Zulu DJ Software for Mac; Zulu is professional DJ mixing software for Mac. Mix and broadcast live music, audio and Mp3s. Allow the software to scan for the BPM of each track and sync the two turntables for a seamless crossover. Features and functions Mixxx is one of the best open source andfree DJ software for Macand is a program which lets you mix music and play it. It offers iTunes integration, DJ midi controller support and several top class features.
Choosing the best DJ software can be a complicated business; it's not just a simple case of knowing what OS you're running and how much you're looking to spend. It's worth considering what you want your software to do: do you need the ability to play four or more tracks at once, or will two decks suffice? What about playing samples or loops? Then there are controllers to consider - do you want a piece of software that can work with your favourite MIDI controller? Or what about using old-fashioned turntables and a digital vinyl system? Or there's the exciting new possibility of using an iPad for the ultimate house party solution. To help you get to the bottom of the confusing deluge of options available, here are 10 of our favourite DJing applications.
Native Instruments Traktor Pro 2 Platform: PC/Mac Price: US$89 (around £59/AU$87) The top end of the digital DJ market is dominated by Native Instruments and Serato. Of the two brands' applications, NI's Traktor just about comes out top thanks to its endlessly flexible performance features and its all-round intuitiveness and reliability. Traktor comes in two forms: Traktor Pro, which can be controlled using a traditional mouse and keyboard or one of an endless list of hardware DJ controllers, and Traktor Scratch, which is designed to be used in conjunction with one of Native Instruments' digital vinyl setups. Serato Scratch Live/DJ Platform: PC/Mac Price: US$129 (around £85/AU$127) Serato was an early pioneer of the concept of digital vinyl DJing, and for years the company dominated the professional DJ software market.
Scratch Live is probably still the most popular digital vinyl system out there, but it's only available when bought in conjunction with an official Rane audio interface. Is the latest version of the company's controller-orientated software, and it's the first version of Serato that can be used with any MIDI controller. A free version, Serato DJ Intro, is also available. Ableton Live Platform: PC/Mac Price: £296/US$449/AU$449. Ableton Live wasn't initially designed as a DJ application; when the software first launched in 2001 it was pitched purely as a DAW (digital audio workstation) and marketed as a piece of music production software.
It quickly proved immensely popular with DJs, however, thanks to its unique Session View - a window dedicated to launching synchronised loops - and the intuitive way it handles the retiming of audio files. For those after an application that blurs the line between DJing, live performance and production, Ableton Live is unbeatable. Image-Line Deckadance Platform: PC/Mac Price: US$99 (around £65/AU$97) Deckadance comes from Image-Line, the developer behind cult production software FL Studio (or Fruity Loops, as it was originally known.) Its two biggest selling points are its open nature - meaning it supports a huge range of DJ controllers and digital vinyl system - and the fact it can run as a VST within a host DAW.
The downside is that it only features two decks, as opposed to four like Traktor and Serato. Magix Digital DJ 2 Platform: PC/Mac Price: £39.99/US$49.99/AU$59.99 is effectively a cut down, entry-level version of Image-Line's Deckadance. It's relatively basic and light on advanced features, but it certainly gets the job done. What's more, the features it does pack are all of a high quality; its auto beat matching is excellent, the effects sound good and it includes a neat little sample player. It also supports a wide range of hardware controllers, which is a big plus. Native Instruments Traktor DJ for iPad Platform: iPad Price: £13.99/US$19.99 (around AU$21) Recently launched iOS app Traktor DJ is almost certainly the best of the ever-growing list of DJ tools on the App Store.
Best Dj Software For Macbook Pro
It's a stripped back version of its PC/Mac counterpart, offering two-channel mixing, basic effects and the best beat detection capabilities of any iPad app.