Numark's Mixtrack comes bundled with Traktor LE.
If you buy a DJ controller, chances are it will come with some bundled DJ controller software. These programs are stripped-down versions of “grown up” DJ software, by the same manufacturer as the full version.
It’s a bit like when you buy something electrical, and there are some cheap batteries with it. Or a printer with a toner cartridge that’s only 1/4 full. Or ever a new computer, which has trial versions of full software on there.
Except because the only thing your DJ controller can do is control DJ software, they can hardly give you a full version that just stops working after a month. So they give you a stripped-down or “LE” (for “light edition”) version instead. (This type of software is sometimes referred to as OEM, for “original equipment manufacturer”.)
The Hercules DJ Console RMX comes with Virtual DJ LE.
Such software will normally be configured to work out of the box with your chosen controller, and LE versions aren’t normally available separately. And while you can often get free upgrades to paid software, you can’t with LE versions – you’re stuck with what they give you even if the parent program is being continually developed.
The thinking, of course, is that you’ll get used to the software, while simultaneously starting to wonder what it would be like with the paid-for version with all functions are enabled.
Do I really have to upgrade?
It’s a question we’re often asked here at Digital DJ Tips, and knowing whether the software that comes with a certain DJ controller is going to be good enough for you at least for a while is a big consideration when you’re choosing what to buy.
Bear in mind that you can often upgrade to a half-way house – Traktor has Traktor Duo which is a two-deck controller rather than four decks with Pro, and Virtual DJ has Virtual DJ Home and Virtual DJ Basic as well as its Pro offering.
For this article we’ve compared the “free” versions with the full-blown top of the range versions. As nearly all DJ controllers are bundled with either Traktor or Virtual DJ (although Serato Intro has just arrived, you can’t upgrade that at the moment to the full version of the software), these are the two pieces of software we’ll consider in detail.
1. Traktor LE
Provided with the Vestax VCI-100, Numark Mixtrack & Total Control, DJ-Tech IMIX, Behringer BCD3000, Faderfox, Allen & Heath Xone 1D-4D, Native Instruments Kontrol X1, Stanton SCS, Vestax Typhoon, Denon MC3000 % DN-MC6000 [not USA], Reloop’s range of controllers, and many more
Traktor LE is bundled with a wide range of controllers.
The main differences between Traktor LE and Traktor Pro are two decks instead of four; limited effects; no effects chaining; no hot cue buttons; no play history (so you can’t look through old sets); and limited advanced loop/beat jumping ability.
Furthermore you can’t use the autoplay, and there’s no facility to record your mixes. There’s also no ability to custom map Midi (ie you can’t start changing what the controls do to suit your style – or to suit another controller in the future).
No playlist history means you can’t look back over the night’s mix the next day to jog your memory about what worked and what didn’t.
What would annoy me: Not being able to record your set is a big one, and no playlist history means you can’t look back over the night’s mix the next day to jog your memory about what worked and what didn’t. Once you start to get your DJ technique nailed, you’ll want some of the loop and cue functions they’ve missed out – and some more effects would be nice. Autoplay would save having to mix every tune when you’re just listening at home.
Comparision chart on the Traktor website
Approx. cost of upgrade to Pro: US$129 (against US$199 off the shelf)
2. Virtual DJ LE
Provided with most Hercules controllers, Denon DN-MC6000 [USA], American Audio VMS4, Pioneer DDJ-ERGO-V & others
Virtual DJ has awesome video capabilities - but only in the Pro version.
Here you get either two or four decks. You can’t make playlists in the software so you’ll have to do this externally (in iTunes, for instance), and the automix is again disabled – no letting Virtual DJ LE warm up the crowd for you! Sometimes no recording your mixes, either.
Virtual DJ is known for its video capabilities, but not in the LE version; you need Pro for full-screen video. You can’t “map” the Midi (ie reassign controls), or use an external hardware mixer – it will only work as they intended it to with the DJ controller it came with. Another interesting limitation is your access to the best bits of the online forum, and the inability to download “skins” to make it look how you like.
What would annoy me: I’d want to be able to record my mixes, and I’d wonder what I was missing in the forum. I’d miss being able to make it look like I wanted – even though I’d probably revert to the skin that came with it in the end! I’d miss automix too, because it’s sometimes nice to let it just play through your set in the house rather than stand there mixing.
Comparison chart on the Virtual DJ website
Cost of upgrade to Pro: US$99 to US$249 depending upon equipment bought with (against US$299 off the shelf)
Serato ITCH is free to download - but can only be used with Serato-approved DJ controllers such as the Vestax VCI-300.
Do controllers ever come with full software?
Yes. Recently DJ controllers have started to appear with fully featured software supplied. Serato started it with Serato ITCH plus dedicated hardware such as the Vestax VCI-300. Obviously you are paying for the software in the price of the hardware here, and you can actually download such software for free because it is useless without compatible hardware.
Native Instruments has waded in now too with the Traktor Kontrol S2 and Traktor Kontrol S4 controllers.
Also, with controllers like the Pioneer DDJ-T1 and the new Numark 4Trak, you get a better-than-LE version of Traktor, which while not as good as Pro, is much better than “standard” LE.
So – will I choose to upgrade if I buy a controller with LE software?
The bottom line is that yes, you will probably upgrade in the end. But if you’re not sure, here’s one piece of advice: go and download the trial version of the full software from the manufacturer’s website. You can then try it out (30 minutes at a time with Traktor, for 30 days with Virtual DJ) to be sure it’s worth the upgrade.
Do you understand why manufacturers do this, or does it infuriate you? Have you ever been “stung” by buying a controller not realising the price you have to pay for software? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Now go to:
DJ Midi Controllers: The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide 2012
What Extra Software Do I Need For Digital DJing?
DJing in Nightclubs with Controllers and Laptops
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Tags: bundled dj controller software, dj controllers, Traktor, Traktor LE, Virtual DJ, virtual dj le, virtual dj oem
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Interesting article! I noticed that the Vestax Spin controller also comes with a full version of the djay software for Mac:
[ link ]http://www.vestaxspin.com
Just wondering – I already run Virtual DJ Pro. If I was to buy a controller which came packaged with the LE version, would I still be able to use the Pro version I have already purchased?
Cheers
[ link ]Yes you would still be able to use it. Both versions of the software would run alongside one another, and you could use your new controller with the full version of the software anyway. (I have 3 version of Virtual DJ running on this PC, for instance, for review purposes).
[ link ]I purchased Numarks mixtrack pro and it came with virtual Dj LE which allows me to record my sets.
Interesting…
[ link ]I recently bought a Neumark Mixtrack from amazon, and am loving it. The Virtual DJ LE that came with mine DOES offer the ability to record. There are three tabs; “Browse” “Sampler” and “Record”. Click the record tab, define your target file destination and voila, recording ahoy!
[ link ]Brilliant news.
[ link ]I am able to record with VDJ LE as well as it came with my Numark N4, which was a very nice perk, especially after worrying that I may need to upgrade for it. Unlike Cash’s version though, mine has four tabs: Browse, Effects, Sampler, and Record.
Outside of the custom skins (which I doubt I would use anyway), I’m not sure what the Pro version has to offer. Perhaps more effects?
[ link ]Editing of the Midi map is the big one.
[ link ]ok…Ive been a dj for 18 years originally from the real format..got cdjs, 4 decks and serato…which I hate ..so Im making the switch to traktor like the output way better and wanna play on 4 decks again…there is 2 different packages I have been looking at…1 with the controller..which might be a fun toy and theres the pro volume..my question is should I buy the pro software to get the box and vinyls and buy the controller separately? or can I use the controller as the box to plug my decks into and buy the vinyls…and how limited is the software with the controller?
[ link ]I’m pretty sure I’m the only person in the world still using Torq. I hear that M-Audio will cease to support this software in the near future. “sigh”
[ link ]I have a Numark 4TRAK that came with Traktor ME 2.0. When I want to upgrade/update to the latest (full) version of Traktor Pro 2.5, I will have to pay the full price of 79 euros. I have asked the salessupport about this, and this is what they say:
“…TRAKTOR LE is an OEM version which didn´t pay any role in the pricing of your 3rd party controller – therefore please purchase the full version.”
I can’t imagine that Native Instruments doesn’t not make any money on these LE/ME/OEM versions of their software…
[ link ]The truth is with the recent price drop for Traktor, you pay a fraction of what you would have payed just 4 weeks ago for an upgrade, so I wouldn’t be too upset.
[ link ]Full version of Traktor Pro 2.5 now costs only 79 euro…
[ link ]I already said so…didn’t I? :-$
[ link ]mixxx is a great open source dj software with support for podcast. it is available for mac pc and linux. it is better then most le software versions and suports most big name conrollers. i actually prefer it over virtual dj due to the cross platform availabilty and support.
http://www.mixxx.org/
http://www.mixxx.org/wiki/doku.php/hardware_compatibility
[ link ]i think traktor le is to crippled personally, you cant evenzoom in on your waveforms, wich is pretty bad, it does mix & sync well, but they butchered to many features away
[ link ]I have heard that the Numark N4 has a little more advanced LE version of Virtual DJ, is that right?
[ link ]They’re all pretty similar – no self mapping, very limited FX/EQ. None is good enough for permanent use if you’re serious – you’ll definitely want to upgrsade whatever “LE” you have.
[ link ]Hi,
[ link ]I’m glad I came across this….
Today I purchased a ion dj2go controller that came with VDJ LE Lite. But of course there is no record function. So I thought, ok I’ll upgrade to Pro basic.
I can’t use my controller with basic, I have to upgrade for another £163 to Pro full…I definitely feel done up
Dear Phil
I am a beginner when it comes to digital dj”ing,however i would like to go with a controller that i could hone my skills on and not have to change it after a while to a “standard” controller.In your review videos of different controllers you mentioned that the denon mc3000 was one such model,the bad side being it comes with only an LE version of traktor/virtual dj.Hercules caught my eye next with a full version of their software Dj Uced(which would allow me to record my mixes) which comes with their instinct and air models i believe,but of course if i got a Hercules air or instinct i would have to upgrade sooner(i would really like to work on my scratching skills too).So as you can see,such is my dilemna.
1.What do you suggest?Any other controllers out there i should check out?
2.Does Dj Uced let me record my mixes?
3.I am willing to update the LE if needed,if i switch laptops,can i Install the pro version i paid for in the new machine?
Would be very grateful for your insight!!!
Regards
[ link ]Govind
Yes, DJUCED lets you record your mixes. But Traktor costs $80 – and I’d honestly recommend you go with one of the “big” programs over. something like DJUCED. Yes, you can use Pro software on your new machine from your old one, no problem.
[ link ]My problem is that I purchased a denon mc3000 and it comes with traktor le. But I want to use vdj and upgrade to the pro version but dont know of any way of getting denon to swap discs. I play video a hell of a lot so traktor wont work for me and the full price vdj is outside my price range. Any ideas on how to resolve this? Had no luck emiling denon. Never got a reply
[ link ]i purchased a DDJ-WeGo and the only effects i can use are the flanger and phaser, and i cant add more samplers to it. It came with virtual dj LE is it because i have the light edition that i cant do more?
[ link ]