For me, there’s still a key feature missing that really holds back wholesale acceptance of the iPad as a real platform, and that’s user mapping. So until that day comes, we’ll have to depend on the various software makers to do it for us and hope that our favourite controller gets some love. Thus Mixvibes has announced Cross DJ for iPad 1.4, and with it comes the first set of mappings for a handful of controllers.
It’s only a small list right now, but it’ll just be a matter of time before yours is included:
Cross DJ for iPad 1.4 gets MIDI control
Cross DJ for iPad 1.4 ships today. Big news: it can be controlled by wellknown controllers. Actually, it’s the first time some of these controllers can be used with an iPad.
8 controllers get iPad mixing for the first time
- Mixvibes U Mix Control Pro
- Mixvibes U Mix Control Pro 2
- Pioneer DDJWeGo
- Numark Mixtrack Pro
- Numark Mixtrack Pro 2
- Hercules DJ Console RMX 2
- Hercules DJ Control Instint
- Hercules DJ Control AIR(requires Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit)
And 2 others popular iOS designed controllers are mapped:
- Vestax Spin2
- Numark iDJ Live
And there’s more to come, based on Cross DJ for Mac list of 80+ mapped controllers.
Scratch on iPad like never before
Yes, Cross DJ has the best scratch on the App Store. Not only it sounds better than in other apps, it is also more responsive. Blame this realistic vinyl feel on Mixvibes’ true audio expertise: the company pioneered digital scratch technology in the early 00’s.
Same controls as real DJ software, yet easy to use
Cross DJ iPad is no toy DJ app. Made by DJs for DJs, it works like a pair of CDJs and a mixer. The similarity of the workflow ensure seasoned DJs instant familiarity with Cross DJ’s system. Moreover, the app is easy to use. Its interface is more userfriendly than featurefocused DJ apps.
Plug and play setup
Cable wise, all you need is a Camera Connection Kit + the controller’s power supply or a generic powered USB hub. No configuration is required in the app: everything is plug and play.
Cross DJ for iPad is sold at a promotional price for a limited time only $3,99 (instead of $9.99) MIDI control is available as a $9.99 inapp purchase.
5 minutes free access is available to test before buying the inapp.
Download: http://appstore.com/crossdj
Main features
- 2 decks with realistic scratch
- Ultra accurate synchronization and ultrafast beat matching
- Complete DJ mixer with 3band EQ, volume faders, crossfader and level meters
- Parallel waveforms and track overview display + beatgrid editing
- 14 effects with touch control pad
- Loops
- Hot cues
- Pitch fader and pitch bend
- Direct access to your iTunes library: sort tracks by BPM, title, artist, album or genre Compatibility with most Bluetooth receivers for cablefree mixing
- Multiaudio for USB compliant multichannel soundcard
- External mixer audio routing mode (channel A and B are routed to different output) iOS 7 compatibility
It seems that with each release, the assorted apps seem to be offering a very similar set of features, albeit with different ways of delivery. But it has to be said that each app, be it algoriddim djay, Cross DJ, Traktor DJ or DJ Player, DJ apps are here and they’re bloody good. If we can get to the point where we can plug in our own controllers and map them ourselves, then the days of the laptop for a lot of DJs are numbered. I feel that we’re on the edge of that right now anyway.
It’ll take some time before DVS users will be using iPads, but for regular controller users, the pure grunt is already there, and the only thing holding them back is storage. Well when I say storage, it’s a personal preference rather than an actual limitation. Anyway, ironically I’m sounding like a broken record. Use iPads or don’t, but don’t dismiss them because they’re just as valid as the laptops you once similarly scorned.