Mixer Programs: The Best Tools
A mixer program is a cost-effective alternative to expensive DJ equipment. Even without a turntable and mixer, you can play different songs with it and thus find a feeling for harmonious transitions.
Virtual DJ Free - The free mixer program
- Beginners can take their first steps as a DJ with the Virtual DJ Free Home Edition.
- Compared to the professional version of Virtual DJ, the Free Home Edition is especially cut in the configuration options. Sound cards, DJ controllers and other hardware can hardly be adapted to your own needs in the Free Home Edition. The functions are available for this without time limit.
- If you want to use Virtual DJ professionally and earn money as a DJ, you have to acquire the professional license.
The top dog among the DJ tools - tractor
- Native Instruments tractors come in all sizes. As an iPhone or iPad app, as a PC or MAC program, with or without a controller. This makes Traktor an extremely professional and versatile mixer program.
- If you start with the program for MAC or PC, you can later buy turntables and scratch with timecode vinyl, or use one of the numerous controllers for sampling decks and effects.
- However, the current controller policy of Native Instruments must be viewed critically: With the introduction of the Remix Deck, which can only be controlled by the in-house Traktor Kontrol F1, Native Instruments is setting an example in the direction of proprietary hardware. For the future, the question arises to what extent the tractor support for controllers from third-party manufacturers is being withdrawn more and more.
Pioneer is one of the leading providers of hardware controllers for mixer programs. With the DDJ-SB, Pioneer announced the third controller for the tractor competitor Serato in a row. New controllers for tractor do not seem to be planned. A demo version that turns off after 30 minutes can be found here.
Serato DJ - caliph instead of caliph?
While Native Instruments jeopardizes Traktor's strong market position itself, Serato DJ with Serato DJ has long relied on the support and cooperation with third-party controllers. Serato DJ can only be activated if a corresponding controller is connected to the computer. However, this increases the purchase price of Serato DJ. If Traktor is currently 79 euros in the Pro-2 version, Serato will incur the costs of a compatible controller. Depending on the price range of the controller, Serato DJ is already included, or Serato DJ Intro. The latter can be upgraded to Serato DJ for $ 129.