Mac, PC or Linux ?

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Mac, PC or Linux ?
Posted on: 04.04.2008 by Irvin Cee
Which OS are you using to mix ?
Random X
09.04.2008
Originally Posted by nem0nic
I've been lucky enough to be able to try most of the notable DJ oriented software to have been relaesed in the last 5 years, including DVS. When I look at ANY product now (free or not) I look at it with the same standards by which I judge ANY software. Even among low cost or free entries, I didn't consider Mixx nearly as compelling a product as (for example) DJDecks. And in the shallow pond that is *nix compatible DJ software, Cross is going to decimate products like Mixx and Ultramixer and be the first product to offer the same compatibility and performance across 3 platforms. It's good stuff.
You got a good point there.

Strange thing is that the owner of dutch dj community aboutdj.nl is also telling people, that he believes it may be considered a full dj software alternative.
(Even when he compares it to his much beloved Traktor Skratch)

But that aside, I am always up to test new software, can you please point me to Cross?
Diogo Dj Dragão
08.04.2008
Originally Posted by tekki
Mixxx sucks and you bring in Mixvibes? LoLz.
Yes absolutely. I wrote a piece for someone outlining DJ software that was available for free or very low cost. I tested each program the same way I test any software for one of my reviews. Mixx ranked at close to the bottom on just about everything (the last one being there because it included spyware in the installation).

I got to try an early version of the Cross software 3 weeks ago and was impressed at how stable it was and how well it worked even in it's current state. And Mixvibes in it's current version is already well developed and full featured. It's MIDI implementation is solid, it supports VSTs, it supported more than 2 playback decks BEFORE Traktor, it had a 16 bank sampler before Torq, video before Serato, and in DVS mode it's got the lowest DVS processing time (1ms). Cross brings that pedigree to a range of operating systems, including your favorite *nix distro.

So yeah, I'll put Mixvibes over Mixx any day.
Random X
08.04.2008
Originally Posted by nem0nic
No offense, but Mixx kind of sucks. But the new Mixvibes Cross is supposed to be *nix friendly.
Mixxx sucks and you bring in Mixvibes? LoLz.

(First get the name right and than we're open for a normal conversation. )
Random X
09.04.2008		I'll stick to mixxx until then.
Diogo Dj Dragão
10.04.2008		Absolutely none until it's released - like most of the products announced this year at NAMM and Messe.
Random X
09.04.2008		Okay.. What good's that too me than?
Diogo Dj Dragão
09.04.2008
But that aside, I am always up to test new software, can you please point me to Cross?
It's not available publicly yet.
Random X
09.04.2008
Originally Posted by nem0nic
I've been lucky enough to be able to try most of the notable DJ oriented software to have been relaesed in the last 5 years, including DVS. When I look at ANY product now (free or not) I look at it with the same standards by which I judge ANY software. Even among low cost or free entries, I didn't consider Mixx nearly as compelling a product as (for example) DJDecks. And in the shallow pond that is *nix compatible DJ software, Cross is going to decimate products like Mixx and Ultramixer and be the first product to offer the same compatibility and performance across 3 platforms. It's good stuff.
You got a good point there.

Strange thing is that the owner of dutch dj community aboutdj.nl is also telling people, that he believes it may be considered a full dj software alternative.
(Even when he compares it to his much beloved Traktor Skratch)

But that aside, I am always up to test new software, can you please point me to Cross?
Diogo Dj Dragão
08.04.2008
And also maintaining your statement, that it still has a long way to go, while not having checked the latest version is very harsh in my opinion.
I've been lucky enough to be able to try most of the notable DJ oriented software to have been relaesed in the last 5 years, including DVS. When I look at ANY product now (free or not) I look at it with the same standards by which I judge ANY software. Even among low cost or free entries, I didn't consider Mixx nearly as compelling a product as (for example) DJDecks. And in the shallow pond that is *nix compatible DJ software, Cross is going to decimate products like Mixx and Ultramixer and be the first product to offer the same compatibility and performance across 3 platforms. It's good stuff.
Random X
09.04.2008		Maybe not to you, but the addition of MIDI and more important, the use of other Timecoded media, Traktor Skratch amongst others, I believe is.

Especially if it's a free option, so others may try TCs for the price of the media only.
Also, the ease of use of the mixxx interface is not to be messed with.

However... To get back on point I was just offering a possible solution for Linux DJs, not even discussing if it was better than other software packages.
And also maintaining your statement, that it still has a long way to go, while not having checked the latest version is very harsh in my opinion.

Once again NOFI.
Diogo Dj Dragão
08.04.2008		No, I haven't. But Mixx has a LONG way to go before it can touch programs like Mixvibes, Traktor, etc. The addition of features other DJ software has had for years (or moved beyond) isn't exactly groundbreaking.
Random X
08.04.2008		VSTs on dj software?

But okay, you have already tried the 1.6 beta release?
Diogo Dj Dragão
08.04.2008
Originally Posted by tekki
Mixxx sucks and you bring in Mixvibes? LoLz.
Yes absolutely. I wrote a piece for someone outlining DJ software that was available for free or very low cost. I tested each program the same way I test any software for one of my reviews. Mixx ranked at close to the bottom on just about everything (the last one being there because it included spyware in the installation).

I got to try an early version of the Cross software 3 weeks ago and was impressed at how stable it was and how well it worked even in it's current state. And Mixvibes in it's current version is already well developed and full featured. It's MIDI implementation is solid, it supports VSTs, it supported more than 2 playback decks BEFORE Traktor, it had a 16 bank sampler before Torq, video before Serato, and in DVS mode it's got the lowest DVS processing time (1ms). Cross brings that pedigree to a range of operating systems, including your favorite *nix distro.

So yeah, I'll put Mixvibes over Mixx any day.
Random X
08.04.2008
Originally Posted by nem0nic
No offense, but Mixx kind of sucks. But the new Mixvibes Cross is supposed to be *nix friendly.
Mixxx sucks and you bring in Mixvibes? LoLz.

(First get the name right and than we're open for a normal conversation. )

07.04.2008		Hey The poll expired and i didn't get to vote! Is there a mod around here or what!
Diogo Dj Dragão
07.04.2008		No offense, but Mixx kind of sucks. But the new Mixvibes Cross is supposed to be *nix friendly.
Random X
07.04.2008
Originally Posted by Chris Wright
Linux and DJ software...that's like a niche inside a niche.
Any Linux distro with mixxx.
JUNIOR JUNIMM
06.04.2008		Linux and DJ software...that's like a niche inside a niche.
Ryan Morales
05.04.2008		It may sound completely superficial.. and totally is... but I dont care. My MacBook Pro is way prettier then any PC laptop ;D

On another note I love the OSX interface. As a creative, graphic design and music wise, the interface and seamless intergration of awesome features makes it straight up nicer to use. Relyability is another pro but like stated before XP can be relyable its just more of a bitch to keep it that way then OSX.

Anyway, the best thing about mac these days is that they run XP just as well as a PC. Bootcamp ftw. So in buying a mac you get the best of both worlds.
mohammed farhan
05.04.2008		Mac all the way its a lot more money but I believe the reliability is well worth it plus mac just makes powerful machines so for sure your music software will run.
deni boyd
05.04.2008		Here is where I got the 2009 info.
http://www.computerworld.com/action/...icleId=9075062
Maybe "phasing out" wasn't the best way to describe it, how about, Microsoft won't sell XP Home anymore on High end systems. XP Home will only be available on ULCPC laptops(ULCPC=Ultra Low Cost PC),till 2010 or 1 year after Win7 appears. ULCPC laptops will sell from $400 and under.

Bottom line, the peeps on the dance floor or lounge don't give a wOOt about your OS. Just play good music, pray your setup doesn't crash or lose power, and everyone will keep on having a good time. (I'm sure I'll get crap for this post from someone, lol)
Adolf Hit
05.04.2008		I use Vista currently for Ableton & Traktor and seem to be one of the lucky few not experiencing any major issues, but when I piped Traktor through Abelton after following BentoSans sic tutorial shit went pear-shaped even with all buffers maxed out so I'm now believeing about regressing to XP.
I would totally hit a mac as soon as I can justify the expense though.
@Mike Damien
I know time fly's these days but its not 2011 yet lol...
Diogo Dj Dragão
05.04.2008
But, if you want to boot up lightning fast and get to mixing your latest mp3, get a MacBook Pro.
Apple doesn't have a lock on fast boot times. In XP, 25-30 second boot times are easy to obtain, as are 15 -20 second shut down times. I dont get anywhere near that kind of performance on the Power Macs at work (C2D based running ProTools). My lean and mean Hackintosh boots up in about 40 seconds (running Leopard 10.5.2), but I only have stock apps on it (I built it to learn Apple Script and OSX tweaking). My XP laptop hovers around that speed as well, and it's loading several interface drivers and GUI mods (including Rocket Dock).
Ben Strauch
05.04.2008		i run windows XP,vista:eek:is a horror.
deni boyd
05.04.2008		No wars or hostilities here. Thanks for setting the Win XP Home info straight. But I believe the main thing here is, people just want to get to the gig, set up, and rock the house. OSX or XP will both do it for you.

I agree with you totally, if you are an advanced user, system builder, or want to mod the hell out of a computer(overclocking, mem upgrades, audio, video setups, etc.), stay away from a Mac. It's not the right system for that stuff. But, if you want to boot up lightning fast and get to mixing your latest mp3, get a MacBook Pro.
Diogo Dj Dragão
05.04.2008		Without instigating a war, I must address the following...

I just read that Microsoft is phasing out Windows XP by or before 2009. But this is only for Windows XP Home Edition.
Microsoft is EXTENDING support for XP Home until into 2010, NOT phasing it out. It looks like XP will be around until Windows7 comes out. You can read about it here...

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post...t-laptops.html

Also, the reason to use a PC isn't just because you can't afford a Mac. Many people (myself included) are power users, and find both the Apple OS and hardware limiting. I find Apple hardware particularly frustrating, because much of it is lackluster and not upgradable. Yes, a closed system is stable, but no more stable than a well maintained Windows system. And before you say it, no, you do NOT have to spend any extra time maintaining your Windows system (the Apple "just works" argument).

OSX has a great "off the shelf" experience. And for many users it's the logical choice. But for more advanced users, system builders, and modders, Apple is a poor choice.
deni boyd
05.04.2008		You can not go wrong with a Mac, especially the new 10.5 Leopard OS. The Mac boot up time is beyond fast and a stable OS to run whatever you can throw at it. The only drawback on a Mac is for the pirates and bit torrent freaks out there (you know who you are). Not to many up to date programs for Mac are available for download. Let's say just for chuckles, Ableton 7 for Mac isn't available yet(to the hackers and crackers hint hint). Ehemm..however Ableton 6 is floating around(btw,Traktor 3.3 is available to).

If you use PC, run it with Windows XP Pro and stay the hell away from Vista. Vista is a horrible OS and slow as hell on boot up. Even on duo core processor systems, using Vista is slow, and running music/dj software is limited. I just read that Microsoft is phasing out Windows XP by or before 2009. But this is only for Windows XP Home Edition. Microsoft can not phase out Windows XP Pro because too many software development companies use it. I should know, I was in the video game development biz and all the companies run Windows XP Pro. Vista has far too many bugs to fix for any software company to rely on it as their main OS. Also another known fact is the upgrade OS for Vista is Windows XP Pro. So lets say you get a new laptop running Vista, rip it out and install a fresh copy of Windows XP Pro. It's not really a step backward in OS terms(even though XP has been around for more than 10 years).

So there you have it, if you can only afford a PC, run WinXP Pro and it won't let you down. But, if you can spend the extra bucks, buy a Mac for speed and reliability.
Irvin Cee
04.04.2008		Here's the answer to my own question...
I use a Macbook and I just love it ! Beautiful, usefull, boots so fast, never crashes, so many little details that make life simplier, great for music, for mixing, for school...light and portable, can be used anywhere...Well I can say I'm in love with my Macbook !
Mister Minsk
04.04.2008
Mac 8 53.33%
Windows 8 53.33%
Linux 0 0%
What's With The Percentages? LOL
Random X
04.04.2008		Usually any platform able to run Ableton or mixxx.
Due to Ableton this is set back to Windows(XP) mostly or less frequent Mac.
Diogo Dj Dragão
04.04.2008		Windows XP is my bitch. I can make it do anything I want. No problems at all with stability, and no funky USB issues to deal with.
Andre Ordonez
04.04.2008		Nowadays windows XP but maybe with June bonus pay and the fact that June in I will have 50% credits of the degree.. I will give myself a macbook
Riccardo gava
04.04.2008		Mac all the way, its just so reliable and quick!
Dj Gjaka
04.04.2008		Using windows mainly because I can't afford another system at the moment. I've been dipping into music software for over a year now and i've always found windows accommodating to my needs.

At the same time, if the day comes where I can afford a Mac, I may consider it.
Xavier Emanuels
04.04.2008		Windows, I love the broad VST support.

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