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Cross DJ LE vs Cross DJ (full) vs Serato DJ (full) & related controllers

Home 2023 › Forums › DJing Software › Cross DJ LE vs Cross DJ (full) vs Serato DJ (full) & related controllers

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  • November 9, 2013 at 10:42 am #1016321
    DJ Vintage
    Moderator

    I use Cross (the full DVS version, but that is only relevant if you plan on using timecode). It’s great software, I love the workflow. I am mainly a mobile DJ, so beatgridding flexibly is an absolute plus!

    Other nice innovations are key matching (works like a charm) and the way they implemented sync appeals to me too.

    The software is (relatively) cheap. About 45 for Cross DJ and they claim the largest supported controller list in the business. That means you can uncouple the choice for controller and software. If you get Cross DJ (there might even be an update from your current LE version, I don’t know), you can then pick just about any controller you like (I am using Denon MC-6000, Denon SC-2900s and Denon X1600 mixer). The midi mapping works great too. No need to become a midi guru, just select function, move knob or fader and set a few extras if needed and presto!

    So, Cross would have my vote. As for an entry level controller, that’s mostly a personal taste. Lots of opinions on here and reviews in the controller guide and over on the blog.

    Greetinx,

    Chuck

    November 9, 2013 at 11:26 am #1016323
    Michael
    Participant

    Wow, that’s a heck of a list and includes just about all the controllers I’ve thought suitable.

    If anyone has worked with Serato and Cross and can offer a comparison I’d be much obliged. I guess I’m tempted by the whole “free” thing. A free upgrade to the full version of Serato seems like a great deal: Mixtrack Pro v1 + LPD8 + Serato DJ. Of course, for $60.00 more I could get the best of both. Hmmm…

    Chuck, thanks for the insight.

    November 9, 2013 at 11:54 am #1016324
    DJ Vintage
    Moderator

    Terry_42 should be able to comment on that. One thing that would bother me, is that you need Serato suited hardware now. If you want to switch to better controller, your choice are limited to Serato suited controllers again.

    the lure of the “open” platform Cross delivers appeals to me.

    Greetinx,

    Chuck

    November 9, 2013 at 9:33 pm #1016345
    Michael
    Participant

    I’ve had the chance to really confuse matters now upon discovering that Deckadance supports VST instruments and fx. I’ve been using Cubase since it was just a MIDI sequencer and Deckadance was born out of the DAW world so this is appealing, I’m a bit surprised Deckadance isn’t a bigger player because of this. Although, my past experience with FL customer service could be an indicator. Nevertheless, being able to host VST plugins OR be hosted as a plugin from within a host DAW is giant. But  it has to work; I use the Harmor plugin with Cubase and it’s not exactly Stable Mable.

    Just on it’s own, however, four decks and 8 plugins slots would facilitate the addition of  external MIDI keyboards and controllers (with the added expense and complexity of a MIDI interface) for performance. Incorporating a serious VST sampler such as Kontakt, VST synths, and drum machines (with their own various onboard FX)  into a performances would be interesting. The four decks could could be used to play stems created in Cubase. Strays dangerously near to “pr-recorded track” territory though.

    It certainly wouldn’t be as spontaneous as working with Ableton but for minimalist styles it seems like it could work. All would be dependent on the lfo’s, fx, and step sequencers within each hosted VST being able to play in sync with Deckadance. I’m not a DJ and have no aspirations as such but as a performance tool for original electronic music Deckadance looks very interesting on paper.

    Ah! And VDJ supports VST as well. Cool stuff.

    November 10, 2013 at 1:59 am #1016351
    Michael
    Participant

    Still comparing the two and their respective VST implementations.

     

    November 11, 2013 at 10:23 am #1016404
    Terry_42
    Keymaster

    Well I use both Cross and Serato on my TM4.

    Now Cross does work very well and has a different approach on many fronts, some refreshingly new and some quite awesome (key detection with camelot scale…).

    However I have still a few minor gripes with Cross. The software is much more complicated layed out than Serato (prolly nothing for a Traktor user) but it could be simpler. There are some minor hickups that I run into ever so often.

    Why I still prefer Serato?

    Well since version 1.5 they eliminated every single issue I had with it. The slicer now works perfectly, the effects have bigger ranges (and more effects packs), the quality of the iZotope effects is unparalleled in any software I heard, the elastic beatgrid is working perfectly now and still Serato is simple to setup and use. It is just so natural for me to use, I do not even have to think it matches my controller perfectly (TM4) and even performing with unprepared tracks when you have to switch quickly etc.

    The downside like Chuck says might be that you need certified hardware, but I see that as a plus. The integration between Serato and the TM4 and other controllers (I tested the Twitch, DDJ-SX and Mixtrack) is just excellent. I just love it.

     

    January 4, 2014 at 5:37 am #1023609
    Cris Newsom
    Participant

    I know the link is still active there but can anyone verify that the MTP1 + LPD8 upgrade deal still actually works? Has anyone done it recently?  Want to make sure before I take the plunge because I don’t think I’d be picking up the LPD8 just now otherwise.

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