Traktor, Serato, Virtual DJ .. is it just me?

Good to see VDJ is working for you. I have to disagree that they all do the same thing and the only difference is layout. There are quite a few substantial differences that have a huge impact on workflow. Being new to the game, you might not have gotten to the point where that matters. As indeed, they all let you load tracks, change speed, mix them and throw in the odd FX or two.

But take it from an old hand, there are serious differences between software.

And yes, LE and Intro versions of DJ software are only good to have something to install when you unpack your controller for the first time and getting your feet wet.

Greetinx.

I have to say that VDJ Pro is an excellent software and very underrated by some pros (some pros use it), as waaaaay back years ago it was more toy like. But it has since become a top notch software and is in my opinion even more configurable than Traktor (actually that is a fact). However to the config it has a huge learning curve as VDJ scripting is not an easy task…

Nonetheless before Serato was released for my Terminal Mix, I DJed with VDJ Pro all the time and actually modded the Mapping for my Terminal Mix to suit my style. I think it worked really well and I liked to use it.

The only things that got me to use Serato over VDJ:
– Tighter integration of jogwheels, yes with tuning (I even wrote a tuning article) VDJ can come close, but still…
– iZotope Effects. VDJ has some nice effects, but some lack in sound quality.
– Not all addons work on Macs as VDJ is developed in Windows and then ported
– Overall user experience in Serato for my workflow

But most of this are personal preferences and VDJ is just fine to work with.

@ Terry & Mista Clean,

Thanks for the feedback, funnily enough Serato is the one I haven’t used yet. as for Traktor… I did wonder if the Traktor love was much like the Pro Tools love, like how I’d ask why pro tools was better and people would say “its the industry standard” which really doesn’t mean anything.

VDJ FX –
the quality of the fx (beatgrid, flange, phase, doubler, etc) in VDJPro really don’t bother me at all, maybe because I haven’t played live & only heard them through the monitor speakers & headphones in my studio rather then a proper PA system, or even maybe because of my background as a producer, I can tweak them to get acceptable results and don’t mind that they require that tweaking to sound decent? I guess I’ll have to try these iZotope fx and do a comparison.

What does bug the hell out of me and hopefully I can find an option to configure things differently, is having a list of a fx, that I have to scroll through to get to the one I want, even with rapid clicking of the button on my controller, its stressful when you change from one effect to another 5 effects away with only half a bar of music to do it in.. >_< I haven’t explored the others or even VDJ enough yet but it would be great to have the ability to load a selection of fx into a list for each song on each deck, that loads automatically when you load song, or even to be able to hotkey fx to buttons on a controller. even if that meant buying another small controller with an array of performance pads to use as hotkeys or something like that, I’d be happy with that.

JOGWHEELS-
jogwheel integration, At the moment I literally only use the jogwheel for setting cue points before I start mixing, or finding a good place to drop while mixing if I have no cue points setup already, and nudging the track along if they aren’t bpm matched or have fluctuating tempos, and I haven’t had any trouble with the ‘tightness’ or responsiveness of the wheels with VDJ for these uses…is it because you’re scratching? I don’t like the VDJ fx for brake, backspin or scratch, theres lag and sluggishness and the fx sound pretty bad.. I assumed that was the case with all midi controller decks and for digital battle scratching and the like you’d need the turntables with the scratch control vinyl and scratch wares…? planned on buying one of these down the track…

I’ll see if any of my dj mates have serato I can play with for a bit and give it a go, I did find Traktor a pretty alien interface when I first saw it, still do; but after talking with u guys about all this I think I’ll stick with VDJPro for the time being, I still have alot to learn anyway 🙂

Peace

@Alchemy if you want to activate effects faster you might want to consider mapping individual ones to the keyboard or controller buttons. I found Traktor harder to select effects compared to VDJ. If you’re not doing any intense scratching then vdj is perfectly capable. I used VDJ too so if you need any help mapping, let me know.

@airyellis,
just in case you weren’t aware, there are user fx on the VDJ website, hundreds of them, probably half just variations on the stock fx, with extra config options, or extra elements to the sound itself. they’re free to download. If you make a strong coffee and put aside an hr or so, you can get them all in one hit then load up say 10 at a time to VDJ to try them out.

@terry
I use sync extensively, so VDJ will be fine 🙂
however when VDJ beat maps inaccurately and the beat indicators on the waveform display are offbeat, I kind of prefer it this way, because I can use sync to get it close, then use my ears to indicate when to drop rather then the graphics which are often off beat, likewise if I have to use the visual for whatever reason, I prefer to use the transient spike of the waveform as my reference. probably a bit of a strange way to do things but works for me at the mo’. as for izotope fx, based on what you’ve said, i’m gonna stick with VDJ, it stores your adjustments, and as such I can tweak (for e.g.) the abrasive flanger sound to something more subtle, I too prefer the subtle enhancements, especially when applied to a song as apposed to just a drum loop or acapella. except the beat juggling ones.. slice that sh*t up! 😀

@mista,
thanks for the tips! not keen on the keyboard mapping, not enough buttons on my controller for extra mapping, but I’ll be getting a cheap midi controller thats small and can sit next to my G2V for fx mapping, and I’ll get in contact again if I need help setting it up 🙂 other advantage of a separate controller, is when I’m not using it for djing, I can trigger drum machines when I’m producing tunes

Thanks again guys,
Peace!

@Mista, Cheers bud!