Progam Favoritism?
Progam Favoritism? Posted on: 07.01.2013 by Antoinette Harbst Not really sure if this belongs in Off-Topic but not sure where else it would go..So! Just for reference I've been using Virtual DJ since it was a game on Shockwave and the AtomixMP3. So I've been with this program and followed it for a good bit. I've noticed over the years that all these big time producers are using stuff like Logic, Traktor, Ableton, Itch, Seranto, but I've yet to actually see a famous DJ/Producer use Virtual DJ. Finding information on it can be difficult at times too. The DJTT software community thing doesn't even mention it. Some people don't even know what it is. and there is even times I'm even laughed at when people hear that I'm running Virtual DJ with a Numark iDJ3(regular map) and a Akai MPK Mini(custom map) when it does nearly the same things as people with cdj's, mixers, and traktor. Is Virtual DJ seriously that bad a program to stay with if trying to break out and become a professional for like clubs and whatnot? :< EDIT: Whats your program? Why do you use it? How long have you used it? What all have you used? | |
| Layne Koop 08.01.2013 |
Originally Posted by davoh
Traktor was first released in 2000. By 2003, both the cue point support and MIDI support were "industry leading" in Traktor. The effects engine has also been "industry leading" for a long time. These features made Traktor more "playable" in a club setting than other programs at that time. It is important to look back that far...because the "big time" people of today were learning their craft 10 years ago...with the tools that were available 10 years ago. There is some muscle memory "lock in" that happens with software and tools. The details of workflow tend to become ingrained in people over time, and changing to another workflow comes at a cost. Sometimes that cost is just enough to keep people using the same software over a really long time. I am not saying that "today" there is a clear leader in terms of DJ software....but based on history, I can easily see why the "big time" players are what they are using. |
| Antoinette Harbst 07.01.2013 |
Originally Posted by soundinmotiondj
Also, keep in mind that Vitrual DJ (and Traktor, and SSL, etc) are for "playing." Ableton, Logic, etc are for "producing". There is some cross use between those...but in general there is a division between tools to play and tools to make.
Also, keep in mind that many "big time" players are sponsored by one company or another...and may "choose" their tools based on that sponsorship.
First, I do not scratch...so the "timecode" features don't make a decision for me. I used BPM Studio for years....it was stable, had a small footprint, and got the job done. I trialed a dozen or so programs over the last decade (going all the way back to PC DJ, Atomix / Virtual DJ, Disco XT, and tons of others). I settled on Traktor a few years ago based mostly on the support community at DJTT. It was just easier for me to find answers, support, and tricks/tips with Traktor that with other programs. There was nothing "magical" about my choice...it allowed me to get working...and now that it is working, I am not really looking for something better.
However, none of these tools will get you into (or keep you out of) the "big time." There are thousands of small things that contribute to your success or not. Focus on the art - do something - practice, practice, practice.
|
| Antoinette Harbst 07.01.2013 | Not really sure if this belongs in Off-Topic but not sure where else it would go.. So! Just for reference I've been using Virtual DJ since it was a game on Shockwave and the AtomixMP3. So I've been with this program and followed it for a good bit. I've noticed over the years that all these big time producers are using stuff like Logic, Traktor, Ableton, Itch, Seranto, but I've yet to actually see a famous DJ/Producer use Virtual DJ. Finding information on it can be difficult at times too. The DJTT software community thing doesn't even mention it. Some people don't even know what it is. and there is even times I'm even laughed at when people hear that I'm running Virtual DJ with a Numark iDJ3(regular map) and a Akai MPK Mini(custom map) when it does nearly the same things as people with cdj's, mixers, and traktor. Is Virtual DJ seriously that bad a program to stay with if trying to break out and become a professional for like clubs and whatnot? :< EDIT: Whats your program? Why do you use it? How long have you used it? What all have you used? |
| Layne Koop 08.01.2013 |
Originally Posted by davoh
Traktor was first released in 2000. By 2003, both the cue point support and MIDI support were "industry leading" in Traktor. The effects engine has also been "industry leading" for a long time. These features made Traktor more "playable" in a club setting than other programs at that time. It is important to look back that far...because the "big time" people of today were learning their craft 10 years ago...with the tools that were available 10 years ago. There is some muscle memory "lock in" that happens with software and tools. The details of workflow tend to become ingrained in people over time, and changing to another workflow comes at a cost. Sometimes that cost is just enough to keep people using the same software over a really long time. I am not saying that "today" there is a clear leader in terms of DJ software....but based on history, I can easily see why the "big time" players are what they are using. |
| Antoinette Harbst 07.01.2013 |
Originally Posted by soundinmotiondj
Also, keep in mind that Vitrual DJ (and Traktor, and SSL, etc) are for "playing." Ableton, Logic, etc are for "producing". There is some cross use between those...but in general there is a division between tools to play and tools to make.
Also, keep in mind that many "big time" players are sponsored by one company or another...and may "choose" their tools based on that sponsorship.
First, I do not scratch...so the "timecode" features don't make a decision for me. I used BPM Studio for years....it was stable, had a small footprint, and got the job done. I trialed a dozen or so programs over the last decade (going all the way back to PC DJ, Atomix / Virtual DJ, Disco XT, and tons of others). I settled on Traktor a few years ago based mostly on the support community at DJTT. It was just easier for me to find answers, support, and tricks/tips with Traktor that with other programs. There was nothing "magical" about my choice...it allowed me to get working...and now that it is working, I am not really looking for something better.
However, none of these tools will get you into (or keep you out of) the "big time." There are thousands of small things that contribute to your success or not. Focus on the art - do something - practice, practice, practice.
|
| Layne Koop 07.01.2013 | Virtual DJ is a (relative) newcomer to the "pro-features" market. The other programs mentioned have longer track records of providing the kinds of features that "big time" producers like working with. Also, keep in mind that Vitrual DJ (and Traktor, and SSL, etc) are for "playing." Ableton, Logic, etc are for "producing". There is some cross use between those...but in general there is a division between tools to play and tools to make. Also, keep in mind that many "big time" players are sponsored by one company or another...and may "choose" their tools based on that sponsorship. First, I do not scratch...so the "timecode" features don't make a decision for me. I used BPM Studio for years....it was stable, had a small footprint, and got the job done. I trialed a dozen or so programs over the last decade (going all the way back to PC DJ, Atomix / Virtual DJ, Disco XT, and tons of others). I settled on Traktor a few years ago based mostly on the support community at DJTT. It was just easier for me to find answers, support, and tricks/tips with Traktor that with other programs. There was nothing "magical" about my choice...it allowed me to get working...and now that it is working, I am not really looking for something better. However, none of these tools will get you into (or keep you out of) the "big time." There are thousands of small things that contribute to your success or not. Focus on the art - do something - practice, practice, practice. |
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