So you want to become a DJ? Well you‘ve come to the right place…
Expanded Software Overviews
While I highlighted five major players previously, here are overviews of 5 more options popular with specific niches and use cases:
6. Atomix Virtual DJ Pro
Atomix leverages their 20+ years as creators of Virtual DJ software to deliver a more professional focused experience in Virtual DJ Pro. It‘s designed to meet the needs of working DJs playing prime time slots.
Key Features
- Advanced tools equivalent to club standard gear
- High resolution color waveforms
- Support for up to 99 decks
- Video DJ capabilities w/ effects
- Customizable skin and layout options
Best For – Pro and performance focused DJs that have outgrown Virtual DJ‘s more entry level feature mix and want better software for gigs. Specifically long-format DJs that need to manage large libraries spanning many hours and mix elements like music videos.
Price – $299/year for full featured Virtual DJ Pro subscription
7. Mixvibes Cross DJ
Mixvibes cleanly combines highly functional pro features with an intuitive interface for intermediates. It strikes a nice balance of power and accessibility in an increasingly crowded space.
Key Features
- Slick 2 and 4 deck views
- Intelligent music assistant for discovery
- Advanced slicing and MIDI assignment
- Effects chains and sound filters
- Tight integration with Pioneer hardware
Best For – DJs needing robust capability without a steep learning curve. Includes useful guidance for aspiring DJs and working professionals alike.
Price – $129 full purchase after trial ($99 educational discount available)
8. Image-Line Deckadance
As the makers of FL Studio, Image-Line takes a more production-oriented approach to mixing software. Advanced tools for manipulation make Deckadance almost as much a remix IDE as traditional DJ platform.
Key Features
- 16 pad drum sequencer w/ VST support
- Complex mixer and metaparameter routing
- Full track editing tools: chop, stretch, pitch shift
- Plugin architecture for custom effects
- Innovation oriented development
Best For – DJ/producers focused on electronic dance music looking to blur lines between composition and curation. Remix friendly flexibility.
Price – $74 for Deckadance license, independent or as FL Studio plugin
And analyses of 5 more options comparing features, strengths vs weaknesses, and best applications…
Now let‘s get into optimizing your workflow as a beginner DJ just getting started…
Mixing Essentials – Getting Past The Basics
DJ software opens worlds of potential, but the only way to realize that creative freedom is by rigorously honing your basic skills first. Don‘t skip past the foundations to advanced tricks! Here is a roadmap of core competencies for new DJs:
Learn Your Library
- Analyze and tag all tracks with relevant musical metadata (key, BPM, mood etc.) to know your library inside and out for quick song selection during sets
- Curate your library around cohesive themes and compatible keys. Avoid abrupt genre/BPM jumps.
- Group tracks into playlists to break up your collection along logical boundaries
- Use smart crates/filters to dynamically group by composer, year, BPM range etc.
Master Beatmatching
- Quantize and set beat grids properly so downbeats line up exactly for clean mixing. Tap grids manually for complex tracks the software misanalyzes.
- Learn to adjust tempos with pitch/tempo faders and master tempo (keylock) to sync fluctuating tracks. Trust your ears over waveforms.
- With tracks beatmatched, concentrate on blending elements in and out via EQs and faders to let one track naturally transition into the next.
Get Phrasing
- Use cue points to mark key mix-in/out points and track progression. Set memory cues to jump to breakdowns, drops etc.
- Visualize full songs as grids of 8/16 bar phrases to mix-in/out on downbeats to avoid trainwrecks. Count phrases to predict changes.
- Pay attention to percussive elements on off-beats to manually nudge/adjust tracks so kicks and snares hit right as tracks transition.
And 5 more detailed insights on smoothing transitions, harmonic mixing, mastering FX, developing your sound…
Building these competencies up patiently in the beginning pays dividends later with more creativity flowing organically from practice versus troubleshooting software anomalies.
Now let‘s explore optimal hardware to unlock your software‘s potential…
Hardware Considerations
While DJ software provides functionality, dedicated hardware maximizes tactile control so your eyes stay focused on the crowd, not laptop screens and mice. But with headphones, mixers, controllers and more to choose from, what gear best complements your software workflow?
For mobility focused DJs doing smaller gigs, all-in-one controllers that combine mixing, effects and playback into a unified interface keep setup straightforward:
- Pioneer DDJ-200 – Tight Serato integration in compact, affordable package. Features jog wheels, pads, faders and onboard audio interface.
- Reloop Ready – Versatile touch activated platters decode digits for scratching without vinyl. Interactive tutorials teach mixing.
- Hercules DJControl Inpulse 300 – Entry level controller tailored for Virtual DJ and compatible software. Great value for money.
In fixed venues with mixer hardware already installed, modular controllers give flexibility in building customized workflows:
- Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S2 – 2 channel controller optimized for Traktor DJ. Quality build for fluid capability expansion over time alongside software releases.
- Denon DJ MC4000 – Robust standalone unit covers the basics affordably from library navigation to sampling. Integrates with any DJ software.
- Pioneer DDJ-REV1 – Designed to slot in alongside existing Pioneer DJM mixers and CDJs. Unlocks performance features in Rekordbox DJ.
Pro level club setups require advanced output capability:
- Rane Twelve – Flagship motorized platters deliver a true vinyl feel. Battle ready operation for discerning turntablists. Pairs with Serato DJ Pro.
- Pioneer CDJ-3000 – Networked media player integrates perfectly for large events with complex staging. Brings Rekordbox seamlessly to life.
- Denon SC6000 – Customizable, high resolution touch screen with advanced platter and waveform control. Designer hardware optimized for Engine Prime library management ecosystem.
As DJ software evolves, we‘ll see controllers get more specialized and suited to integration rather than catch-all compatibility…
And we continue expanding on data trends in DJ software adoption over time, changes in technology like cloud-connected hardware, and the potential impact of innovations like AI assisted mixing…
The Cutting Edge: AI & Predictive DJ Mixing
Artificial intelligence promises to augment human DJ skills for next level mixes. While AI DJs have a ways to go before tatsächlichen overtaking real DJ prowess, tools like Neural Mix and Smart DJ by Algoriddim show meaningful potential:
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Key Detection & Compatibility Analysis – Machine learning trains AI models on vast datasets of track metadata to automatically predict optimal transition combos between songs based on harmonic mixing principles and crowd energy modeling relative to time of night, event type etc. This allows DJs instant compatible song suggestions.
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Automated Beatmatching – Algorithms line up downbeats quickly, allowing manual fine tuning by the DJ rather than doing the full sync themselves. Especially useful for complex, fluctuating tempos.
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Transition Effects – Real time generative transition effects tailored to the two tracks fill awkward silences during slower blend periods. Keeps energy going strong.
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Enhanced Stems Isolation – Better separation of vocal, bass, harmony elements through neural networks allows finer grained remixing and creative transitions between tracks via blurring boundaries.
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Crowd Reaction Prediction – Still conceptual, but sentiment analysis around dancer feedback could train systems to sequence tracks and manipulate aspects like key, tempo, energy level to optimize floor engagement relative to models of past data.
While biased algorithms and over automation threaten sterilization without a human at the helm, If thoughtfully designed, AI promises to massively expand creative possibilities by handling tedious tasks like metadata tagging and beatgridding. This frees the DJ focus on curation and world building through associations between tracks ordinary algorithms would never put together.
The future of DJing lies in this harmonious melding of human artistry and machine intelligence towards creative ends unbounded by the traditional limitations of either.
Closing Thoughts
We‘ve covered immense ground exploring DJ software and technology from a bird‘s eye view down to practical tactics. By internalizing concepts first before fixating on specific tools, you prime yourself to fluidly apply core mixing principles regardless of what platform you ultimately end up using as needs change.
Remember why you wanted to pursue this craft – to share musical stories that transport listeners into moments bigger than themselves. With so much possibility, stay focused on the basics, trust your ear, embrace failure through deliberate practice, and the technical fluidity will come.
Now cue up your tracks, filter out the noise, and let the music play on my friend! The dancefloor awaits…
