ios djing | Digital DJ Tips

May 2nd, 2013 Reviews

Review & Video: Traktor DJ For iPhone

by Phil Morse

Is it really possible to have any fun DJing on a device as small as an iPhone? We actually think it is, and Traktor DJ for iPhone is another big step towards the doubters realising this…

Just like when Pioneer put a big red sync button on a CDJ, I have to say I loved it when Native Instruments, as one of the “big three” DJ software companies, put a version of its software on the iOS platform. While those of us who “get it” can argue with detractors till we’re blue in the face that it’s actually great fun to DJ on an iPad or iPhone, now we simply have to say: “Well, Native’s designers obviously think iOS is a good platform for DJing, to have come out with Traktor DJ!”

Traktor DJ for iPad rethought the way people might like to DJ on a touchscreen device. Only the rather esoteric DJ Player has had the balls to do this before. This redefining of the workflow put clear blue sky between Traktor DJ and its only volume competitor (also excellent, but in a different way) – djay from Algoriddim. And now with Traktor DJ for iPhone (US$4.99, available from the iTunes store now), Native Instruments has brought this thinking to a device you can hold in two hands as if it were a games controller.

24 Comments »

February 6th, 2013 Reviews

MixVibes CrossDJ for iPhone Review

by DJ Hombre

Mixvibes CrossDJ arrives for smaller iOS devices such as the iPhone and the iPod Touch. Can it replicate the success of the iPad version?

MixVibes has recently released an iPhone version of its excellent Cross DJ software.

DJing on smaller iOS devices has its challenges, mainly that the smaller screen means apps can tend to feel cramped and busy. However, we loved the sleek interface and functionality of the iPad version, so were interested to see how the experience translated to the iPhone version.

10 Comments »

September 26th, 2012 News & Opinion

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

by Phil Morse

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…

33 Comments »

June 14th, 2012 News & Opinion

Will iOS6 Bring Stereo Headphone Cueing For iPad & iPhone DJs?

by DJ Hombre

Apple's keynote slide with the new features of iOS6. We've highlighted the ones of interest to DJs, producers and music software developers. (Click to enlarge.)

iOS 6 – the latest version of the operating system on which iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch all run – will bring a number of improvements to the way iDevices handle audio, one of which could be stereo headphone cueing for DJ software.

Among the list of new features in iOS6 (full list follows), as announced in Apple’s opening keynote speech at the annual World Wide Developer’s Conference in San Fransisco this week, is “multi-route audio” – which we think could be that “holy grail” feature we’ve been longing for, namely dual stereo outputs.

21 Comments »

May 31st, 2012 Reviews

Review: DJ Player 4.5 For iPad, iPhone & iPod Touch

by DJ Hombre

DJ Player, one of the most respected iOS DJ programs, now has a wealth of new features. Here we check them out...

Not so long ago we reviewed version 4.0 of DJ Player, the DJ app that many serious iOS DJs have taken to heart – especially those who aren’t looking for the typical “spinning disc” approach to DJing.

Since then the team at Stereomusik & iMect has been busy working on improvements. The question is, what else could the development team give us without moving too far away from the clear professional workflow of the previous version? In finding out, we won’t cover old ground; we’ll just focus on the new functionality. (Update: Here’s a DJ Player v5.0 review.)

5 Comments »

May 25th, 2012 Training

4 Easy Steps To Adding A Tablet Controller To Your DJ Set-up

by D-Jam

Touch OSC lets you control aspects of your DJing wirelessly using an iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch or Android tablet. Today we show you how easy it is to add it to your set-up.

One of the coolest aspects of being a digital DJ is all the new “toys” we get to play with. Our laptops, our timecode set-ups, our Midi controls, and now even the very smartphones and tablets we use on a daily basis.

Ever since the Lemur Jazzmutant hit the scene, DJs have wished for a more affordable way to have a touchscreen controller in the booth. The gang at Hexler answered the call with TouchOSC, and today I’m going to show you in four easy steps how to hook it up to your existing digital DJ set-up.

32 Comments »

May 22nd, 2012 Reviews

Review: Stereomusik Systems Output Boosters

by DJ Hombre

By allowing you to plug line-level equipment into phono inputs on standard mixers, these little adaptors can offer a quality and volume boost to underpowered audio gear like iOS devices.

In my last round-up of clever gadgets for iOS I briefly mentioned an intriguing product by Stereomusik Systems, called the Output Booster. We’ve since received a pair to road-test, in order to see not only if they do indeed boost output levels, but if they can have any effect on sound quality too.

Before we discuss the Output Boosters further, let’s consider the current situation for any DJ dealing with low output musical gear (not just iOS DJs – any Novation Twitch users out there?)

28 Comments »

May 10th, 2012 Reviews

Review: Meta.DJ for iPad

by DJ Hombre

Keeping busy with four-deck action in meta.DJ...

Last week we took a look at DJ Remixer 2 and found that while playing with looped segments of a track can be fun, the app had its quirks, and we were left wanting more to sustain our interest.

meta.DJ is an app with a similar concept. Although it’s been around for a while, it’s returned to my attention recently thanks to a few major updates promising stability, in-app recording and some other neat new features. So how well does the improved meta.DJ app perform? Is it really up to comparisons with the likes of Traktor? And more importantly: Is it for you?

10 Comments »

May 1st, 2012 Reviews

4 Clever Gadgets For iOS DJs

by DJ Hombre

iOS DJ

In our previous accessories article from late November last year, we featured a number of iOS DJ accessories that would have been more than welcome around many an iOS DJ’s Christmas tree.

As with most digital technology though, things move fast, and with the new iPad and a rash of new DJ software come another batch of accessories. Today we look at four of those that have most caught our attention.

13 Comments »

April 24th, 2012 Reviews

Review: iRig Mix Mobile iOS DJ Mixer

by DJ Hombre

A versatile and portable mixer dedicated to iOS - but how does it shape up?

Ever since IK Multimedia announced at NAMM 2012 that it was branching out from its usual musician-based product line to produce a portable DJ mixer, I’ve been eager to take a closer look. The official blurb describes the iRig Mix as being “the first mobile mixer for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad”. And as much as I love my current mixer, it could never be described as slimline or portable, let alone mobile.

While I enjoy using DJ apps on my iPod Touch and iPad, I’m usually left craving for a physical crossfader or rotary dials for a more immediate response. The usual route for me is to use a splitter cable with my regular mixer. This works fine when I’m at home, but not for those many times when I don’t have the luggage space (or inclination) to haul a heavy mixer around with me.

2 Comments »

April 10th, 2012 News & Opinion

5 Ways Apple Could Improve iPad, iPhone & iPad Touch For DJs

by DJ Hombre

Numark's iDJ Pro: Incredible technology, but still limited by some of iOS's more glaring limitations, such as no dual stereo outputs.

You’ve read the benefits and pitfalls of DJing on Apple iOS devices, so in this final “State of the Nation” piece we come to consider what can Apple do to improve its devices and mobile OS for DJs.

Exactly what amendments to iDevices or the underlying code could further unlock the potential of DJing on a portable Apple device? Here we list our top five…

13 Comments »

January 26th, 2012 Reviews

Review: TraxPad DJ App For iPad

by DJ Hombre

TraxPad for the iPad gives you a single external audio source to add to an existing DJ set-up.

For many DJ, the most exciting thing about having a DJ app on their iPad is the idea that the unit can be used as an “extra deck”, plugging in alongside a normal DJ set-up for adding an extra audio source, rather than as an all-in-one DJing solution. TraxPad is an iPad app which does just that.

I’ve had it for a while now, and I tend to use it alongside two turntables when playing mostly vinyl when I want to occasionally mix a track from the iPad into my set.

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December 15th, 2011 Reviews

Review: MixmoDJ for iPad, iPhone & iPod Touch

by DJ Hombre

MixmoDJ bravely claims to be the 'first pro iPad DJ app'. Can it live up to the hype against strong competition?

MixmoDJ is a new DJ app for iOS, which boldly claims to be the “first pro DJ app for iPad”. This is a brave stance to take considering it is new and going up against tough competition – competition that has been in the market for some considerable time now.

The concept of the app is fairly simple on first look. It aims to replicate some key functionality familiar to most CD decks, but on the iPad (and also available in a trimmed-down version for the iPod Touch and iPhone).

18 Comments »

December 8th, 2011 Reviews

Review & Video: AIODJ Cable For iOS DJs

by Phil Morse

The AIODJ cable: the "Swiss Army Knife" of iOS DJ cables!

Last week we carried an article featuring lots of stocking fillers for iOS DJs. We were particularly interested in one of those products, that product being the AIODJ cable for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, and the manufacturer has kindly sent us a sample to take a closer look at.

This cable is, as DJ Hombre said last week, a veritable “Swiss Army knife” of cables, featuring several functions in one, that mean for rolling up at a gig and DJing straight from your iPhone or iPad, it is potentially a neat solution. Let’s investigate further…

21 Comments »