Ableton Forum

Hi all, I am currently researching software programs and MIDI controllers for DJ’ing with for a university project and could do with some external feedback on a few issues, I would be grateful if you could answer the following questions: -

What do you think of other current software available for DJ’ing?
Which one do you think is the best available?
Are you a digital DJ and use one of these software programs?
If so which one?
Do you own a MIDI control surface for DJ’ing with?
If so what do you use and what do you think of it?
What do you think about the current MIDI control surfaces for DJ’ing with?
Would you consider building your own controller?
If so would it be based on a standard DJ mixer?

Thanks

Hi,

I wrote my honors thesis on the history of the DJ mixer (http://www.zenknee.com/DJ_Mixer_History.pdf), and I created my own DJ-oriented MIDI controller (http://www.doepfer.de/Controller_Cross.htm).

Feel free to email me if you have any research questions.

[email protected]

thanks will have a look now ..

What do you think of other current software available for DJ’ing?
Ableton Live is the only software to fully support hard trance beats. It made me the superstar DJ I am today. You are jealous of me.

Which one do you think is the best available?
Ableton Live, there is no other, at least until DJ Tiesto <praise upon high to his greatness> writes one.

Are you a digital DJ and use one of these software programs?
I am neither a 1 nor a 0, I am a heavy trance DJ like DJ Tiesto <praise upon high to his greatness>.

If so which one?
I subsist upon only Ableton Live and warm cat milk.

Do you own a MIDI control surface for DJ’ing with?
I own only black keys.

If so what do you use and what do you think of it?
It is perfect and makes me the God of all DJs, except DJ Tiesto <praise upon high to his greatness>.

What do you think about the current MIDI control surfaces for DJ’ing with?
Only Ableton Live and black keys are suitable for Djing heavy trance beats.

Would you consider building your own controller?
No, that's what you do, not me, I only DJ heavy trance beats like DJ Tiesto <praise upon high to his greatness>.

If so would it be based on a standard DJ mixer?
It would be based on DJ Tiesto <praise upon high to his greatness>, made in his exalted likeness, blessed with cat milk, cloaked in a sheen not unlike DJ Tiesto's <praise upon high to his greatness> hair, rugged as his teeth.

Forgive me now, I must spin heavy trance beats.

indeed tiesto is cool, <praise upon high to his greatness>
and i figure there is no other than 'live' i agree, just wanting a few other views, thanks
take it easy

What do you think of other current software available for DJ’ing?
I like Traktor 3

Which one do you think is the best available?
Ableton Live

Are you a digital DJ and use one of these software programs?
Yes

If so which one?
Ableton Live

Do you own a MIDI control surface for DJ’ing with?
Yes, 2
If so what do you use and what do you think of it?
The Hercules DJ Console which is great and the ESI Neon keyboard controller which is also great.

What do you think about the current MIDI control surfaces for DJ’ing with?
Not bad

Would you consider building your own controller?
I don't have the time

If so would it be based on a standard DJ mixer?
No

thanks for your info, i will check these controllers out

phew... sorry about that, I took my cat's milk and am feeling better now.

What do you think of other current software available for DJ’ing?
Ableton Live blew me away, before that it was just playing music with traktor or even winamp.

Which one do you think is the best available?
Ableton Live hands down.

Are you a digital DJ and use one of these software programs?
nope, bedroom DJ, hobbyist, enthusiast, beat junky.

If so which one?
I use Ableton only.

Do you own a MIDI control surface for DJ’ing with?
I bedroom DJ with a BCR, I also have a remote SL25 but it's not nearly as useful for DJing.

If so what do you use and what do you think of it?
BCR2000, it works great, never locks up, changing presets instantly is a great plus.

What do you think about the current MIDI control surfaces for DJ’ing with?
There are too many out there to consider 1 best for everyone. Small size and USB powered are a plus for DJs, less setup and booths are often crampled.

Would you consider building your own controller?
I have but I'd rather make music in my spare time.

If so would it be based on a standard DJ mixer?
Absolutely not. It's like how Reason was cute when it came out, it was easy to get into because I had experience with hardware equipment, anymore we've moved into a software paradigm which is a more open minded approach to control surfaces.

Important features as I see it:
- USB powered
- good feedback to the DJ, even just 1 LED to indicate position
- device updates per Live's settings, eg change a setting in Live and the controller stays updated
- a smooth pickup mode, or use Live's 'value scaling' technique
- efficient use of space, knobs not so close you bump your knuckles on them, but a device small enough to fit in a cramped DJ booth (eg sit on 1/2 of a turntable platter, better yet, put a hole in the back to fit over a turntable spindle so it sits on the platter )
- durable, obvious reasons
- based on 2, 4, or 8 tracks like most gear these days. That 'standard' reflects on how we've made our live sets over the years.
- change presets FAST
- easy to hand edit
-- copy presets
-- copy individual knobs from one to the other
-- support ALL the modes, eg absolute, 14 bit, 7 bit, etc
- have a GUI editor that works on PC and OSX.
- support automapping (not a big deal, users can do that, but if you did it up front many more people would use it.)

Plus if you made some kick ass templates for DJing in Live that would also turn people on, n00bs NEVER want to modify stuff off that bat and it takes time to learn how you yourself might come up with the ultimate setup.

cool thanks, i use a BCR at the mo but not too keen on the rotary controllers, would preffer some sliders/faders.
i possibly might build one but not sure yet, the platter idea is cool, i have thought about that before.
it would be cool if a platter was underneath the controller with a pitch control to vary warp/time markers..
thanks again.

What do you think of other current software available for DJ’ing?
Ableton allows for more creativity than any other programme
Which one do you think is the best available?
Ableton Live
Are you a digital DJ and use one of these software programs?
Yup
If so which one?
Ableton Live
Do you own a MIDI control surface for DJ’ing with?
Several
If so what do you use and what do you think of it?
X-session and JazzMutant Lemur. They allow total freedom to manage 9 tracks in a creative and unique way.... so there.
What do you think about the current MIDI control surfaces for DJ’ing with?
Nothing touches the Lemur....except me, and only in a sexual way if I've been drinking.
Would you consider building your own controller?
Funniley enough I did once. But the price to build a 'Maven' cost more than the Lemur.
If so would it be based on a standard DJ mixer?
It would have been based on Sasha's (our father who art in heaven) controller, but it's all quite limited and boring compared to the Lemur[/b]

What do you think of other current software available for DJ’ing?
I like Traktor.
Which one do you think is the best available?
Traktor. I can mix 4 tracks and loop anywhere I choose, quickly and intuitively. Thats all I want. On occation I may create a build up with delays and reverb. Beat repeat is cool, but too many folks abuse it. Now to my ears its as cool sounding as that damb flange effect on pioneer mixers.
Are you a digital DJ and use one of these software programs?
If so which one?
Yes I am. Traktor
Do you own a MIDI control surface for DJ’ing with?
Xone 3D.
If so what do you use and what do you think of it?
Xone 3D. I love it.
What do you think about the current MIDI control surfaces for DJ’ing with?
Most are cheap and gimmicky pieces of plastic shit.
Would you consider building your own controller?
No.
If so would it be based on a standard DJ mixer?
n/a

thanks for that, i have seen the JazzMutant Lemur before but never really checked it out, looks pretty cool, sasha i god aswell i reckon, he's playing in manchester on friday and i cannot go!!! gutted!!
thanks again

thanks, i agree with your current 'MIDI control surfaces for DJ’ing with'
been pretty shit, cheers take it easy..

Sasha's playing newcastle on Saturday too, That's gotta to be a mental night!