Digital DJ Software Suites?

What digital mixing software is everyone using out there... I always see DJ's at the club spinning on a laptop and they never seem to want to talk about what they use? I'm all like "What software do you spin with..." and they're all like "blah blah, mumble mumble"; ignored? Who knows, right? Anyway- I'm all about Linux/Unix and the open source apps... Currently I've been using/re-building a program called MiXXX (For Linux, Windows and Mac OS) it's a decent little program and has been working fine for me as of yet, but i'm looking for something a bit more professional and powerful? Maybe even something with a external BPM counter? I dunno, before i start rambling i leave it at this? What are you using?

p.s. - this is not a discussion on why vinyl is better than digital media... i hate it whenever i start talking about digital media, some jerk has to lay into me with the whole (if you can't afford vinyl, don't spin)

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Permalink Reply by felipe ramirez on August 10, 2009 at 1:38pm

respect to every dj in here and its really not what you play with but how you decide to play with it. i use serato for a couple of reasons, it is the most professional suite there is, it doesnt take away the dj feeling like tracktor, mixmiester, vdj pro, mixvibes do.
serato has better color coded wave forms that help me read a track part by part

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Permalink Reply by Torres on August 10, 2009 at 9:39pm

Really? I don't like the serato wave form. I prefer the overlapped waveforms that VDJ pro offers it also offers a preview of the entire track as it plays, so does traktor.. I would also ask why you think that Serato is the most professional suite? Both VDJ and Traktor support Time encode so where's the lack of DJ feel? Not taking anything away from Serato. It really just comes down to preference. I would suggest to anyone that is looking to go digital, try all of them out! Download the demos or jump on a friends setup before you drop a few hundred on something you might not like.

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Permalink Reply by Drew Isom on December 11, 2009 at 10:38pm

I currently use Serato and have been very happy with it. I agree with felipe, I like the Serato wave form.

I plan on switching over to Traktor soon. The looping function is alot more locked on. And I want to be able to play with the effects. Seeing as my setup is still meager, it adds alot for what it is and how much it costs. Then new X1 controller thats coming out makes Traktor look very attractive also, making the effects section tons easier to manipulate outside of having to touch the computer.

Never used VDj.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Graham on December 13, 2009 at 4:20pm

just ordered Traktor Scratch Pro!!!

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Permalink Reply by DJ Courtney K on December 13, 2009 at 9:30pm

I use Serato. I got it because I didn't want to play with a bunch of unorganized cds. I wanted to be in control and know what i was playing. I don't really care about the effects as much as learning to do things live. I would rather learn to play 4 decks live than have simple effects. I don't really care what you play. These days most new tracks are put out as .mp3 format only, so why limit yourself by not playing digital. It's about programming and passion for the music you play. (unfortunately, now a days, it is all about image.) Anyway, I love Serato. It serves it's purpose for me. They are coming up with new and exciting things, such as 4 decks and partnership with Ableton LIVE. It also has a database of new unreleased tracks for free download (none of which I have preferred, but could be useful for others) that can only be used (well) in Serato.

Every program serves its purpose for each individual.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Graham on December 15, 2009 at 11:21am

how are you not in control when playing a cd? you're in just as much control as any other medium, imo

DJ Courtney K said:

I use Serato. I got it because I didn't want to play with a bunch of unorganized cds. I wanted to be in control and know what i was playing. I don't really care about the effects as much as learning to do things live. I would rather learn to play 4 decks live than have simple effects. I don't really care what you play. These days most new tracks are put out as .mp3 format only, so why limit yourself by not playing digital. It's about programming and passion for the music you play. (unfortunately, now a days, it is all about image.) Anyway, I love Serato. It serves it's purpose for me. They are coming up with new and exciting things, such as 4 decks and partnership with Ableton LIVE. It also has a database of new unreleased tracks for free download (none of which I have preferred, but could be useful for others) that can only be used (well) in Serato.

Every program serves its purpose for each individual.

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Permalink Reply by Keshiva on December 18, 2009 at 12:19pm

Traktor thanx to Edson, but also a very nice standalone Dj suite is Mixmeister Studio or Fusion Pro. Ableton & Renoise are in my opinion 2 of the very best programs for production.

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Permalink Reply by Aaron Emberson on December 21, 2009 at 4:24pm

watch out for mixmeister, its the definition of cheating. setting up a mix before it plays(vol,fx,fades,filters) takes away any kind of live feel. Traktor pro is what I use for now.

Oh and vinyl only sound as good as the system you play it through. Plus wavs dont warp, or lose there first kick. And my laptop does not need new needles,ground wires,pitch controls......or a HUGE whats it called a coffin?

Im just glad people still play this stuff, however they play it.

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Permalink Reply by DJ Courtney K on December 23, 2009 at 2:50pm

Sorry, what I meant by that was, I wanted more organization than a book full of misnamed cds that I burned in a hurry for a party with no clue of what's really on them. A digital program was a more logical decision for this reason. There is the same "control" playing the files using cds, in fact more when using burned, tracked cds rather than Traktor or Serato control cds (which doesn't allow you to use the cdj features). I was speaking of the organization of choons on cds.. controlling the organization.

Besides, it would have cost double to buy 2 new cdjs, compared to the price of Serato.

Steve Graham said:

how are you not in control when playing a cd? you're in just as much control as any other medium, imo
DJ Courtney K said:
I use Serato. I got it because I didn't want to play with a bunch of unorganized cds. I wanted to be in control and know what i was playing. I don't really care about the effects as much as learning to do things live. I would rather learn to play 4 decks live than have simple effects. I don't really care what you play. These days most new tracks are put out as .mp3 format only, so why limit yourself by not playing digital. It's about programming and passion for the music you play. (unfortunately, now a days, it is all about image.) Anyway, I love Serato. It serves it's purpose for me. They are coming up with new and exciting things, such as 4 decks and partnership with Ableton LIVE. It also has a database of new unreleased tracks for free download (none of which I have preferred, but could be useful for others) that can only be used (well) in Serato.

Every program serves its purpose for each individual.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Graham on December 25, 2009 at 1:36pm

ahhh, yeah, i agree with that!

DJ Courtney K said:

Sorry, what I meant by that was, I wanted more organization than a book full of misnamed cds that I burned in a hurry for a party with no clue of what's really on them. A digital program was a more logical decision for this reason. There is the same "control" playing the files using cds, in fact more when using burned, tracked cds rather than Traktor or Serato control cds (which doesn't allow you to use the cdj features). I was speaking of the organization of choons on cds.. controlling the organization.

Besides, it would have cost double to buy 2 new cdjs, compared to the price of Serato.

Steve Graham said:
how are you not in control when playing a cd? you're in just as much control as any other medium, imo
DJ Courtney K said:
I use Serato. I got it because I didn't want to play with a bunch of unorganized cds. I wanted to be in control and know what i was playing. I don't really care about the effects as much as learning to do things live. I would rather learn to play 4 decks live than have simple effects. I don't really care what you play. These days most new tracks are put out as .mp3 format only, so why limit yourself by not playing digital. It's about programming and passion for the music you play. (unfortunately, now a days, it is all about image.) Anyway, I love Serato. It serves it's purpose for me. They are coming up with new and exciting things, such as 4 decks and partnership with Ableton LIVE. It also has a database of new unreleased tracks for free download (none of which I have preferred, but could be useful for others) that can only be used (well) in Serato.

Every program serves its purpose for each individual.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Delmon Worden on December 25, 2009 at 8:22pm

FIRST OF ALL A GOOD DJ CAN USE ANY OF THE SOFTWARES AND CONTROLLERES/TIMECODE SYSTEMS.
The main differance between the different software systems is just that. They each have a system or multiple parts to them. some require you to have proprietary gear that only works with their software. What are you bringing to the system to begin with. Are you going to use turntables and vynal to control the computer or cd players, or do you just want a crontol surface an all in one package so to say. My controlere is an ICDX i got off ebay and a soundcard that allows me to have two decks on my analogue mixer. One controller one mixer.
I personally use Virtual DJ or deckadance myself. Deckadance is a dj software like the one your using but offers the ability to open vst's inside as fx. It offers the ability to read most timecodes including pcdj ms pinkie records version 1-5. If that is still not enough you can create a timecode cd inside the version 1.50 and later. ALSO IT CAN BE USED AS A VST! which means you can open it up inside of ableton just like a production synth or drum module. I have experimented with ableton live but its not really djing to me as on the fly production Which is a good and bad thing but it was not djing to me. Virtual dj is the easiest to use with out a controller or with most controllers. Traktor is really good on a MAC but I find it a bit heavy on processing power if you dont have their hardware. I also found it to be a hog on loading but that is my experience. There is also serrato but I feel it is just a name and does not offer much for effects, requires certain software/hardware to use so not a downloadable tryout software. Serrato itch is soon to be released and that may change my opinions on things. The plus is serrato has the most realistic scratch sound. I have tried all the the above mentioned but it is what you want to do and what offers you the best options for your budget. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS YOUR SOUNDCARD. THIS IS YOUR QUALITY MAKER. IF YOUR SOFTWARE OF CHOICE DOES NOT REQUIRE YOU TO HAVE THEIR HARDWARE SOUNDCARD THEN GET A PROFESSIONAL SOUNDCARD WITH A QUALITY DIGITAL TO ANALOGUE CONVERTER IN IT.

Prices :
SOUNDCARDS GOOD FOR PRODUCTION AS WELL AS DJING
ONE OUTPUT OR MASTER OUT under $300 = M Box by digidesign
link http://www.digidesign.com/index.cfm?itemid=4962&langid=100
MULTIPLE OUT FOR ANALOGUE MIXER STYLE under $500 = Presonus/Fire Studio
link http://www.presonus.com/products/Detail.aspx?ProductId=51
CONTROLLERS
Under $500 there are alot made go to your local music store or dig online but they cam all most be programmed into any dj software and quite a few plug n play options.
$500+ now your talking a real professional controller/audio mixer such as the new allen n heath
link http://www.xone.co.uk/dx/
also look into AKAI and many others but you got to have a software that works well with your style.
To sum up your going to have to pick a software hardware combo. You have to look around at how you want to dj with the computer and then you can choose a software that fits your style.

My ultimate rig is the above allen n heath mixer running seratto itch run threw ableton live for effects and live production around the djing. Plus I do video aswell and hope to be doing both at once.