These days a fend from the past called me of proposing a free program he uses for mixing songs in a dedicated computer. this was the result of oa discussion a few days before when I referred him about the the programs i do music processing and hosting and proposed me to tsest the program YouDJ a very free DJ program. There was a very intensive reference also to the past times when we worked in the same place and the experimentation with the programs of the early 2ks that is with the PCDJ a legendary program of that time
I start this presentation by fist checking the program he proposed me
YouDJ
This is trhe program he proposed me. I immediately visited the developers page and tested a bit tihs program. Its very interesting that this guy no only offers this spogram in free but also has a few educational videos in Youtube on its operational and how to DJ dn hwo to gain more pooints towards to get a higher degree in DIing into 3 steps
The consumes around 400 MB quite big for my tiny free SSD memory that now reaches the 59GB. THis is also a reason that i didn't want to keep it in my system. Checking inside the program folder there is a huge 250MB file that isi can part of its operation. Don't remove it as the program cant operate!
I can also refer to the huge collection of audio tracs it offers (around 10000 tracks as he notices )and i suppose that they are possibly stored int this huge file
In the menu there are also a few samples that can intervene in the music program with some minor effect. For more effects a registration is required.
Its standalone program has also a explorer and can keep full track of the music library
As i tested it only supports Mp3 BY bye the other formats.There is a virtual button for autoplay operation
Youtube videos are also supported but all mixing operations are disactivated.Here is a example. As in the photo you can see in the top row two videos are marked with color bars. These marks cover part of the video thumbnail in the left or right that identifies in which of the two virtual disks are played
In short I deem that this program does everything a amateur and possibly a professional Dj can need (step 3 prorgram at very low pfoice 24 EU ). Very big installation file but it lacks support of any other format but MP3If he could remove all these uninteresting huge music collection , Still unusure for that as ll media stopped using MP3 format.
Mixxx
This is the alternative solution to the above and still a free program since its... inception . I already had some minor information in various fora about its operation a few months ago and very recently decided to test it. this program was the only lightweight comparing to other commercial programs found in the net (Virtual DJ, DJUCed, and ultramixer ) and cost more than 100Eu . in the start i checked a few older versions but finally stopped in the recent edition a relatively large installation file (75MB) This program has the same preferences dialog in all versions but was quirt slow to understand audio piping Available in all platforms supports all file types except WMA... This is my main file format in saving the non Greek music I do that to conserve space in both computer and mp3player. this rather big player supports much better WMA than MP4 or AAC formats.
Its most funny is that everything in the screen stretch as the main window This is the same with YouDJ and the minimal version of PCDJ
There are many useful operations with up to 4 live effects, 4 decks , 8 cue points max and around 16 samplers.
Some later impression: this program does not support any Bluetooth devices even if it can recognize them with some short strings of text. PCDJ OSa it better Its very possible tat this program was responsible to disactivate the sound-card after a mysterious demise of the SC PLs see at the end of this article
PCDJ
This is one of my most beloved programs of the far past ie early 2ks when many folks used it , not only the pros as far as i remember.
The above version DEX3 RE is the basic and quite simplistic among the remain . It includes most important features on very basic DJing including the auto DJing and costs around 25 Eu All others start from 140
The program starts - at least to me - requiring a valid music library in every session. I prefer top add the songs later by using different directories. The are 8 effects available in caroussel. namely flanger,echo autopan LPcutoff reverb bet waw BASic Playlist can be filtered int standard music songs , karaoke and lyrics and with preview option in he auto DJ pane
The windows can also be stretched stretching everything inside into smaller form , If ou are using windows tablet the program can also change into touch screen in a even more simple operation As with the remain programs it has the ability to randomize or shuffle the listing . The auto Dj is put into the right pane and can be just made with a drag of the listing .
The bigger versions can offer some more explorer utilities with cloud services I use the full demo version for two days and then tuned into buying the minimal version tat fits more an what i need
The only minus is the lack of master volume and the continuous playback of the final two songs of the list in the AUto Dj.
Zulu
And finally another program from NCH company . as i can tested it the program is very minimalistic with very few options regarding to the remain programs tested but at relatively high price for its abilities. Good that this program also uses the effects plugin database (filters, effects VST DIrectX etc ) from the remain company;s audio programs to enhance its abilities these are more than 55 effects As far as i tested with mixpad and wavepad there are only around 15 VSTs supported and are automatically downloaded form the company's site There is along list of samples available to nearly all sound programs of the company.
The disc dragging is possibly the only operation not supported
On of its most important features is the very big list of audio formats supported including the obsolete realaudio RA of pre20s time ! As with other products it can also upload these recordings to Dropbox SoundCloud and also Youtube with spectranalysis
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Also to notice that all above programs can record the mixing and post to well known sites and stream the context,. Mixx saves the files into WAV AIFF FLAC and also ΟGG MP3 AAC and HE-AAC/2 [not all AAC modes supported] and other formats while PCDJ only to WAV and AIFF modes
Interesting is with external support to Bluetooth products. Mixx does not support BT gear while PCDJ is OK but under first playing with standard line outs : headphones or inner sound card
This is what MIxxx shows after changing to Awei Y120 mini speaker: invalid device
After this near in depth analysis I still prefer PCDJ even if there is something missing : Loss of master volume and many formats in saving. the hits of it are the wma mode playback and support of BT gear for audio transmission!
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