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Stirry76 PRO Infinity Member since 2010 Hi, I am new to virtual dj, i have recently just bought the VMS4 & received a copy of virtual dj with the hardware. Previosuly I used Serato, I did enjoy using but on reading a lot of the topics on the forum it appears that VDJ may be just as good. There are a few options that Serato had that I really like.

Djay Vs Serato Vs Virtual Dj Download

Jul 08, 2018  Why DJs use Serato and Rekordbox instead of Virtual DJ and DJay Pro 2 for Club Gigs - Duration: 9:16. Cleveland Terry 74,573 views. Serato VS Virtual DJ Wedding DJ Tips by Nick Spinelli. Jan 24, 2019 By popular demand, I have started using Virtual DJ Pro to see if it's really all that people swear. I will compare it to Serato DJ Pro and Pioneer Rekordbox.

This topic contains 8 replies, has 8 voices, and was last updated by 4 years, 5 months ago.

Djay Vs Serato Vs Virtual Dj 8

• In my eyes, Serato DJ wins hands down. But I’m also the kind of DJ who just wants to play tunes, not do performances and LOVE the GUI in Serato. So it’s really up you which software is better as software is a personal thing. I am friends with someone who likes traktor and it’s GUI, but he shares my sentiments in just wanting to put tunes together.

  To answer number 2, yes VDJ 8 supports the Mixtrack pro 3. But it’s definitely going to be more responsive in Serato as it’s a native serato controller. That’s something they’ve managed to do really well is make Serato controllers that little bit more responsive in their software vs other software, and make it so you can’t fully map SDJ to any controller like you can with VDJ.

  Best of luck!

  Titan is spot on. I second his opinion.

  Please do not post the same question twice in different forums.
  This counts as a warning on your account.

  • This reply was modified 4 years, 5 months ago by Terry_42.

  Please note that after purchasing your controller you also have to PURCHASE the software/s
  $99 US for Serato DJ (on sale now)
  $299 US for VDJ(8) Only 10 mins on controller without license
  or mthly subscription, or Controller Specific License. check website

  I would agree that it’s better to use the software that comes with the controller. In this case, that’s Serato. If you want to verify that, here’s the link: http://www.numark.com/product/mixtrack-pro-3.

  I would like to clear one thing up though. Virtual DJ offers a “controller” edition (Virtual DJ 8 plus “controller”) on a per controller basis for less than the “pro version”: http://www.virtualdj.com/buy/index.html.

  Select your controller from the drop down menu to see the price. For a Mixtrack 3; the price was $99. However, as previously stated, your hardware will work better with the software it was designed for (Serato).

  I don’t agree with the statement that the controller will be “a little bit more responsive” in Serato. From my experience, the VDJ mappings for natively supported controllers are extremely tight. I have yet to find anything that’s less responsive with that software.

  Having said that, if you feel like Serato fits your needs then you won’t be at all disappointed with your software choice.

  Yes, I also have to disagree with “more responsive” bit.

  While that case can be made for some high end gear that uses HID with the software it is designed for versus basic midi on other packages (ie. NI gear on Traktor vs on other software), or has controls tailored specifically for one software package (ie. buttons for Serato’s Flip), there is nothing on the Mixtrack 3 that isn’t a one-to-one map with other software packages, and the controller itself (unless I’ve missed something) is just a straight up midi-box. That means with proper mappers, it can work with anything on equal footing.

  So it comes down to costs to upgrade software, what kind of workflow you want, and ultimately, what you are comfortable using.

  Despite some of the bias above, none win “hands down” and there aren’t a lot of advantages with one package over the other these days until you start getting into the really advanced stuff.

  With our “normal” routing, software choice is a result of (intended/expected) workflow. Controller choice is a result of workflow and software choice (and budget of course). Hence you either pick a controller that comes with the software of your choice and that ticks all the other boxes, or you get the best fitting controller for you and use it with the software of your choice.

  So “best to use the software that comes with your controller” is not solid advice, imho.

  A good example was the MC6000 (mk1), it came out with Traktor license in Europe and VDJ in US. That would mean that for US DJs using VDJ was the better option and for European DJs Traktor was? Clearly not.

  The only real reason imho to use software that the hardware was designed for would be specific hardware buttons to do specific often-used software-specific functions and/or labelling of buttons with software-specific function names. The other exceptions is Traktor which just plays truely nice only with NI hardware.

  Clearly, if you want to use RekordBox you are “stuck” with Pioneer gear for at least another 9-12 months til they come out with a midi option.

  Finally, I agree with Todd that no software is better than others. You can check the number of features, the quality of implementation, the GUI, the price, the hardware support and many other things. At the end of the day it still matters only if it’s important to YOU.

The forum ‘DJing Software’ is closed to new topics and replies.

This topic contains 13 replies, has 7 voices, and was last updated by 2 years, 8 months ago.

Djay Vs Serato Vs Virtual Dj Software

• Hi Chris,

  As usual easy question, not so easy answer.

  Neither money or the controller should be grounds for your decision for the software you are gonna use.

  First we advise you to decide what kind of DJ you are/want to be. Mobile or club, home or house parties, scratching or not, controllerism, remix/sampler decks and all kinds of other things. This will eventually lead to an idea about your desired workflow. Only then has the moment arrived to find the software that most closely matches your (intended) workflow. Finally you start looking at that piece of gear called a controller. It too should match your software and your workflow.

  Picking a software solely based on full upgrade being cheaper on one than the other is no guarantee for succes.

  If you are just starting, it’s hard to determine what your workflow is gonna be. Still, when I got my first controller severa years ago, I did a lot of research into the gear and ended up with a controller that was perfect for my needs. It came with support for both VDJ and Traktor. Since I don’t like VDJ (personal choice) I decided to go the Traktor route. While the controller was perfect, Traktor in no way suited my purposes. I ended up using Traktor for a year and a half (I had immediately bought the full package upgrade) and changing over to another program (Mixvibes Cross in my case) of which I also bought the full version.

  My point is, that things might change between buying the intro/LE version of software and the moment you feel you are ready for the full version.

  Again, I am no big fan of VDJ, but that is because of bad experience with it a long, long time ago. I also know just a little about Serato in the practical sense (only recently got a DDJ-SX so now toying with Serato too). But I am quite sure they are both good enough to take you through your first DJ steps.

  At this time I would advise to get it with Serato Intro.
  Not because Serato DJ ist the best in the end package, but because for a “light version” it is the more complete experience and even DJing at a gig with Intro is OK.
  VDJ LE had some limitations that I did not particularly like and DJing at a gig with the “cheesy Effects” that come included is a no-go for me.

  So for your starting journey Serato Intro will IMHO be better suited. If you extend into a workflow as a DJ where you want something else you can still buy the VDJ full package as it will only be a few bucks more than the upgrade.

  Love Virtual DJ even more so now it’s been completely rebuilt, tried serato and didn’t like it. I do mainly pubs so VDJ is best for that. I’m not long back from Ibiza, everyone was using Serato. I have never seen anyone use Traktor, so forget that. If you want to be a dance DJ use Serato with preferably a Pioneer controller.

  Plenty of the “dance” DJs I’ve seen play live use Traktor?

  I’m a beginner myself & found VDJ pretty easy to get used to … I’ve played around with Serato & didn’t really enjoy using it, however I probably need to give it a fairer crack of the whip to be fair.

  I’ve got all three on a PC at home and I like the VDJ Version 8, it does so much. I use a Numark N4 with it and I’m gonna start using Novation Launchpad with it, just for fun at home. Although mighg start using launchpad on a sat as thats the only night I have a dance floor

  I have Both Serato and VDJ.

  For EDM, Serato is a much better way to go.
  For Weddings or Bars, or when you’re lazy and want to leave automix on while you handle your business in the bathroom, VDJ is much much better.

  Other thing to consider is cost. VDJ has a 1 time purchase of $300. Serato will require expansion packs for certain features and will have more long term cost but shorter initial cost.

  I do have to make mention that Serato does seem to have more inaccurate beat counts than VDJ. I have songs I know are around 140 bpm that Serato pins around 71 bpm. It’s bit frusterating.

  Lastly, If you want to keep from getting court summons and have a legal library, VDJ does have a sub service you can get to allow you to get as many songs as you want for $10 a month. http://www.virtualdj.com/products/contentunlimited.html, It only works on VDJ and no other software, however if you stick with this software only, that should keep you from ever getting in trouble. It’s the most cost effective way to have a library going without spending $1000’s in music.

  For that feature alone has me sold on VDJ.

  Actually it seems that many EDM jocks prefer Traktor, with Serato and VDJ both suitable for broader DJs (like mobile DJs). And my personal choice Mixvibes Cross is also very suitable for mobile work.

  As for the money part on music. Personally I am a fan of buying your music. With prices as low as 1-2 USD a track, there really isn’t any reason no to anymore. Also, if you are actually paying for every track you want, it will make you consider, reconsider and re-reconsider before buying. And that is a good thing. It really makes you think about what a certain track will add to your collection.

  Just my two cents as usual.

  As always Vintage is spot on.
  Also with todays feature set no DJ software is really bad.
  I cannot say that I encountered that problem you describe with Serato I find its beatgridding to be near to perfect, not to mention the elastic beat grid for altering beat tunes.
  If there really goes something wrong you can re-tune the beat grid of Serato with 2 clicks quite fast and faster than any other software I know.

  Also for mobile check out DJAY Pro, its auto mix function is way better than any other.

  I’m seeing lots of people say “this is better for this” but nobody is saying why. As for myself, I’ve been using VDJ for 4 years and I find it ridiculously versatile, especially with version 8. Plus, once you buy your license you don’t have to buy it again. The built in FX aren’t the best but it’s so easy to download new ones on the website you won’t care. I’d like to see an in depth explanation of actual limitations of the various programs and comparisons of their strengths instead of a general “mobile DJs should use X”.

  Hi Carl,

  I understand your frustration with that, but there is a wee problem with making such a comparison and that is the HIGHLY personal nature of the decision.

  Things like workflow, type of DJ-ing, personal value for certain features, budget, all determine if something is for you or not.

  There is plenty of information out there on the features of each software and all version are reviewed over at the blog, so that’s available to you as well.

  Let me try giving you an example.

  I know Virtual DJ since way back (like version 3.x or something) and didn’t like it then (I ended up using PC DJ Red at the time). I have followed their development and I still don’t like it. Could I use it if I had to? Of course. Is there a real “hard” reason for me not to like it? Not really. I believe the current full version is about 300 USD, which I find is way too much for DJ software (but that’s in combination with my not liking VDJ in the first place, if it was the software of choice I probably would have bought it already). I am using Cross DJ where I paid 80 euro or so for the full version (2.6 at the time) and I am still enjoying all the free updates (we are at 3.3.9 or something currently). I have no hardware limitation, a rather enthusiastic community that is very helpful in getting mappings for more exotic controllers and/or features. The software works like a charm and fits my workflow great. I recently traded some gear for a DDJ-SX so now have access to a full version of Serato. And while it appeals to me and I might pick it if I was starting now, it still has the draw-back of needing a Serato-enabled piece of gear if you are playing out. With Cross I just stick two USB cables in my laptop from the Pioneer CDJs and off I go.

  I use FX, but sparingly and I personally don’t think the audience is gonna notice much about the actual quality of the FX. So unless they sound totally rubish, any FX is ok with me.

  We do say that some software is more suitable for particular kinds of DJ-ing, after saying how personal the choice is.
  And that is because it is. As a general “rule” mobile DJs tend to use a wider variety of music, which means flexible beatgridding is an issue if you like your FX beat-synced, your loops to be snap-to, etx. Now Traktor does NOT (as yet) have flexible beatgridding, making it less optimal for mobile DJ-ing.

  Another example is iTUnes integration or RekordBox export. If you don’t use iTunes (like me until about a year ago), that feature is totally useless and not a selection criterium. If you DO play out on club gear, the option of directly exporting from your DJ software to RekordBox can be a big plus.

  Multiply all these individual features and you end up with a huge matrix.

  We try to fine-tune our suggestions based on what a posters asks, we will ask for additional information and we hope our answers are still general enough to benefit other readers too.

  Hope that helps some.

  Chuck is again spot on.

  Too many factors about DJ software are personal choice.
  For example when I began with digital I used Traktor (had an S4) then I switched to VDJ first (had a TM4 and Serato DJ was not out yet) and it was working OKish.
  Then when Serato DJ came out I tried it, fell in love with it and use it ever since.

  But is there a fact based reason why I took Serato over VDJ? No, they both can do pretty much the same. As you said, yes the built in effects in Serato are way better, but then you can download and add VSTs in VDJ pretty easy.
  The main thing is how I work and what I want to see at my screen. I like the stacked waveforms the way Serato does them, I like how I can switch the units easily etc. None of those are killer features.

  Even when trying new things, for example I tested Cross (what Vintage uses) and find it an awesome piece of software. I just like the workflow I have in Serato better.

Serato Vs Traktor

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