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Filed under: Audio, Macintosh

djay for Mac hits version 3, look great, sounds even greater


Mac OSX application djay, pitched as 'the world's sexiest DJ software' (I'm inclined to agree), has been updated to version 3.

Featuring a user interface that is likely to make Windows users cry in the corner and a featureset to match, djay reads your iTunes library and turns your Mac into a full on DJ system that is well suited to both beginners and professionals.

djay's range of functions really are too extensive to list here but in essence, djay allows you to drag and drop from your iTunes library and mix them either manually or using an 'automix' function. djay has full beat and tempo detection for seamless mixing, auto volume control and a range of effects you can apply to your tracks. Everything you would do on a set of turntables is here - you can even plug in a set of headphones to pre-cue the next song, and connect a microphone to do a bit of MC'ing!

djay stands out as a great example of an application really tuned for OS X - as well as that gorgeous user interface, multitouch gestures are supported if you are using a Macbook / Pro. MIDI devices can also be connected and mapped to application functions as desired.

Your hot mixes can be recorded from within the application itself for use later.

Check out a video of djay in action after the jump!

Read more →

Filed under: Audio, Windows, Macintosh, Commercial

Get the party started with your own mixes.

MixMeisterIf you ever made a music mix on your computer you know there are many ways to go about it. There are applications that simulate turntables giving you that analog feel or those that draw out waveforms so you can align the songs the way you want them to be played back. But one common aspect between these types of applications are that you really have to pay attention to the tempo to get them synced together.

We're not gonna pretend here, it's not easy to get different songs mixed together. So when we heard about MixMeister and it's automated mixes we were intrigued.

After selecting the songs you would like in your set, MixMeister will automatically determine the tempo as well as the key the song is in. From there, arrange your songs in the order you would like them played as well as their mix points.

Now here is the best part of the program, MixMeister will automatically sync the tempos of the 2 songs together so that when the mix occurs the beats are matched up seamlessly. MixMeister will also handle the fading from one song to the next and what you end up with is a perfect mix each and every time. We were absolutely floored when we heard our mixes as each song was perfectly synced up to one another.

MixMeister comes in several different versions ranging in prices of $50 - 400 and is available for both Windows and Mac operating systems. Unfortunately, the $50 Express version is only offered in Windows format. Those with Macs will have to spring for the $200 version.

[Thanks, Koan]

Filed under: Audio, Fun, Freeware, iPhone

MixMeister lets you get your scratch on with an iPhone

The team at MixMeister wasted no time developing a scratch app for the iPhone and iPod Touch. The MixMeister Scratch allows you to scratch anywhere and anytime you feel the need to.

The app comes with audio clips that you can scratch to by sliding your finger back and forth on the vinyl portion of the screen. We found the scratching fairly responsive but lacks the feel of an actual record (for obvious reasons).

If anything this is just an app to have fun with. Sounds are realistic and should impress your friends as you pretend to be the next DMC world champion.

MixMeister Scratch is free and available now at the iTunes App Store.

Filed under: Audio, Windows, Macintosh, Commercial

VirtualDJ - mixing music with your eyes

VirtualDJ is one of many mixing applications out on the market today. But what separates it from the rest is that it combines some nice features to help beginners as well as pros get the most out of their mix.

The greatest feature we like about VirtualDJ is that it displays the actual waveform of the music. This allows you to see the musical beats, giving the user greater accuracy when mixing two songs together. Also you can see breaks in the music, which gives you some key points to where you might want to mix in another song.

In addition, VirtualDJ also tries to figure out the tempo of each song and gives you indicators along the bottom edge of the waveform that act like visual aids to help you mix. And if you just can't get both songs playing in tempo, it also provides you with a sync button that will stretch the new song to fit the tempo of the current song.

We did notice that the accuracy of the tempo matching feature depends largely in part to the type of music. Your standard disco style beat gives more accurate results than one with more a more complicated drum pattern as it tend to throw off the system.

Other notable features include a built in sampler so that you can make loops on the fly, audio effects, scratching via the virtual turntables and cue points. These cue points are saved to a VirtualDJ file, so that each time you load up a specific song you can go directly to the cue point saving time in locating certain parts in the music.

VirtualDJ is available for both Windows and Mac operating systems and should be seriously consider for those wanting to dabble in electronic mixing.

Filed under: Audio, Windows, Macintosh, Commercial

Mixed in what key?!?!

If you've ever played a musical instrument the concept of playing in key is nothing new. But what about DJs? Are there lessons out there that go over majors, minors or even basic chord progressions? Having 2 songs mixed in key gives the impression that the songs were made for each other.

MixedInKey has developed a software for DJs that will analyze your songs to determine what key they are in. That way when you are building your set you can select songs that where performed in the same key or a complementary key.

In order to have your mp3s analyzed add them to MixedInKey. From there, the software will determine its key and display them according to their Camelot Sound keycode. Add songs according to their keycode using your favorite mixing software and start mixing.

We had our reservations about this program, fearing that all your mixes will be in the same key leading to one boring set. But the system itself, teaches you musical concepts and if you follow the system you can move from one key to the next to add chord progressions to your mix.

MixedInKey is available for both Windows and Mac and cost $58.

Filed under: Business, Internet, Utilities, Productivity, Web services

Musicians, get the word out with Divvycast

divvycast podcast creationDivvycast lets bands, artists, producers and DJ's make money by using their service, and tools to bring their creations to the audience.

Divvycast supplies publishing and creative tools that publish podcasts in a professional manner, and hook them up to high traffic areas like iTunes and Yahoo to spread the word. The service is free for 15 days, plans start at $9.95. Divvycast's production application called ePodcast Creator, is available for Mac and PC users. Once your podcast gets all packaged up into a personal URL and RSS feed, Divvycast helps spread the word through their associations with different podcast channels like iTunes and Yahoo. Once sponsors are magically interested in your podcast, you can manage your campaigns though the Divvycast system, and include the ads at the beginning and end of the podcast.

You have nothing to lose when you are independent! You have to spread the word and show people your talent, and Divvycast might be able to help you out. Is it worth the $9.95/month, and will it get you advertisers? Maybe not. Divvycast should really look at a $30 application that can be downloaded and used with no restrictions as well. This might make it a little more appealing to users. That monthly fee hurts.

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