Computer DJ
Encyclopedia
A Computer DJ is defined as a DJ who uses a computer or laptop to play digital music
encoded audio files, to a public crowd. Originally due to file size storage issues this was usually using lossy codec
files (eg. .mp3
/.aac
), however as drive space increased, this improved to using original uncompressed PCM files (eg. .wav
/.aiff) which do not offer support for metadata, hence why latterly the metadata included and smaller file-sized lossless codec files (eg. .flac/.m4a, ALAC
) are used.
As well as a laptop or computer, MIDI controller
s are also used to provide a more tactile, and useful interface for control of DJ Software by providing physical controls similar to those of record decks or CDJ
s and DJ mixer
s. External Hard Disk Drives and Audio Interfaces (Sound Card
s) are also commonly utilized. By using a sound card with multiple stereo outputs, or two sound cards, a Computer DJ can use a conventional DJ mixer
by routing one software deck out of one sound card into one channel of the mixer, and likewise for the other deck. Some DJ software packages allow a single stereo channel to be broken into two mono outputs which correspond to two player decks.
Most DJ Software allows the integration and manipulation of external audio inputs, and this has encouraged many DJs who have previously only used Vinyl or CDs to integrate a laptop into their setup. Computer controllers can also be plugged in via a USB port for the convenience of their moving controls like knobs and sliding buttons in order to control the software in realtime. The setup allows for a single audio output from the sound card to the amplifier/powered speakers. The controller is beneficial also with scratching, smoother pitch & crossfading adjustments, and overall ease of performing functions as opposed to mouse-controlled DJ software operation.
Computerized Performance System - a CPS can be programmed to manipulate audio and/or video, symbols, perform complex and repetitive mixing procedures quickly, precisely and reliably for recorded or live performance. CPS systems don't jump like traditional Compact discs.
in 1998, manufacturers joined with computer DJing pioneers to offer professional endorsements, the first being Professor Jam (aka William P. Rader), who went on to develop the industry's first dedicated computer DJ convention and learning program, the "CPS (Computerized Performance System) DJ Summit". Computer DJ'ing has since become popular with many professional electronic artists. Producers like Magnetic Man
, deadmau5
and Daft Punk
use computer technology.
Note: Some of these softwares are not commonly used for live performances, but are used as digital audio workstation
s (DAW) for the modification/creation of audio files to help mix, edit, and sample audio for live performances. Namely, FL Studio
and Ableton Live
.
Digital audio
Digital audio is sound reproduction using pulse-code modulation and digital signals. Digital audio systems include analog-to-digital conversion , digital-to-analog conversion , digital storage, processing and transmission components...
encoded audio files, to a public crowd. Originally due to file size storage issues this was usually using lossy codec
Codec
A codec is a device or computer program capable of encoding or decoding a digital data stream or signal. The word codec is a portmanteau of "compressor-decompressor" or, more commonly, "coder-decoder"...
files (eg. .mp3
MP3
MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 Audio Layer III, more commonly referred to as MP3, is a patented digital audio encoding format using a form of lossy data compression...
/.aac
Advanced Audio Coding
Advanced Audio Coding is a standardized, lossy compression and encoding scheme for digital audio. Designed to be the successor of the MP3 format, AAC generally achieves better sound quality than MP3 at similar bit rates....
), however as drive space increased, this improved to using original uncompressed PCM files (eg. .wav
WAV
Waveform Audio File Format , is a Microsoft and IBM audio file format standard for storing an audio bitstream on PCs...
/.aiff) which do not offer support for metadata, hence why latterly the metadata included and smaller file-sized lossless codec files (eg. .flac/.m4a, ALAC
Apple Lossless
Apple Lossless Apple Lossless Apple Lossless (also known as ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec), or ALE (Apple Lossless Encoder) is an audio codec developed by Apple Inc. for lossless data compression of digital music. After initially being proprietary for many years, in late 2011 Apple open sourced...
) are used.
As well as a laptop or computer, MIDI controller
MIDI controller
MIDI controller is used in two senses.*In one sense, a controller is hardware or software which generates and transmits MIDI data to MIDI-enabled devices....
s are also used to provide a more tactile, and useful interface for control of DJ Software by providing physical controls similar to those of record decks or CDJ
CDJ
CDJ is a term used to describe a line of CD players from Pioneer Electronics that allow analogue control of music from CDs, usually using an emulated vinyl control surface...
s and DJ mixer
DJ mixer
A DJ mixer is a type of audio mixing console used by disc jockeys.The key features that differentiate a DJ mixer from other types of audio mixers are the ability to redirect a non-playing source to headphones and the presence of a crossfader, which allows for an easier transition between two sources...
s. External Hard Disk Drives and Audio Interfaces (Sound Card
Sound card
A sound card is an internal computer expansion card that facilitates the input and output of audio signals to and from a computer under control of computer programs. The term sound card is also applied to external audio interfaces that use software to generate sound, as opposed to using hardware...
s) are also commonly utilized. By using a sound card with multiple stereo outputs, or two sound cards, a Computer DJ can use a conventional DJ mixer
DJ mixer
A DJ mixer is a type of audio mixing console used by disc jockeys.The key features that differentiate a DJ mixer from other types of audio mixers are the ability to redirect a non-playing source to headphones and the presence of a crossfader, which allows for an easier transition between two sources...
by routing one software deck out of one sound card into one channel of the mixer, and likewise for the other deck. Some DJ software packages allow a single stereo channel to be broken into two mono outputs which correspond to two player decks.
Most DJ Software allows the integration and manipulation of external audio inputs, and this has encouraged many DJs who have previously only used Vinyl or CDs to integrate a laptop into their setup. Computer controllers can also be plugged in via a USB port for the convenience of their moving controls like knobs and sliding buttons in order to control the software in realtime. The setup allows for a single audio output from the sound card to the amplifier/powered speakers. The controller is beneficial also with scratching, smoother pitch & crossfading adjustments, and overall ease of performing functions as opposed to mouse-controlled DJ software operation.
Computerized Performance System - a CPS can be programmed to manipulate audio and/or video, symbols, perform complex and repetitive mixing procedures quickly, precisely and reliably for recorded or live performance. CPS systems don't jump like traditional Compact discs.
in 1998, manufacturers joined with computer DJing pioneers to offer professional endorsements, the first being Professor Jam (aka William P. Rader), who went on to develop the industry's first dedicated computer DJ convention and learning program, the "CPS (Computerized Performance System) DJ Summit". Computer DJ'ing has since become popular with many professional electronic artists. Producers like Magnetic Man
Magnetic Man
Magnetic Man is an electronic music project consisting of dubstep producers and DJs, Benga, Skream and Artwork. The trio first met in the late 1990s at the Big Apple Records store in Croydon, England. They perform using three computers, one playing drum samples, one playing basses and the third...
, deadmau5
Deadmau5
Joel Thomas Zimmerman , better known by his stage name deadmau5 , is a Canadian progressive, electro, and house producer based in Toronto...
and Daft Punk
Daft Punk
Daft Punk are an electronic music duo consisting of French musicians Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter . Daft Punk reached significant popularity in the late 1990s house movement in France and met with continued success in the years following, combining elements of house with synthpop...
use computer technology.
Software
Some notable DJ Software:- Ableton LiveAbleton LiveAbleton Live is a loop-based software music sequencer and DAW for Mac OS and Windows by Ableton. The latest major release of Live, Version 8, was released in April 2009. In contrast to many other software sequencers, Live is designed to be an instrument for live performances as well as a tool for...
- Serato Scratch Live
- Serato Itch
- Traktor Scratch
- Transitions DJ
- DeckadanceDeckadanceDeckadance is a DJ console and mixing tool developed by Image-Line software. Initially released in May of 2007, it operates on Windows and Mac OS X, and comes in a House Edition and Club Edition...
- djay (software)Djay (software)djay is a digital music mixing software program for Mac OS X, iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch created by the German company algoriddim. It allows playback and mixing of digital audio files with a user interface that tries to simulate the concept of "two turntables and a microphone" on a computer...
- DJ Mixer (Software) for iPad, iPod Touch and iPhone by Musicsoft Arts LLC
- DJ Music Mixer by Program4Pc Inc.
- DSS DJ by MyXOFT
- Final ScratchFinal ScratchFinal Scratch is a DJ tool created by the Dutch company N2IT with input from Richie Hawtin and John Acquaviva that allows manipulation and playback of digital audio sources using traditional vinyl and turntables...
by N2IT - FL StudioFL StudioFL Studio is a digital audio workstation developed by the Belgian company Image-Line. FL Studio features a graphical user interface based on a pattern-based music sequencer...
, formerly known as FruityLoops - MegaSeg
- Mixmeister
- MixxxMixxxMixxx is open source digital DJ'ing software that allows an individual to mix music using a personal computer, as a DJ would with a pair of physical turntables. It is specifically suited to the style of mixing known as beatmatching. - Overview :...
- OtsAV by Ots Labs
- PCDJ, also distributed as DJ Decks
- Torq (Software) by M-AudioM-AudioM-Audio is a business unit of Avid Technology that designs and markets digital audio and MIDI interfaces, keyboards and MIDI controllers, synthesizers, loudspeakers, studio monitors, digital DJ systems, microphones, and music software...
- Touch DJ for iPad, iPod Touch and iPhone by Amidio Inc.
- Live Touch XJ for Android Honeycomb 3.0 tablet by Ematrade.
- UltraMixer
- Virtual DJ (VDJ), also distributed as Numark CUE
- Visual Discomix, also known as VisualDiscoMix (VDMX)
Note: Some of these softwares are not commonly used for live performances, but are used as digital audio workstation
Digital audio workstation
A digital audio workstation is an electronic system designed solely or primarily for recording, editing and playing back digital audio. DAWs were originally tape-less, microprocessor-based systems such as the Synclavier and Fairlight CMI...
s (DAW) for the modification/creation of audio files to help mix, edit, and sample audio for live performances. Namely, FL Studio
FL Studio
FL Studio is a digital audio workstation developed by the Belgian company Image-Line. FL Studio features a graphical user interface based on a pattern-based music sequencer...
and Ableton Live
Ableton Live
Ableton Live is a loop-based software music sequencer and DAW for Mac OS and Windows by Ableton. The latest major release of Live, Version 8, was released in April 2009. In contrast to many other software sequencers, Live is designed to be an instrument for live performances as well as a tool for...
.
MIDI Controllers
Some notable MIDI controllers designed for Computer DJs:- Hercules RMX
- Novation Twitch
- Numark V7
- Pioneer DDJ-S1
- Traktor S4
- Xone DX
- Vestax VCI-300
- American Audio VMS4
- AudiocubesAudiocubesThe AudioCubes are a collection of wireless intelligent light emitting objects, capable of detecting each other's location and orientation, and user gestures, and were created by Bert Schiettecatte...