Learning to DJ: what software?

[Steve Ballmer]

Aaaaaaaand scene.

[JuanSOLO]

Extensive mapping features, good variety of native (quality) hardware controllers, effects quality & quantity, remix decks (which no other DJ software has), Ipad app.. hmm.. at least those come to mind. Of course for a normal club night you can essentially play the same set with any software. But it can't be denied that Traktor has more depth for those who want to dig deeper and do something different.

I firmly agree that Traktor offers most everything in a way.
It's fun, and easy.
Which makes it simple to learn, but also very generic and cliche.

To me "something different" would be anything outside of an iPad, laptop, app, software etc.

[JuanSOLO]

Come to think of it, DJing has always leaned to the cliche side.

There's that funny line people want to cross, and still call it DJing.

[102455]

crazy trick DJ videos are made with only either Traktor or Serato

Are they? I could post links to some "crazy tricks" being done with VDJ...

Also your definition of an "experienced DJ" is one who does "crazy tricks"? A DJ who doesn't do tricks has no experience? Come on!

I'm an experienced DJ because I have decades of DJing under my belt. Are you saying that I am only experienced when I use Traktor, and that when I use VDJ I suddenly become a bedroom DJ? That's the gist of what you've written.

I have heard reports that platter control is not as smooth

From who? VDJ users?

Extensive mapping features, good variety of native (quality) hardware controllers, effects quality & quantity, remix decks (which no other DJ software has), Ipad app

VDJ has extensive mapping features, and supports A LOT of controllers natively.
VDJ users are not restricted to the effects supplied. They can use as many as they want, including pro level VSTs. Traktor users can't.
VDJ has sample players too. Granted, not as many slots as Traktor since the introduction of the Remix Decks, but VDJ 8 is on the way.
VDJ also has an iPad app.

it can't be denied that Traktor has more depth.

Where is this written? And what does that mean exactly? Are we talking quantity of features, because I can list a lot of things VDJ can do that Traktor can't.

I'm not the best person to comment in this debate

Nuff said.

[JuanSOLO]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=p ... 5z6lG8AAyk

[8O]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=p ... 5z6lG8AAyk

I see your handmade speaker cabinets and MacIntosh amps, and raise you an iPad on a cheap PA on a trolley... http://youtu.be/oFPTyZoxO3Q

[Tone Deft]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=p ... 5z6lG8AAyk

I see your handmade speaker cabinets and MacIntosh amps, and raise you an iPad on a cheap PA on a trolley... http://youtu.be/oFPTyZoxO3Q

HA!

Portlandia - Come To My DJ Night
http://www.ifc.com/portlandia/videos/po ... y-dj-night

[JuanSOLO]

Now I could post the fruits and veggies controller in response, but there was something other than the sound system that resonated with me in the earlier video.

The iPad just never did it for me.
And my job tends to make apps out of my work a lot too.
I've tried some other apps for music/control etc.
It's just this funny thing I guess.

It's like drawing on a cintiq with photoshop,
you have all these creative options, but all you really want to do is rotate it as easy as you can a sheet of paper.

Also, this image has been haunting me ever since I saw it

[8O]

^ you missed the last one...

[Ajacky]

@102455

Pointless to argue about these things. I'm not exactly bashing VDJ here but merely stating that by general opinion in the DJ community Serato and Traktor are more "professional" and more likely to be seen in clubs or festivals. These two software developers also have more big name DJs using and advertising their products as can be reliably demonstrated by YouTube.

Virtual DJ can be mapped to different controllers but Serato and Traktor definitely have a stronger assortment of controllers with native mappings. The problems with platters on Numark NS6 and other Serato controllers when mapped to other software are documented in Serato forums. As a last point people often value the "feel" of hardware and software in DJing and what I noticed myself when I made the switch from Virtual DJ to Serato ITCH (which is Serato DJ nowadays) is that the feel of everything improved. I have to admit though that I made the switch from Hercules DJ Console RMX to Numark NS6 and the difference in hardware quality was so immense that it may have biased my opinions somewhat. I definitely liked the new software also though.

I have no doubt that VDJ couldn't be used professionally and by experienced DJs also and I'm willing to give it another shot some day.

[JuanSOLO]

^ you missed the last one...

I know, I watered it down a bit to share with a lighter crowd,
not you guys of course, but yeah.

[Theo Void]

A friend of mine wants to learn to mix.

I wonder what software is the best.

- Live is what I know, but it would not be my first choice to DJ. And it is a bit pricey for a startup
- Traktor? Will she need a controller? Is it easy to learn?
- Virtual DJ? I've had a look at it. It looks complicated.
If she's going to go to Traktor anyway, would it be a waste o' time to start with Virtual DJ?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Well, as I'm sure someone will mention (I haven't read the thread), you should learn to DJ on vinyl w/ 2 turntables and a mixer. If you don't then you are a complete phony, poser, a loser and just all around scum-bag!

On a serious note : I would recommend Traktor. It's a great choice for a beginner and/or an experienced DJ. It's totally customizable, has an intuitive interface, quality effects and a ton of options. It's quite simple to understand. There's a bunch of options to dive into later but for a beginner just look at it like 2 decks and a mixer. Each deck has it's own effects unit and filter. Volume faders, cross-fader and you've got a pretty standard set-up.

I have no experience w/ Virtual DJ so I can't really comment, but the way I see it is why not just go w/ quality from the start. That way you don't have to worry about switching later and any learning curve that may come w/ it.

I would most definitely recommend a controller. I couldn't imagine how terribly boring DJ'ing would be w/o a controller. Lucky for you (or her), Traktor has a shit load of controller options. You could go w/ a simple yet powerful all in one controller like the S2. Two decks and built in sound card. Or there's the larger S4. 4 deck control, sound card, etc.

http://www.native-instruments.com/en/pr ... ontrol-s2/


Also, Native Instruments just released their new iOS controller for Traktor Dj on the iPhone or iPad. It's the Kontrol Z1. Super-simple 2 deck control, built in sound card and really portable. It's made for Traktor Dj on iOS but can be mapped for regular Traktor on your computer.

http://www.native-instruments.com/en/pr ... ontrol-z1/

You could also go modular and build your own custom controller set-up. Maybe an x1, f1 and a Z1. That would be pretty amazing. All depends on your style though.

http://www.digitaldjtips.com/dj-controllers-guide-2013/ <<<<<-------- Check out this controller buying guide. I found it helpful.

All the above controllers I mentioned are only the Native Instruments ones. There are SooOOOooOoo many more options in the controller department. Like, literally, so many options it's impossible to list. A few are VCI-300, NuMark MixTrack Pro, Pioneer DDj-sx, Midi-Fighter, etc. Honestly, the MIDI controller market is fucking huge!!!! There is som much awesome stuff coming out!! It's mind boggling!

Of course, the iOS DJ stuff is coming along quite nicely. I have Traktor DJ on my iPhone and it's so much fun I'm actually considering playing a show w/ it just to see if I could pull it off. Definitely check out some of the iOS stuff out there. Traktor DJ, iMaschine, iMPC, Figure, Algoriddim djay 2, Animoog. So many awesome music apps being developed.

Anyway, good luck on your search. Have fun!

[login]

VDJ is very capable software, it's good enough. But I find traktor far better in these three very important areas:

1.- Mapping, traktors has the best mapping system.
2.- Interface, vdj is clutered and not very functional. Traktor is quite good GUI very clear. But I would say serato has the best GUI.
3.- Audio routing, VDJ can route but it's kind of confusing at first.

Those three are pretty important for having a nice experience. Yes, VDJ is only step behind, but steps that actually matter a lot.

[102455]

by general opinion in the DJ community

Which DJ community is that then? Radio DJs, mobile DJs, or only club DJs? Which country? Which age group?

In the circles I move in, Virtual DJ is the most popular software.

more likely to be seen in clubs or festivals.

That's how you decide which software is best? Because you saw it in a club, or saw a "big name" using it? Have you not heard of advertising? Product placement?

Lots of people buy Pioneer products because they saw a "celebrity DJ" using it. The celebrity who was probably either paid by Pioneer or offered a freebie for their services. I decide what I like by actually trying the products out and making a decision based on whether it meets my needs, not because DJ Butt Face uses it.

Serato and Traktor definitely have a stronger assortment of controllers

OK so let's do some stats here. You list how many controllers are supported by Serato & how many are supported by Traktor, I'll list the ones for VDJ.

[beats me]

This could either be seen as pro Traktor, or anti-“skilled” DJs, but a few years back I was doing a “DJ battle” (for lack of a better term) with my friend who spun vinyl for like a decade starting in the early 90’s and then switched to CDs. He was armed with his binder of CDs and a CDJ. I was armed with Traktor, my lifetime acquired music library, and no controller – just mousing around.

Just because I could I went with some new songs that I didn’t know all that well yet but looking at the waveform I could pretty much tell what was what as far as structure. I could jump around and pretty much nail the mix. There were several points when I stacked 3 loops of different lengths from different tracks with no real pre-knowledge of the songs, stepped outside for a smoke, and when I came back my well-seasoned and skilled old school DJ friend was still frantically digging through his CD binder trying to find something that would fit well with the tub of awesome I just came up with on the fly.

JUST SAYIN’