Windows Dj Program
Something that every DJ starting out realizes pretty quickly is that it’s not as easy as it looks. It actually takes a lot of knowledge to become a good DJ, but most importantly, you need to make sure that you’re using the best DJ software for music production you can find. But that’s easier said than done, since there are so many different programs on the market, and they all seem to do pretty much the same things.We decided to dig deeper and find out how the top ten DJ software on the market compare and look at who they’re for, what they can do and what their pros and cons are.
We started by listing the ten best ones, that has had the best reviews, and then we read up on them all to find out both what the makers say about them, but mainly what the DJs in the world think!If you find it impossible to choose your DJ software for music production, then why not try some of them for free before you commit? Many of them offer a free trial period so that you can try the software out properly.
This also gives you an opportunity to compare the different software for yourself and see which one best suits your needs. In case you don’t have time to watch the video right now, here’s what they mention:+ Mix digital music files in 2 or 4 full-featured DJ desks+ Includes beat sync, auto-looping, key lock, fully automatic mixing, and support for 70 Advanced file browser allows you to search songs, create playlists and use your iTunes music library easily+ Mix digital music videos seamlessly just like audio+ Apply various video effects and transitions+ Scratch, loop and record audio and video mixes+ Features to host karaoke shows, karaoke singer list, key detection and control. The next singer screen shows your next three singers in orderIf you want to learn more about how to use the different features, you can check out this video. Why We Liked It - This DJ mixing software is a great, user-friendly software that is perfect for people who like to do a little bit of everything, from just regular gigs to karaoke nights and video mixing. It’s hard to go wrong with this program since it’s really versatile, and it’s really good that it’s available with 4 full-featured DJ desks.
This program will give you the freedom to fully control your music the way you want to and it offers no-latency playback.If you have lots of digital music on iTunes you’ll be pleased to hear that it automatically imports your playlists so that you can start working straight away without having to import them manually. Another great thing is that you can install it on up to three. If we say Ableton, what comes to mind? Most people who have heard of it would say that it’s a DAW, that is, a digital audio workstation. This means that it’s not really a DJ software, but a program that’s mostly used to record audio and create music digitally.
As a DAW, Ableton is very well-renowned, and one of the best ones on the market according to many music producers, both professionals, and amateurs.But if Ableton is a DAW, and not a DJ software, why do we include it on our list? Ableton Live 10 is perfect if you want to kill two birds with one stone. Not all DJs/musicians like the idea of spending lots of money on two different software, which you traditionally must do if you both want to be able to DJ as well as record and create music on your computer.Ableton Live 10 allows you to do both, which is great if you’re the kind of person who DJs from time to time and need a program that works but also spends quite a lot of time in your home studio.
As a DJ software it doesn’t really offer anything that other software don’t, but if you consider that you’ll be able to create music using over 1500 sounds, 29 audio effects, and 3 instruments, it suddenly is a lot more appealing to people with multiple interests. You can record audio using up to 16 tracks and it’s, of course, possible to connect a MIDI control instrument such as a keyboard to it.For some tips on how to use Ableton Live 10 for music production, head over to YouTube and watch this video where you’ll hear valuable advice from a fellow DJ. We’re now going to have a look at Serato DJ FX Kit, which is a piece of software that is developed together with iZotope, which is a company that is amazing at what they do, which is audio technology. FX stands for ‘effects’, and Serato can really brag about some really good effects for music production!One way to use these audio effects is chaining, where you load several FX into one unit. The audio will go from left to right moving through this chain of effects and this is an excellent way to make your music come to life and sound really cool, plus the possibilities are close to endless.Serato DJ Pro makes it easy to apply effects to your different remix decks, and you can choose whether to use the same audio effects for all the remix decks or adapt them individually. It’s easy to add accurate rhythm effects and you can even tap the BPM (Beats per minute, meaning the tempo) manually so that you get it exactly like you want it.One great thing about this music production software is that the basic program is easy to use and pretty, well, basic, which can be really good if you’re just starting out as a DJ. If you master the basic program and feel like you want to take it to the next level, there are expansion packs that you can download.
Some of them are free and others cost money.Remember the five tips about Ableton Live 10? The same guy has made a video about Serato, and this video is great for beginners. Check it out now! Let’s move on to a DJ software package that is many people’s favorite for music production.
If you just want something really easy to use on your computer without buying any expensive hardware, you might like Virtual DJ Broadcaster Dsa for your musical creations. It offers a 99 deck capacity and you can adjust the tempo and pitch of your music and scratch with the mouse cursor to make it extra DJ-like (sounds like!). It also offers seamless transitions between the songs in your playlist. The program also features instant BPM detection.The only thing you need to make sure of before you purchase it is that you can use CDs since you can’t download it.Pros:+ Cheap+ For your+ 99 deck capacity+ Good for beginners. Number 6 is a good program for aspiring DJs who want a software for Mac and PC that is pretty easy to use as long as you’re willing to spend some time in the beginning to learn it.
It’s not super easy, it does take some work to get into, and therefore it’s probably best for somebody who knows that they will use it from time to time so that you don’t waste a lot of time learning it, never to use it again.This program makes it easy to use songs from your music library on iTunes or music that you have saved on your computer, you just drag them to the right deck to aid with your musical creations. No matter if you want to simply play the music, remix it or scratch, this software can do it without any extra hardware.Pros:+ Affordable+ For Mac and PC+ Basic DJ software. Next up is an amazing program that is so much more than just a DJ software for music production. It’s a digital audio workstation that you can use to produce and mix music, but that also can be used for live performance, and it offers loads of different features like pitch correction, pitch shifting, time-stretching, harmonization and a lot more.One thing that we really like about this piece of software is that it includes lifetime updates, so it’s very good value for money. It’s a program that is very easy to use and get started with, and that offers loads of opportunities to create music in different ways.Pros:+ Both DJ software and DAW+ Produce, record and mix music+ Easy to use+ Great for beginners with big dreams. Are you a beginner who wishes to start as a DJ, but also would like to be able to record and produce music?
Do you want a program that is easy to use and specifically designed for people like you, with no DJ experience? Then Magix Music Maker is the DJ software for you! It’s like a hybrid between (digital ) and a DJ software, and it will enable you to do whatever you like!It comes with a lot of cool sounds, 8000 to be exact, and it features a wide range of virtual instruments and loops. It’s a really good software that is very easy to get started with and does it all.If you want to try this program out properly before you buy it, there is a free version that you can start your music production off with, which will give you a feeling of what it’s all about and might make you want to purchase the full version.Here is a video that will let you know a few things about the free version. Finally, we’re going to finish with a piece of software that doesn’t require any additional hardware, you can just use the software on your PC or laptop and you’re good to go! This is the kind of program you would buy if you’re having or going to a party and you want to try what it’s like to be a DJ, but you don’t want to purchase any real DJ equipment or fancy software that will cost a lot of money.It has everything you need to have fun with your music, and you can even record your own samples to personalize it even further. And you can, of course, add scratching audio effects to make it perfect.Pros:+ Good for total beginners+ Cheap+ Fun to play around with.
DJ Software Buyers GuideIt’s not always easy finding the right DJ mixing software for you, but it’s worth all the effort since it can really make or break a performance.We really hope that you managed to find a program from our list that will take you to the next level as a DJ.There are a few questions you might want answering, like which DJ software is good for beginners and what you should think about when choosing your software.So, we’re going to answer some of the most common questions about DJ mixing software! What to Look for When Buying DJ Software?One great thing about most DJ software performance tool programs is that you can try it out for a couple of weeks before you have to pay for it. This is the best way to find out if a particular software is right for you. When deciding which software to start trying out, you need to consider what level you’re currently on. Do you need something that’s easy to start with for a beginner, or are you advanced and looking to get as many audio effects as possible?Price is also important to most people, so choose your DJ software where you feel like you’re getting good value for money. Generally speaking, you get what you pay for, so if you can afford it, go for something proper that you won’t have to upgrade from any time soon.
Best DJ Software for Beginners?We think that number 8 on our list, Magix Music Maker, is a perfect option for beginners as it is designed to be extremely user-friendly.It’s also great that it’s part DAW (digital audio interface) and part DJ software so that you can record audio as well if you want to. Best Virtual DJ Software?Check out number 3 on our list, Serato DJ Pro. It’s a great, versatile software program that just has it all, including some amazing sounds effects!
Easy to Use DJ SoftwareIf you want to find a software that is easy to use we would suggest Serato, which is number 3 on our list, or number 4, which is Cross. They are both user-friendly and don’t feature too many weird sound effects that you won’t be using anyway, but they still provide you with everything you need to DJ.
What DJ Software for Windows?Most of the software is available for both Windows and Mac and it doesn’t really make a big difference if you use Windows or Mac. What DJ Software for Mac?Most of the software is available for both Windows and Mac and it doesn’t really make a big difference if you use Windows or Mac. Expert Tip:Before you buy a software app, see if they offer a free trial! Did you know?There’s a difference between DAW (digital audio interface) and software, so make sure you get the right kind of software or one that can do both!
Whether you’re new at this and have decided to become a DJ, or you’re a veteran looking for a change of pace, welcome! In this guide we’ll talk about what you need to consider when entering the world of computer-based DJing, as well as make some recommendations for some of the best, most robust DJ software out there.DJing: Then and NowFor many of us when we hear the term DJ we immediately conjure up an image of a pair of turntables and a mixer. For a long time this image was the only relevant one. DJs carried large crates of vinyl records to and from gigs, and spent hours at the record store choosing their music. Next came the CDJ and those crates of vinyl turned into booklets full of CDs and USB sticks.
Recently though, with the rise of digital technology and the increased power and portability of laptops (as well as the decreased cost), the computer DJ is taking the world by storm.DJ software allows the user to mix and perform music in the same style, and using the same methods as a traditional vinyl DJ does. In many cases the software even allows the use of special control vinyl or CDs, which are encoded to allow the user to physically control any song on their laptop. Whether you want to stand up in front of a crowd with only your laptop, or with an arsenal of hardware (limited only by your imagination) there is a DJ software out there for you.What Exactly is DJ Software?Before we launch into how to select a DJ software and talk about specific ones, let’s talk a bit on what exactly DJ software is and isn’t (this section is aimed more towards someone just getting started so if you want to skip straight to the recommendations, just click ). While an individual DJ software can be complex, the concept is pretty simple. It’s a software that virtually recreates two (or more) turntables (a.k.a. Decks or music players), and a mixer to mix between the decks.
Another big component of DJ software is the music library, which is basically your collection of music imported into the software (usually found in the lower half of the screen). The software can quickly scan and analyze your music to automatically determine your tracks’ tempos, the keys they’re in, and other essential DJ info with a high degree of accuracy.With the power of software, a lot of the manual work involved in traditional DJing has been automated, the end result being that you can get right down to business, DJing and putting together a killer mix or a set. There is good and bad to this, and it’s a subject that has the DJ world fairly divided. Purists argue that automating everything - from dissecting track attributes to auto-beatmatching (a.k.a. Sync) - takes away from the art of DJing. The upside is that this opens up DJing to a lot more people, and the downside is that the learning curve of doing everything manually would result in a more skilled DJ in the end.Another interesting aspect of “virtual” DJing and DJ software is that everything is on your computer’s screen.
If you get DJ software by itself, there’s not really any hardware like the knobs and faders of the mixer, or the jog dial of the music player. The art of DJing lends itself to hardware, since you ideally want to make constant adjustments over everything, ensuring that your set is as tight as can be. Anyone reading this who has DJ’ed before knows that during a set you and your music sort of become one, and you tend to work your hardware like a musician plays any musical instrument; The tactile feeling is important.The point is this: The DJ software is the heart and brains of the operation, but some hardware (in the form of DJ controllers) is necessary as well, and serves as the muscles and bones. In fact, some DJ software doesn’t really work without hardware. Just realize that as you read our reviews for the best DJ software, you’ll want to keep in mind what compatible hardware you might also need. So:computer + DJ software + DJ controller = the ideal digital DJ setup!Read this guide first to make sure you know your software options, and after go check out our guide to.5 Things to Consider when Choosing your DJ Software 1) Price. How much are you willing to spend on your DJing?
There is a wide range so it’s important to consider your budget. Remember to also keep in mind how much leftover cash you require in case you need to invest in a hardware DJ controller (or perhaps the DJ controller includes a license for the DJ software, or at least a pared down version of it).
If you go the free route you can often get the lite version of a major program as a way to learn it and then transition to the paid version. The lite versions tend to have fewer features and sometimes time usage restrictions but are a great way to lean a program.2) Features. What does your hard-earned money get you? Do you want detailed RBG waveform readouts? Are the volume meters accurate? What kind of effects does the DJ software come with? How many tracks can be played at once?
Remember, more is not always better. Features are great but can sometimes lead to a more complex (read: harder to use) program. An important feature to consider is how’s the library storage and organization of the music? Finding (and organizing) your music is important!3) Program Stability & Quality.
Does this program crash a lot? Looking at reviews of DJ software can help weed out the ones with stability issues. This is an area where free programs tend to lag behind the paid ones.
Is the manufacturer diligent about releasing bug fixes and updates on a regular basis?4) Compatibility. Physical. Will it work with the hardware you currently own? What about the gear you plan to use in the future?.
Does it require any components (ex. A specific soundcard) to run?. Does it lock you into any company’s gear? Do you like that company?
Pioneer’s rekordbox locks you into Pioneer equipment). Digital. Does it have any special connections with other audio programs? Serato and Ableton’s ‘The Bridge’ are good examples of two programs made to work closely together. Is it compatible with your Operating System? It’s important to double check and make sure that you buy a program that will work on your computer!. Can the program be used on its own without anything other than a mouse/trackpad and keyboard?
This is great for set preparation.5) Aesthetics & Layout. Do you want vertical or horizontal decks? Do you want them to be connected next to or on top of each other or, would you rather they were separated? It’s important to find one that makes the most sense to you.
Less commonly thought about but still important - do you like how it looks and feels? After all you’ll be staring at the interface for hours at a time, so it’s important that you like it.The Best DJ Software - 5 Top ChoicesWe’ve selected and reviewed what we feel are the the 5 best DJ software. We made our selection based on a bunch of different factors: popularity in the DJ community, price, reputable manufacturers, versatility, ease of use for beginners, customization for veterans, and overall number of recommendations in forums and discussions around the Web. Four out of the five programs we recommend follow the more traditional turntables and a mixer style, while the other one (Ableton Live) is sort of its own thing altogether.Without further ado, let’s get to the recommendations!Native Instruments TRAKTOR ProWhether you're new to DJing or simply looking to upgrade from a more traditional set-up, it's likely that you've already heard of digital DJ software Native Instruments TRAKTOR Pro 2. Available on Mac and PC and compatible with a range of hardware, from timecode vinyl to all-in-one controllers, TRAKTOR provides novices and pros alike with a solid digital DJ package. Affordable, user-friendly, and with a host of big name DJs using the software, it's fair to say that TRAKTOR has certainly played its part in pushing DJing into the mainstream.MUSIC MANAGEMENTLet's start with the music. The usual file formats of mp3, WAV and FLAC are supported, as well as a few others.The browser layout is simple and intuitive, with customizable columns that allow you to select and display plenty of track information as well as sections for artwork, track previews and favourite playlists.
Windows Dj Program Mac
To the side of the browser you can organize folders, create playlists, browse and search for music elsewhere on your computer or an external drive. There's also a customizable grid of text above each deck which allows you to display track details according to preference.To make use of some important features, it's necessary to have each track analyzed to find its BPM and set the beatgrid accordingly. Although the detection algorithm is remarkably accurate, it's not always correct; a track with an unusual intro or complex percussion can sometimes throw it, so it's a good idea to go through your collection and check, making manual adjustments where necessary. You can also save cue and loop points, allowing you to jump to specific parts of a track.MIXERThe mixer layout is much how you would expect it; the channel faders, crossfader and EQs are conventionally placed between the decks, with gain, filter, keylock, cue and pan on adjacent columns.
Keylock is TRAKTOR's version of master tempo on CDJs. If enabled, the pitch of the track will stay the same, regardless of how much it's slowed down or sped up.
TRAKTOR actually goes even further by allowing you to alter both the pitch and speed of a track simultaneously. Of course, the further away from the original pitch or speed you go, the more likely it is the quality will suffer. The EQs and filters aren't limited to a single type either; a decent selection of alternatives, modeled on some popular hardware mixers, is also on offer.DECKS AND FXThe decks in TRAKTOR can be configured in a number of ways. You can have a standard A & B setup, or you can add in C & D for a four deck configuration. You can also choose from four different types of deck.
First you have a track deck for playing single tracks, looping and using cue points. Then there's the remix deck which can be used to trigger pre made loops, one shots or samples. There's a neat feature that lets you drag a looped segment directly from a track deck to a remix deck to be triggered or looped as and when you choose.
The relatively new format Stems is supported with its own deck, allowing for separate parts of a track to be manipulated independently. Finally, there's a live input deck which more or less speaks for itself.There's also a healthy list of FX available to apply to any of your four decks, ranging from simple reverbs and delays to weird, complex modulators. With up to four FX racks, that can each be configured as a single effect or in combinations of up to three, there is plenty to get stuck into, and many ways to get creative here.CONTROLLERSNaturally, you'll want the option of a more hands-on approach to performing. There's a long list of compatible hardware from both. Deciding on what to use requires some research and will largely depend on your style and budget.
The all-in-one 'S' range (like the or the more full-featured ) will give you the most control, but it comes at a price. The great news is, if you buy either of those controllers, you get the full TRAKTOR Pro 2 software included! For simple playback, cueing and FX triggering a single will suffice. If remix decks and Stems are more your thing, then the might be more appropriate. You could even use a third party MIDI controller, with key mappings for ‘TRAKTOR Ready’ devices already included in the software.FUNCTIONALITY AND STABILITYBeing a live performance tool, stability is paramount and overall the program is well built with few noticeable glitches.
Naturally the user experience will vary, often depending on the hardware being used.The software isn't perfect, of course. At times, we’ve had issues with the tagging system utilized by TRAKTOR. For a while we had to use a duplicate music folder for fear of having our carefully labelled metadata overwritten by what TRAKTOR deemed to be more suitable.Bottom Line: It might seem like a lot to get your head around, and sure, the deeper you dig, the more time you'll need for testing and tweaking until the software works exactly how you want. But if you're keen on moving into digital Djing, TRAKTOR would be our best recommendation. With a multitude of easy-to-use features, stability and a range of supported hardware, all at a competitive price, it's certainly worth the investment.
TRAKTOR gives you both flexibility and the freedom to experiment. The extent of creativity is only limited by how far you want to push it.
Best of the Best. Serato DJHailing from New Zealand, Serato is the go-to program for any DJ who yearns for the old feel of vinyl with the conveniences of modern DVS ( Digital Vinyl System) systems and a friendly introduction for newcomers to the industry. Serato and its main competitor, Native instrument’s TRAKTOR, exist on opposite sides of the same coin. Both are fantastic programs that take digital DJing in slightly different directions. TRAKTOR (and many other programs) require many adjustments to settings and calibrations, which can be overwhelming to DJs who just want to play their music. Serato’s philosophy is that everything should work seamlessly and with as little effort as possible. This philosophy makes Serato one of the best options when it comes to DJ software.FEATURESSerato has one of the best looks in the industry.
It has a beautiful dark colored minimal design to it, which makes accessing all of the information you need extremely easy. In bright white, easily visible against the dark greys and black of Serato, are your virtual platters. These display a wealth of information about the current track such as the BPM, time elapsed and time remaining. They also provide a platter position indicator, which represents one full rotation of a vinyl platter. This is particularly useful for vinyl DJs and beat juggling, and vinyl DJs will feel right at home looking at the screen. Its resemblance to actual vinyl platters makes it one of the most vinyl DJ-friendly options out there.Serato’s waveforms (the visualization of the music) are detailed and bright with a full color spectrum. They can be arranged in several different ways (and you can have up to 4 on the screen at any given time).
Whether you like your waveforms to run vertically, horizontally, massive and easy to see, or small for easy library browsing, there is a view mode for you. These viewing options can be adjusted on the fly to suit your needs. In addition to the main waveform you are also given a smaller version, which shows where you are along the track and a special beat matching waveform, which highlights the beats in the tracks making beat matching visually incredibly easy.Creating playlists, or crates, as they are known in Serato, is a genuine pleasure. Above the library is a little image of a crate, and all you have to do to add a new crate is click.
Next to it though is the best bit, a similar crate, this time with the letter S on it. The S stands for smart crate.
When you add a smart crate you will be asked to add rules to it. An example of a rule (and all of these are given to you, you don’t need to be a programming wizard to add them) is “BPM - greater than or equal to 128.” Then you hit save and the playlist will automatically fill itself with every track in your library that meets these conditions and will automatically add new ones as you update your library. If you happen to already have your music organized in iTunes then no need to fret. Serato automatically loads in your iTunes playlists as well.Creating hot cues and loops is also staggeringly easy in Serato. Both can be created with just a single click of the mouse or touch on your controller/CDJ. They are displayed on the waveform and the cues are color coded so you’ll never confuse one with another.Control Features such as the ever controversial sync and quantize features are also included. These are unobtrusive and non-mandatory for those who want to do it “old school,” but are a useful tool for those who want them.Serato also comes with a built in key detection and adjust feature.
As tracks are analyzed Serato determines their key and displays it, helpfully color-coded, in the track list. Keys may also be switched live in the mix with a single click.FUNCTIONALITYThe number one advantage of choosing Serato is that, like your favorite Apple products, “It Just Works.” Whether using CDJs, vinyl, or controllers Serato is as simple as Plug and Play.
You will need to use Serato approved hardware but there are plenty of options and they are meticulous about choosing their equipment so it’s no great sacrifice.Serato has an excellent reputation for stability. It is by no means crash-proof (no software ever is) and the quality of your hardware definitely plays a strong role, but overall the simplicity of the software means there is very little to go wrong in the system.SERATO AND HARDWARE/CONTROLLERSOne caveat with Serato is that in-order to use the program you must plug in an approved piece of hardware.
Without it you will still be able to edit you track information like beatgrids, cues, and loops but you will be restricted to one deck with no platter. To unlock the second platter you can plug in several pieces of hardware. This can be one of Serato and Rane’s SL series of audio interfaces (the and are backwards compatible as well as the current generation: ).
Some devices such as the immediately unlock Serato with no purchase of a license at all! Others such as the require separate purchase of a Serato license before unlocking its functions.The trade-off here is that while you are locked into specific hardware to use, this hardware is all vetted by Serato and is seamless to use as soon as you plug it in. No messing with mappings and confusing calibrations. It just works. Additionally there are a large number of these approved products so most people won’t feel constrained by the list (which may be ).
Additionally, while Serato may be controlled successfully with just a keyboard and mouse (a device such as an SL interface would still be required to use it) it really is meant to work alongside hardware, as its seamless integration is where it really comes into its own.Bottom Line: The yin to TRAKTOR’s yang, Serato DJ embraces the DJ that still prefers the feel of vinyl (or, at least, some form of circle) beneath their fingertips. While both TRAKTOR and Serato have vinyl-friendly capabilities, Serato remains the reigning king of digital vinyl systems around the planet. If you’re just starting out you’ll find it a fun and intuitive introduction to the world of DJing. Serato DJ stands out among the best of them.
Its beautiful interface, simple workflow, and powerful features make it one of the best choices when picking your DJ software. Ableton LiveAbleton Live is THE live performance software, so much so, it is branded rather explicitly in its name. Anytime you see a laptop on stage at your favorite gig or DJ set, chances are the trusty glow of Ableton’s Session view is in sight. PLEASE NOTE: Ableton Live is NOT a traditional DJ software that aims to emulate turntables and a mixer. It’s a much more flexible and unique live performance environment, and we would be remiss to exclude it in our list of DJ software to consider.Ableton Live also makes an appearance in our guide to the.
For every step of the music creation process, Ableton is there to help capture your ideas and edit them to perfection. But the other half of this great piece of software is where Live really shines, and that is in its live performance, made incredible by its Session view. That’s what we’ll focus on in this review.Creating arrangements on the fly, tweaking knobs and FX to infinite possibilities, and even crossfading in realtime is where Live really begins to shine, so much so that Ableton Live begins to blur the line between performance in the studio, and performance on stage, which is why we (and probably your favorite band, DJ, or producer) think Ableton is absolutely brilliant.The Session view is what separates Ableton from other DAWs, and even makes one question the traditional DAW format. This view contains a grid with rows and columns - the columns being the track/instrument and the rows holding clips. These clips are made up of audio samples or MIDI notes depending on the track.
An entire row consisting of clips of different tracks is then called a Scene.To get an arrangement going, simply play a clip and it will loop until you either stop it or tap on the next one. Add in some other elements, and before you know it, you are cooking with gas.
Place different clips strategically and voila, you have a finished track. It becomes clear just how powerful this Session view is in your first moments with Ableton.One of our writers and Ableton expert, explains how one might use the Session view:My journey with Ableton’s Session view began using each clip as a scratch pad for musical ideas. I’d play my MIDI piano for minutes till I found the one melody I liked and hit Tab key to switch to arrangement view and drag it over.As I began to enjoy and get used to this radical departure from my other DAW of choice, Logic, I then began exploring it as an extremely powerful looper for my guitar. Layer after layer, clip after clip, I would build up giant tracks. After adding drums, and then some bass, I had a full song done using the rows or Scenes, as a rough arrangement, which I would then drag into arrangement view and finish editing there.And now as I play shows and DJ the occasional party, Ableton is getting even more use. Either I deconstruct my original track into scenes and play them live while tweaking and mixing live (live producing), or I straight up DJ using Ableton’s A/B crossfader option.While my uses are very specific, I could definitely see the DJ user choose Ableton over TRAKTOR for a host of reasons. The first is the expansive use of FX and plugins.
Virtually limitless potential to mix and map this and that.We have seen the implementation of more and more pads and knobs on DJ controllers in the past few years, and this is something that Ableton was truly built for, not just an added on feature.When used with a controller made for Ableton, such as the Akai APC 40, performance becomes even more streamlined. In fact, if you want to know the performance capabilities of Ableton, definitely look at the, which was truly built for live performance in Ableton in the Session view. With the ability to solo, mute, launch clips, record clips, tweak FX, and crossfade with an actual crossfader, it becomes clear that the Akai APC 40 could go toe to toe with TRAKTOR or Serato if you chose your workflow as such.Ableton is a very programmer-friendly software; It is so easy to MIDI map any external controller you have, whether it’s a made specifically for Ableton controller like the Akai APC 40, or a generic MIDI controller with some knobs. If you want to map a Cutoff filter to knob two on your keyboard, with one click, and one wiggle of the knob, it is done.Ableton is ubiquitous in the production world as being renowned for its ease of use, and entirely different way of making music when it comes to Session view.Ableton is very much alive and well when it comes to updates and with the now added Ableton Link, integration with iOS and other third party developers seems to be picking up steam. Updates, especially for the (another made for Ableton controller), seem to occur every few months.Bottom Line: With the different available editions of Ableton Live, there is a solution that makes sense for everyone, no matter your budget or skill level. So, which edition should you get?
Windows Dj Mixer
Glad to not see Rekordbox on here, one of the most unstable bloated software options out there. Bought a $1700 controller only to find that the software is buggy, crashes and freezes and is basically garbage. Replaced my old controller and went back to Serato without a hitch.
No issues with the stability of their software, But Pioneer might want to rethink their strategy. Sometimes better off just letting someone else write the software and stick to the hardware. Love their controllers.
Wish I could say the same for Rekordbox.