DJ software recommendation

[abl385]

Just want to make some podcast-like mixes and perhaps DJ a little in the local bar or something. Used iTunes last time but transitions are not possible.. So which one among Traktor Pro 2, Duo 2 or LE 2 would you recommend? Will it suffice for the purposes mentioned above or I need some kind of hardware too? Not really a DJ -mostly making tunes, so only want to have some fun for now. Thanks!

[Tarekith]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say....... Ableton Live.

[8O]

Creating, playing, mangling your own tunes: Ableton Live
Playing other people's tunes without worrying that accidentally brushing the space bar stops all music: Traktor

[pulsoc]

I like the part where no one read your post

Never used any version of Traktor so I am no help either

[Tarekith]

I read his post, and for what he wants to do Live works fine.

[abl385]

Thank you for your posts. I understand I can arrange songs one after another using Live and its crossfader perhaps, but is it suitable for real time transitions? Am I just missing out on something?

[Tarekith]

Sure, I've been using it since Live 4 to DJ with in clubs and parties all over the place. We have a whole community of Ableton-based DJs over at AbletonLiveDJ.com if you want some more info.

[pulsoc]

I read his post, and for what he wants to do Live works fine.

Word, good point

[8O]

I like the part where no one read your post

Never used any version of Traktor so I am no help either

yes

Traktor Duo 2 should be fine for what you want and you can always upgrade later without a massive cost difference. Best best would be to try the demo.

[Da hand]

Thank you for your posts. I understand I can arrange songs one after another using Live and its crossfader perhaps, but is it suitable for real time transitions? Am I just missing out on something?

I also use Live for DJing and play regularly in clubs. Use Session view and simply make your songs as clips (one or multiple clips for each song) that you launch whenever you want - the songs don't have to be placed in order of your set. You can use the crossfader, volume faders, filters, eq's, etc to make your transitions - whatever you wish.

If you want to cue (pre-listen to) your tracks then you will need at least two stereo outs - same for any software you would use. It would also be easier if you had a controller instead of doing everything with a mouse - same for any software.

[abl385]

Sure, I've been using it since Live 4 to DJ with in clubs and parties all over the place. We have a whole community of Ableton-based DJs over at AbletonLiveDJ.com if you want some more info.

Okay, fair enough! Thanks for the link. So what would be Traktor's advantage over Live as a DJ tool then?

[Tarekith]

It's set up more like a traditional DJ set up, compared to Live which is much more configurable. Also, you'd need to warp all your songs to use them in Live, where as in Traktor you can skip that if you have a controller that supports jog wheels. Otherwise you need to "grid" your songs for use in Traktor, whcih takes almost as long as warping them in Live.

[rcpunker]

If you are on a Mac, the App Store has Virtual DJ Home 7 for FREE.

[pulsoc]

If you are on a Mac, the App Store has Virtual DJ Home 7 for FREE.

Interesting - have you used this? What are your thoughts?

[abl385]

I like the part where no one read your post

Never used any version of Traktor so I am no help either

yes

Traktor Duo 2 should be fine for what you want and you can always upgrade later without a massive cost difference. Best best would be to try the demo.

I think I will try the demo for that, yeah. And its price is not too bad either

Thank you for your posts. I understand I can arrange songs one after another using Live and its crossfader perhaps, but is it suitable for real time transitions? Am I just missing out on something?

I also use Live for DJing and play regularly in clubs. Use Session view and simply make your songs as clips (one or multiple clips for each song) that you launch whenever you want - the songs don't have to be placed in order of your set. You can use the crossfader, volume faders, filters, eq's, etc to make your transitions - whatever you wish.

If you want to cue (pre-listen to) your tracks then you will need at least two stereo outs - same for any software you would use. It would also be easier if you had a controller instead of doing everything with a mouse - same for any software.

Speaking of outputs, how am I going to tell Live to let me listen to something different (through my headphones) from what it's already playing on the main output? In jargon words, how am I going to "cue" it? I don't really get this..

It's set up more like a traditional DJ set up, compared to Live which is much more configurable. Also, you'd need to warp all your songs to use them in Live, where as in Traktor you can skip that if you have a controller that supports jog wheels. Otherwise you need to "grid" your songs for use in Traktor, whcih takes almost as long as warping them in Live.

So, what you're telling me is I need to warp beforehand every single track I'm gonna play? Not only it's the most boring thing ever imo, but I don't even know what I will be choosing at that time.. Or I just need to warp those particular tracks that I suspect I'm gonna be messing around the most?

If you are on a Mac, the App Store has Virtual DJ Home 7 for FREE.

Really? This sounds appealing..