Mixing with iPads
Hey guys!
Potentially hot topic question: Worth mixing with iPads? Have an iPad and my DDM4000, and considering getting a few more to use as “decks” inside the djay app. Always thought iPad mixing was a joke until I saw Juicy M’s 4 iPad mix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMw2fXWRooY"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMw2fXWRooY
As I’m not really in a spot to afford a pair+ of CDJs, what do you guys think of using iPads?
Firstly, it’s not really a “Hot Topic Question” … the whole video was (at best) proof of concept going back a year or two ago.
Is it worth mixing on iPads ? I’d give a resounding yes, just not like she has them set up in the video which is IMHO completely ridiculous.
Here’s all your need if thats the route you are going down.
1x Class Compliant Controller e.g. VCI400
1x iPad Lightning to USB3 adaptor
1x USB hub (powered)
1x Djay Pro App.
BAM! I just saved you well over $1000 and that would do a whole lot more than 4 iPads and a mixer.
And no, 4 iPads does not look cooler, and amps that go to 11 are not louder.
Or Dj Player Pro app so you can use dvs if you want.
I second this.
Works fine, but the interface still looks like it was designed by a programmer. Functional, but not pretty. And the music browser is IMHO horrible.
DVS is cool if you ever decide its needed I guess.
Although if you don’t have a Mac or at least access to one you might have no other choice as Djay cant be midi-mapped directly from the iPad. You need to create your (or export the stock) mapping using the desktop version of Djay and import it via itunes.
Just to be precise: Djay or DJ Player?
I didn’t think DJay could be mapped at all, and only supported built in mappings for various fisher price iPad controllers. iOS DJing could be a thing once the software is there for it, especially now Apple are selling a powered USB adapter dongle for lightning that lets you charge while using it.
Hey guys, thanks for the responses.
I totally agree with you all. I have a full other setup or 2 with controllers and macbook, just was more curious if there is a good alternative to CDJs. Seems like a lot of work to map an iPad even if it is possible, just seems like a more reliable and faster setup to go with standalone players than controllers in my case.
Thanks for all the replies peeps!
Yeah I’d agree as well, more a cool idea.
I think it depends what kind of dj you are. If it’s to use at home then ipads are great.
I still own turntables and an xdj unit and have owned cdjs.
I got traktor dj on the ipad about a year and a half ago and I haven’t used the xdj since. To be able to run a synth like Animoog or Magellan on top then have the rmx1000 as an effect unit is fantastic.
There are glitches within traktor and there’s no way you could run it within a club set up, but for experimental excitement ipad djing is great.
Algoriddim Djay 
Its not a documented feature, but basically you can just add mappings via itunes document sharing.
http://community.algoriddim.com/algoriddim/topics/midi_learn_on_ipad
Power has honestly been a Non-Issue for me, with a powered Hub, DJay running and Wifi (for Spotify) I get around 8 hours dj running time - and thats on a 4 year old iPad Mini !
Just gotta be sure you have all notifications tuned off !
Its VERY easy and alot of controllers are pre-mapped for the desktop version for Djay, so all you need to do is drop the mapping into itunes sharing.
I just DJed a party for 2 hours on Saturday night.
DJay Pro and that’s it.
I can beatmix by sight and looking at the waveforms.
I brought it just in case the party needed a dance floor and it worked out.
how many times is she going to spin back tracks? yeesh…
Read my post above. I already clarified that Djay DOES work with unsupported midi controllers.
I use Djay every day with an iPad mini and Vestax VCI100 Mk2, so yes I’m 100% sure it works and like a dream.
Its an undocumented feature where you can use iTunes document sharing which allows you to use mappings you create in the desktop version of Djay or Djay pro.
*controller must be core audio/core midi compliant.
so I’ve realized that djay pro for Mac supports many Midi controllers. Can I then just take an bundled mapping from the Mac version and just copy it to my iPad to use the same controllers there (as long as they are class compliant)? Or does this only work for unsupported controllers where I make a new mapping?
Works both ways
Just an FYI
If you want to edit a mapping for an existing controller, you can also manually extract everything from the .ipa installer, remove old controller mappings, rezip and send your new re-map via iTunes sharing 
Secondly, I’m surprised theres been zero mention of the Reloop Mixon Controller whatsoever on DJTT 
Looks pretty neat but I’m not a big fan of the lack of inputs on the back and small pitch controls but you are saving $200 over a Pioneer equivalent.
I might have a go at making a DDJ-RX map for it just for the sake of it.
Unfortunately the trend by alot of companies seems to be “its 2016, I think we’re beyond manual beatmatching. Why not take those things out” 
Theres better controllers out there that work really well with an iPad with some mapping know how, only place where the Mixon seems to edge out is with the “I’ll never use an Apple Product” people and those who want official mapping support.
I really hope that more companies follow suit with decent tablet software/hardware integration - theres more than enough horsepower in a tablet these days and very little you cant do with Djay or DJ player.
Hell DJay even does 4k/60 video mixing alongside your DJ set across 4 channels with effects and harmonic mixing and record the whole lot!
Nuts when you consider plenty of desktops and laptops from just a few years back chug with just 4k playback.