Hey Kirb, let me ask you something if I may, just for S&G, nothing personal...
Do you have Stephane's phone number? Will he answer your call, or return it?
Just saying, y'know
What do you use: Serato, Virtual Dj or other ?
- Thread starter Djvladiwarbucks
- Start date
Hey Kirb, let me ask you something if I may, just for S&G, nothing personal...
Do you have Stephane's phone number? Will he answer your call, or return it?
Just saying, y'know
I will speak only for the one I use. Traktor Pro 2. I Mainly mix manually but at times such as for Cocktail Hours and Background Music I will setup a Playlist and have the Software on AutoMix. My DJ Controller can also do this independently of the Computer. There are various options of Auto mixing from which to choose, Fades, Blends, Fast Cuts etc.
I use Virtual DJ for gigging... and just recently picked up Trakor Pro 2 to mess around with... who knows it may become my goto for gigs where mixing is important.... sometimes the technical aspect of a program is more important in one over the other.
Rob,
You can beat mix with VDJ without a problem, you can beat mix manually with most of them. You need to train your ear. Forget about the visuals
You can beat mix with VDJ without a problem, you can beat mix manually with most of them. You need to train your ear. Forget about the visuals
I used Serato for 5 years, but I use Virtual DJ for everything now. I sold my Serato box and haven't missed it for one second. VDJ runs circles around Serato IMO.
I also got Traktor Pro 2 from a fellow DJ that never uses software (he uses all vinyl, he's a turntablist)... I used it a few times. For me, the backend (options, etc.) was very confusing, and not laid out very well.
Also I couldn't find one thing that Traktor did that VDJ couldn't do, and in most cases, do it better.
So for the foreseeable future, I am sticking with VDJ. I haven't seen anything better yet.
I also got Traktor Pro 2 from a fellow DJ that never uses software (he uses all vinyl, he's a turntablist)... I used it a few times. For me, the backend (options, etc.) was very confusing, and not laid out very well.
Also I couldn't find one thing that Traktor did that VDJ couldn't do, and in most cases, do it better.
So for the foreseeable future, I am sticking with VDJ. I haven't seen anything better yet.
I started with Ots because all I ever heard in the early days from PCDJ users were complaints so I never got on that train.
Ots turned out to be a huge disappointment since their development is slow enough to be non-existent. Ots is not designed for DJs - it's for unattended playback and lacks any meaningful live features. To this day it still has no instant start, looping, or sampler, and isn't stable running video on the majority of laptops out there.
VDJ has become the most reliable choice replacing a lot of former outboard gear, and features the most intuitive design of all the DJ softwares out there. Even a newbie can run this software within minutes.
Club VJ pro is surprisingly stable even running video and pretty versatile given it's low price. It has a rather busy looking set of skins but is still quickly understandable.
Serato is excellent but at it's best when emulating vinyl with the use of time coded discs. Since I have no intention of returning to all that unnecessary extra gear Serato is not my go to program. It is a must know software though for anyone wanting to tour or work in clubs, or interchange with other DJs. Some of the applications tend to lack intuitive design. It can be really confusing to a new user stepping into the booth.
There are also tons of inexpensive and free consumer programs out there as well, which is why it can be humorous to listen to software makers spout claims about their products - it's like they have no clue about the norms of products that surround them at a very baseline level. For example, developers talk about "stability" as though it were a feature or benefit of certain software when in fact it's a baseline expectation of every user that exists.
Ots turned out to be a huge disappointment since their development is slow enough to be non-existent. Ots is not designed for DJs - it's for unattended playback and lacks any meaningful live features. To this day it still has no instant start, looping, or sampler, and isn't stable running video on the majority of laptops out there.
VDJ has become the most reliable choice replacing a lot of former outboard gear, and features the most intuitive design of all the DJ softwares out there. Even a newbie can run this software within minutes.
Club VJ pro is surprisingly stable even running video and pretty versatile given it's low price. It has a rather busy looking set of skins but is still quickly understandable.
Serato is excellent but at it's best when emulating vinyl with the use of time coded discs. Since I have no intention of returning to all that unnecessary extra gear Serato is not my go to program. It is a must know software though for anyone wanting to tour or work in clubs, or interchange with other DJs. Some of the applications tend to lack intuitive design. It can be really confusing to a new user stepping into the booth.
There are also tons of inexpensive and free consumer programs out there as well, which is why it can be humorous to listen to software makers spout claims about their products - it's like they have no clue about the norms of products that surround them at a very baseline level. For example, developers talk about "stability" as though it were a feature or benefit of certain software when in fact it's a baseline expectation of every user that exists.
Club VJ biggest problem is no support and even though 1 year ago, I received an email from them saying they re-starting their development team for a newer version, I have heard nothing from them and have sent numerous emails requesting updates. I am starting to look around the new front runner is Tricerasoft.
I'm a very visual type... I can also hear it too... but, for me it's easier to see it and hear it.Rob,
You can beat mix with VDJ without a problem, you can beat mix manually with most of them. You need to train your ear. Forget about the visuals
Just don't look in the mirror, and you should be ok...
I'm an ear dude myself -- I know the music by heart. Hence why I write my software a certain way.
There's a few levels of DJ's, IMHO:
1. Old school -- learned on 8-tracks, cassettes and vinyl. Can mix anything while downing a shot of Jose. This type does not need a sync button to perform -- they'll make whatever they have work. They can actually mix "What I Like About You", with "Mony, Mony" with ought a problem. They can probably even transition into Tammy Wynette without a problem.
2. New school -- CD folks, who can push buttons. If they're handy, they can push them at the right time. Some are pretty handy, some are not.
3. 2012 -- they need a sync button, because they have no freaking clue what they're doing. They have no idea how to mix, and rely on cheap software to do it for them.
IMHO, if you wanna be a good DJ, you better be able to use any platform, and still perform close to flawlessly. You need to know all the computer software, vinyl and even cassettes. You should have everything, and practice constantly, because you might get thrown into a situation you cannot handle...
If you want to be the best at what you do (or at least close to the top), you best be prepared...
Maybe you can include a flashing blue light in the next update Rick. It flashes to alert the dj that it's now time to press the sync button.
I'm old skool and older than that... Started with vinyl 45's and LP and even cassettes. Since I prefer the wedding scene vs. club, I don't need some of the more "hands-on" operational software. My needs have been met by OTSAV and when I learn more about OTS Studio, I'll be able to "beat mix" when necessary.
Waiting on OTS to publish their new version of OTSAV (Esperance) and then I should be set for some time. Unfortunately, many OTS users have been stymied because the OTS makers are perfectionists. Not sure what all the hype is regarding them taking so long to publish the new version. I'm a slow learner so by the time it comes out I should be ready to play.
Waiting on OTS to publish their new version of OTSAV (Esperance) and then I should be set for some time. Unfortunately, many OTS users have been stymied because the OTS makers are perfectionists. Not sure what all the hype is regarding them taking so long to publish the new version. I'm a slow learner so by the time it comes out I should be ready to play.
I have been hands on since I started. When I was at Guitar Center the other day, I decided to take a test drive on the Ns7 and connected to a MAC. Kepp in mind, I have never used DJ software, I only used the MAC to search, and drag and drop songs. I want to learn, as my son does as well. Mind you he will be taught to do this by ear first.
Don't get me started John...
Well, since I'm already started, I might just as well continue...
I'm certainly FAR from the best mix master in the world, but I know how to mix songs at a party. Hell, if all else fails, I'll grab my geetar, and we'll play/sing some Eagles songs
There's more to being a DJ, then hitting buttons, or scratching vinyl. The software does not matter -- it matters who's using it, and whether they know what the Hell they're doing.
I'd love to see somebody use their silly sync button, to "beat match" from these two songs:
Romantics - What I Like About You
Tammy Wynette - Stand By Your Man
Somebody amuse me, and do that...
Traktor may or may not do it without my first slowing down the Romantics then Syncing it to the Tammy. I will try this later. If I first make a playlist in the Pioneer MEP 7000 and put these two songs back to back, set to "Blend" or "Mix"I am confident it will do it. I will try that too later. I know that if it is vinyl, I can Slip Cue it from one song seamlessly into the other. My TT are not hooked up and I ain't spending my time searching for vinyl this evening.Don't get me started John...
Well, since I'm already started, I might just as well continue...
I'm certainly FAR from the best mix master in the world, but I know how to mix songs at a party. Hell, if all else fails, I'll grab my geetar, and we'll play/sing some Eagles songs
There's more to being a DJ, then hitting buttons, or scratching vinyl. The software does not matter -- it matters who's using it, and whether they know what the Hell they're doing.
I'd love to see somebody use their silly sync button, to "beat match" from these two songs:
Romantics - What I Like About You
Tammy Wynette - Stand By Your Man
Somebody amuse me, and do that...
cuz if the MEP can't do it .. nothing can ...I am certainly awaiting your results Canute...