Like VirtualDJ, Serato enables users to mix music stored or streamed from their personal computer. However, that’s not necessarily the case. All three are popular Digital Audio Workstations used worldwide, and offer the diverse functionality and powerful tools needed to create and arrange all kinds of music. In normal circumstances, Serato and Ableton would appear to be VirtualDJ’s fiercest competitors. It’s even compatible with Serato’s Crates. You can access content from anywhere on your PC, from hard drives to iTunes. On Windows, it’s also great for organizing your track collection, as it integrates seamlessly with native folders. Namely, it can implement cross-fades, tweaks to track speed, SFX, and cues logically. Some of this mixer software’s capabilities are better executed than others. This has led to the addition of new features and simplified the process for beginners to get acclimated. The DAW has been consistently updated and improved based on user feedback. For 20 years it’s been an introductory milestone for over 132 million people. Since the default version is free, VirtualDJ is a great platform for any aspiring DJ to start with. Videoskins can also be set to stream on Facebook or YouTube. For karaoke night this can also be set to display song lyrics. It plays a full-screen show to enhance (or juxtapose) the music you’re playing and adds a new layer to performance possibilities. Recent updates have also outfitted VirtualDJ with videoskins that run slideshows, album art, or any other pictures during a live set. The visuals can even react to the beat and frequency of the audio. It saves you from having to download music videos in advance, and provides a decent variety of visual options to complement whichever track is playing. It’s especially helpful to DJs who are tasked with being the center of attention and keeping the room entertained. The visual features of VirtualDJ is unique and sets it apart from other software of the same ilk. This impressive array of visuals enhances the performance experience, furthering creative control beyond just tweaking and modifying audio tracks on the spot. While it may not be immediately intuitive, VirtualDJ also has an event schedule option that assists in synchronizing music, videos, and images. ![]() For would-be composers and arrangers, there are more efficient options, such as FL Studio or Cubase. Similar to Ableton, VirtualDJ prioritizes professionally live streaming music (thus the name) over composition and recording. Other features, such as syncing tracks to a common tempo, are buried behind menus. It conveniently covers the bases with its fundamental tools, such as controller integration and real-time volume mixing. With enough poking, prodding, and consulting FAQ pages, you will be able to use the software to manipulate audio in whatever you need. They’re gambling that people will become used to their interface, and that when they get a bit more serious and buy a DJ controller they’ll upgrade to the full version.Īre you glad you can play with a fully featured software version with no time limit? Will this persuade you to have a play with Virtual DJ for the first time? Was Virtual DJ your first foray into digital DJing too? Let us know in the comments.Some of VirtualDJ’s components are harder to pick up than others. It’s a fantastic move by Atomix, who are obviously aware that many people downloaded their 30-day trial of Virtual DJ Pro as their first step into digital DJing but needed more than a month to get “hooked”. There are other trivial limitations – you can’t use it to broadcast with as that function is disabled, and full-screen video output is also blocked, but apart from that you get the full, real deal. That means you can’t plug in a DJ controller or control vinyl system – you have to DJ exclusively from your laptop. Considering that my first DJ software was Virtual DJ back in 2004, and I actually DJed using just the laptop in clubs all of that year with it (I couldn’t find a DJ controller I liked and just found it easier to use the keyboard), this shouldn’t put you off, especially if you’re just getting into laptop/digital DJing and want to try it out. Obviously there is going to be a catch here, and it is that the Home version won’t work with external hardware. The Pro version of the software costs US$299 / €227 / £199, but Atomix will now let you download Virtual DJ 7 Home for free, with nearly all the same features as the Home version, for absolutely nothing and to use forever. ![]() Virtual DJ 7 is a considerable advance on the previous version, and the software now has up to 99 decks (we think you’ll be happy with 4 or even 6), as well as a host of advanced features including auto key detection (the only DJ software that does this to our knowledge). Virtual DJ 7, the award-winning DJ software, is now available as a free download for the first time to all DJs, in its Home format.
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