DJing has come a long way from just two turntables and a mixer. For one thing, the practical hassle of hauling crates full of vinyl to a club is no longer a concern (unless you want to spin real vinyl–and Serato makes even that possible, without the heavy lifting). But more importantly, DJs can now live, work and travel with their entire mix/production studio on just a laptop, and that’s something revolutionary.
Looking back, it’s easy to see that when everything went digital, the gradual advances in technology literally changed the face of popular music, resulting in an explosion of remixes, mashups, mixtapes, and entirely new musical styles like glitch, grime and dubstep. On top of that, programs like Ableton Live, Serato and Traktor democratized the art of DJing, making it more accessible to more people so that anyone with a disc drive and a dream could climb on board.
But as any professional DJ knows, it’s not just about the tools you have; it’s what you do with them that counts. We’re obviously huge fans of technology, but we also advocate learning how to use every available method of DJing, from old-school to nu-school, so that you’re well-rounded and prepared to DJ in any situation. If you show up to a club that only has turntables or a pair of CDJs, you should be ready to play.
Algoriddim djay Pro (more commonly known simply as “djay Pro”) is designed specifically for Mac and is easily one of the best mixing software out there for Apple fans. Djay Pro manages to be unbelievably slick on retina and 5K Macs, accessible, user-friendly and yet the Pro version is still powerful enough for intermediate level DJs on Mac. GarageBand: GarageBand app for Mac is recording studio apps of Apple which can be downloaded. Cut, copy, splice or mix sounds together. Change the speed or pitch of a recording. For Windows users: skip to Using Audacity section below. For Macbook Pro users: continue with the Audio Setup instructions below; Macbook Pro. Changing The Headphone Output into a Mic Input. Some Macbook Pro's have a dual 3.5mm jack port. There aren't many DJs carting around a couple of turntables and a box of LPs anymore. Most have made the switch to digital mixing from CDs, USB drives or standard hard drives on laptop computers. YouTube Music has launched a new feature in its iOS app that allows users to read the lyrics to a song as it's playing. To use the new lyrics feature, tap the Info (i) button beneath the video.
That said, this chapter is all about helping you put together a DJ setup that’s right for you.
If you’re new to DJing–and even if you’re upgrading to a new system–we recommend the simplest setup possible. Start with a minimalist approach and set out to do as much as you can with a minimum of equipment (such as one MacBook Pro and a MIDI controller, or two CDJs and a mixer). You should choose the setup that’s most comfortable for you, but again, be flexible enough to adapt to any equipment so you’re prepared to play at any venue.
Whether you prefer to use turntables, CDs, or a MIDI controller, digital options are always available. The list of DJ software applications is constantly growing, but based on what we’ve seen from thousands of DJs who use Mixed In Key, we’ve noticed that the most popular options are Serato Scratch Live, Native Instruments Traktor, Pioneer rekordbox, and Ableton Live.
At the risk of over-generalizing (and we certainly don’t mean to offend anyone), we’ve come up with a few basic ways for you to determine what kind of DJ you are:
All four of these options are valid and have benefits, so you really can’t go wrong. If you can, try them all before you choose what works best for you.
Apple’s MacBook Pro has become the most popular laptop among professional DJs, and for good reason. The machine is sleek, fast and durable, with a beautiful high-resolution screen that’s rarely a strain on your eyes.
The one drawback is that MacBooks are expensive, but if you’re on a budget, there are a few loopholes you can exploit to make your new laptop more affordable. The secret is to focus on the individual parts of the computer that are essential to DJing and music production.
The first thing to keep in mind is that every laptop is made with parts manufactured by different companies. Even though the MacBook is designed by Apple in California, it’s assembled in China with a variety of different parts.
At the heart of every laptop is the CPU. There are only two companies in the world that make them: Intel and AMD. In 2012, if you buy a CPU on Amazon, you’ll pay usually between $150 and $200. Laptop manufacturers usually negotiate a sweeter deal with Intel, but ultimately it’s still the same product you can buy yourself. When you configure your laptop, most companies will offer a selection of CPUs, as follows:
Most people have no idea what this information means. Basically, all you need to know is that quad (meaning “four”) is twice as fast as dual (meaning “two”). When you see a value like “2.4GHz,” it’s telling you how fast your computer can execute instructions–decode files, create MP3s, and so on. When Apple tells you that your computer has a 2.4GHz dual-core CPU, this means that the machine has two identical “brains,” and each brain has the ability to perform 2.4 billion calculations per second. A quad-core computer, with its four brains, is twice as fast. This is why a quad-core CPU costs more, but we still recommend getting the least expensive quad-core you can find–it’ll be plenty fast.
Memory is another key component to look at. Most MacBooks come with four gigabytes of random access memory (RAM), which is what allows Traktor, Ableton Live and other programs to load projects without slowing down. The good thing is that memory is cheap, and the more you add, the better your computer will perform. In 2012, if you upgrade Apple’s standard allocation of RAM from 4GB to 8GB, it will cost you an extra $200. According to our research, the same memory can be ordered from Amazon for less than $50. You could upgrade it yourself, but it’s important that your Macbook has 8GB either way.
Hard drives can be mechanical or solid state. Mechanical hard drives have moving parts inside, like an old clock. Solid state hard drives are like a giant version of a digital camera’s memory card–a little stick that contains a lot of data. As you might imagine, solid state technology leaves mechanical technology in the dust.
Macbook hard disk drive size. The bottom two performers are the fastest mechanical hard drives in the world. Every solid state drive beats them:
With a solid state drive, your applications will load faster, and your laptop will wake up from sleep mode almost instantly. Naturally, we recommend getting a solid state drive–it’s the single best improvement you can make to the overall speed of your computer.
The one down side of solid state is the price. Apple’s own configuration specs list a 128GB solid state hard drive for $200, but if you want to double the size to 256GB, the price triples to a whopping $600. If the prospect of paying that kind of money for a hard drive makes you wince, here’s what you can do: hack your own.
Remember, Apple assembles its laptops from different parts, so the exact same hard drive that Apple wants to sell you is available on Amazon for half the price. In 2012, you can get a fantastic 256GB solid state drive with a 3-year warranty for $300.
We recommend buying your MacBook from Apple with the cheapest 500GB mechanical hard drive, and then choosing a solid state drive and installing it yourself (according to Apple, this will not void the MacBook’s warranty). A do-it-yourself manual that shows you how to choose the right part and reconfigure your MacBook can be downloaded here.
Finally, you need to choose a display. Apple’s Glossy version looks very shiny and has the disadvantage of reflecting light in bright conditions, no matter where you are. The Matte version looks professional, and it’s easy to read under any light conditions–you can use it outdoors in bright sunshine, and it won’t reflect a thing. A Matte display costs an extra $150, but again, it’s worth it.
If the laptop we describe here puts you over budget, you can shop for a Windows 7 laptop using this guide. Since Macbooks run on the same Intel CPUs and the same solid state drives that are available for Windows, you can get a great Windows laptop with the exact same hardware for a lower price.
If your heart is still set on a Macbook Pro, you can strip away some options. You can downgrade to 4GB of RAM and still run most DJ software; even Ableton Live should run smoothly, unless you’re creating complex projects. By the same token, you can also choose a slower CPU; a dual-core model will still work well for many projects.
If your budget is really tight, you can scale back to the MacBook’s standard Glossy display, but for reasons stated above, we can’t recommend scaling back to a mechanical hard drive–the differences are just too great. At the very least, a solid state hard drive needs to be your top priority when building your MacBook.
To save even more, you can also consider buying a refurbished MacBook directly from Apple. These are posted online at the Apple Store (scroll down to the lower left of the home page and click on Special Deals) but they tend to get snatched up quickly, so you’ll need to check in often to get a jump on other potential buyers.
Even though many DJs treat them as an afterthought, headphones are one of the most important pieces of your DJ setup. Find a comfortable pair of closed-back headphones that don’t hurt your ears after you’ve worn them for a half-hour or more. With this in mind, you should buy from a store that accepts returns if you don’t think the headphones are 100% comfortable.
If you’re going to spend multiple nights each week listening to loud music, we strongly recommend custom earplugs. You only have one set of ears, and hearing loss is irreversible. These earplugs can be expensive because they’re shaped to fit your ear, but the bonus is they maintain sound quality while reducing the decibel level. Companies like Etymotic will take an impression of your ear cavity to make an earplug that fits your ear perfectly. We’ve used many custom earplugs over the years, so here’s the most basic advice: a Google search for “hearing aid near (your zip code)” should turn up some options near where you live. It’s typically a lab that caters to people with hearing loss, but they are happy to accommodate a musician or a DJ.
An external soundcard makes your audio sound clean, speeds up your laptop’s processing power, and provides system stability. Some DJ controllers or other hardware such as the Pioneer CDJ-2000 include a built-in soundcard. Check your manufacturer’s guide if you think you already have one.
If you don’t own a stand-alone soundcard yet, look for a USB version in any DJ store. Native Instruments makes excellent soundcards, but there are plenty of other options.
Minimal latency is required for accurate manipulation, and multiple channels are usually required for sending audio to external equipment and for monitoring. Serato and Traktor products include a proprietary audio interface; you’ll need to research appropriate interfaces for other DJ software applications.
Since technology changes so fast, for our purposes here it doesn’t make sense to get into detailed descriptions of what each soundcard can do. Our advice instead is to visit a DJ technology blog like DigitalDJTips.com or DJTechTools.com, and look for reviews of soundcards in their archives. You’ll get great information directly from people we trust.
We have a unique perspective on data backups because we sell digital software. Many people email us with requests to download Mixed In Key again because their computer has crashed or was stolen. We always help, but we also feel the pain. It’s bad enough to lose your computer; it’s devastating to lose your work. The best thing you can do is to routinely back up your data, and keep it in a safe place (such as an external hard drive or backup computer) where it won’t be lost in case something happens to your laptop.
As Sasha told us (see Chapter 6), he keeps external hard drives all over his studio. He also uses Apple’s Time Machine backup utility, and carries an external hard drive with him wherever he goes. Sasha’s ability to restore his music means he’s ready to play no matter what happens.
No matter how much you’ve prepared for a show, epic failures are always a possibility. Experienced DJs have told us plenty of horror stories about spilled drinks on laptops, overloaded power outlets in the DJ booth, and much worse. Whatever happens, the last thing you want to do is panic.
It’s always a good idea to burn two DJ mixes to CDs in advance. One should be a lounge mix that you can play early in the night, and the other should be a peak-time mix in case things go wrong at 1:00 in the morning. Bring both discs to every gig, so if you run into an equipment problem, you can play a mix over the club’s PA and keep the show going while you deal with the issue.
If your laptop crashes but you have CDJs available, it’s also smart to bring a USB drive loaded with the same two mixes, along with the unmixed tracks. This allows you to keep mixing from the USB stick while you address the problem.
It’s a rite of passage for a DJ to experience an equipment failure in front of a live audience. Having a rescue plan means that your audience may not even realize that something went wrong.
What's the best software to mix music ?
Mix music is a collection of individual tracks in a recording blended together to come up with a version of the song (Mix) that sounds as good as possible. This is a vigorous and rigorous process which requires a bit of skill and creativity to produce a perfect result. Once, if yo want to learn or try to mix music, you may need a lot of different equipments for mixing music, even a studio mixing desk..
But now, excellent music mixing softwares changed this fact. An ambitious DJ or any upcoming artist can learn how to make a music mix and practice more frequently by using a audio mixer software.
Read also :Top 6 Music Mixer Free Online | How to Make A Remix and Mashup Songs Online
Therefore, there is a need to access the right software to reap the best results. In this post, I picked 7 best sound mixer softwares to help you strat mix music in a easy way.
Filmora Video Editor for Windows (Filmora Video Editor for Mac) is a robust and reliable DJ software to mix music for beginner. Regardless of which version you running, they share a duplicate feature and general exciting experience. Apart from being a sound mixer software, there is more it offers as a video/audio converter, rip audio from video, import file from camcorders, external drives, and smartphones. Moreover, it has an intuitive user interface which assures few or no difficulties while carrying out some actions in it.
The following are main Filmora Video Editor features as an audio mixer and editor:
The following is a step by step guide on how to mix music using Filmora Video Editor.
Step 1. Download and Install program
Launch Filmora Video editor on your computer. If you haven’t downloaded this music mixer software yet, go to its official web page and follow the link to download Filmora Video Editor after which you click on its icon to open it.
Step 2. Import Audio Files
To import audio files, click on the “Import Media Files Here” icon. Another method on which you can import the files is by using the “File” tab route. Click on the tab and select “Import Media” and keep an eye on the onscreen guide to have it done. Furthermore, as an addition import option, drag the audio files and drop them on the program prior.
Step 3. Start to Mix Music
At the moment you are okay with the audio files on the Program’s Media Library, you are ready to mix music on Mac. Simply click on the “Audio Mixer” button on the toolbar to access the “Audio Mixer” tool in this music mixing software.
The Audio Mixer feature will be displayed on a pop-up window. On this very same Window, you will find your imported tracks highlighted in purple. Take turn to each track by using the cursor to either spin the small circle or by clicking on the “Master” button to lower the master volume or raise it higher. At the moment you are done with the settings, tap the “OK” button.
Step 4. Export mix music file
To export files, click on the “Export” button and select appropriate save location from the export window. Key in the name for the mix music you have created and choose the preferred output format from the drop-down list. Alternatively, you can as well share your audio mix project directly to social media platforms, send to YouTube or Burn to DVD.
In addition to the advanced music mixer for Filmora Video Editor, the following are the description for the 6-audio mixing for Mac or PC together with their respective pros and cons.
Audacity is one of the commonly used sound mixer software that is both free and open source. It brags with its’ simple and easy to use user interface which auger well for both tech-savvy guys and the novice individuals. However, contrary to the fact that this music mixing software is simple and easy to use, it comes with almost all the professional Supported Operating Systems in addition to mixing music tracks which include multi-track editing, live recording, ability to convert records and tapes to digital formats, noise and vocal reduction, and more.
Supported Operating Systems: Windows, Mac OS
Pros:
- The software is absolutely to use and open source.
- Cross-platform compatible.
- Available as a portable variant.
- Plug-in support.
Cons:
- The user interface is displayed quite to be dated and cluttered.
- A time it faces frequent crashes on Mac.
Price: It’s totally free.
Mixxx is yet another open source sound mixer software which has a few similar similarities to Audacity. This program is cross-platform compatible. Whether you’re an amateur or professional DJ, the program has a good set of features to facilitate an exciting experience. Also, with audio mixer software- Mixxx, you can use it freely without the need for extra software integration. But in a case where you have any external hardware, it supports a Midi control. More features you’ll find from Mixx include wide range of a real-time effects; records your creation in OGG, FLAC, ACC/M4A, WAV, or MP3, BPM integration which automatically sync the tempo ofa couple of the songs, etc.
Supported Operating Systems: Windows, Mac OS
Pros:
- Easy broadcasting
- Has a built-in time stretching effects
Cons:
- Contain limited pre-bundled effects
Price: Free
MixPad comes in the third spot of the music mixing software of this list which is only free for non-commercial use. Once you are in possession of this program you have the liberty of how to make a music mix from audio, music, vocal tracks, and as well concurrently record single or multiple tracks at the same time. Furthermore, MixPad offers free sound effects and a music library which are readily available for use at any instant. More actions you can execute with this utility includes using a built-in metronome, adding instruments and effects through VST plugins, either mix to .mp3 or Burn to a disc.
Supported Operating Systems: Windows, Mac OS
Pros:
- Supports sample rate from 6-96 kHz.
- Has very low latency.
- Enables you to upload mix music directly to Sound Cloud, Dropbox, or Google Drive.
Cons:
- Limited features for non-commercial version.
Price: Version dependent
Obviously, Logic Pro X will not slip away from any list of creative music mixer for Mac. We could have made this the first choice on the list for being the Apple’s DAW, however, it’s only supported by Mac OS and this slices its accessibility by some folds because not every DJ has got Mac OS. It comes with all the basic tools you’ll expect from audio mixer software. More importantly, it instantly matches the timing of different tracks while mixing with the aid of “Smart Tempo”. Logic Pro X supports wide a range of audio formats like CAF, AIFF, WAV, MP3 among others.
Supported Operating Systems: Mac OS
Pros:
- It’s rich with features and contains a variety of plugins.
- Comes with a ton of tutorials.
Cons:
- A bit expensive.
Price: $199
If you have ever experience Logic Pro X, you’ll notice that it is just an upgrade of GarageBand. They share most of the basic features and as well GarageBand is for Mac OS only. Its UI is the best amongst the software’s in this list; clean and each tool you require is accessible within just a few clicks. It features almost a complete instrument library cutting across almost all music genres.
Supported Operating Systems: Mac OS
Pros:
- Supports 24-bit recording.
- Professional interface.
- Constantly updated.
Cons:
- Limited import and export options.
- Exhibits a poor key transposing for Looped tracks.
Price: Free
djay PRO comes last of this 6 best audio mixer software and it is the only one which is designed for Windows operating system specifically Windows 10. Contrary to its position, it isn’t inferior as you might assume, it’s a great sound mixer software which seamlessly integrates Windows Explorer, iTunes, and Spotify, enabling you to access hundreds of tracks instantly. More features from djay PRO are audio effects, high definition waveforms, four decks to mention but just a few.
Supported Operating Systems: Windows 10
Pros:
- Flexible views.
- Advanced Spotify integration.
Cons:
- Sometimes it crashes.
Price: $49.99
We conclude this article by comparing these 7 audio mixer software.
| Filmora Video Editor | Audacity | Mixxx | MixPad | Logic Pro X | GarageBand | djay PRO | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Version Dependent | Free | Free | Version Dependent | $199 | Free | $49.99 |
| Professional | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Varied supported operating systems | Windows, Mac | Windows, Mac | Windows, Mac | Windows, Mac | Mac | Mac | Windows 10 |
| Varied supported formats | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Entails advanced editing features | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Varied Import/Export options | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Fast conversion rate | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
So which one would you choose?
In my opinion,
If you just want to mix music, you can choose one of the six audio mixer software you like.
But if you want to add some special sound effects to your music after making a mix, or even make a creative video for your mix, try Filmora Video Editor! It won't let you down.
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