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Stereo Cueing & In-App iTunes Store: iOS6 djay for iPad & iPhone Drop

Built-in iTunes Store

A built-in iTunes Store means no need to leave the app to grab new music while DJing.

What do you think to the idea of iPad/iPhone DJing, with real stereo output for your headphones and your speakers? Or having simple in-app iTunes music purchases, with on the fly previewing? Excited? Well, if you already own djay for iPhone or djay for iPad, go hit update now, because these improvements are waiting for you in the new versions that have just hit the App Store…

As of today, Algoriddim’s djay apps both take full advantage of improvements made in iOS6 to offers full dual stereo outputs, as well the iTunes store right there in the app itself. In the case of the iPhone app, there’s keylock and some pretty major GUI improvements too…

 

 

Multi-route audio
It’s a common objection to iOS Djing that a splitter cable mono workaround is necessary to permit headphone cueing. However, that’s all changed, with multi-route audio configurable from within the app.

Multi-Route Audio

Yup that’s right, it’s now possible to monitor with headphones and output stereo to your speakers at the same time.

It is now possible to plug your iPad or iPhone into a USB speaker dock, for instance, and have master audio output in stereo through the base connector. You can then use the headphones socket for stereo headphone monitoring.

Or, with a charging accessory that also has an audio out, you can route your master output audio into an external mixer or venue PA system (while simultaneously charging your device), while monitoring through the headphones socket.

These improvements eliminate at a stroke one of the most commonly voiced objections to DJing on an iOS device, and should be widely welcomed.

In-app iTunes Store
But the new versions of djay go further, with the pretty major addition of a built-in iTunes Store.

Complete with in-app preview, you can now search, listen to and buy new music while DJing and without leaving the app. Your purchases arrive in your library right away, ready to spin.

djay iPhone 5's new look

djay on iPhone 5 takes advantage of the improved screen real estate.

Keylock and a new GUI for the iPhone version
The iPhone version now has key lock (ie you can alter tempo without altering pitch), and has received a major overhaul to take advantage of iPhone 5′s wider (in landscape mode) screen.

Features that had been shuffled off to secondary screens have now been reunited with the main screen, and in particular the return of the pitch faders to next to the decks makes everything feel, in Algoriddim’s words, “shockingly realistic” – and having seen it, we agree.

 

 

Time to give iOS DJing a try?
If you already own either app you’re probably already downloading as we speak, but if you’ve been holding back, now could be a good time to dip your feet it the waters of iOS DJing on your iPad or iPhone! djay for iPad is available for US$19.99 in the App Store, and djay for iPhone is US$0.99 in the App Store.

Meanwhile, we’re going to give them a play and get back tomorrow with a full review.

• See the djay for iOS6 photo gallery over on our Facebook Page
• Read the iOS 6 djay press release on the Digital DJ Tips Newswire

So, proper stereo monitoring for the iPad and iPhone at last! How important do you think this is for iPad DJing? does it make you more likely to give it a go? Have you DJed with an iPhone or iPad, and how did you find it? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

Now go to:
Video: Use Your iPad With Any DJ Controller
Will iOS6 Bring Stereo Headphone Cueing For iPad & iPhone DJs?
Review: Cross DJ For iPad

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33 Responses to “Stereo Cueing & In-App iTunes Store: iOS6 djay for iPad & iPhone Drop”
  1. mackies_dj says:

    Great news, and finally you can call the numark idj “pro” (I am not really agree with it cause was not numark’s issue) anyway, thanks for the new changes…

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  2. Dj Darth says:

    Now I’m left wondering whether they will be able to port this technique to Numark iDJ Pro. I believe they cannot since the unit is only using the 30-pin connector and not the headphone out. Hopefully we’ll see 4 channel audio out the pin connector in a future iOS update.

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    • DJ Hombre says:

      You’re right, at the moment the iDJ Pro is only dealing with 2 channel audio…however via a firmware update to the iDJ Pro (due at somepoint in the future – in collaboration with Apple) you will be able to have 2 independent stereo outputs via the unit.

      NB: if you have the iDJ Pro, you can move the iPad out slightly to reveal the headphone jack of the iPad and plug into that … not a great workaround but you get stereo master plus stereo cueing that way at the moment.

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  3. DJ Deiter says:

    Are there any issues with the new update Version 1.6 that affect playlists or songs that are not ‘purchased’ in the iTunes store but have been ripped from CDs or ported over from computer or other devices?
    I heard about some major issue with iTunes match that was causing problems with the previous version and i wonder if this has been fixed or the move towards in-app purchasing is gonna force people to only use songs that have been ‘purchsed’ in store?
    These potential issues have made me hesitant to upgrade.
    (I don’t have iTunes match just to be clear)

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    • Phil Morse says:

      We’re getting stuck in now, we’ll publish a review in a day or so.

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    • You can use any MP3, AAC, WAV, … file with djay, it doesn’t have to be purchased from the iTunes Store. It just has to be in your iTunes library on the device, and if you are using iTunes Match it needs to be downloaded from the cloud.

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  4. Fitz says:

    Here we go,now let’s all watch while slowly but surely all dj booths go iPad only.

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  5. Rod Viriato says:

    I wonder if it is (or will) be possible to connect djay to other soundboards like M-Audio Fast Track Pro 4×4, so this way we could connect it to an external mixer, I mean, one deck per channel.

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  6. Rod Viriato says:

    Oh, by the way, the tutorial written by djay support team didn’t work for me – I’m using iPad (3rd generation), Camera Connection Kit and a Behringer UCA202. Sent an email to Algoriddim asking for support.

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  7. JonnyFlash says:

    I have read on their forum that the iDJ Live is now not working with the new update of dJay and iOS 6. I wonder if their will be a way to use a controller and the audio out from the 30 pin soon or if that will be put off for the new docking connector.

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  8. Miguel says:

    Are these enhancements exclusive to DJAY app? What about VJAY app?

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  9. Slak Jaw says:

    When I plug my iPhone 4 into a speaker dock I can’t find the option for the Multi-route audio under the settings tab in DJay. It only shows an option for Split Output. Is this only available on iPhone 5?

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  10. bigsyd says:

    This is one of those rare times that I wish I bit the “Apple”, I mean drank the Apple Kool-Aid. lol

    Hopefully, developers will pick up the pace and develop “ggod” DJ software for Android.

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  11. Michael L says:

    I wonder what the multi-route audio and the new dock connector will mean for the Vestax V-MIDI. Still haven’t seen one in a store yet here in Canada — have you?

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    • DJ Hombre says:

      We’ve been asking the same question to Vestax, a V-MIDI review will appear the moment we get a unit! In fact, I will ask Vestax about this at BPM next weekend.

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      • Gábor says:

        As the iPhone doesn’t support the Camera Connection Kit, V-MIDI seems the only good way to attach a USB MIDI device to an iPhone or iPod touch.

        I’m really interested how well this works, and if it supports USB Audio devices too maybe?

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  12. Jeff Nelson says:

    Unfortunately, DJing with iOS still ain’t ready for prime time. Volume is not adjustable when using dual audio out, as found by several users posting on the Algoriddim forums and elsewhere, such as this user who posted the following at Google Groups:

    “Using multiple audio devices (e.g. USB + headphones), there seems to be no way to set the volume of each device. Furthermore, the volume of each device is not necessarily 1.0, but rather the volume the device had before setting the multi route category.

    Unfortunately setting all of the device volumes to 1.0 *before* setting the multi route category doesn’t work either, since without using multi route the system volume only affects the active device (i.e. the one last plugged in).”

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    • DJ Hombre says:

      Jeff, wait until next week and DJ Player 5.0 gets released – with our review…you may change your mind!

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  13. Rob Francis says:

    Huh, real DJs don’t use iPads, real DJs use Laptops.

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  14. Alex T. says:

    There seem to be a lot of confusion at the moment regarding outputs, connections and adjustments. The way I see it we can rely on Algoriddim team to come up with solutions for these, and there’s also a competent group og guys like dj Hombre & Co. on this too. But I feel that anything from the Apple camp may take longer so we may still have limitations untill the final, definitive solution comes out.

    I’m glad I decided to wait, got some gigs lined up for the next weeks and my current setup is pretty stable and totally reliable (“old” iOS and Djay versions with the splitter cables and signal amplifier). So I’ll keep it for the moment untill it all gets ironed out and we can get the same level of confidence.

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    • DJ Deiter says:

      I’m inclined to agree with u Alex, I’m not upgrading my iOS or Djay app until all these teething troubles have been sorted out. This is exactly the kind of ‘market place R&D field testing’ that companies constantly get away with. Software developers should sort these problems out during their in-house testing phase before any new ‘full’ version release…
      Don’t get me wrong:- I think The Djay app is an incredible piece of software, multi-route audio is the way forward and tablet devices are the future for DJs.
      I am however just tired of being used as a lab rat by companies that try to skimp and save money. If its a Beta release then just tell it like it is :)

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      • Alex TC says:

        Right on Deiter, I´m currently using my iPad+Djay a lot more than CDs so it´s kinda vital for me that I have AT LEAST the same level of performance AND reliability from the new updates/configs. Currently I enjoy excellent stability and more than acceptable sound quality so why compromise or take chances, I thought.

        Thing is, everyone´s rushing in this area at the moment and developments come (and go) quite feast. So indeed we end up being test ground for developers at times. But iOS djing is just a fraction of iOS users, so any iOS improvements or fixes only come whenever Apple release a new iOS update and this can be limiting in some ways.

        I usually hit “update” at the first sight of a new release from Algoriddim, but this time I took a moment to read carefuly and look around for feedback from other iPad DJs and users and now I´m glad I did. To tell the truth I´m still running a pre-5.0 version (LOL).

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  15. Jeff Nelson says:

    Methinks Numark should have waited until they made sure the iDJ Pro was fully compatible with iOS 6′s audio capabilities before releasing it…

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  16. Gab says:

    Is it just me that got the iPad app for stunning $4.99! Loving it so far!

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  17. Ed Buckel says:

    I just grabbed it for $4.99 as well.

    Now I have a stupid questions…Do I need to buy something like the imic or would a generic device do the trick? Technically speaking, this $4 generic is doing the same thing as the $30 griffin iMic. I’m sure the iMic is higher quality but this is to goof around on the couch not really for gigging. I’d be content with running splitting the audio between the ipad speaker and the headphones, but I don’t think thats a possibility.

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  18. rc ipad toys says:

    I agree and thank you.

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  19. Finn says:

    OMG OMG OMG! I was so disappointed when I realised that the only way to get the split audio was to go mono. Lets face it that really sucked! You only need a track that uses stereo phasing, and you lose half the track!

    I am totally hyped that the outputs are now stereo. Finally taking this to the professional market. Well done Apple, you finally got there!

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