Your main DJ software likes and dislikes

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Scott Hanna

DJ Extraordinaire
ODJT Supporter
Oct 25, 2006
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Cleveland, OH
www.djincleveland.com
What do you like best about your software. What do you like least?

Your like should be something you believe is different from other software

While I own several different software licenses, I use Otsav primarily.

It's very easy for me to use. Very stable. Uses windows functions(copy paste). My favorite part is the search and lists.i. I sort my Lists by most played. When I search, usually 2-3 key strokes will pull up the song I want. Simply hitting enter will put the song in whatever list I'm working in. Hitting delete clears my search bar for the next song. So I can load their whole request list very quickly.

The bad:
They are simply awful with the amount of time between updates. They added karaoke in 2006 and said a hoster part is coming soon. We are still waiting.
around 2008, an update came out with no new features but said it's a whole new build that they can now put out updates much quicker. The updates actually got slower.
They charge a premium price, which I had no problem paying when I believed they were the best. My younger djs prefer vdj, which is cheaper because you can use vdj on a backup. I have 5 current 1.90 licences. But I also have 4 V1.85 ones that I paid $300 each for that they want another $200 each to make them functional. These older ones dont work on Windows 10.
It was cheaper for me to buy 2 vdj licenses, which is what the djs wanted.

I've tried vdj, but have gotten so used to ots, that I keep going back. I'll probably use ots until they stop supporting their DJ software all together or until I retire.
 
I use a couple but I will post about the one I use the most: Serato Itch / DJ

Similarly, it's very easy for me to use and very stable. Has the ability to use Crates, drag and drop from the file system or you can use the iTunes DB (if you already have an iTunes index and/or playlists. Search for me is similar, usually 2-3 key strokes will pull up the song I want. Built in drivers for my controller / mapping (Vestax VCI-300)

Things I don't like:
When they switched to Serato DJ, they took the mapping for the VCI-300 out.

I have no issues continuing to use and support their software.
 
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Hooked on virtual DJ 7 as I DJ more than Karaoke, also looking at why I should upgrade to 8 :)
 
I tried to use Virtual DJ 8. Kept having at least 1 bobble per gig (sometimes me, sometimes it) so I ditched it and went back to winamp. It's a solid performer, if it's not "real DJ software".

Sorry, it must be real DJ software to qualify.


:)Just kidding. I say use whatever tools makes thing easy for you.
 
I use MegaSeg which is only available on an apple platform. Been using it for 10+ years and have not been disappointed yet. Have never used anything else really.
-Works with iTunes playlists/software seamlessly
-Stores logs and playlists from previous gigs
-Beat Matches
-Automated and scheduling features
-HD Video & Ambient Video playback
-Request Lists

I really have no gripes about it.
 

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Can't compare the good/bad to other software..I don't use all the other stuff out there and with constant upgrades it's not possible.

I use VDJ8. The only issues is when I hit a key that I shouldn't, or as one of their updates they changed a shortcut key to something else..so I just don't use shortcut keys and no more issues!
Had noises creep into the playback the last two weddings..they've updated it and suppoosedly fixed it..we'll see next weekend. I bring two laptops so not an issue to hand over the play to the backup, reboot, and return.
If for some odd reason I can't find a song it's in its' DB I can drag it from a folder/desktop and never a hickup. Will also play video files and not just audio files, so i you cna only get somtehig off youtube it works. (may be the same for most software..never did it before)

I like their autoplay and sidelist featuers. Have begun using their folders (over itunes) and much better than itunes for say, organizing the songs for an upcoming wedding.
I love the ability to tag/change names, etc color code, Key and harmonics are built in.

I started out using PC DJ Dex and like it, love the ability to set a cue-out on songs and it's remembered..but i had issues at every gig with the software. It requires a laptop with high end video (so PCDJ folks tell me). Why buy a $1000 laptop when a $400 one will work (better!) with VDJ
 
I've used pretty much all of them at least for a trial, exception being MegSeg. My main software is MixMeister Pro.

Upside:

Very stable
Ease of use...It's as basic as can be and uses Windows functions

You can open 2 or more versions of the software at the same time

Very light on resources

Downside:

I'm stuck on 6 because the newer versions aren't as good as the older ones for what I do

Doesn't support MP4 for video and that's how my subscription comes so I use VDJ for video. They have no plans on adding the codec for MP4 either

You have to load all your music from a location and keep it there or MM won't find it. It takes about 24 hours to calculate the plot and BPM with my library
 
Thank you Scott for that thorough Otsav appraisal.

I have licensed versions of Traktor Pro (a monster becoming a DAW), Mixvibes Cross DJ (not bad), Serato DJ, and the freeware Mixxx 2.0. They are all used in conjunction with Vestax Typhoon controllers. I run no video and I don't drink enough to do Karaoke.

I prefer Serato, mainly for it's library support. Everything (que points, etc.) is tagged to the individual song file, and therefore can be moved freely from HD to HD with everything intact, making it real easy to maintain identical libraries on multiple computers with internal HD's. I do not like running from an external HD due to the mechanical flimsiness of USB ports.

Since downloading one of the newest skins, Mixxx is now my second favorite - a truly excellent piece of free software, with a much better song preview function than Serato.
 
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I was a PCDJ Red Mobile guy, but have been trying most of the others the past year. Honestly, for basic use, they are all the same. I own the full versions of Traktor, Serato DJ, Serato Scratch Live (which I can only use on my Rane MP4), PCDJ Dex 3 RE (Red Edition) and the limited version of VDJ .. plus Mixxx.

I had been settling in on Serato, but the latest version of PCDJ has me rethinking that (since I'm already comfortable with it). It now plays Karaoke files, so one less product to use (though the functionality isn't as good as JustKaraoke 2). Need to see if the MC6000 is mapped properly.
 
Serato DJ mostly, though occasionally I may use Serato Scratch Live or Virtual DJ.

What I like most about Serato DJ: the interface, ease of use, and tight response with my Serato DJ-native equipment.
What I dislike about Serato DJ: Auto playlists still suck compared to VDJ, because there is no crossfade function. I use iTunes whenever I want to use an automated playlist, but I'd prefer to be able to do everything within the same program.
 
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I also use iTunes for most automated things since I rip and manage my library in it and make playlists in it as well, since it can be read by all my apps (except Rockit! which isn't used anymore).
 
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Previously, my analog to digital transformation was using WinAmp back in 2000. Then BPM Studio, then VDJ 3.0.

Since VDJ 3.0, it has been my "go to" everyday media software (audio, video, karaoke, slideshow) up until VDJ 7.4. I've seen OTS, MixMeister, and several others in operation and all have their woo-hoos and, conversely, their yipes.

Enter VDJ 8.+.

Pros: Sound engine superb. Custom buttons, virtual folders, split second searches, and a slew of scripting option to make any machine or controller sing, dance, and sky dive.

Cons: With every update, some bugs get fixed yet creates others. getting any sort of timely support other than from other users is, well, frustrating at best. Also, the configuration options section is many pages long, for the most part, it far to technical in its jargon for me.

I keep VDJ 7.4 and VDJ 8.2 running side by side on the same machine (they just recently fixed that...again) so when 8 gets a funky mind of its own, close it and use 7 until I spend another couple hours of my life trying to get answers for the glitch.
 
Pros: Sound engine superb.

I've heard this before, VDJ 8 sounds better than VDJ 7. Is this the over all sound quality, or is it just noticeable when using EQ and/or FX ?

It's no wonder Rick moved backwards, but my biggest issue with using Winamp, Foobar, etc., was I never found a good Tempo adjustment plugin that sounds good, didn't cause instability, and is easily engaged at any time. I need to slow things down for the Ol' Geezers, and traditional two deck DJ software seems to work the best. I've slowed individual files in Audacity, but that's done offline and is a P.I.T.A..
 
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The biggest issue, for me, with non-traditional DJ apps is the lack of cueing ability .. if there was a non-visible 2nd player that I could right click o song and hear it, I'd have no issue with a single player. I agree the dual deck is probably ideal .. allowing cueing and the occasional actual real mixing (should one be so inclined :) ). When I'm not actively manning things, iTunes is a godsend .. I use Apple Remote to control it from a distance on my iPad .. can even change the songs and modify playlists remotely .. wonderful for backyard social events.

I will look at VDJ8 (full edition) and if there is a special at DJExpo, I may come back owning 1 more SW app.
 
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Handinon, all pro-users say VDJ8 sounds much better than 7. Me? Meh. Mensa Mensa. To my ears, it's the mixer/speaker combo that makes or breaks sound quality. If I were using it strictly for headphone home use, then maybe it would have relativity. I disable all the program eq and sound modifiers and run my media barefoot.

One plug-in I use in both version of VDJ is LoudMax, which so far, has proven itself as the best audio volume controller I've tried to date. Rather than the normalization process (which is a band-aid to the overall volume issue), Loudmax has freed me from riding the volume controls on every song. Gives me lots more time to look up, smile at the audience, and be overwhelmingly charming.

Steve149, knowing your technical and engineering background, I gotta buck or two wager that within a couple of months, you'll be an expert on the product and will be inundating tech support with bug reports up the gump stump.

Another new feature of 8.2 is the "askTheDJ" . When connected, folks can make requests via their smart phones directly to your screen. I dislike requests so it's a feature that is meaningless to me, at the moment.
 
Anyone have experience with Rekordbox? Pioneer has been making a push with it, though it seems to only support their controllers at the moment.
 
It's no wonder Rick moved backwards, but my biggest issue with using Winamp, Foobar, etc., was I never found a good Tempo adjustment plugin that sounds good, didn't cause instability, and is easily engaged at any time. I need to slow things down for the Ol' Geezers, and traditional two deck DJ software seems to work the best. I've slowed individual files in Audacity, but that's done offline and is a P.I.T.A..

Call me what you will but I just have no interest in tempo adjustment, at all nor do I care the least about beat matching. To me, having 15 minutes of non-stop, all the same tempo, all the same feel is absolute and utter boredom and I can't see why anyone stays on the floor that long to the same (virtual) song. I like change ups and mis-directs. It keeps things fresh. It keeps them guessing. It keeps them ENGAGED.

But that's just me. Carry on.
 
Call me what you will but I just have no interest in tempo adjustment, at all nor do I care the least about beat matching. To me, having 15 minutes of non-stop, all the same tempo, all the same feel is absolute and utter boredom and I can't see why anyone stays on the floor that long to the same (virtual) song. I like change ups and mis-directs. It keeps things fresh. It keeps them guessing. It keeps them ENGAGED.

But that's just me. Carry on.
I like the ability to hard intro songs, being able to cue and set start points, but I don't beat match
 
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