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Dual Software for Different Types of Gigs

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  • December 6, 2016 at 12:50 pm #2478161
    Douglas Budde
    Participant

    When you say “I know in my heart…” it kind of answers the question…
    I think most of the older DJs started like this…went from one software/platform to another and as you can attest, every software/platform has its strong and weak points.
    In the end it comes down to you, if you’re willing to spend a couple of weeks/months learning a new software or just sticking to your guns.
    From my point of view it would be an enormous hassle to juggle 2 software’s that basically do the same thing…

    December 6, 2016 at 4:45 pm #2478181
    Nathan Duchene
    Participant

    Thanks for your reply Douglas!

    Your mention of “learning a new software or sticking to your guns” is exactly why I posted this. That’s been my struggle ever since I found out I’ll get a full Serato DJ license. When I only saw it shipping with Serato Intro, that was an easy decision to stick with PCDJ since I already own the full DEX3 version. I do have a comfort level with PCDJ but I’m afraid I’m going to be missing out on some of the controller’s key selling points by using a 2nd hand MIDI mapping, instead of using the software the controller is licensed for and sold with. Not to mention, it’s Serato which has seen huge growth in the industry as we all know. I’m not one to jump on something just because of the name, but I’m pretty sure it’s proven itself time and time again at this point.

    December 6, 2016 at 9:09 pm #2478331
    DJ Vintage
    Moderator

    PCDJ … voice from the past. Pre-controller I played around with the Red and Blue versions. Definitely nice, but they fell WAY behind the curve when the big guys started to gear up imho.

    Unfortunately Serato has a very limited autoplay (no mixing, just back to back tracks I think), so that would defeat the purpose a little bit I think. While you are getting full software for free, you might consider Mixvibes Cross at 49 euro/dollar full version without DVS/Video but with native support for the MC6000 controller. It’s been my weapon of choice since I left Traktor for it with my first generation MC6000. It is in many ways similar to Serato in features, some things better in Serato, some better in Cross. Yet Cross does have an auto-mix setting that works.

    If the friendly guys at PCDJ (or the community) have created a mapping, you might be able to use that, but you’d have to check on that.

    December 6, 2016 at 9:28 pm #2478371
    Nathan Duchene
    Participant

    Thanks DJ Vintage! I was looking into Mixvibes Cross too. There’s a lot up in the air right now.

    I now own a full PCDJ DEX3 and a full Serato (technically). I guess I could give a trial of Mixvibes Cross a spin as well. I’m not planning on taking the controller out gigging until probably Jan 1 to give me time to practice and get comfortable. Until then, it’ll be business as usual with DDJing in DEX3.

    There’s already a stock mapping for the MC6000MK2 in DEX3 and a 2nd one that’s a community share that I think I like a little better based on the mapping guide. They were part of the decision to get the MC6000MK2 before I found out I get a full Serato DJ now as well.

    You actually brought up a good point with the video. While Karaoke seems to be on it’s way out, it’s still a little bit present in my work rotation. I ripped all my CD+Gs to MP3+G back when I originally switched to PCDJ because it wasn’t a separate purchase/module to VJ/KJ. Granted, my KJ gigs have dropped dramatically and while they’re fun sometimes, I don’t really think they should be a deciding factor now as they were then. That said, if I were to switch to Serato I would need to fork out the extra $99USD. Not really a big deal considering I didn’t have to pay a penny for the Serato DJ in the first place.

    December 6, 2016 at 9:36 pm #2478391
    DJ Vintage
    Moderator

    True that. It’s a rather big upgrade for Cross as well (think the fullest full version is about 129 so 80 up), but that is because you also get DVS and HID support for all Pioneer CDJs as well as video support (and a few DVDs with free to use video material to get you started.

    Using two softwares in parallel is not something I’d recommend. If there are good mappings for your current software I’d seriously suggest not changing a thing but just getting to know your new controller with the software you already know and love. Something along the lines of “if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it”.

    BTW, I love the MC6000 (even though I splurged and got me an MCX8000 now). It’s a great compact unit geared towards the mobile DJ.

    December 6, 2016 at 11:57 pm #2478511
    Frederick Masters
    Participant

    You have hit the software quandrum of the Wedding/MC DJ!!

    Serato DJ – Crates, great Library Management, intuitive to use. NO dedicated prelisten, primitive Autoplay.
    Mixvibes Cross – Dedicated prelisten, OK Library management, better Autoplay, but it has a terrible flaw. It immediately transitions to the next song when Autoplay is engaged, even if a deck is playing. Try doing some spontaneous MC’ing with that!

    And so on…they all have their failings. I often wonder if the software engineers who design this stuff actually use it, or do they think all DJ’s only mix to death a dozen songs, looking for 20 minutes of YouTube fame!

    The great piece of software that allows the DJ to mix, as well as allowing the MC to Autoplay, has yet to be written.

    December 7, 2016 at 4:08 pm #2478661
    Nathan Duchene
    Participant

    Thanks everyone for your thoughts! I think I finally decided that I’m going to redeem my free copy of Serato but I also think I’m going to give PCDJ DEX3 a try first to test it out. I’ll probably still mess with Serato (and maybe a trial of Mixvibes Cross) at some point to see if I see any benefit in transitioning to something new just to keep my options open, but my first will be what I’m comfortable with at least at the beginning.

    After thinking about it last night, the core and most important functions of any controller will work in any of the software choices the same way which eases my mind a bit, but you all have been great & I appreciate your input! Thanks once again!

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