just with keyboard and mouse.

You have fine control over:

* 3 band EQ with kill
* 8 pole low/high filter cutoff
* crossfader with punch buttons
* extensive beat-synced looping
* Pitch change and pitch bend
* Preset tempo-synced scratches that are quite fun

This all works on the selected deck, which is switched with space bar. So the key shortcuts are kept to a minimum.

The real icing on the cake is that you can record the mix as actual mix file which can be played back. So if you make a mistake, just stop record, go back, play and then hit record at relevant moment to try again. Very good for practising you mixes etc without losing all previous effort!

Wave file recording is of course available.

Having tried this for a bit i couldn't recommend it enough. I'm going to buy a compact keyboard for easier hotkey use and get recording mixes!

for 35euro download (if i remember correctly) this is a complete bargain. Plenty enough for creative mixing and so easy to use its unbelievable.

Cheers