When starting out as a DJ it is typical to follow the path another established DJ made by purchasing and learning on the same equipment that they use. DJ software is versatile and while most DJs stick to Virtual DJ, Serato, or Traktor, there are other options that cater to different types of DJs. It may be taboo to not use the big three, but knowing what other companies offer may actually make DJing more comfortable with the added possibility of improving a DJ’s skillset.
Below is a brief overview of the options out there for DJ software. Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook what kind of DJ you are and which software you're rocking with.
Virtual DJ
Price: $19 per month or $299
Platform: Mac and PC.
Virtual DJ is one of the most used programs for beginner DJs. Nearly every DJ I know started with the program and it is one of the best for budding DJs because of its intuitive interface and accessibility. The program is free for home use but in order to get hardware support the pro version needs to be activated. Virtual DJ is the best for DJs who are looking for the functionality of a standard DJ setup. There is an array of effects, iTunes integration, DVS support, and even an option for DJs to mix videos. While some DJs may turn away from this software because it is not common in the professional scene DJs should be open to making Virtual DJ their choice in software.
Who Uses Virtual DJ? Virtual DJ serves those who are looking for functionality and simplicity. It is not the best for DJs looking to perform through sampling and finger drumming, but it is great for traditional DJing. Also there is the added ability of VJing for those who are interested in expanding. The price tag for Virtual DJ is a little bit more than most other platforms so making a decision to stick with it should definitely come with a lot of thought.
Traktor Pro 2
Price: $99
Platform: Mac and PC.
Traktor is one of the most used pieces of software in the market and with it comes many, many possibilities for DJs. In terms of effects and playback Traktor has the game locked down with their expansive effect lists and four deck capabilities with each deck being either a track, remix set, DVS control, or a Stem set. Stems are also great for DJs who are looking to mix more dynamically by controlling individual sections of a track. Also, users who are interested in MIDI mapping will be happy to find nearly every parameter in Traktor capable of being mapped to a knob, fader, or button.
Who Uses Traktor? Traktor is for the DJ who likes to dive into controllerism and for DJs who want to blend production and DJing by utilizing Remix/Stem sets. EDM DJs will really benefit from the controllers and the remix functionality that is inside Traktor. This wouldn’t be the best option for DJs interested in VJing or those who don’t require the ability to remix live.
Serato DJ
Price: Starts at $99
Platform: Mac and PC.
Serato is another piece of software that is widely used by professional DJs. The hardware support and the level of control offered is great for DJs who are looking for versatility. Whether a DJ needs DVS support or wants to get funky with Serato DJ’s Flip feature, Serato can cater to both. Another cool feature to boast is Serato DJ Club Kit which adds hardware support for all major club mixers that include Pioneer and Allen & Heath (available for $169). Like Virtual DJ, Serato also supports VJing along with the ability to playback karaoke files.
Who Uses Serato? Serato is the software for DVS enthusiast and DJs looking for ways to expand their arsenal from just DJing into VJing. This software is powerful enough to even host visuals as well as the music, as shown in this video with Steve Aoki. Also, Hip-Hop DJs and those who like to chop songs up will really appreciate the Flip feature that is included in most Serato kits.
djay Pro
Price: $49.99
Platform: Mac only.
djay Pro by Algoriddim is a lesser known solution for DJs however it is just as powerful as the most common options. djay Pro offers DJs up to four decks which can playback tracks on the computer or tracks from Spotify, if the DJ has a Spotify Premium account. While the Spotify feature can only be used if the DJ is connected to the internet it still is mind boggling to have millions of tracks available to play. Also, the video playback integration makes it simple for DJs to control visuals while controlling the music. djay Pro is also the first software on the market to use multi-touch integration which means the track pad becomes a MIDI controller as well as the force touch capabilities of the newer Macs. djay Pro also supports most of the pro-consumer Pioneer gear out on the market from CDJs to the budget controllers such as the DDJ-SR, DDJ-SX, DDJ-SX2, and DDJ-SZ.
Who Uses djay Pro? djay Pro is the option for those who want something different than the run of the mill software options that are available. This can also be a good choice for mobile DJs who need access to a wide range of music. djay Pro and a mobile hotspot can increase a DJs library. Also, djay Pro is a great choice for DJs looking for software that was specifically optimized for OSX that comes at a really affordable price.
Cross DJ
Price: $129
Platform: Mac and PC.
Cross DJ by MixVibes is the software that blends the world of controllerism and traditional DJing. Here a DJ will find full hardware support, rekordbox integration, DVS, and video mixing. Just like djay Pro, Cross DJ is different from the beaten path and it is powerful in the features that it provides to the DJ. While many have not heard of Cross DJ before or may not be well familiar with the software it is good to know that it does come with the traditional pieces of DJ software such as beat grid editing, head up display, master out limiter, recording capabilities, and even the possibility to customize the software. On top of that the video mixing capabilities are some of the best out there.
Who Uses Cross DJ? Cross DJ is great for the DJ that is looking to support a smaller development company with the added bonus of integrating rekordbox library management into the software and creating visuals. If a DJ is looking for prime software that can mix both video and audio at an affordable price, this is the software for him.
Ableton
Price: $99 for Intro or $499 for Standard
Platform: Mac and PC.
There are some DJs out there who are more producers than they are deck masters who look for a way to blend production with performance. Ableton Live was made for musicians to perform using the same software they used to create the music. A DJ who utilizes audio racks and slots will not be mixing traditionally but what they do get is a lot more control and creative freedom. The price is a lot more than the competition's but that comes with the added music production capabilities. A DJ who just wants to play clips can get away with just Ableton Intro ($99) but if a DJ is more serious about making music then Ableton Standard ($499) is a good place to start on the road of buying more plug-ins and DAW upgrades. The good thing to know about Ableton is that once the investment is made a DJ can make beats and perform them live in a way that can't even be compared to playing a set on two decks. However, this does bring up the debate of whether or not your set is DJing or live performing.
Who Uses Ableton? Ableton is for the DJ who wants to get more into the production side of music while also having a way to perform. Instead of two decks, the typical Ableton DJ setup will be a Launchpad or the iconic Ableton Push controller controlling clips. This is not the way to go for traditionalists or modern DJs. This is truly the blend of DJing and performing that will turn a DJ more into a live performer than a disc jockey. However there is a lot more room for creativity.
Author's Note
As a long time DJ and news correspondent for DJing and production gear I have come across a lot of different software and tools that are used for DJing. As a wee little controllerist I started out on Virtual DJ and quickly grew out of that into Traktor. Ever since that transition I have stuck with Traktor and that is largely due to the fact that I am fascinated with controller mappings. There is nothing like hacking your controller and turning it into a power-controller and I find that easily done with Traktor over other pieces of software.
Also, in the past three years I have been heavy into producing and I find that the remix decks along with the STEM capabilities in Traktor allow me to blend what I create in Ableton into my live DJ sets. This helps me out a lot because some nights I am just playing tracks and some nights I am throwing down a live performance so having one piece of software that can be either/or in a matter of seconds is crucial to my workflow. That, I believe, is the most important thing to understand when choosing software to hone your skills. It is not about features or performance, it is about YOU. Once I understood who I am as a DJ and performer I understood what software was right for me.
You can read more about deciding on what kind of DJ you want to present yourself as in our other Featured Piece as well as mapping MIDI controllers to DJ software in our tutorials, Part 1 and Part 2.
Dean William can be found gallivanting about the clubs of San Francisco. He's on Twitter: @deanithon.