Musikmesse 2012: MixVibes Cross v2

March 26, 2012 By 12 Comments


MixVibes didn’t only have an iPad version of Cross to show at Musikmesse, but also the next full release. Leapfrogging v1.8 and 1.9, v2 of Cross is upon us, and has some important and very useful updates thrown into the application.

So let’s have a look at what’s new in MixVibe’s own words:

  • New redesigned modular user interface
  • New 4 channel Mixer: 2 player channels + 2 sample channels
  • 2 new assignable FX units with 2 parameters
  • 2 x 8 pad sample decks with advanced performance features
  • Quantize feature to eliminate rhythmic errors when using live samples
  • Sample rolling frequency for a sequencer approach
  • Access to 8 locators
  • Loop locators, hot samples…

So Cross goes 2 + 2 channels. Works for me – 2 real decks for me is the minimum and maximum that I want. The other 2 channels being handed over to getting clever with samples is ideal. As far as I can remember, the sample decks can be one shot, loops or full tracks, and can also be synced to the master playing deck too.

It’s fair to say that the major players in the DJ software industry seem to be heading to a place of commonality, where they all have the same features, and it’ll be the detail that sets them apart. I feel that Cross leads the way for library management, Traktor for effects and Scratch Live/ITCH for ease of use. Virtual DJ 8 is about to unleash some pretty cool video features too. So it’s hard to pick a leader, but for me the overwhelming decider must be stability. All the most amazing bells and whistles in the world are useless if it crashes in front of a packed dance floor.

But I have high hopes for this v2. It’s had long enough to mature, and seems to have all the right features. It will be the execution of those features that matters. Probably looking at June for this to hit the digital streets. Expect a full review in due course.

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  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1427768273 Luis Garcia

    im a mixvibes cross owner .this is going to kick as for my mixshow with the sampler .
    radio show sweepers made easy and i can remix with them hell yes i cant wait .i think i need to change my pants now thanks for the needs :)

  • http://twitter.com/deejayelektron Ron Maran

    I still feel like the market is limited by the lack of cross-plaform compatibility for audio interfaces. Would be awesome if people on timecode could plug into 3 or 4 established audio interfaces/certified mixers which are installs at clubs, regardless of software they use. If they got around that problem, then the smaller players like Cross and VDJ might get a fighting chance, and I’d be more willing to give them a go.

    P.S: thanks for the follow on twitter Giz :)

    • MrPopinjay

      I was under the impression that mixvibes doesn’t use a proprietary soundcard, I know for sure that VDJ, mixxx, etc do not. If anything they would lose out from all clubs gaining an interface that worked with both traktor and serato since currently all the underdog programs have an advantage in not having to worry about card compatibility.

      • j-kut

        You´re right, any Asio/Core-Audio device will work with Cross.

        @Gizmo: Did you get to play with it as well?

        • http://www.djworx.com Mark Settle

          I didn’t. It was shown to me, and I liked it. But my time at Messe was spent rushing to meetings.

          • j-kut

            I can see that, busy times at tradeshows…
            Eagerly waiting for a hands-on!

    • lionel@mixvibes

      Hi Ron,
      Here is additional info on audio interface compatibility. Since 1999, we have always tried to keep the system open to every audio interface. it was a bit of hard time with the early version and ASIO compatibility. With Cross, the workflow is now easier to jungle between audio interface and also between various MIDI controller. many of our users have different DJ set up and audio interface. Using time-coded vinyl records, it gives you the chance to reduce the latency close to 0 if you are using a professional Audio Interface.

  • MrPopinjay

    Hi Mark, could you explain how mixvibes does library management better please? Also, do you know if the price will remain the same?

    • http://www.djworx.com Mark Settle

      On-screen, it looks very tidy. The smart crates are flexible too. But Like the dock as well. MixVibes clearly do something right – Pioneer asked them to make rekordbox for them.

      • j-kut

        Everything in the library and dock is drag´n´drop and customisable, really briliant, but still it´s a shame the sampler took so long ^^

  • DjMalor

    je veu ^^

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