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Pretty soon The DJ Bay will be launching a tutorials site, showing people some of our tips and tricks for DJing. In particular, I know a number of Club Zero listeners would like to see exactly what it is that I'm doing during my show. However, before we get started on that... let's talk about Digital DJ Software. I frequently get this question a lot from new DJs.
What DJ software should I use?
Well... there's several different answers to that question... let's go over the pros and cons. Before we begin, however, note the absence of the program "SAM" which some people use. Quite frankly, and I mean this without offense to anyone who uses SAM... it is NOT a professional DJ application. For a bedroom or hobbyist DJ, SAM might be fine, but if anyone who uses it claims to be a professional DJ... they are full of it.
Virtual DJ
Many of you are aware of Virtual DJ, since it's relatively common in the Shoutcast broadcasting industry due to its built-in shoutcast encoder. Currently Virtual DJ is at version 7, which represents a huge overhaul from version 6. Version 7 added support for 4 decks (mixing up to 4 songs together at once) and revised the effects section. Actually, VDJ supports up to 99 decks, in theory, but I can't imagine any use for more than 4, really. Also, among the DJ applications, it's arguably the easiest to use for a new DJ. It supports custom skins, custom effects and has a 10-unit sampling engine (so you can put up to 10 sound effects in the program and trigger them at any time). And, uniquely among the major DJ applications, you can mix video with it. Some DJs will mix music videos and output it to a projector, sending out over the dance floor. It's a pretty nifty effect. Lastly, you can mix visually with Virtual DJ. It will take the tracks you mix and overlay them visually on top of each other, so you can align the beats visually, without having to cue them in your headphones first. Though, I do strongly recommend you still cue with the headphones. It's a nice feature, but you don't want to become reliant on it. Virtual DJ supports most MIDI controllers, in fact its support might be the most robust of the three. You can also use timecode vinyl with Virtual DJ, which is where you purchase a vinyl record with a "timecode" on it, and plug your turntable in to your computer. You can then control virtual DJ just like you would with a pair of turntables.
Advantages of Virtual DJ:
Virtual DJ in 4-Deck Video Mode.
All is not perfect with Virtual DJ, however, and it suffers from several major disadvantages as well. For one, though you can use custom effects with the program, the effects are low-quality compared to Traktor and Serato. Master output quality isn't quite as good either. The ability to add custom skins, effects and such puts an element of uncertainty in the program as well. While Virtual DJ 7 was rock solid stable for me, when I used it with custom skins and effects, it was a mixed bag. Some of the third party enhancements aren't as stable as the core program. Also, getting the microphone to work properly in broadcast mode is always a serious pain for pretty much everyone (though it CAN be done).
Disadvantages of Virtual DJ
Virtual DJ in 2-Deck Standard (Beginner) Mode.
Recommendations
Virtual DJ is great if you are a beginner, or if you need to mix video. It's also great for internet radio professionals. For those applications, Virtual DJ is by far the best (and in the case of video... only) choice. For the experienced audio-only DJ, Virtual DJ still has a lot to offer, especially if you are in to customizing your application's look and feel, or using third-party add-ons, which Virtual DJ supports. However, for those who want the best out-of-the-box platform, Traktor and Serato are better options. Virtual DJ sometimes get maligned because so many new DJs use it, but don't let that change your mind about it. It's a powerful, legit piece of software, and anyone who claims it isn't is probably biased or insecure. It's also a great application for Mobile DJs, because of the video/karaoke support. And that 99 deck theoretical limit makes for some great remix potential.
The Denon MC6000 - a Controller with excellent Virtual DJ Support.
Traktor
Native Instruments Traktor Pro is powerful DJ application written by the music professionals over at NI. It's probably the most popular DJ software for controllerists, that is to say digital DJs who emulate the trickery and skill of turntablist DJs. Traktor Pro 2 was recently released, adding a lot of new features, including 4 deck support, an 8-unit sampling engine and an overhaul of the visual analyzer engine. Native Instruments is widely known for the quality of their audio effects and VSTs, and Traktor inherits this from its pedigree. Traktor's effects section is probably the most robust of any DJ application, and it can be beat-synced automatically. This allows a DJ to gate, delay, echo, flange and more TO THE BEAT... automatically. To say that this is powerful for the Controllerist DJ is an understatement. It's sound engine is perhaps the highest quality of all three of the major DJ applications as well. Traktor natively supports Icecast broadcasting in OGG format, so for certain internet radio applications, it's the software of choice. However, it does not not natively support MP3-based Shoutcast broadcasting due to licensing conflicts, so getting it to work with that is typically a pain. Traktor has a very professional, clean look to it, and is mildly customizable, with different color palettes for the visual analyzer, several different screen layouts for different kinds of DJs and computer screens. The sampling engine, though supporting less sample decks than Virtual DJ, has a stronger ability when it comes to ripping samples off the tracks that are playing. Also, it's possible to make sample loops and beat-sync them. It's also, arguably, the most stable of the three DJ applications. MIDI controller support is pretty comparable to Virtual DJ, but unlike Atomix (the makers of Virtual DJ), Native Instruments also manufactures their own controllers specifically for Traktor. Like Virtual DJ, Traktor supports timecode vinyls (though you need to purchase the Traktor Scratch Pro version of the software).
Advantages of Traktor
Traktor Pro in Advanced 4-Deck Mode (with Sample Decks enabled).
Like Virtual DJ, however, Traktor has its share of disadvantages. Most of these revolve around the fact that it's not very user-friendly for a beginner. The layout is highly functional, but it's often difficult for a new DJ to figure out what's going on. It also lacks a master output analyzer, so you won't be beat-syncing visual with Traktor (though it does have a phase-meter to help a little, but I find that the phase meter doesn't work very well). Traktor also lacks native Shoutcast support. For internet radio DJs, this could be a gamekiller. It's possible to convert your Icecast broadcast into a Shoutcast broadcast, but that requires extra processing overhead and on top of that, a lot of technical know-how. Vinyl support is amazing, but you have to pay more money for that version of the program. Traktor has no support for third-party skins or effects, though quite honestly, I hardly notice, since the appearance is so professional and the 33 built-in effects are so high quality.
Disadvantages of Traktor Pro
Traktor Pro 2 in 2-Deck Mode.
Recommendation
Traktor 2 is probably the most powerful of the 3 major DJ applications, but it's also the most difficult to use. If you are going to use Traktor, you should be used to beat-matching by ear. Even though it has a phase-meter and a sync function, these don't work quite as well in Traktor as they do in other DJ apps. However, if you're an experienced DJ and you enjoy messing with effects, cue points, and other suck trickery, Traktor is definitely the software for you. It's even better if you use one of the Native Instruments controllers with it (though third-party MIDI controllers ARE supported), since it can then use a faster HID mode. The responsiveness of using the Traktor S4 controller with this thing is incredible. At The DJ Bay, this is our software (and controller) of choice!
The Traktor Brand S4 Controller, especially for Traktor Pro 2.
Serato
Serato is a relative newcomer in the scene which is wildly different than the other two big DJ applications. Before we begin reviewing it, understand that unlike Traktor and Virtual DJ, Serato has multiple versions of the software for different types of DJs. Serato Itch is their platform of choice for most Digital DJs. Several versions of it abound, specific for different hardware controllers. MIDI controller support is far weaker with Serato, but that's really not a downside, per se. Most of the time, you will be purchasing a controller, and the software will come with it, tailored to that specific model. There's a Serato Video SL plugin for DJs who want video support (note that it only works with Scratch Live). And finally, there is Serato Scratch Live, which is tailored to Vinyl Timecode DJs. It's important to understand this distinction so you don't purchase the wrong controller and/or the wrong software.
As for how Serato compares to the other DJ apps... it has a number of distinct advantages. Tighter software/hardware integration is present in the software, and Serato's design team had the idea to make a DJ app that was as simple as possible. So, like Virtual DJ, it's pretty friendly for beginners, though probably not QUITE as friendly as Virtual DJ. It has a very unique visual analyzer, such that it's possible to mix visually, though it's not quite as simplistic as Virtual DJ. The song library management can connect with Itunes and a number of other sources, and it's probably the most robust song library system of either of the three applications. Sound quality is midway between that of Traktor and Virtual DJ. Serato, however, probably has the fastest, strongest engine for using timecode vinyl records of any DJ software. In fact, it's pretty much the industry standard for digital vinyl DJs. This brings up the amusing possibility of "scratching" a video with a turntable.
Advantages:
Serato Itch in 4-Deck Mode (using external FX processor).
Yes... Serato has some extreme disadvantages too. Mainly, these are from the fact that Serato has an entirely different model for their software. First off, instead of choosing your software, then your hardware... with Serato you need to do the reverse. Pick your hardware controller, and then if you want to buy any add-ons (like video support) from Serato, you can do that. Second, support for Effects is dependent on hardware. The Numark NS7, for example, has an effects processor you can buy for an extra $150 or so. With that, effects are enabled in Serato. Serato uses external DSPs to handle effects. This means high quality and low CPU load, but it also means you need to buy more hardware. Also, with so many plugins, versions and hardware combinations, figuring out what you need to buy can be a real hassle. But, like purchasing a Traktor brand controller for Traktor... this also means fast, tight integration of hardware and software, which is an advantage all of its own. Broadcasting support is essentially non-existant but like trying to broadcast with Traktor, you can still do this via an external encoder.
Disadvantages:
Serato Video SL Plugin, enabling video mixing support.
Recommendation:
Despite its many advantages, I have a tough time recommending Serato to most DJs. It's a lot more specialized than the other DJ apps. If you're a vinyl turntablist who wants to go digital, Serato is great choice, quite possibly the BEST choice. If you're a video mixer who wants to do crazy things with the video, it's also a good choice. Lastly, if you have an Itch (pardon the pun) for any of the Serato-specific DJ controllers... obviously this is what you will be using. But for most DJs, Virtual DJ and Traktor are probably going to be better options.
One area, however, Serato has a definate advantage in... is in former Virtual DJ users who still want to be able to mix visually, or use the visual analyzer a lot, but want to move on to more professionally-oriented software (not that Virtual DJ is a bad choice... if you like it, stick with it). Because it's something of a midway point in terms of complexity between Virtual DJ and Traktor, it's often easier for former VDJ users to pick up. Also, for a beginner, it might still be possible to get into Serato, where I wouldn't recommend Traktor at all.
Numark NS6 - Built specifically for Serato Itch. Amazing Controller.
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