what software do you use and why?
Simple question..I’m trying to find a good software use..I’m pretty sure the are some what all the same, but do any software benefit in other ways?
I’m playing hip hop/ electro/ trance/ house
Right now I’m using traktor pro
Traktor Scratch Pro
Because I’ve been using Traktor since Final Scratch, and the workflow works for me. I held a residency for nearly 10 years, as well as gigging private parties, and the Native Instruments progs have NEVER crashed on me (using Dell computers). I’m sure Serato Scratch Live works just as well, but Traktor was what I got used to…had it failed me, i’m sure I’d be with the other camp today.
Question about traktor scratch..is it basically the same as traktor pro, but it just has time-code?
Right now i’m using serato 2.0.
Because i was hyped about the bridge. But now i’m waiting on some new traktor time codes and i’m switching back to TSP. Serato is nice, but traktor offers so much more. And i love having 4 decks, 2 with timecodes, 2 all digital.
Can you give me an example on how tsp offers more than ssl?
Thats an interesting concept. Explain why you would work both time codes and digital
@basics- More cue points, design your own beat grid(comes in handy on songs that are constant) more effects.
@Abyrne7- First off, i play in a 2 man group so it makes this alot easier. One of us will be mixing “traditionally”,but not really as we use lots of effects/loop rolls/other tricks on the main 2 decks. While the other one is picking out little snippets to be brought in on the 3rd deck, and doing a little juggle on deck 4. Or cutting up an a capella and tricking out another sample. It makes of an interesting show. We’ll have a promo video up soon so everybody can check it out.
for what you’re playing i’d stick with TP. i play(ed) a lot of the same stuff and it’s pretty dope for those genres, just due to fx, looping, cue points, etc. they all come in handy in making those genres more interesting.
I’ve been with Traktor since some Studio 3 version, right now I’m on TP of course and I have no intention of switching to anything else. The only exception would be Ableton but at the moment I don’t feel that it would add anything to my sets and it seems a bit more limited for traditional DJing compared to Traktor.
I’m also not so much into timecode so I’ve never tried SSL but from what I’ve seen it looks like an odd deliberately cut-down version of Traktor. Same goes for Itch. What’s up with that GUI, the limited effects, the lack of 4 decks and most of all the soundcard restrictions? And yes, I do regularly use at least 3 decks in my sets; for in-set preparations and mashups.
the soundcard restrictions are how serato offers the software and all updates for free. it’s really not that strange either, TSP needs a certified soundcard or mixer to work.
there are a million traktor vs SSL threads, it’s pretty much beating a dead horse IMO.
SSL is more about the old school, a great vinyl dvs that is reliable, that doesn’t offer sync. If used correctly, the sampler in SSL gives you more then two “decks”
a good dj should be able to use either program and still rock the house
traktor pro, mainly because it was the one I heard most about when i bought my first macbook pro last year, decided to start mixing again and tried it out, bobs your uncle fannies your aunt as they say 
I also use Ableton for production.
i use ableton. i like the warping features and the quantized features. the layout is extremely important to me too! i love having everything in front of me–i think the layout is very flexible. i also love being able to make my own fx. plus i’m kinda nerdy; making layouts and trying new midi devices, ipod/ipad, is fun even if i dont use it.
i wouldnt mind having some of the features traktor has though, like two viewable waveforms. but for now ableton is working great. and it doubles as a DAW!
Traktor Pro, I’ve been using it for well, the four years I’ve been mixing. I tried quite a few before that, the only one that ever felt like what I believed was mixing was Traktor.
Traktor Pro!
I love the snap and quantize feature. As well I just love how many features there are, it feels like I can do so much with my mixing.
i’ve used something similar. Use and Audio 8 and plug into a 4 channel mixer. Than two decks turn on scratch control and use them as time code, then other two decks set to internal and use lets say and X1 to control them - well everything except for volume that is controlled with the mixer. Works great!
I’m sticking with Traktor. Was introduced to it about 4 years ago and now i’m all set up for digital exclusively. Most DJ types i know use either TSP, Final Scratch and or Ableton.
I use Virtual DJ, and am really happy with it. I use video at a lot of my gigs, though, so it’s kind of necessary . Traktor will probably serve you best with the style of music you play.
ableton/itch.
got into dj’ing because i wanted do something more live with my productions and as much as i love ableton, there is nothing spontaneous about it to me. thats where itch comes in. the only thing i feel comfortable jamming with ableton is as a pure and simple drum machine like an mpc. djing with it bores me and all the musicians i love who “dj” with it seem like they play the same set over and over and over but with a few swapped files and the only “live” element is some sort of beat repeat element or random fx setting. i.e. nosaj thing or flying lotus. love the music but every single live video ive seen seems about the same as what i have seen but with random fx.
using serato at the moment works really good for me not only is it simple it just works… got tpro but been having couple of issues with it lately… do need a new comp though
Traktor 1 then 2 then 3 now Pro.