Top. Software Recommendations for Aspiring DJs

DJ’s have been unarguably among the biggest entertainers of the last two decades. Crazy fanfare and massive open concerts with densely packed vibrant crowds have become commonplace around the world. EDM festivals like Tomorrowland have become a part of pop culture, having produced several global DJ icons. Djs like Tiesto, Martin Garrix, David Guetta are just as globally celebrated if not more, as pop icons from the 80s! From an audience point of view, their process appears simple.

They are pressing buttons on a console attached to a computer and playing and switching between pre-recorded electronic tracks. If you have that impression, then I am afraid the job is a thousand times more complicated. It requires an intricate knowledge in electronic music, an impeccable sense of rhythm, insane speed and exceptional skill to be a good disc jockey! If you are an aspiring DJ, then it is highly recommended that you start seriously working on it at an early age.

Being comfortable with the software application you use for DJing is paramount as it determines everything from transition quality to speed in your live performance. Before your maiden live performance, make sure that you know the software like the back of your hand!

Let us guide you through Loopazon’s top software recommendations:

1. Ableton Live Intro

The Ableton Live has been, one of the best preferred software applications among turntablists. Its flexibility and ease of use have made it a hot favorite and some top Djs loyally continue using it for their live performances even after years. Besides, every update makes it more efficient and contemporary. It was also among the earliest softwares that enabled automatic beat-matching of tracks.

However, the most intriguing fact about the Ableton Live is that, it is essentially a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) primarily intended for music producers. It isn’t an exclusive application created for disc jockeys. If you are an ambitious DJ aspiring to perform live with the music you have originally produced, then the Ableton Live could be your Holy Grail! With an extensive in-built library of thousands of sounds and a couple of virtual instruments, the Ableton Live could be an absolute indulgence for a DJ who is working on original tracks. You can also connect your MIDI keyboard and record up to 16 tracks at a time! The Ableton runs on a 32-bit internal processing engine applying a 64-bit summing to every single mix -point thus optimizing your system performance. Owning the Ableton Live eliminates the need of purchasing two different softwares for DJing and producing original electronic tracks. It also runs on both Windows and Mac platforms. However if you have no intention to do full-fledged professional live performances with original music, you wouldn’t necessarily need the Ableton Live as any other good DJ application would easily serve your purpose.

Read about Ableton Live in this article: Beginner's Guide: Computer setup for running DAW

2. Image Line FL Studio

Just like the Ableton Live, the FL Studio from Image Line is a highly efficient and user-friendly Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). Primarily a music production software, the FL Studio offers a wide variety of interesting features for DJs like time-stretching, pitch-shifting, pitch correction etc.

Like the Ableton, the FL Studio too saves you from buying additional software to produce your own original electronic tracks. You can compose, record, program and mix original music without having to rely on third-party applications. The pricing too is pocket-friendly, as you also get a feature-rich DAW. So, ambitious beginners can buy the FL Studio without second thoughts. They also offer an App call Deckadance, also available as a plugin.

Also read: Extract Drums from FL Studio

3. Serato PRO (With FX Pack)

The Serato DJ is perhaps one of the most user-friendly DJ software applications available today. It is thus one of the most appropriate platforms for beginners, also being a favorite among international DJs.

The company doesn’t produce its own hardware, but officially supports over 90 hardware pieces, thus making virtually every mainstream gear compatible with the DJ PRO. The ability to seamlessly traverse through Soundcloud and directly stream tracks from it is also a major attraction. Serato has collaborated with industry-leading FX makers iZotope to put a wide array of audio effects at your disposal. The package from iZotope gives you access to different types of echoes, delays and of course, essential filters and retro 8-bit bending effects. Using Multi FX, you can chain three effects together. Different versions of the Serato PRO are available. The good news is that you needn’t purchase it if you are not intending continuous use. There is a monthly subscription option for almost every version. The entire application thus comes real cheap for beginners who would want to try it for a month or two, then take a break and come back and resume experimenting later. If you are on a basic DJ PRO plan, then you may have to purchase the FX pack separately. However DJ PRO Essential and DJ PRO SUITE come with the FX pack giving you access to over 30 custom effects.

4. Mixvibes CROSS DJ4

The Cross DJ4 from Mixvibes is one of the cheapest applications out there. Compatable with Windows, Mac, Android and iOS, the application enables you to start DJing from your laptops, tablets and even your Android or Apple smartphones!

A basic paid version comes at approximately $50 and can be used with MIDI control. A free version is also available, wherein you can record or don’t get MIDI control. Unlike its previous versions, the CROSS DJ4 allows you to view up to four different track waveforms and add three synchronized audio fx in each player. It also allows you to import tracks from other libraries like that of the Serato DJ PRO. Mixvibes has also equipped the CROSS DJ4 you with a highly customizable UI powered by their latest script technology, ‘Maquillage’. The Tweaker feature allows you to create your own effects. The CrossDJ4 too allows you to stream from a selection of millions of tracks from Soundcloud Go+.

Also Read: Are MIDI Keyboards Worth It? 

5. Virtual DJ Broadcaster Dsa

This is again for beginners, amateurs and hobbyists who wouldn’t want spend on expensive hardware to start with DJing. The Virtual DJ comes absolutely free of cost, for home users. You can directly control the software using your keyboard and mouse and start entertaining friends and family.

A PRO version does come at a monthly subscription fee of $19 (priced much higher than the Serato PRO). The USP is of course its mind-blowing 99 deck capacity! The much more expensive Business version is widely used among mainstream performers.

6. PC DJ Dex 3

The PC DJ Dex 3 is one of the most versatile among the most well-known DJ applications. It has an amazing user-friendly interface for DJing and also serves as an excellent tool for video mixing and karaoke. It is compatible with both Windows and Mac platforms.

A real boon for Apple users, the PC DJ Dex automatically imports playlists from iTunes, saving you from the ordeal of manually importing them. Additionally it offers an advanced file browser to search tracks. It also gives you access to over 200 million premium tracks on Soundcloud. The feature-rich application comes with key lock, beat synchronization, auto-looping and automatic mixing. It also allows you to loop and record video mixes. However, the most interesting thing about the PC DJ Dex is that it allows you to mix music files in two to four full-featured desks. It also comes with support for more than 70 hardware pieces making it an interesting pick, but still lesser than the Serato DJPRO which officially offers support for over 90! You can’t find a ‘subscribe’ option on the PC DJ homepage. The application is available only for purchase with a price tag of $149, which doesn’t look competitive.

Conclusion

The Ableton Live and Image Line’s FL Studio are Loopazon’s clear favorites when it comes to hybrid applications that offer full-fledged DAWs for producing original music besides DJing features. The Serato DJ PRO is the favorite among the other DJ-exclusive applications listed here, though the Virtual DJ Broadcaster is best suggested for hobbyists.

Also Read: Best Studio Mixing Desks for Home Recording (For Beginners)