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Traktor is the most popular software among our readers, although I think the above overplays Traktor and underplays the other programs, probably being due to Traktor fans wanting to win the Traktor gear that was the prize in the draw attached to this survey! In our last reader survey, Traktor was 41%, Virtual DJ 25%, Ableton 22%, Serato ITCH 14%, Serato Scratch Live 11%, djay 7% (it added up to more that 100% because some people used more than one program) which I think is probably truer.
I love the fact that you guys are using extra material to DJ with. One of my personal projects for the winter (as my DJ sets happen to be in the summer) is to put together sets of clips in different keys to spice up my my multi-genre DJ sets and make my mixing more inventive.
Not surprising that most of our DJs are controller users, but interesting that over a quarter of our readers are still using CDJs and turntables. iPad, for all the hype, is still a small percentage of our overall readership, at least as far as its use as a primary controller goes.
No surprises that most of our users have a two-channel all-in-one unit, but it’s good to see four-channel controllers have made a massive inroad in the past 12 months too. “Add on / deck controller” means devices usually used by digital vinyl DJs, although sometimes on their own, such as the Traktor Kontrol X1 or Allen & Heath K2, very often to add Midi controls where otherwise such DJs would have to revert to keyboard use.
I love this question, because it shows that we’re all different – we have widely differing reasons for preferring digital DJing over other forms, which of course is something that reflects in our music and DJ styles too.
Great info here for digital DJ equipment manufacturers, as vinyl lovers explain why they stick with doing things the old way. The biggest percentage – those who prefer the feel of mixing with vinyl – are probably going to be the hardest to sway, although the Denon DJ SC3900 and Numark NS7 get mighty close…
Again lots of reasons for sticking with DJing using the gear that’s already in clubs and other venues. With controllers such as Pioneer’s CDJ-2000nexus getting very close to DJ software features-wise, I think those who are happy with CDJ-DJing now may never switch…
DVS, or “digital vinyl”, is when you adapt existing DJ gear to also work with laptops – think Traktor Scratch and Serato Scratch Live. Not surprisingly (seeing this is a halfway-house solution by design), we find of our readership who use DVS, it’s the ability to use digital but retain the analogue feel, and the ability to mix vinyl/CDs and digital easily, that keeps DVS DJs doing what they do.
As our stated aim here at Digital DJ Tips is to teach people to DJ beyond the bedroom, it’s I suppose gratifying to see we’re hitting our target market – but the game is on because we truly, madly, deeply want to move you bedroom guys up into the private party section, from where it’s easier to make the leap into public venues, bars, lounges, clubs…
With electronic music the significant minority of our audience, it’s still worth nothing that around half of our readership plays a whole mix of other styles. DJing is not, simply not, only about button mashing the latest beatgridded EDM, not by a long shot – and our readership proves that.
Finally…
It’s wonderful you are using a whole mix of gear and software to perform your DJ sets on. And it’s great to have pop, rock, hip hop and a myriad other styles of DJ represented in our broad readership too, alongside the dominant electronic dance music DJs.
We’ll definitely be coaxing you to do it in front of a crowd…
Club, mobile, lounge, party, radio, bedroom… we’ll continue to try and include everyone. But we certainly make no apologies about pushing the benefits of digital, and we’ll definitely be coaxing you to do it in front of a crowd if you don’t already – that’s where it all really, truly happens folks.
• Thanks to everyone who took part in the survey. We’ve gained some valuable insights into who you are and what motivates you to DJ the way you do, and your answers will help us to ensure our content over the next 12 months serves you even more tightly than previously.
Anything here surprise you? Anything confirm stuff you already thought? Anything particularly stand out? Please share your thoughts on our survey in the comments.
Now go to:
Reader Survey Results 2011, Part 1
Reader Survey Results 2011, Part 2
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Why are Canada and the USA combined?
[ link ]Good question, as the survey was managed by a third party, we had no control over that geo-targeting decision.
[ link ]You might be surprised how much readership you have in Toronto.
[ link ]No offence intended to our Canadian readers – you’ll note we’re Canadian English, not US English
As I say, this one was out of our control. You may be interested to know our US/Canadian split is 85% / 15%, meaning about 30,000 Canadian readers a month. So yes you’re right, plenty of Canadian readers. Thanks!
[ link ]Where the winners announced?
[ link ]They were announced ages ago!
[ link ]Why did you use pie charts for all anwsers ?
[ link ]for multi-answer questions this gives absolutely no information.
you should have bar charts for these
Agreed, we could have spent a bit more time presenting the info. I think it’s still useful though. It was quite an overwhelming post to produce.
[ link ]Is it possible to add the percentages to the groups?
Some might have difficulties combining the colors with the groupnames.
[ link ]Would love to break it all down further – no time this time, but we’ll keep your idea in mind for next time. Always looking to improve!
[ link ]Was Propellerheads Reason really not an option for producing music? Thats insane.
[ link ]I agree, I use Propellerheads Reason 6, its amazing! I too feel it should have made the list, especially over Garage band which is less geared for remixing, which is more DJ oriented production work. Garage band is more band based and rather basic and beginner software.
[ link ]i participated with no expectation of winning anything, but lucked into a copy of traktor pro 2.5. many thanks to both ddjt and ni.
[ link ]I am guessing that most, if not all, DJs get *some* music from illegitimate means, but I do think that the number of people that never buys any music is rather low indeed.
Me, if I *really* like a track, I will buy it. And I will not feel cheated if I get the exact same file as I already had. On the contrary: I already know the quality is good.
[ link ]i would like to see how some of the data is interrelated
like
“those who live from DJing, what Software do they use”
“those who own four deck controllers, what is the genre they play”
“those that use DVS, which one?”
“those that use controllers, which software?”
“those who DJ weddings, what genre do they play”
results by region, e.g US & Canada // Europe etc.
(just examples, but things like that, especially when the results are significantly different than the published ones.
[ link ]Yup, we published because we thought people would have a fleeting interest, didn’t realise we’d have so many readers so vociferous for the information! We’ll take your points on board for next time.
[ link ]Maybe you could share the (anonymized) raw data for some data mining? Or is it too much to ask?
[ link ]Too much to ask, sorry!
[ link ]I feel you guys are being a bit over critical, the info is there, great one as always!
[ link ]I second that. Quit being picky.
[ link ]+1
[ link ]The ‘portable devices’ chart is tricky… what about people who own both an ipad, an iphone and other devices… the chart will add up to more than 100%
[ link ]…Though… this is a great resource.. thanks so much for posting this info!! It really puts the market into perspective.
[ link ]That’s true there are some flaws but hopefully it still gives a good picture.
[ link ]It does! People just likes to complain about things. By the way, Didn’t expect the majority of readers to be 30-39, that’s incredible.
[ link ]We have a lot of readers who have DJed previously, maybe had a short break, then got back into it BECAUSE of digital…
[ link ]