Free for now…here are five DJ app updates you should be aware of.
With many of the big boys now releasing hardware that works with iOS devices, like Pioneer with the XDJ-Aero and Rekordbox, Denon with its Engine iOS app for SC2900 and SC3900, and Numark with its surely-ready-by-now iDJ Pro among others, slowly but surely Apple’s mobile operating system (and the DJ software that runs on it) is becoming a mainstay in digital DJing.
From the start we’ve covered all the apps that matter most to DJs on iOS (let’s face it; there’s not much to talk about on Android at the moment). But some of these apps are well established now, and as it’s currently not possible for app developers to charge for upgrades, that means any improvements made to apps you currently own are yours for free. Hence it’s definitely worth keeping an eye on what goodies the makers of any iOS DJ apps you may own have added recently…
Likewise, if you’ve been holding off on the purchase of an app based on a missing feature, again the following recent updates may be of interest to you. So with that in mind, let’s take a look at how some of the most exciting DJ apps have been moving on…
5 iOS DJ apps, updated…
DJ for iPhone powering the diminutive ION iDJ2Go USB controller.
djay for iPhone v1.5
This update of the popular djay for iPhone app provides iPhone/iPod Touch users with some of the functionality previously only available on the iPad version of this popular software, as well as a few fixes and tweaks. The main features of note are:
- Auto Gain – (iPhone 4s and above – although I can see the setting on my iPod Touch 4th Generation)
- Automix Queue – access this via the “Automix” button above the crossfader. From there you can add items to the queue. It’s useful to bulk add “All items” on the screen to the queue, however there’s no easy way of clearing down the automix queue in the same way – a “Remove All” would be a good improvement here
- Library improvements – DRM-protected or tracks not downloaded from iCloud appear greyed out in the library, so you now have a more accurate representation of what’s available to play (and what isn’t)
These updates along with the silly low price, make djay for iPhone should be an instant purchase for any iPhone-owning DJ.
Price: US$0.99
Download from: App Store
Functionality hidden under the pitch slider (normally displayed on the right).
DJ Player 4.8 For iPad
The development team behind DJ Player and Red Bull BPM DJ don’t sleep it seems! Shortly after we reviewed DJ Player v4.5, another update arrived in July (4.7) which was aimed at improving the cue/loop workflow, adding manual beatgrid adjustment, tweaks around the deck screen to hide all “non-performance” controls under the pitch slider (accessible using the “Shift” button), and the ability to clear out the cache (via the “Manage Tracks” screen).
But there’s more! 4.8 (currently in beta) makes some major improvements to the FX section of the app:
- The FX have been reorganised into three groups; filter, colour (flanger, lo-fi) and space (echo, reverb)
- All the effects now have the same configuration: dry in the lower right position, and hottest on the upper left
- You can now apply up to three FX per deck
- Flanger now has BPM-based rates (1/4, ½, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 or 64) and a mono/stereo switch
- LoFi effect is now stereo
- Reverb has a Damp control setting (0.0 through to 1.0)
- There’s a new settings to reset effects on load of the next track
Multiple FX per deck and re-organised FX makes for even more possibilities in the mix.
The FX screen also now features pitch bend buttons as well, always handy to ensure your mix is tight as you’re effectin’ your way from one track to the next.
No other DJ app gives you the ability to apply up to three different FX and control each one via an X-Y pad, per deck, and it will be interesting to see where the development team will take this app next (trust me on this one…).
Price: US$47.99
Download from: App Store
The Numark Mixdeck Quad all-in-one controller works with Algoriddim’s djay and vjay apps.
djay for iPad v1.5.1
Our djay version 1.4 review highlighted the introduction of FX and iCloud integration, among other features.
Since then, the app has been revised to bring in the same features mentioned in v1.5 of the iPhone version above, and to add compatibility for the Numark iDJ Pro iPad controller due out later this year. It’s worth noting that djay for iPad now supports the iON Audio iDJ2Go, Numark iDJ Live, Numark iDJ Pro and Numark MixDeck Quad (full review coming soon).
Price: US$19.99
Download from: App Store
Algoriddim’s vjay does stuff with video that it would have been hard to imagine even five years ago. It’s spearheading a new niche of tablet-wielding VDJs.
vjay for iPad v1.0.1
Algoriddim has been busy with its app updates, with vjay still a relatively new app it is good to see some feedback being translated into feature development. As well as performance and bug fix changes the latest version now has:
- Support for 1080p videos (up to 30fps) – originally the support was for a much lower resolution of video (640×480) based on the iTunes music video standard
- Play Automatically setting – personally I was always getting annoyed when the video played immediately on loading, so this is a welcome addition for me!
- Auto Repeat setting – useful if you’re working with small video loops rather than full length music videos
- Support for two new Midi controllers – vjay now supports the iON Audio iDJ2Go, Numark iDJ Live and Numark MixDeck Quad. I would expect an update in the future to provide support for the iDJ Pro toom to bring vjay in line with the same controller support offered by djay
As is always the case, the more you use an app the more things you would like to see change. I’d like to see better resolution for in-app recording (at the moment the resolution is 640×480 which looks OK on the iPad but less so when you view it on a larger screen), and an improved strobe; at the moment the strobe effect flashes white,but I thing it would be more effective to flash to black instead.
Price: US$9.99
Download from: App Store
With a major, fully formed initial release and prompt bug fixes and improvements, MixVibes has demonstrated its intention to stake its own ground in the iPad DJ world.
CrossDJ for iPad v 1.0.1
While this update does not bring a stack of new features above what we reviewed with the first version, or even anything that you can visually see a difference with, it does address a number of bugs to make the app more stable and reliable.
It’s good to see an update to this app and I’m sure that we’ll see more in the future bringing perhaps some support for Midi controllers too.
Price: US$9.99
Download from: App Store
Conclusion
With the rapidly developing market, all updates currently being free, and things showing no sign of slowing, it’s certainly an exciting time to be involved in iOS DJing.
With the new version of iOS is coming later this year, we can expect to see another wave of app updates…
And because the new version of iOS is coming later this year, we can expect to see another wave of app updates, hopefully making full use of available functionality (multi-route audio?). Yup, 2012 is shaping up to be a good year for DJing on iOS devices – and we’ve still got four months left!
Have you dabbled with iOS DJing on your iPhone or iPad recently? What do you use? Are you looking forward to integrating your iOS device with some of the new hardware coming out? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
Now go to:
Review: ION iDJ2Go USB Controller For iOS
Review: Beatsurfing Midi Controller Builder For iPad
Review: Free DJ Studio App For iPad
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Tags: ios, ios DJ apps
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Thank you. I really forget to check for the CrossDJ update.
The previous version is quite useless on my iPad (3rd Gen). The app usually close itself after playing few songs. It’s really unstable.
Hopefully, the issues would be fixed with this update. I’m gonna test it after the update is finished
[ link ]Just wanna share my short test result:
I can feel that the app can analyze track faster than the previous version. I mean… it’s very very fast now! (Or may be it’s very very slow before lol)
After playing ten tracks, it’s still stable. There is no sign of lag. However, the previous one never survive after playing more than an hour. So I’m still not sure if this version is as stable as Djay.
Beside the optimization of its performance, there is no update about its function.
[ link ]Good to hear that, sometimes it’s the under-the-cover changes that make all the difference…
[ link ]Maybe no new features on this latest release, but Mixvibes are likely to bring out some form of USB midi controller support soon I would imagine.
[ link ]As a recent iPad owner I have tried DJing with DJay for iPad and I am amazed by the power and functionality available in the program. The only thing that occasionally lets it down is the touch screen interface and the single audio output. Combined with that Numark iDJ Pro, (and possibly Apple TV for large screen action), I can see it being a serious competitor to Traktor. Really hope to try one out at BPM this year.
[ link ]Hi Dylan, the moment that Numark let us loose properly on an iDJ Pro we’ll get the detail out! I was fortunate enough to have some limited time with a beta version a couple of months ago. It certainly makes sense with the iPad slotting neatly in the centre and no 30pin connector cables to worry about.
I’m just about to roadtest the bigger Mixdeck Quad with the djay app in a moment….as mentioned, full review to follow!
[ link ]Vjay is superb, have’t synced up audio to video in Ableton for a while, but this app has made me want to get started with that again.
[ link ]I´ve been playing with DJAY exclusivelly since last december. I was using CDs and a bit of vinyl (still do on occasion) but 99% of my gigs/club dates/festivals/radio sets and even my giveout mixes are done with my iPad2.
It´s incredibly stable, sounds extremelly well (I use a pair of output boosters and a splitter cable for monitoring) and it´s versatile. Some DJs look down on me when I step on the booth with the tablet but once I´m done and the crowd is jumping they come to ask about the program. Everyone who gives it a try in the “real world” comes out impressed despite the size and platform.
Just need to be careful not to touch the screen accidentaly or push the wrong button, but that comes with time and practice. I´m now looking for a more tactile solution to keep using the ´pad and DJAY, something like Numark Mixdeck or the new DJPRO.
[ link ]Hi Alex,
It’s great to hear you’re changing perception of DJing with tablet devices! Numark have been quick with the game to get their products out of the gate first for iOS compatibility. Algoriddim have developed a different interface for the djay app to work specifically with the iDJ Pro unit, clearing a lot of the screen with things that can be controlled via the hardware…meaning a bigger X-Y FX pad, detailed waveforms etc.
Stay tuned though, we’ll have a Mixdeck Quad review soon and an iDJ Pro review following sometime in the next month or so.
[ link ]I own a Numark DJ2GO and when I look at the ION iDJ2GO and the Numark DJ2GO..they appear to be identical…why the delay in allowing the Numark DJ2GO to work with djay software?
[ link ]Darerick,
I couldn’t agree more. It seems like they are trying to make money using the iON brand and leave some of us DJ2GO users in the cold. I use the DJ2go for quick mix ideas and on the go party situations, and there have been many a post about it on the algoriddim and numark forums, but not peep from the moderators. There is a hack workaround with a jailbroken iPad, but I do not like to jailbreak as it makes the iPad unstable.
Maybe someday.
RD
[ link ]thumbs up for dj player pitch band buttons on fx update ! bdw i test app from mixvibes and i must say i was very pleased ! i tested many apps till now but i must say that for now i still can’t see perfect app. if you buy hardware you know answer pioneer or denon, on the software side on pc or mac situation is clear, but here in ios dj stuff every app still have lot wierd stuff. Always something missing, always something don’t work as it should.
[ link ]2 things for instance about software mentioned above.. for instanace now slip looping is better working on cross dj then on dj player (look at the price and versions of apps – wierd) on the other hand cross dj don’t have key lock , dj player on the other hand is only one with key lock on ipad1, then cross dj have many effect but only few can be really usable in set, on the other side dj player have few effect but they don’t have net on pad they have dots ? if you are pro dj you must have net on effect pad because precision of effect ,then in future dj player app beta version we see pitch band button on effect screen and this is really nice but hey this app is pro, cost 50 dollars, sorry i think that this are mistakes not to be if you want to be a standard. this are only few things, and only two app.. don’t to mention cue play dj, !id,traxpad etc. what will be when major players come to game ? serato, traktor, virtual etc.
[ link ]Hi Cozmo,
Cue.Play.DJ is stuck on v1.66 since October last year. The company have been developing v1.7 to bring new features but has also been suffering some restructuring and so the future of the app is somewhat uncertain at the moment.
Traxpad we’ve reviewed here before (http://www.digitaldjtips.com/2012/01/review-traxpad-dj-app-for-ipad/) – this is developed by a sole developer and also has not seen an update since August last year. With other apps providing more functionality and value for money, it’s unlikely that Traxpad will catch up.
The likes of Traktor and Serato I believe will probably follow the same path as Pioneer has done with Rekordbox, allowing you to set cue points, loops, bpm etc on your mobile device while on the move. Then allowing you to sync the data back to your laptop for use in your set.
As for Virtual DJ, we’re still waiting for version 8 (http://www.digitaldjtips.com/2012/03/world-exclusive-virtual-dj-8-revealed/) to be released so iOS development may be a long way off yet…although it has been rumoured!
[ link ]i know all that stuff thanks hombre i watch everything you write and still missing your blog
bdw i am most sad about Traxpad, this was the most promising app but as you write i know is one man developer and well what can i say, he don’t listen advices 
anyway we will see what future will bring 
[ link ]Hey Cozmo,
you can send your ideas to the app makers. We have a contact form, and all other app’s developers are easily accessible too.
We never received any comment that the FX field needs a net, you are the first to mention that. I don’t agree in “if you are a pro dj you must have net on effect pad”, because most DJs are using knobs on controllers and mixers, without any “net”. Hey, Pioneer just made a huge mistake with the RMX-1000?
Please understand that mobile devices’ processing power is 10-20 times less than on an average laptop. Don’t be fooled by GHz. That means it’s much more difficult to deliver similar functionality. Just take CrossDJ for example, they have key lock on your laptop, while could not deliver it to the iPad yet.
Making a DJing software to your mobile device can’t be made with “porting” from desktop, this is one reason why you don’t see the “major players” on the field yet. It’s also hard to implement for the touch screen, which needs totally new workflows and controls.
So yes, we are inventing continuously to provide our app. We have to invent new workflows from scratch without any example to copy or learn from (especially when we started in 2008). We also have to invent totally new math and algorithms, otherwise we can’t deliver that much functionality in this very small “box”.
Take another number, DJ PLAYER doesn’t use more than 35 MB memory maximum, and 95 MB including all OS resources. And we don’t use any licensed technology or open source code, everything is cooked here.
That means mobile DJing app developers are having much harder days than you think, and i’m sure the Mixvibes team (CrossDJ) also put great and unexpected energies into their project, respect!
Another thing is price. Desktop/laptop softwares are much more expensive. Yes, i know they are cheaper now (because iOS DJ apps maybe?), but think about their price earlier. And they can charge you for an update, while we, the mobile guys can’t.
I see functionality in many mobile DJing apps, which was invented or tried there first, even if your advice was a joke.
[ link ]don’t be mad i only compare some bad and good stuff (yes i call them wierd in my previous post), for instance when you write about fx screen on dj player, this can’t be compared to pioneer rmx-1000 but it can be compared to korg kaos pad surface http://www.kaosspad.co.uk/images/KaossPad_kp2.jpg , and yes kaos pad surface have net and not dots because of precision. Only if you want tell me that update 7.0 for dj player will have knobs on fx screen
because pioneer can be wrong hehe – ok no more jokes. i understand what you write about porting and i’m fully avare of your words, i was thinking about all the good stuff like you have it on you application. For instance most functions are not invented by you or your company ! They are ported from hardware devices: loops, fx,key lock, slip (dump on denon cd players), pitch band buttons etc. again i was writeing about porting all good stuff. And yes, respect for programing all that algorithm – math stuff, i know it’s not simple to do that. That’s way your app is still my no.1 dj app FOR NOW 
one thing at the end, If you look close after many years of djing, pro djs still use 2 separate players and on ios dj market till now we still don’t have some sort of one pro player app (we have i know but those apps are not good enough i tested every single). Most of developers working on all in one solution, 2 playes, mixer etc. why i writeing about this ? well because i can’t imageing david guetta,avicii or any another dj star or pro dj playing set in club from 1 ipad using some app with 2 players and virtual mixer on ipad, but yes i can image him playing on 2 cd players and ipad dj app with ONE PLAYER app directly connected to hardware mixer with all goodies like pro cd hardware player, or even two ipads. I know you gonna tell me our app have like another on market that option, but this is not it! you and your crew loose energy on all kind of stuff and still you or somebody another developer can concentrate on single player, fx, loops etc. because maybe in some next version you are ocupied with programming , fixing auto sync or virtual mixer problems.. and i repeat no one in pro world use that. We have hardware for this, but yes kids will love it and buy cheeper all in one solution.
[ link ]Of course all release we made, and everything we do is fully “occupied with programming”. This is how it works.
Have you tried our “Classic Club” output mode? It’s one player, plus FX. Nothing more. And also if you play with 2 iPads using this, it syncs some things wirelessly, like the “played” marker, cue points, bpm…
[ link ]