iRig's new hardware and software is just the latest entry into a busier and busier iOS DJing world.
If you’re anything like a regular around here, you’ll know that we love to champion all that’s new in DJing. If something opens up fresh possibilities or gets our craft into places it has hitherto not reached (and even better, into the hands of people who haven’t yet tried it), we are right behind it.
Of course, “laptop” DJing is established nowadays – although it’s still not accepted in some isolated pockets. But mobile DJing (we’re talking with mobile devices, not at your sister’s 18th) is very new indeed. And we think it’s going to be absolutely massive. Here are a few reasons why:
(By the way, before we go any further, this is basically an iOS world at the moment. We’d love to see Android developments, but there’s practically nothing to report on – yet. Don’t bank on that staying the case for long, though.)
1. Portability
One of the main reasons I am spending more time on iOS devices rather than behind my trusty turntables is because they are neat, handheld portable devices which can easily be popped into your bag on the way anywhere.
Last year my journey home from BPM was spent trying out ideas for a mix on my iPod Touch with the DJ Player app. And the more you practise, the better you get (for some people, these may be the only times they get to kick back and do a bit of DJing in otherwise prohibitively busy lives).
2. Accessibility
Maybe not as obvious as the previous section, but by this I mean the domination by Apple in the mobile touchscreen market means that the potential for apps to be purchased and used by customers is huge.
Apps are already helping to produce the next generation of DJs…
When I started out, I had to put in the hours at work (after school) to afford the price of some second-hand belt-driven decks and a budget mixer. This was a huge risk, as a teenager my mind was on a dozen things at once so it was easy for my parents to suggest that this was a short-lived but expensive passing phase. (By the way, I got my own back; the following year I saved up for a pair of massive bass-bin speakers which I acquired when they were on holiday…)
Certainly, buying an app for your iPhone for a few dollars will not make you a DJ, but it will provide a platform for you to investigate and learn on, and can act as an introduction to bigger things like the purchase of your first piece of hardware. With this in mind, I’m convinced the use of apps is already helping to produce the next generation of DJs.
3. Acceptance
This is possibly wishful thinking on my part here, but acceptance and adoption of iDevices by several aspects of DJ culture is happening right now. Last year, DMC launched a very successful online version of their DJ Mix championship with participants entering via YouTube and the audience being invited to vote. Among the entries there were some using TouchOSC, djay and Griid.
The introduction of CoreMIDI (the ability to use the Camera Connection Kit with an iDevice to send and receive Midi signals to another device) by Apple in iOS 4.2 in 2010 resulted in a flurry of excitement among musicians, as you could finally trigger sounds from an iOS synth with a USB Midi keyboard.
It also allowed the DJay app to work in conjunction with USB Midi DJ controllers like iDJ Live and the Vestax Spin. Since the arrival of CoreMIDI more of the large manufacturers are now joining in with producing hardware to be used with DJ apps or using apps to accompany their hardware:
It's not just for cameras: The Apple Camera Connection kit opened up a host of opportunities for Midi users including DJs too.
- Numark/AKAI has iDJ Live, iDJ Pro and MixDeck Quad hardware all compatible via CoreMIDI with the djay app. They have also released a new MPC series including some iPad integration. Numark’s iDJ Live controller is also compatible with the djay app
- Denon has recently released the Denon Engine DJ app to accompany its SC3900 unit
- Korg has been an early adopter of iOS with their iElectribe and iMS20 apps, but also has the iKaossilator – and I’m ever hopeful for an iKaossPad app!
- Moog – OK, not really DJ-oriented but their Filtatron app is gorgeous for real-time effects and if you like synthesisers, you can get some amazing sounds from Animoog
It will be interesting to see who will follow suit next.
4. Established App Store
I have a love-hate relationship with Apple’s App Store. But despite its drawbacks, it seems a much better proposition than Android’s MarketPlace – and overall, it provides a painless way to audition DJ software.
The success of an App Store depends firmly on the quality of apps available.
The App Store contains such a wealth of DJ apps that on first glance it can be daunting when choosing your first one.
There is a complete range for all experiences, from the novice (djay, Quixpin and many more) to the professional (DJ Player/Red Bull BPM DJ, Mixr).
Not all apps look the same, so if you like replication of physical hardware then djay and Mixr both do a very good job at turntables. If you prefer a waveform focused view then Cue Play DJ, FutureDJ or Sonorasaurus Rex might be your preferred solution.
The success of an App Store depends firmly on the quality of apps available and the ease of finding and purchasing. In general, it does well on all three, implementing a stringent review process before an app can even make it there.
5. Innovative hardware
As the iDevices mature and more features become available, app developers are close behind making full use of the new facilities available.
When the iPad2 was released, a new version of djay quickly followed providing keylock and improved beatgrid functionality. DJ Player has always made use of the WiFi capabilities to broadcast either the Master or Cue signal to another iOS device running the companion NetOut app.
There are a few DJ apps which use the accelerometer (this detects device movement); DJ Player can use this on the FX pages to move the icon around the X-Y screen – a bit like rolling a ball on a tray.
This is all fine – but how about a use of the camera in a DJ app? Well, in the latest version of DJ Player you can use the camera on iPad2 to set the background – a neat touch if you’ve connected the device to a projector/TV to show the audience what you’re doing.
Conclusion
DJing using iOS devices is still very much in its infancy, but the outlook is good. Apple is constantly evolving its product line, app developers are pushing the boundaries, and traditional DJ organisations are now getting involved.
DJing with iOS is off to a promising start…
There are drawbacks to any DJ solution (I’ll be discussing the iOS issues in another article), but DJing with iOS is off to a promising start. Even if the main thing it’s achieving right now is introducing more eager DJs to the fundamentals, then that has to be a good thing for the DJ community.
Do you use iOS DJ apps? Have we missed out any positives here? Are there any “DJ app” hidden gems in the App Store? Please let us know your thoughts below.
Now go to:
Review: FutureDJ for iPhone & iPod Touch
Review: DJ Player 4.0 For iPad, iPhone & iPod Touch
Review: DJay for iPad 1.4
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Tags: iOS dj software, iPad DJ software, iPhone DJ apps
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Point 3 has been recently backed up with the announcement of a number of iOS related products at Musik Messe 2012 (http://www.digitaldjtips.com/2012/03/musikmesse-2012-best-of-the-rest/) including;
- MixVibes Cross DJ for iPad
[ link ]- Deckadance for iPad
- Vestax V-MIDI
- Neusonik iA/ONE iOS interface
Well Android is far behind on these thing – unfortunately. I’ve red some article a couple of days ago – but can’t find it now, grrrr… – about the “audio responsiveness” of iPad vs. Android tablets. The article stated, that an iPad 2 have some 5ms latency – from touching it to making sound. When the Android tablet – I think it was an ASUS Transformer model with Tegra 3, but I’m no sure – had ~350 ms latency. That’s really much!
Now I agree with Phil about this article, but if I want to troll a little I have to ask the next question: when Kinekt DJ’s will come?
[ link ]Perhaps this will do: http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2012/02/17/why-is-android-going-nowhere-fast-as-an-audio-platform/ especially what MarkRed on February 17, 2012 at 8:16 pm writes near the buttom.
[ link ]Thanks for the heads up on that Kim, I think there’s a post there…
[ link ]Great article sir. Opening my eyes more to the possibility of moving from to laptop to portable touchscreen fun. Any pointers for getting a DJ2GO to control the Djay app on an iPhone/iPad? Then I’d keep the gear in my glovebox for those impromptu parties!
[ link ]I can’t find for the life of me the detail of DJ2Go mapping to DJay on iPad, I’m now worried that I temporarily got DJay on iOS with DJay for Mac confused when writing section 3 of the article. I’ll hunt around a bit more – for the time being, assume I’ve made a mistake! (head in hands, nightmare.)
[ link ]The new Behringer micro controller works with iOS iirc.
[ link ]Could have been an, ahem, sub-editing error. Take a look at this which is what DJ hombre (and I) actually meant: http://www.digitaldjtips.com/2011/10/review-video-numark-idj-live/
[ link ]I’ve read somewhere on the web (Can’t remember for the life of me where) that you can get the DJ2GO to work with the iPad by connecting it via a powered USB hub. Since the release of iOS 5 it seems that Apple deliberately reduced the voltage output of the 30 pin connector, so that battery drain would be less.
No idea on the mapping to app part if that works seamlessly or not.
[ link ]The iDJ2GO (which has a 30 pin dock connector cable) will work with djay on iPad and iPhone:
[ link ]http://www.ionaudio.com/products/details/idj2go
There’s also a dedicated (and free) app (based on Deej) for the iDJ2Go controller available on iOS; http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/idj2go/id508949462?mt=8
[ link ]and also on Android;
http://appfinder.lisisoft.com/app/idj2go.html
I Hope that this never gets to that point where i am going to se DJ”s dj on their iPad or whatever its fine for using that traktor stufff ant serato virtual dj.. but ipads… that is some real bull****.
[ link ]Surely it’s what comes out of the speakers that counts? What you do with the technology, not what that technology is? To me, iPad = instant 3rd deck. Awesome.
[ link ]People said the same thing when it went from Vinyls to CDJ…
People said the same thing when it went from CDJ to Digital Dying…
Its a tool.
If you don’t want it, then don’t use it.
Personally I love my setting which consist of my Kontrol S2, iPad and 27″ iMac.
But most of the time it is simply my iPad or iPhone with iDJ Live… and yes it works great!
[ link ]I’m iffy on a tablet being the only thing used. My beef with iOS is its closed system. What if a DJ wants to bring in VSTs?
I do like the idea of using tablets for customizable midi controls. I’m currently working on an article and video on Touch OSC. Even showing it on an Android tablet so show that both sides can use this.
[ link ]Pretty much what D-Jam says, iOS worries me, it’s a walled garden, Apple has absolute control over everything. With a Laptop, you’re at least free to install whatever software you want, load whichever files you want and so on. This is not the case with an iDevice. Not to mention that most DJ software is cross-platform (Windows/Mac), I’d hate to see us being locked into one single hardware platform.
[ link ]Closed system?
Right…
There are apps for the iOS that supports VSTs.
[ link ]though it is a ‘closed’ system there are more apps for it than for the Android ‘open’ system. The quality of apps on IOS seem to be better too, so in the end what’s the benefit of an open platform if its not delivering the goods. BTW I have a Mac laptop but Android phone, so I have no Apple bias per se on this.
[ link ]There’s some way to go, but even now, an iPad CAN be a perfectly viable addition to your existing set up, using one of the perfectly solid midi controller interfaces like GRIID, Touchable, TouchOSC, Konkreet Performer etc. Or maybe work the iPad’s Tenori-On app into your set. And yes, I do mean in a pro club environment. Developers are putting a lot of serious effort into DJ and controller apps, these are not toys.
Just take a look at how far Traktor has come in just a few years,and you’ll see it will get to a point where its perfectly possible to DJ live, in a pro environment.
There are two types of people hating on this right now:
1> Those who have genuine technical concerns over issues like latency.
2> People who still bark at aeroplanes.
Change happens. For most people, it’s exciting.
[ link ]Great points!
Personally I am using my Kontrol S2 for Traktor with TouchOSC to control all the fx.
[ link ]Hey Kim Kong, if you don’t mind, please send me a message – I’d really like to learn how you are using TouchOSC to control effects in Traktor 2. I’m using an S4 and would like to learn to map the effects to TouchOSC controls so I can use my iPad to augment my S4 in effects, rather than replace it as a controller, which is what most the templates seem to offer.
Also, any ideas on how to use it to control the DJTT custom effects .tsi mappings?
[ link ]Well, I can see me using the ipad as a backup or internet-connection. But I never ever be standing in front of 500 partygoers, fumbling on a touchscreen.
I want real nobs, sliders and jogweels. I’m a performer, I want my crowd to see that I’m workin´the beats.
[ link ]Fun and exciting toy, but thats all it’s gonna be (I think).
Only solid-ish DJ app i found for android.
[ link ]https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.adjpro#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDIxMiwiY29tLmFkanBybyJd
There is a part of me that wants to claim that these Tablets, iPod, and Cellphone based DJ systems are a joke. That they will never amount to the same as what a proper controller or pair of turntables can do.
But every time I try to say that, I get this nagging memory in the back of my mind, that this is precisely the attitude many DJs used to have about Digital DJing in any form. Controllerism used to be (and in some places still is) seen as a toy. Yet I have seen countless DJs playing masterfully and pleasing their crowd with modern controllers.
The ultimate goal is to have fun, to please your crowd, and in many cases to make money. If you can meet all 3 of these goals, I personally don’t care if your DJing off a blackberry, a laptop with 4 copies of windows 3.1 sound player, or an array of greeting cards with those little music circuits. If the crowd is happy, your having fun, and getting paid, no one can tell you you’re doing it wrong. (Though you might have trouble getting bookings)
[ link ]Very well said.
[ link ]Ha ha, I like the way you think. I wish others thought the same way.
[ link ]Be careful with your IOS apps…
[ link ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnmZUnszJ1k&feature=player_embedded
Anyone have experience using iMaschine or iKaossilator (on iPad) in conjunction with Traktor 2 for a DJ set/performance? They seem like really great tools and I just want to learn how to use them better, rather than a “DJ Toy” on a flight.
[ link ]The potential here is massive, whatever hardware and software concerns yesterdays dj’s might have will soon be replaced by up and coming dj’s applying their trade from within the crowd – where the parties happening – and not from some ‘walled garden’ sorry I mean podium, segregated away somewhere. This is exciting stuff indeed.
[ link ]While I get it that the development platform and market infrastructure on iOS is all set up for DJ apps to forge ahead at a self validating rate of knots I do have a big lingering concern; the interaction.
To me, DJing is a tactile process. Knobs, buttons, sliders and platters give the DJ so much power over sound. Swiping just doesn’t have the grunt that a good tweak on a dial does. There’s no oomph behind a swipe….
It amuses me somewhat that most DJ apps try to replicate real world metaphors – replicating turntables on an iPad??? An app that actually makes DJing on an iPad a great experience needs to break free from the old DJ metaphors IMHO. The interaction is completely different and needs new thinking.
I’ll be very interested to see if it ever gets beyond a gimmick, that’s what it feels like now.
[ link ]The major remaining stumbling blocks for using iOS devices to DJ are:
Inability to play in true stereo while pre-cueing
Lack of anything resembling decent storage capacity
I’m assuming these will be addressed in the future “issues with iOS” article.
[ link ]They were!
[ link ]I use the djay app and personally feel that it is quite good. The fact that i can just make a 1 hour mix anywhere is pretty good. although its hard to cue the beats together (therefore the ‘sync’ button comes in useful) when you dont have a split output, but it has some great effect. it has thought me how to be prcise while starting the song, and actucally prepared me for the DJ compition in my school!
[ link ]I think honestly, we might be able to djay anywhere soon, just with our idevices, even though there is room for improvemnt ( the djay app doesnt have a sampler)