Hi peeps,
I want to make a mix (~1 hour) of some of my best tracks (Classic House Music)
with only a laptop, a mouse and a Midi-Controller: Novation Zero SL-MK2
Link: https://www.musicstore.de/de_DE/EUR...-Contr-mit-Automap-und-USB/art-SYN0003513-000
I don't want to play live in a club or so, only to record a mix and upload it to soundcloud.
20 years ago, I owned (still own) many records, 2x Technicks 1210er and a mixer. But I sold
my mixer and the Technics. Only my records and many mp3's are left.
But which DJ-Software can you recommend using without big gear like Pioneer CDJ's or NI Traktor Mixer?
My first impression is, that the Standalone Software NI Traktor Pro 2 looks nice.
Is it simple as it looks like? Or do you need Hardware to use it?
And what about other DJ-Software like Serator DJ and others?
Similar like Traktor or too complicated for the first contact?
And can you record your mousefades/clicks so that you can delete your mistakes and edit it for
better fades e.g. ?

 

traktor is very powerful and rock solid, it goes way beyond what a pioneer (alone) can do.
it can be as simple or complicated as you want, its the gold standard in this area since ever.

its not a toy, there is definitely a learning curve.
the NI hardware are "just" midi controllers, some with a build in sound-card.

you can map any controller very detailed, there are tons of mappings available, even for your controller.

traktorbible

but this is made to "dj" live....so, no automation.

it has some automix capabilities where you can set the fade out/in point and more (if you want), it blends over the next track but thats just a better music player then, meant to take over if you have to go away for a short period, theres a dedicated button for this, it will mix thru your playlist if activated.


id say, nothing comes close to Ableton for your purpose, surgically adjusting mix and fx curves just how you like them.
you can make a simple perfect mix very fast and easy. just drag the mp3 in the arrangement view, you have to learn warping in Ableton tho.
the rest is just as usual in daw's

traktor is surely the more fun way


serato is also good but, nah

 

Yes, I own Ableton.
But you have to to more handwork and not really mixing, I think.
And warping can destroy the sound of a track more or less, but not sure.

 

simple vdj, easiest for out of the box mixing, or if you want to premix use mixmeister fusion, i make gr8 mixes in that

 

if you're just making recorded mixes, ableton will give you the easiest workflow, most features and best results. if you actually want the experience of mixing, traktor is your best option

 

ableton is not the best way, warping tracks take time, so again vdj is best

 

ok, but why use Virtual DJ insteas of Traktor? Where is the difference between the two?

 

Serato mate.

 

Ableton offers fantastic options to do mixes and remixes, except the best time stretching quality (aka warping), and you're right, it's not made for just mixing songs quickly in DJ style so the process could become very time-consuming.
I have seen DJs using Live, Traktor and Serato, and from what I remember, for the more extreme settings, Serato was the only one delivering acceptable time stretching results.
(Make sure you're using the Pitch 'N Time DJ addon!)

 

Last edited: Aug 11, 2018

virtual dj is my goto. i have a ddj-sb2 and it is the best for mixing and i refuse to ever use serato

 

+1 ..I would only say, it is not (always) very fast ;), if you want your mix to be perfect (esp. sound-wise)

I own Traktor with (too much) Native Instruments dedicated hardware. IMO it's NOT meant to be used with a mouse and keyboard (or even "some xy" controller). Even with the NI controller, in 1 hour you'll probably make a mistake (I'm talking differences in gain, filtering.. not only obvious mistakes). And even if you don't, you might want to change something later (like swapping songs, changing transitions, aso..)

Traktor+hw is great for live mixing. But if you have the option to do it "offline", Ableton (or any DAW for that matter) is much better
option. Most DJs/producers that you see on stage with CDJs do it and yes, they take time to edit all the automation (I have a video somewhere - Armin doing his yearmix..) ..and of course mastering at the end.

Any (digital) time stretching will degrade the sound - that is mixing. But as you can see here: https://licensing.zplane.de/company both, Native Instruments and Ableton use the same Zplane audio technology.

Agree, it takes all the fun out of "real mixing". But it is the way to go, unless you want it to sound like a live mix.

 

It sounds like you're looking for something like https://www.mixmeister.com/

It's a DAW, but it targets beatmatching of multiple songs. It's available in multiple editions from express > fusion/.

 

i just find vdj easier, traktor is deffo best for live dj`ing

 

Are you kidding right?
I can do with a pair of CDJs and a mixer more than most Traktor users can, even when playing with dedicated controllers.
Just like a software, you also need to know all functions of a CDJ. there's more than you can see at first, and a bit of talent is also needed.

But, for a home mix, VDJ is more than enough.

 

Well, I could be a little biased, cause I used Traktor since 2004 (version 2.5, then came out 3, then 2 pro), mostly mixing 80' and 90's tracks. At first I did it without any controller, just mouse and pc keyboard, an external audio card 5.1 channels (rear is the main out, front is the monitor) and after I bought an Hercules dj pad, basically a toy.

I learned how to deal with difficult syncs (70's can be terrible), but house tracks are really easy because of their rock steady tempo.
So I would say that any mixing sw would be good, but the simpler the better is. Traktor 2.xx Pro (that I love) it's a bit "overcrowded" for the occasional dj.

 

First I will give Virtual DJ and MixMeister Fusion a go. Traktor is maybe a bit overdone for the moment.
Later I try it with Ableton Live, but still not sure if this will work fast enough.

 

i am using Mixcraft and FLStudio from a long time, will recommand too, however you also should look for some beat making software as well , some given in this list https://bestoob.com/best-free-beat-making-software/

 

Hi!

I have tryed the most of the DJ software but I´m not into DJing and I´m a novise in mixing. But I have use for the mixer programs to other things. And belive it or not. I find (with my little knowledge) MIXXX to be the best program overall. (freeware)

 

Virtual DJ, very stable and user friendly

 

try also serato....but i guess you end up with virtual dj
but i would go with ableton when doing a mix at home just in arrangement view and having many possibility's..but you arrange a mix then not mixing a mix
when you want that in ableton you go with the clips view....
you have crossfader on each track and also with the clips - you get that in seconds , very easy...just map controller...maybe check out launchpad

 

Last edited: Nov 10, 2018