DJ SOFTWARE GUIDE

20 Essential Programs & Apps for Digital DJs

DJ Software Guide
20 Essential Programs & Apps for Digital DJs
 DJ Software Guide - visit the online guide

NOTICE OF RIGHTS
© 2015 Digital DJ Tips. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or
transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of
brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

This edition: December 2015

NOTICE OF LIABILITY
The author and publisher have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information herein. However, the
information contained in this book is sold without warranty, either express or implied. Neither the author and Digital
DJ Tips, nor its dealers or distributors, will be held liable for any damages caused either directly or indirectly by the
instructions contained in this book, or by the software or hardware products described herein.

THANKS
We’d like to thank all the software manufacturers who have helped us with assets for this guide, and a special thanks
to those who support Digital DJ Tips with advertising and in other ways.

2
 DJ Software Guide - visit the online guide

A WORD FROM
THE EDITOR
LIKE IT OR HATE IT, DIGITAL DJING NEEDS organised, greatest sounding and most useful digital
software. Not just DJ software, but software to help music collections they can possible have.
you organise, prepare and improve your digital music This is where you'll find software and apps to help
collection, and to make more from it, all in the name of you organise and tidy up your music, improve its sound
getting organised, doing more and having as much fun quality, audition it quicker, and even make quick edits
as possible with your DJing hobby (or career). and remixes to suit your DJ sets. Some of this software
Whether it's making that crucial first choice as to the you'll use every day, some only very occasionally, and
right DJ software for you, choosing the right DJ app to you certainly won't be interested in getting it all; but I can
use on your iPhone, iPad or Android tablet, finding a guarantee you'll want some of it.
great tag editor to help you tidy up your music library, or
even making your own down 'n' dirty mashups and re- THE SOFTWARE IS A MIXTURE OF FREE AND
edits to make your sets stand out, software is what you'll (usually) paid for programs and apps, for PC and Mac
use to get there. (and occasionally iOS/Android); the guide tells you
clearly which platforms each piece of software works on.
THIS GUIDE IS DIVIDED INTO TWO PARTS: DJ Even if you're an old hand, I hope you find something
software, and supporting software. The DJ software useful in here that you hadn't considered using before,
section is where you'll find the actual programs you'll be but if you're a beginner, I truly hope this guide will help
using to play your music in front of an audience. This you cut through the noise and find the software and apps
is where typically you'll decide to go with one program that will help you break through and play the very best DJ
or another, although you may choose two (one for your sets possible in the coming months and years.
"main" laptop, and one for your iOS or Android device,
for example). HAPPY DJING!
The second part of the guide is a collection of all the - Phil Morse
other "supporting" programs and apps that help DJs Digital DJ Tips Editor
to get in front of their audiences with the best, most December 2015

3
 DJ Software Guide - visit the online guide

PART 1: DJ SOFTWARE

> TRAKTOR PRO

FROM GERMAN COMPANY NATIVE INSTRUMENTS, equipment, and the Traktor Kontrol S8 unlocks the power
Traktor is a massively popular program, as complex as it of the company's "Remix Decks" idea, where you can
is capable. If you want the very best software for playing layer beat and tempo matched samples over your DJ
EDM, and you fancy yourself as a DJ/producer, just as sets to create something entirely new, among other
happy chopping up loops and composing on the fly with things.
your own samples as "spinning" in the traditional way,
Traktor will probably be the software for you. NATIVE INSTRUMENTS ALSO HAS A NUMBER OF
While a few years back you could find Traktor bundled "modular " controllers that work with Traktor, either in the
with all types of DJ controllers from many manufacturers, case of the Kontrol X1 for use as part of a digital vinyl
nowadays if you want to use Traktor, you're probably going system (where you control Traktor using vinyl on real
to be using it on Native Instruments' own hardware. The record decks), giving you an "in" with Traktor into pro DJ
Traktor Kontrol S2 is a good choice to use with Traktor booths, too, or with the Kontrol F1, to further unlock the
if you want to cover the basics, the Traktor Kontrol S4 is Remix Decks.
better if you want four decks and to incorporate outside

GOOD IF: YOU WANT TO BE A DJ/PRODUCER, YOU

LOVE ELECTRONIC MUSIC ABOVE ALL ELSE

BAD IF: YOU WANT TO KEEP EVERYTHING SIMPLE,

OR PLAY A WIDER VARIETY OF SOUNDS

4
 DJ Software Guide - visit the online guide

> SERATO DJ
SERATO IS ANOTHER TRULY HUGE NAME IN licenses the software to its own specifications, meaning
digital DJing. It started off as a purist digital vinyl system Serato DJ remains very easy to set up and use (it literally
(a way of playing digital music from laptop using a DJ's is "plug and play"); this is one of its noted benefits.
existing record decks and mixer, originally called "Serato
Scratch Live"), but has slowly grown into a fully fledged SERATO IS THE SOFTWARE THAT DJS WHO PLAY
digital DJ solution, gaining a name change to "Serato DJ" a wider choice of music than just electronic styles
along the way, and is now capable of being used in a tend to prefer, as it has fewer loop and sample based
whole number of ways, much like Traktor. features, and instead appeals to a more varied section
Curiously, while Traktor is now commonly only used of the DJing community. That's not to say it doesn't have
on Native Instruments' DJ controllers as we mentioned, creative editing features (for example, one of its paid-for
Serato has gone from having a relatively small number additions is "Serato Flip", an addictive way to make easy,
of tightly controlled hardware partners (Serato doesn't fast re-edits of tunes), just that if you want to DJ "the
make its own hardware) to working with pretty much way it's always been done" but with software instead of
everyone and anyone in the industry, so you can find physical media, Serato will be your natural choice over
versions of Serato bundled with controllers from the very the brave new world of Traktor.
cheapest right up to the top. However, the company still

GOOD IF: YOU WANT A DIGITAL SYSTEM THAT HAS

STRONG CONNECTIONS TO “HOW DJING’S ALWAYS
BEEN DONE”

BAD IF: YOU WANT COMPLETE FLEXIBILITY (IT IS

NOT AS MAPPABLE AS OTHER SYSTEMS)

5
 DJ Software Guide - visit the online guide

> VIRTUAL DJ
THE THIRD OF OUR TRULY MASSIVE PROGRAMS, Virtual DJ is unique among the three big DJ packages
Virtual DJ has had millions upon millions of downloads in that it works with video right out of the box (Traktor
over the years, and remains a solid choice for any DJ, doesn't at all, Serato is a paid upgrade), and while it's
but especially for video, karaoke and mobile DJs, who always suffered from a bit of snobbery from the purists,
form the nucleus of its users. With streaming music built its huge user base and the fact that some of the biggest
right in, it is great for mobile DJs who may need to find names in the business (Pioneer included) are happy to
that all-important request online half-way through a set, bundle it with their hardware show that it's a perfectly
and what it maybe lacks in visual finesse it more than good choice.
makes up for in flexibility and compatibility (it works with
just about any hardware out there, and has a great digital
vinyl engine if you want to use existing DJ gear with it).

GOOD IF: YOU ARE A MOBILE DJ, A KARAOKE DJ, OR

TAKE LOTS OF REQUESTS

BAD IF: YOU’RE ON A BUDGET (IT’S MORE

EXPENSIVE TO BUY THAN ANY OF THE OTHERS)

6
 DJ Software Guide - visit the online guide

> REKORDBOX
THIS IS SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHER then shows on the screens of your chosen Pioneer DJ
programs in this section, in that 1. It is designed to be gear, and the music too is carried on that USB stick, so
used exclusively with Pioneer equipment, and only no need at all to take your laptop along.
certain Pioneer equipment at that, and 2. It is not actually Where things blur is that you can, actually, still take
designed to plug into DJ gear and perform directly your laptop along and plug in if you want; this works with
from using your laptop (although you can do this, as I'll either Rekordbox-compatible DJ controllers (the latest
explain). one at the time of writing, the XDJ-RX, is very attractive),
Instead, think of it as a program that lets you do all or a "full" Pioneer set-up (the XDJ-1000 media players,
the clever preparation that you also do on other DJ or a CDJ-900 or CDJ-2000 Nexus system, for example),
software before playing a set, only with Rekordbox, you making it not so different from "traditional" DJ software
then take all that work (often on a USB stick) and plug in any more, after all. Confused? Don't be. The good/bad if
to Pioneer's performance equipment. The "digital" stuff summary below nails it.

GOOD IF: YOU WANT TO DJ IN DJ BOOTHS EQUIPPED

WITH MODERN PIONEER GEAR, OR PREPARE
YOURSELF FOR DJING IN SUCH PLACES

BAD IF: YOU WANT TO DJ USING ANYONE OTHER

BRAND'S GEAR (YOU CAN'T WITH REKORDBOX,
YOU'LL NEED ANOTHER SYSTEM TOO TO DO THAT)

7
 DJ Software Guide - visit the online guide

> DJAY PRO

BACK TO "STANDARD"-TYPE LAPTOP DJ SOFTWARE It's worth emphasising that point: this really is very simple
now, and Algoriddim’s djay Pro's particular unique selling to get started on, probably the easiest of all the programs
point is that it is Mac only, so is designed to look and here, especially because it has Spotify baked right in, so
work beautifully on the Mac from the ground up. Recently you don't even have to have any music collection to get
gaining the "Pro" suffix, the software - from German going. iTunes is seamless and flawless here too, unlike
company Algoriddim - is nowadays a truly polished affair, any other DJ programs. Where it slips behind the others
with gorgeous, Retina-ready graphics, 64-bit architecture is in battle-proved hardware integrations. While it works
(meaning smooth visuals), and most of the bells and with a variety of hardware (and very, very well with the
whistles you'd expect from today's DJ software. At the Reloop Beatpad), you won't find the breadth or depth of
same time it's undeniably Apple-esque, and good for hardware compatibility out there for djay Pro as you will
beginners (in a "the power is there under the hood if you for some of the other programs.
want it" kind of way, a bit like other prosumer to pro Apple
products like Final Cut Pro X, for instance).

GOOD IF: YOU'RE A MAC LOVER WHO'S ALWAYS

WISHED SOMEONE WOULD MAKE A DJ PROGRAM
THAT "FEELS" LIKE APPLE

BAD IF: YOU WANT THE 10% OF FEATURES 90% OF

PEOPLE NEVER TOUCH THAT SOME MORE "PRO"
PROGRAMS HAVE

8
 DJ Software Guide - visit the online guide

> TRAKTOR DJ
SO WE'RE MOVING AWAY FROM THE PC AND MAC a fantastic recommendation engine that just seems to
platforms now and into the realms of smartphones and always pick the perfect next tune to play so you don't
tablets, in this case, iOS, meaning iPhone, iPod touch have to, and a whole pile of FX and loops that make the
and iPad. And Traktor DJ from Native Instruments is, I most of the touchscreen.
have to tell you from the outset, a thoroughly addictive, Is it meant to be taken seriously, as a substitute for a
fiendishly well implemented DJ program that just might club DJ set-up? No, not really (although you could play
have you whiling away many a long summer night sat in in a club on this). Is it just about the most addictive iOS
your garden or poolside, little portable speaker plugged DJing platform there is? Yes, most certainly.
in, beer in hand, playing away (not that I'd know anything
about that, oh no).

WHAT'S GREAT ABOUT TRAKTOR DJ, ESPECIALLY

(it has to be said) when viewed against the frankly
feature-overloaded Traktor Pro, is just how simple it is,
and how much thought has gone into the workflow. You
get given two big, smooth waveforms ("touch the music",
went the marketing slogan), and no individual pitch
controls or nudge controls, just tight beatlocked mixing,

GOOD IF: YOU WANT AN IOS DJ APP THAT’S MORE

ADDICTIVE THAN IS GOOD FOR YOU.

BAD IF: YOU WANT TO DJ THE TRADITIONAL WAY

(YOU CAN’T WITH THIS); YOU’RE A PURIST (YOU’LL
HATE IT).

9
 DJ Software Guide - visit the online guide

> MIXVIBES
MIXVIBES HAS A SMALL BUT COMMITTED FAN
base. The French DJ software comes from a talented GOOD IF: YOU WANT A SOLID PERFORMER BUT
software team (the same guys who were behind early AREN’T CONVINCED BY THE BIGGER NAMES
versions of Pioneer's Rekordbox) and so is perfectly
capable, and while it has played catch up to the big BAD IF: YOU WANT SOFTWARE A LOT OF OTHER
boys features-wise, nowadays it has most of the PEOPLE USE (ITS USER BASE IS NOWHERE NEAR AS
features - key mixing, four decks, decent effects, etc BIG AS THOSE ABOVE)
- that mark the rest of the major players out from the
smaller also-rans.
Maybe because of Mixvibes’ historical good
relationships with Pioneer, the company has made
much of its tight, intuitive mappings to Pioneer in-booth
DJ gear, although it's getting harder to believe there
are an awful lot of DJs out there who are demanding
those types of features, especially with the rise of
Pioneer's own Rekordbox. Still, as I say the small but
committed fanbase means this lot are certainly doing
something right.

10
 DJ Software Guide - visit the online guide

> DJAY 2

WITH ALGORIDDIM’S DJAY 2, THOUGH, YOU Couple it with one of the several hardware DJ
certainly can DJ the traditional way. Indeed, it's main controllers made to work specifically with it (Pioneer
screen is a frighteningly realistic representation of two DDJ-WeGo3, Reloop Beatpad, Numark iDJ Pro...) and
decks and a mixer, much like with its bigger brother, you've got a system that is pretty much as good as a
djay Pro. In fact, there's not an awful lot separating the laptop/controller set-up, but with your iOS device right at
programs. Like djay Pro, there are "power" features its heart. I've DJed a large corporate event with just such
under the hood (full vertical waveform view, like Serato a system, and apart form the jogwheel performance on
Scratch Live, for instance); like djay Pro, it has Spotify compatible hardware not being as good as, say, Serato,
built right in, and can also work with your iTunes (or iOS you could scarcely tell a difference - all from an iPad. A
Music, in this instance) library. And like DJ Pro, it has at great second system or travel DJ set-up.
least some advanced features (key detection being a big
one) that most "big" DJ software has as standard.

GOOD IF: YOU WANT THE FULL TRADITIONAL DJ

EXPERIENCE ON YOUR IOS OR ANDROID DEVICE

BAD IF: YOU WANT IT TO PERFORM EXACTLY LIKE A

LAPTOP (IT’S NOT QUITE THERE YET)

11
 DJ Software Guide - visit the online guide

> ABLETON LIVE

NOT TRADITIONAL DJ SOFTWARE IN ANY SHAPE music the same way on the same software, because
or form, Ableton Live has attracted a lot of attention as it allows enough spontaneity of performance in an
an "alternative" way of DJing over the years, although environment where it's easy to remix your own stuff
our research indicates it remains strictly a minority on the fly, drop in other people's music, and inhabit a
thing (while some big names like Paul Van Dyk DJ with place right on the very slash of DJ/producer. And really,
it, others - Sasha being one - tried it but went back to that's what's bad about it, too: DJing and production are
traditional methods). to most people very different disciplines, and while it is
So what's good about it? It blurs the lines between exciting to imagine a world where the two blur, very few
production and DJing, to start with. You can DJ with DJs pull it of, or maintain the willingness to try.
"loops", which is very appealing to producers who make

GOOD IF: YOU’RE AN EXPERIENCED DJ AND

PRODUCER WHO UNDERSTANDS WHAT YOU’RE
GETTING INTO

BAD IF: YOU’RE NOT

12
 DJ Software Guide - visit the online guide

> FLOW

FLOW FROM MIXED IN KEY IS A DIFFERENT TAKE because it's easy to get really solid results every time
on DJ software, organising your workflow into prepare, with this software.
play and export windows, and working on segmenting Being from Mixed In Key, it has a solid, harmonic-
your tunes into parts that make sense musically. Then based recommendation engine and a much better take
it kind of semi-automates how you mix those tunes. It's on "automix" than any other software you're likely to
easy and intuitive once you use it but quite hard to explain! have tried, and there's an unusually detailed and useful
The kind of DJing I think it's particularly suited to is DJing export section too, that lets you export your tracklisting
in bars and lounges where it's about programming as as a CSV, and even consult your top tunes as per your
much as showing off your deck skills, but where simply history. Overall, this will never be your first DJ program
playing "one song after another" isn't good enough. It unless you're a very particular type of DJ, but it would
will also be good for DJs who want to semi-automate make a great "second" DJ program for an awful lot of
the performance (read: recording) of their mixtapes, DJs.

GOOD IF: YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ALTERNATIVE

WAYS OF PROGRAMMING DJ SETS

BAD IF: YOU ARE A DJ/MIXING PURIST

13
 DJ Software Guide - visit the online guide

> THE ONE

NEWCOMER THE ONE IS GETTING AN HONORARY parts of songs then treating them as one song, but unlike
mention here, just because it's a really intriguing piece Traktor's Remix Decks (which are only spontaneous)
of software, not because a huge number of people are and unlike Virtual DJ's "sandbox" (which lets you preview
using it or anything like that (they're not, not yet anyway). mixes but mot much more), you can construct pretty
Think for a second about "modular" DJ gear: You complicated live "remixes" a bit ahead of time in The
know, a mixer, maybe a drumpad controller, a couple One, and get them right before playing them, all in your
of jogwheel decks, an FX controller. Now, thing of the headphones, all mid-gig. It's a lot of fun when you get
software equivalent: An environment where you can take your head around it, but equally, you can DJ the "normal"
certain elements (a deck here, a pile of plugin FX there, a way with this software too, and it's compatible with quite
mixer etc) and piece them all together on the screen into a lot of hardware too.
your perfect DJ control surface.
That's what The One attempts to achieve. It also lets
you remix on the fly, constructing mixes out of lots of

GOOD IF: YOU WANT TO DO MORE THAN JUST MIX,

BUT AREN’T SOLD ON TRAKTOR’S REMIX DECKS

BAD IF: YOU WANT TO PLUG AND PLAY (IT’S GOT A

LEARNING CURVE)

14
 DJ Software Guide - visit the online guide

PART 2: SUPPORTING
SOFTWARE
SO YOU'VE GOT YOUR DJ SOFTWARE ON YOUR of preparing your music, hopefully you'll start to find this
laptop, maybe you've even chosen a second program stuff exciting. And as you'll see, there's even software
to use on your iPad or smartphone. But the software a that makes it simple to make those mashups you hear in
working DJ needs doesn't stop there. Because there's the your head a reality, or to "lock down" your acapella mixes
huge, slightly unglamorous but utterly essential question to add them to your DJ music library as whole new tracks
of tune organisation and preparation to consider, too. to make your sets unique.
I say unglamorous, but actually, once you get to the Did I say supporting software was unglamorous?
point of "hearing" stuff you'd like to do to tunes so they're I undersold it. Some of this stuff can make a huge
more fun to DJ with (quick and dirty extended intros and difference to your DJing. You ought to at least consider
outros, removing breaks and so on), and you realise some of these programs and apps.
there's software that'll let you do that as a natural part

A DJ'S PREPARATION moment you add half a dozen tunes to your library
the way everyone else does (you know, download,
WORKFLOW drag into your DJ software 10 minutes before a
I just wanted to talk a little about how you may gig...) you've broken your system, and there's fixing
incorporate some of this "supporting software" needed just to get back to square one.
into your workflow. Here I'm going to refer back to It's far better to think hard about your end result
something you may well have heard before: "KISS" (does equal volume files really matter? Do you
or "Keep it simple, stupid". honestly need the filenames to reflect artist-title? Do
See, the trap some DJs fall into, especially when you really need separate key mixing software? Is it
starting to do this stuff, is adding every little bit totally necessary to have 20 main genres and 50 sub
of software to their armoury and concocting an genres when 5 overall categories will do? Is it a good
elaborate workflow for every new tune that arrives. use of your time (or is it wise, from a sound quality
If you've ever found yourself thinking (or worse, position, to convert all incoming music to MP3? Etc
writing down) something like "First drop into a etc) and then to plan a simple process you can stick
new folder. Then, edit tags manually. Then, run to, to do what's really important to you (and some
X to correct volume, Then run Y to get key. Then, of it will be) than to over-complicate in the name of
categorise into a separate folder for year. Then, perfection.
import into Z, fix artwork so it's no more than Pick your "helper" program carefully, accept no
800x800 pixels..." etc etc, you've fallen victim to this process is perfect, and - yes - write it down as a
trap (confession; I have to before I learned better). simple checklist to help you remember, then stick
The problem is that you give up. Then you end to it and get back to what really matters: Learning,
up in a bigger mess that you started in because the programming, mixing and enjoying your tunes.

15
 DJ Software Guide - visit the online guide

> ITUNES
AH, ITUNES. LOVED AND LOATHED IN WHAT SEEMS with you. You can back up your entire library including
like equal amounts by DJs and the general public alike. all playlists etc by backing up one folder. There's a
But here's the thing: There's currently no program as cheap and well populated music store built right in. It's
versatile as iTunes when it comes to organising your a very easy place to plan DJ sets from, or "pack crates",
music. helping DJs to separate set planning from DJing. It's
But why organise your music away from your DJ a great place to listen to your music from when you're
software anyway, you may ask? Why not just drop all busy doing other things (and we all know the more you
your tunes into a folder and do it all from within your DJ listen to your music, the better you learn it). It has great
software? Or just have some manual way of organising podcasts baked in where you can hear new music. You
stuff? Well, the truth is that's fine, and some DJs do do can use it to rip CDs.
things exactly that way. But iTunes has lots of advantages. There are more, but I hope you can see some of the
Not all apply to all DJs, but here are just some of them: things iTunes adds that many DJs find indispensable. But
You can far more easily edit track info, add artwork, the killer is that everything you do in iTunes is reflected
and generally keep your collection tidy in iTunes than in your DJ software. All your playlists are there. No other
directly from your DJ software. You can set up intuitive music library management program can offer that, which
"smart" playlists that will automatically stay up to date is why, despite its bloated feel sometimes and the way it
when you add new tunes that fit their criteria. If you use can infuriate (you need to set it up right to use it for DJ
an iPhone or iPad or iTunes Match, you can have all your prep), iTunes is still the tool of choice for most DJs. Mac
collection and playlists in the cloud or on your mobile or PC, you should at least give it a chance.
device, too, for DJing with or just to take everywhere

16
 DJ Software Guide - visit the online guide

> MEDIA MONKEY

OK, OK , WE HEAR YOU, YOU HARDCORE OF PC

owners who are "anything but Apple" in all things. Media
Monkey could be for you. It's is an extremely powerful
PC media library organisation tool that a small but
committed number swear by. It's not free (in the version
you'll want, anyway), but apart from the fact that you
can't automatically have your playlists display in your
DJ software as you can with iTunes, it has just about
everything else that that program has.
We're talking the ability to organise your tunes, edit
tags, have smart lists, add artwork, plan sets, etc. etc.
While some people complain that iTunes slows down
with large collections, particularly it seems on PCs,
Media Monkey is zippy right up to 100,000+ tunes. And
while as I say it won't be there like iTunes sat directly
inside your DJ software, you can upload to your iPod,
Android device from it, so the ability to organise with
Media Monkey and take your music with you exists. (It
will even sync via wifi with Android phones.)

GOOD IF: YOU’RE A COMMITTED ANTI-APPLE

PERSON

BAD IF: YOU WANT IT TO INTEGRATE WITH YOUR DJ

SOFTWARE LIKE ITUNES DOES

17
 DJ Software Guide - visit the online guide

> QUICKTIME / VLC

OR SIMILAR

MORE MEDIA PLAYERS, I HEAR YOU SAY? WHY? and just... play the tune, but give you a bar where you
Well, here's the thing: In my view, there are two types of can quickly flick through it too, preferably with keyboard
music you have on your computer, You have downloads shortcuts. Then when you're ready, you add the tune to
/ audition lists / unprepared / unsorted (or whatever you your iTunes collection, and from then on, you play it from
want to call that big inbox of "everything") and you have within there.
your DJ collection: That hallowed place where a lot of
work has been done on every tune that you allow in.
What you don't want is the two to get mixed. So I am
not a fan of having my computer set up to auto play
tunes by default in iTunes when I click on them. What
I like to have is a lightweight media player that is set as
the default option when I click on an MP3, AAC etc (ie
any music file), that'll just play it fast, let me flick through
it, and when it opens, not fill the whole screen.
Quicktime can do the job fine, the free VLC player
is also great (both are available for Mac and PC), and
there are lots more. What you're looking for is something
really lightweight that you can set to open fast and small

GOOD IF: YOU WANT TO KEEP UNSORTED AND

SORTED MUSIC COMPLETELY SEPARATE

BAD IF: YOU ARE HAPPY DOING ALL YOUR SORTING

INSIDE ITUNES OR YOUR DJ SOFTWARE

18
 DJ Software Guide - visit the online guide

> MIXED IN KEY /

KEYFINDER

IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN MIXING IN KEY, OR analyse your music and embed the key info in the tags
mixing harmonically, you need to analyse your music to that CD players show, even the filename itself if you have
add the key information to the tags in the music files. to). Or you may get utterly hooked on key mixing and
Nowadays, DJ software is getting better at doing this want some of the bells and whistles that Mixed In Key,
for you (most except Serato now has it built in), so you the leading standalone app, offers (such as detecting key
definitely want to check out those options before going changes within music). Either way, a standalone program
any further. However, further indeed you may choose to may be on your radar.
go. As I say, Mixed In Key leads the field (in fact, it's the
Why? Because you may want to DJ on different only viable dedicated paid-for key analysis program), but
software, or away from software altogether (for instance, if you want to experiment with a free option, Keyfinder is
using CDs or files on USB), and your DJ software key excellent, too.
analysis won't help you there (hint: the solution is to

19
 DJ Software Guide - visit the online guide

> PLATINUM NOTES

THIS IS A CONTENTIOUS PROGRAM BUT ENOUGH engineer tweak all your songs, but you don't know one of
people use it and swear by it that I would like to make its those, do you? And in our tests, most of the time it makes
case. Platinum Notes (from the same people as Mixed a great job. We have heard the odd song it's made sound
In Key, and Mashup below) attempts to auto correct a little bit worse, but in our experience, those tend to be
imperfections in your music files to make them sound the "lost cause" tunes with big problems to start with.
better. The idea is that it takes the file, analyses it for It's not cheap, but if you have DJ source material from
over-compression, clipped peaks (digital distortion), key a whole load of places (vinyl rips, CD rips, downloads,
variance, and volume deviation from the ideal volume less-than-perfect SoundCloud productions, etc) and if
level, and fixes all those things automatically for you, you play multi-format sets, Platinum Notes can give your
giving you a new version of the file to use from hereon in. sets a sheen that is hard to put your finger on but that is
It's never going to better having a skilled mastering very tangible.

GOOD IF: YOU LIKE HOW THE RESULTS SOUND AND

ARE PREPARED TO AUTOMATE THIS TYPE OF THING

BAD IF: YOU DON’T TRUST LEAVING SOMETHING

AS FUNDAMENTAL AS HOW YOUR FILES SOUND TO
A PROGRAM

20
 DJ Software Guide - visit the online guide

> MP3GAIN

ONE OF THE BIG, BIG THINGS PLATINUM NOTES software too, to do this kind of thing, isn’t there? Yes, but
does is make all your tunes the same volume. And you depending on where and how you listen to your music,
know what? MP3Gain can do that too. It's free, and you this can be worth doing nonetheless. Having all your files
can get it for Mac and PC, and it's devilishly clever. Y'see, the same volume can help when shuffle playing them
what it does is not actually make a new version of your on media players, for instance. In some DJ software the
MP3 at the "right" volume, but instead, alters a little bit of volume of the file affects the size of the waveform, and
info at the start of the file that tells your software how loud small waveforms, although correctable with gain, don't
to play the track. So it's "non destructive", but it's a great offer much information. And for some, this is just an anal
way to get all your tunes the same volume. thing!
Why would you want to? After all, DJ software has auto
gain and also there's a manual gain control on most DJ

GOOD IF: YOU WANT ALL YOUR MP3S THE SAME

VOLUME, FOR FREE

BAD IF: YOU HAVE MUSIC IN OTHER FORMATS (IT

ONLY WORKS WITH MP3)

21
 DJ Software Guide - visit the online guide

> KID3

I'VE CHOSEN KID3 BECAUSE IT'S POWERFUL AND let you more easily do complex alterations like batch
multi-platform, but there are many programs, free and search/replacing stuff (for instance, you may want "[Artist]
paid, of this type for both Mac and PC (more for PC, as featuring [Artist]" to say "[Artist] feat. [Artist]" in all your
it happens). And the type I'm talking about is tag editors. file names; a good tag editor can help you make these
These little programs let you edit artist, title, artwork, consistency checks). And finally - crucially - tag editors
genre etc of your music files in much the same way as let you rename the file itself from your chosen tags. So
iTunes does, but typically go much further. The main as part of your tune preparation and organisation, you
reasons for having one of these in your armoury as well may want your filenames to be "artist - title.mp3" (for
as iTunes are these: instance "Robin S - Show Me Love.mp3"). Once your tag
Firstly, they have tags in them that iTunes doesn't information is all correct, it's a batch process that takes a
(for instance, the initialKey tag where Mixed in Key and few seconds to do this stuff in a tag editor.
similar programs store key information). Secondly, they

GOOD IF: YOU WANT TO MAKE ALL YOUR

FILENAMES UNIFORM AND CORRECT EXTRANEOUS
TAGS QUICKLY

BAD IF: YOU DON’T SEE ANY NEED TO

22
 DJ Software Guide - visit the online guide

> BEATUNES

BEATUNES IS KIND OF A HARD PROGRAM TO automatically, before you do, and then let you decide
place, mainly because it does so much that you may find what to do about them. It can identify multiple spellings
useful. It's primarily billed as a playlist generator, and if of the same artist, for instance, or genres that you only
you take to its workflow, it's a great way of generating have one or two tunes in (so you may want to add those
exciting, dynamic playlists for listening to your music as tunes to bigger, broader genres). It's also got a powerful
you get to know it away from your DJ sets, or to help you key detection feature like Mixed in Key, and a built in
build DJ sets, both automatically and manually. It does media player, so you may just find you take to it as so
this by learning a lot about your music, both from the many others have immediately and decide it's a "Swiss
tags, from the cloud/online, and from you. Army knife" you can't live without. Worth checking out in
But as well as that, it is a semi-automated tag correction addition to or as well as any of the above.
tool, able to spot inconsistencies in your music library

GOOD IF: YOU FIND ENOUGH FEATURES IN IT YOU’D

USE TO WARRANT A PURCHASE

BAD IF: YOU’VE ALREADY GOT OTHER PROGRAMS

THAT CAN DO THE STUFF THAT INTERESTS YOU

23
 DJ Software Guide - visit the online guide

> AUDACITY
EVERY DJ NEEDS A DIGITAL AUDIO WORKSTATION tune onto a workbench and shaping and reshaping it
like this, and there's no excuse really, because it's using every tool in the box, Audacity is it.
absolutely free. Audacity loads your track as a waveform, It's also a good place to take your finished DJ mixes
a bit like DJ software does, and lets you do all kinds of and apply a bit of sheen to them, or add CD track markers
things to it. It could be as simple as editing silence form before burning the CDs, and a whole host of other things.
the beginning or end, or as complex as adding effects And while it may look a bit daunting on first opening it,
to parts of the tune, or chopping and changing it. You there are lots of free tutorials to get simple tasks done
can do full re-edits in Audacity if you want, or pull out with it out there, as it's a hugely popular program. Grab
individual samples to use in your DJ software's sample it now if you don't have it - you never know when you
feature. If there was a digital equivalent of putting your might need it.

GOOD IF: YOU NEED TO DO NIGGLY BUT

IMPORTANT THINGS WITH TRACKS OR MIXES

BAD IF: YOU HAVEN’T GOT TIME TO UNDERSTAND

HOW IT WORKS

24
 DJ Software Guide - visit the online guide

> MASHUP
NO APOLOGIES FOR INCLUDING ANOTHER thinking "that's make a good mashup!", or find yourself
program from the Mixed In Key folk, because Mashup wanting to add an acapella you love to something
is quite possibly the most exciting program in the whole instrumental) Mashup is a really fast way of doing it. It's
list, creatively. It's a simple idea (as is most software also a great place to work on those on-the-fly little mix/
from that company) but well executed, namely it lets mashups/acapellas you used in your DJ set to polish
you make quick and dirty mashups of your existing them and then export them as a single, finished track
tracks on a easy-to-understand timeline, with one - a unique little re-edit that you can just play straight in
crucial game changer: The software tells you what is you DJ sets that nobody else has go, because you just
in key with what else and gives you tools to get things made it!
working harmonically, without you needing any musical
knowledge at all.
Basically, if you "hear" a great song in your head
(typically by singing one melody over another song and

GOOD IF: YOU HAVE MASHUP, ACAPELLA AND RE-

EDIT IDEAS YOU WANT TO REALISE QUICKLY

BAD IF: YOU JUST WANT TO PLAY YOUR TUNES AS

THEY WERE MADE

25
 DJ Software Guide - visit the online guide

FINALLY… WANT TO IMPROVE YOUR

DJING FAST?
Whether it's learning to DJ from complete
I HOPE THIS GUIDE HAS INSPIRED YOU TO maybe beginner, to getting your first aid gig, to
try a DJing program you haven’t looked at before, even learning to scratch, to re-editing, to make great
if you already have a “main” program (I’m a big fan of mixtapes, to DJing weddings, to mixing in key,
experimenting with a second one on your phone or tablet.
The more places to DJ the better, right?). I also hope it’s
or one of many other skills, we've got a course
impressed on you the importance of using the right tools for that!
to keep a spick, span and organised music collection.
One thing I didn’t mention was backup software, but Digital DJ Tips online video courses are great
please do back up to a separate physical place regularly.
value and have helped tens of thousands of
Remember to check out the reviews linked on Digital DJ
Tips if you want to know more about any of the above, DJs to get to where they want to be. Find out
and to join Digital DJ Tips for free if you aren’t already a more about them here: www.digitaldjtips.com/
member, go to www.digitaldjtips.com/signup; there’s free courses. We also have countless free training
DJ training, news and reviews ready to fly direct to your
courses for our members, and you can see those
inbox, plus discounts on our courses and other industry
offers, waiting when you do. here: djtips.co/free-training.

26