DISCLOSURE — donning my independent pen/camera/designer for hire contractor hat, I have once again created the videos and photography for algoriddim. Yes, those are my hands in the shots. And this time our Dan has written the PR for this campaign too. It doesn’t impact on our opinion, but it’s best you know.
In a technology-led industry, it’s important to move with the times. And algoriddim has done just that with this new release of djay. It marches off into 2019 incorporating producer features, and a new revenue mode, one that offers a fully featured free version for everyone, and a monthly subscription model to get the full fat features of djay Pro. Eight versions distilled into one version to rule them all — say hello to djay for iOS.
There are words, pictures, and video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vsdy7lvk6aQ
Algoriddim Unveils the New djay App for iOS
The Next Generation of the Apple Design Award Winning App djay for iOS is now free, Offering Enhanced Spotify Integration, and New Optional Pro Features Including Music Production Tools, Live Video Remixing, and More.
MUNICH, Germany, December 12, 2018 – Algoriddim, winner of multiple Apple Design Awards for its acclaimed music apps, today released an all-new unified djay for iOS that builds on eight years of industry leading DJ technology for mobile platforms. Available as a free download on the App Store, this new version provides everything users need to get started with DJing. Using their Spotify Premium account, users get instant access to mix millions of songs right from within djay.
In addition, djay introduces a new live performance audio and video looper, beat-matched sequencing of drums and samples, a streamlined touch friendly interface, and a massive library of audio & video loops and effects, all available via an optional Pro subscription.
The new djay is designed from the ground up to fully leverage Apple’s new cutting-edge iPad Pro and pushes the A12 Bionic processor in ways that are unprecedented. Users can now mix up to 48 loops with up to 10 videos rendered simultaneously and in real-time.
“Our mission has always been to make DJing accessible to everyone, anywhere, at any time,” said Karim Morsy, CEO of Algoriddim. “Continuing this mission, we are now making live music production tools available by bridging the gap between music mixing and music creation. We can’t wait to get this into the hands of everyone who loves music.”
Get it for free
With one, unified version of djay, anyone can now download the app for free. Spin some tunes on the wheels of steel using djay’s iconic Classic Mode, mix millions of songs through Spotify, or just let djay’s machine learning based Automix AI engine do the transitions for you with the simple tap of the “Next” button.
Classic Mode – turntable view
Just two turntables and a mixer, with spinning discs that react just like vinyl does. Virtual grooves are individually rendered for every song on djay’s virtual records. It allows to quickly identify breaks within a song, as if it was real vinyl fresh off the press. Load two tracks and fade between the two, and apply one of five free FX to the music on each deck.
Automix Mode – simple mix view
The new Automix view allows you to mix your favorite music with the simple tap of a button. djay creates perfect sounding mixes from one song to the next and finds optimal transition points through its machine learning based Automix AI engine. Mixing songs has never been easier.
Seamless Spotify Integration – mix millions of songs
Use the free version of djay with a Spotify Premium account to mix millions of songs instantly. Using Match, an innovative feature that recommends songs that go well with what the DJ is currently playing, Spotify integration in djay provides a list of matching songs based on danceability, BPM, key, and music style. This allows you to find the perfect next song to mix, as well as to discover new music based on your personal taste. And thanks to the new djay’s enhanced integration, you can now save songs to your Spotify collection or playlists right from within djay. Using Automix AI users can trigger automatic,
beat-matched transitions between their favorite songs on Spotify with the simple tap of a button.
Hardware Integration – enhanced control
Connect one of the official djay controllers (Reloop Mixon 4, Beatpad and Beatpad 2, Mixtour, and Pioneer DJ WeGO4) for enhanced control of djay or upgrade to djay Pro from within the same app to use any class-compliant MIDI controller.
Go ‘PRO’ with a monthly subscription
With the monthly djay Pro subscription, users have all the features they know and love from previous mobile and desktop versions, along with some cutting-edge new tools and a massive library of high quality samples, loops, effects, and visuals.
Top features of the Pro subscription include:
- Unlimited access to an extensive library of samples, loops, FX, and visuals (content provided by Loopmasters, Future Loops, DocOptic, Sugar Bytes, and others)
- Looper & Sequencer
- Support for over 50 MIDI controllers from Pioneer DJ, Reloop, Numark, Denon DJ, and others out-of-the-box
- Advanced MIDI learn system to map each control on users’ hardware individually
- Support for Bluetooth MIDI
- Video mixing with support for external displays
- Single Deck preparation mode
- Support for multi-channel audio interfaces
- Advanced Automix
- Advanced media library: playlist editing and management, smart filters, drag and drop integration via Files app and Dropbox
- Subscribe once, access unlimited djay Pro content and features across all of your iOS devices
- 7-day free trial: free access to all djay Pro content and features for one week, cancel anytime
Hundreds of samples and loops
The djay Pro subscription opens up access to over 1GB of audio loops from Loopmasters, samples from Future Loops, and video clips from DocOptic, along with 40+ professional audio FX from Sugar Bytes and various video FX. Get loops and sound packs from a wide range of popular genres such as Hip Hop,
Deep House, EDM, and Trance, as well as more eclectic sounds from Ambient House, Electro Swing, or Jazz…. with more content to come for subscribed users.
Multiple screens and peripherals
Thanks to the USB-C port, users can now connect multiple devices to their iPad Pro. This allows users to output the visual mix to their big screen while jamming with an external controller – an essential feature for DJs and performing artists.
Live performance and remixing
DJs wanting to spice up their sets can use the new sampler to record and sequence their loops during the mix. Those wanting to dive deeper into unique musical performance can load up the grid-based Looper with up to 48 loops, all time-stretched and perfectly matched to the beat in real-time.
The power of the A12 Bionic processor
Every sample in the new looper can be assigned a video clip that plays in time with the audio. And thus, with the power of the A12 Bionic chip, you can now mix up to ten videos in real-time. DJs and VJs can finally leave the laptop at home, and mix videos and visual loops, in real-time, right on their mobile device.
Advanced Automix AI
The advanced Automix mode allows users to automate their sets in advance with stunning transitions. Using machine learning and training sets from human DJs, Automix AI intelligently identifies rhythmic patterns and the best intro and outro sections of songs. Automix AI calculates optimal fade durations and automatically applies parameter changes to EQs and filters for a seamless transition. Users can fully customize their preferred mix settings and start the automix with a single tap.
Powerful Audio and Graphics Technology
djay’s audio, graphics, and sync engines were rebuilt from the ground up to include support for Post-Fader FX, high resolution colored waveforms at a silky smooth 60 fps (120 fps on iPad Pro),
beat-locked Sync Mode, sequenced playback of samples, advanced video mixing, and ultra-low latency.
Ableton Link
djay now has industry-standard Ableton Link for syncing tempo across compatible apps and devices on a shared network. Whether jamming with friends using desktop setups, or linking with other mobile apps, your tempo will be locked and flawless, even over Wi-Fi.
Availability
Algoriddim’s djay is now available as a free download on the App Store. Users can upgrade to djay Pro, including access to advanced professional features and an extensive library of sounds and visuals, as a subscription via in-app-purchase for just $4.99 per month. A 7-day free trial of the Pro subscription is available for all users, including full access to all content and features of djay Pro. Existing customers who have previously purchased any djay version on iOS are eligible for a special upgrade price of $9.99 for the first year. This is a discount of $30 or 83% off the standard price, which is a reward for previous customers’ loyalty and support.
Requirements
djay for iOS is compatible with any iPhone or iPad running iOS 11.2 or later.
THE HIGHLIGHTS
My own personal favourite new features:
One unified version
No more djay for iPhone, iPad, djay Pro, or vjay. It’s all been rolled into a single version for iOS
djay is free
Everyone be a DJ with a comprehensive 2 deck feature set.
djay Pro is a subscription model
Likely to ruffle a few feathers, but djay Pro is now a subscription model with no outright purchase. For this you get the unfettered glory of everything djay Pro has to offer for less than 5 of your local currency per month.
Subscription Content
That doesn’t just unlock the features, but also gives you access to growing loop, sample, and visualiser content from Future Loops, Loopmasters, and DocOptic.
Sample Sequencer
djay always had one shots play. But now you get to jam with sequence recording. And it’s such fun.
Loop Player
Even more fun is the loop player, fully quantised and synced into the DJ workflow.
MIDI Mapping
I’ve always found djay Pro for desktop to be very powerful in this area. And now it’s there for iOS. Took a while compared to DJ Player, but I’m happy to see that the walled garden of iOS now has a gate.
Audio Interfaces
I plugged in my Focusrite Forte and Denon DJ X1800 mixer — mapped all the channels perfectly.
Ableton Link
Definitely a cool feature, especially in action.
SERIOUS FUN
A few of the features are definitely out of the producer playbook. Sample sequencing may feel basic right now, but it’s a huge leap beyond where it has been for a long time. Don’t underestimate the impact and usefulness of banging in beats to bridge songs while you carry on mixing.
The looper’s power hit home when I realised that could probably keep a floor going for a while simply by playing with the 48 loops and mixing them in and out of each other for far longer than I should.
But while these features definitely nudge into the serious professional arena, it’s important to remember that it’s bags of fun too. DJs often take their craft a tad too seriously and forget that they’re supposed to have a good time while making people dance. And smashing samples and loops with a Novation Launchpad definitely kept me entertained to the point of impacting on deadlines.
READY FOR THE BIG LEAGUES
Djay’s driving force has always been Apple hardware. They’ve made versions for Android and Windows, but Macs and iOS devices is where it has always thrived. Android is hampered from the start by poor audio implementation, and Windows is probably more of a “stick to what you know” strategy. Algoriddim knows Apple stuff inside out, so that’s where they focus.
But adoption of djay in the DJ world above beginner level is slim. But the new iPads may well see a change in hearts and minds. I took a while to warm to the iPad as anything more than a casual plaything. But the iPad Pro combined with an Apple Pencil saw a huge change in how I perceived the device.
But with the addition of USB C, the hardware walls have come tumbling down. I’ve got a device that is hooked up to a second monitor and a Novation Launchpad, and it’s all working just fine. And it’s just a matter of time before those external storage devices will work happily with the iPad.
It’s screamingly fast too. I’m at a point where my business hardware strategy is being rethought because I can use the iPad Pro for almost everything (and it’s a hell of a games machine too) and boost my retouching/video editing station instead.
JUST THE START
It’s easy to knee-jerk and complain about stuff. I generally find it to be a prerequisite for commenting online. But it’s important to understand that this is the start of a new era — a quantum shift in working for algoriddim, one that they’re still finding their feet with. The cutoff point between where free ends and subscription begins for example is one that they have agonised over, and I suspect are still making decisions about.
Some features are still to be implemented from the previous version too, but they will be added back in time. And we’ll be feeding back ideas across a broad range of subjects too. We definitely have many of those.
SUMMING UP
Times flies. Looking back over algoriddim’s djay timeline is a testament to this. Digging into the archives of the work I’ve done with them shows just how much has changed in DJ technology, and beyond that too. They’ve rationalised their iOS portfolio and adapted to current thinking in terms of evolving revenue streams.
It’s early days (literally) for djay for iOS. But the future is bright.
GALLERY
