When was the last time you had to host a party at home? Have you thought of creating a DJ setlist of all your MP3s, rather than a boring playlist.
Update: Six Best Paid Professional DJ Mix Software Tools
All this is pretty easy nowadays; there are a couple of incredible software that can make you a good amateur DJ. I will be showing just the ‘Five Best DJ Mixing Software Tools (Freeware)‘. Read on for a closer look at the four best tools that can make you a DJ Mixer.
The main purpose of all these software is to pick tracks that have inherently interlockable beats. Simply put, try out two tracks and move the BPM faders until both sounds are playing in exact sync. Trust me, you will know when that happens. Then see if you need to move the pitch of the song a bit, but remember, too much change in the pitch department is not good, for it can create artifacts.
KraMixer DJ Software v1.0.3 (Windows Vista, Freeware)
This software duplicates to a hardware DJ system, with two decks and controls. It comes with a fancy sound engine called FMOD (FMOD is the sound engine used by KraMixer and is also used by Playstation 2 and XBox game authors. It is proven to be one of the fastest sound engines available today.
Features
- Manual and Automatic BPM Counters
- Automatic BPM matching
- Support for MP3, Wav and Ogg File Formats
- Variable Frequency Range (from +/-1% to +/-49%)
- 8 Built-In Sound Effects including Echo, Flange, Reverb and Compressor
- Real-Time Recording to MP3 Format
- High Speed Sound Engine With 2 Modes of Operation
- ID3-V1 Tag Compatible
- Turntable-Like Braking Functions
- Manual looping with multiple loop points per channel.
- Options For Headphone Cueing (mono with monitor of left channel and master on right)
DJ Music Mixer v3.6 (Windows)
This is a straight-up emulation of a Hardware DJ deck, with playlists on the left and right for selecting your two tracks.
Features
- Work with two independent decks.
- Full-functionality on effects such as Chorus, Flanger, Gargle, Echo, Distortion.
- Use ’sampler’ which has its own player and volume control.
- Auto and manual crossfader.
- Pitch control on MP3 and WAV files
I Am The Mighty Jungulator v.4.3 (Mac OS X)
This is one powerful piece, though very light on the system. It has support for multiple audio files, and may seem a little daunting when you encounter it for the first time, as it also includes some synthesizing features. Nevertheless, it works wonders and is loads of fun, as you can also make grooves and trigger off sound effects even as your main track is playing. This is the perfect tool for a budding remixer.
DeKstasy v1.3.6 (Mac OS X)
This one is different. While it is aimed at DJs of all levels, amateurs and absolute beginners will love it, as it has a more friendly GUI, where the tracks run horizontally and display their waveform.
Features
- Analyze a file’s BPM and create an exact beat signature for TRUE beat matching.
- Play tracks on four virtual decks, all at once and all perfectly synced up.
- Automatically beat match to any external audio signal — makes tag-teaming a breeze!
- Easily loop sections of playing tracks, all live and in real time.
- Carry around hours and hours worth of music, all on your laptop; a 20GB drive will give you over 200 hours of music encoded at high quality.
- Visually set up the mix without worrying about the synchronization of the tracks, allowing you to stay focused on the mixer and not on the decks.
- Organize all your tracks into virtual Crates and Albums
- Encode and import tracks from Audio CDs or records, or simply import pre-existing MP3’s.
October 25th, 2008 at 3:44 am
No mention of Fruity Loops? Shame, shame.
October 25th, 2008 at 3:57 am
What about for GNU/Linux?
October 25th, 2008 at 3:58 am
Wow, now THAT is some fancy equipment! Nice dude.
http://www.Privacy-Center.net
October 25th, 2008 at 4:32 am
Wow, no links to the software. Great Job!
October 25th, 2008 at 4:44 am
interesting stuff, wish you would have provided links to where I can d/l the different programs
October 25th, 2008 at 4:55 am
whats funny is the picture of the dj above for this article is using serato scratch live, none of the tools listed…
October 25th, 2008 at 5:10 am
I guess it was too much of a strain to provide links to these tools.
October 25th, 2008 at 5:21 am
Probably the best is Serato Scratch Live!. Unfortunately, it is expensive and requires turn tables, but the best way to go.
October 25th, 2008 at 5:41 am
using software is not real djing. MICROWAVE!
October 25th, 2008 at 6:30 am
I am a fan of Dekstacy, as I am a beginner LOL. A nice program to fool around on.
October 25th, 2008 at 7:42 am
Traktor DJ Studio is by far the best from novice to Pro.
I have tried them all.
And the website has great video tutorials to get you started in minuites.
(Windows & Mac ) Its not free but there is a demo you can try.
too many DJ software companies/dev-teams die out, theese guys will not quit on you. They will be supporting Traktor for a loooong time.
-peace, Charles Hatfield
October 25th, 2008 at 8:08 am
These are possibly the four worst DJ mixing tools.
You didn’t even mention the top tools in the industry:
Ableton?
Traktor? Traktor Scratch?
Serato Scratch?
Beatport Sync?
Virtual DJ?
Deckadance?
October 25th, 2008 at 9:05 am
Too much lag DJing in my computer and too much spend to buy Dj set
October 25th, 2008 at 9:11 am
What about Mixxx? http://www.mixxx.org
October 25th, 2008 at 10:22 am
did you retards read? these are the dudes top choices for FREEWARE .. Serato boxes cost a lot of $$, noobs
October 25th, 2008 at 10:34 am
I dj regularly from my laptop at parties and such and I would never any of these pieces of crap software
the top 4 REAL software titles for djing are
Trakto DJ
Ableton Live
Serrato
and
Torque
there are others that involve time coded vinyl but those are the top 4 for real djing
October 25th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Thanks For The Post
KraMixer – http://www.kramware.com/
DJ Music Mixer – http://www.program4pc.com/dj_mixer.html
I Am The Mighty Jungulator – http://www.iamthemightyjungulator.com/downloads
DeKstasy – http://dekstasy.sourceforge.net/
Here you go.
Stop Complaining.
October 25th, 2008 at 11:30 am
Wahhh. You provided no links! Wahhh. My google doesn’t work so I can’t look any of these up! Wahhh!!!
Nice post.
October 25th, 2008 at 11:33 am
One legitimate comment: Kramixer included Symantec-alerted adware.surfaccuracy, so nice job Kramixer.
October 25th, 2008 at 11:43 am
Yes, I used Kramixer for a while and its pretty solid. The record to MP3 is very useful as is the built in FX.
Saying that I agree with internet_user, there was definitely some suspect stuff installed on machine along with Kramixer, so I’m still on the lookout for something better (and mixxx is definitely not up to it yet)
October 25th, 2008 at 11:50 am
RE: Bot23
I couldn’t agree more, this list is wierd.
October 25th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Mixmeister should be on the list.
It’s absolutely brilliant.
http://mixmeister.com
October 25th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
I just downloaded KraMixer – DON’T. Read the dodgy EULA that appears when you double-click the .exe to install – it says you can download KraMixer for free if you agree to install an adware service…which makes claims that try to make it sound legit, but come on – do you believe that? Only a fool wheels in a whacking big wooden equine into their city gates voluntarily…(Actually the EULA was sort of doubly dodgy in the sense that it didn’t show properly at 800 x 600, which is one of those things pro software should handle.)
October 25th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
P.S.
Unfortunately, the other Windows program reviewed above is NOT free. It’s a 60-minute limited demo, after which you have to pay $29.95 (presumably, US dollars) to use the program.
See for yourself – I Googled and found DJ Music Mixer 3.8 (admittedly not 3.6 as reviewed above) at download.com at this link:
http://www.download.com/DJ-Music-Mixer/3000-2168_4-10674434.html
October 25th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
@Reaps
I tried out mixxx on a rinky dink laptop that had ubuntustudio running on it, but the screen was too small to really get anything done. It would be cool if you shrink and grow parts of the app or at least hide parts of the interface to fit on old world screen resolutions.
October 25th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
I’ve been a DJ for about 10 years and swear by OTS DJ.
Unlike most other systems I’ve tried, it is remarkably stable and has NEVER crashed during a performance.
Give it a try
October 25th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
RANE/Serato Scratch Live is the best DJ mixing tool when it come to PRO use, b/c you still have to use your turntables and mixer to keep it as real as possible. everything else is just Microwave. But on top of that there are quite a few other programs (that i use in the studio when needed) that are MUCH MUCH better then those 4.
But please people, if you think you can use this software to get into DJ as a way to earn money, don’t, you will just be made fun of by the real dj’s. Get you a set of turntables (even the newer cd ones that work like vinyl ones) and a mixer and learn what makes DJing REALLY fun and enjoyable.
October 25th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
“Freeware” should’ve been in the title — that would’ve helped make it more specific, more attractive to people short on $$$, and less misunderstood in the comments.
In any case, thanks for sharing these!
October 25th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
My vote for freeware mixing app is Beatport Sync. It’s a freeware windows/mac mixing program that will have all basic elements that one would need for casual home dj use.
Plus, Native Instruments did the back-end software design, so it has solid audio quality.
Worth a look.
http://www.native-instruments.com/index.php?id=beatportsync
October 25th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
The DJ in the picture knows best. If you want to just fool around at home or at your friend’s keg party then freeware is the way to go. But if you want to become a professional DJ, and actually get paid to spin at bars/clubs/events, the industry standard is Rane Serato Scratch Live. SL is the best DJ software on the market hands down. I feel sorry for all the DJs who wasted their money on poor SL imitations such as Torq, Final Scratch, or Traktor. Spend the extra money and get what all the pros are using…
October 25th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Try timing tracks using vinyl or scratchable CDs. Then you can call yourself a DJ. Seems like everyone can call themselves a DJ just because a computer can do all of the work for you…lame
October 26th, 2008 at 12:24 am
well considering even the 4 you listed are not technically (freeware)
what did you expect us to say
October 26th, 2008 at 3:04 am
Wow those are cool.
October 26th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
I used to be a homeless rodeo clown but now I am a world class magician !
October 26th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Hi,
no mention of Deejaysystem ™ (http://www.deejaysystem.com), the best free lightweight dj mixing tool there is, a simple dj mp3 player …
greetz
elektrokombinat-west
November 3rd, 2008 at 10:25 pm
where is fruity loops. that thing is the jam!
November 4th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
Are there any developers out there who would care to comment on some of the open source libraries they’ve chosen to implement for such “mixing” applications? I know the latest Flash player is opening doors, but curious with regards to the opinions of the resident programming junkies on the subject. Great topic btw!
November 11th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Kudos to the OP for the input on what good freeware is available. Tried Kramixer and didnt find it to my liking. Maybe I am too much of a noobie.
Im relatively new to the whole dj software thing, but have always wanted to toy around with mixing n playing around with elektronik musix. Just wondered if Virtual Dj is a decent platform for a beginner. The beat-mixing feature of this software is what I really like the most and the GUI is user friendly n mimics a turntable with cool overlapping wave displays. I prefer this kind of interface over that of Mixmeister but any suggestions as to what would be a good starting tool would help.
February 5th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
again….why post a pic of a DJ using Serato if the article is about freeware crap that shows in inaccurate picture. Show a pic of a d-bag dj mixing straight off the computer with no TT’s. thats what it should have been.