[youtube id=”gY6ZdiKsXx0″]
For the last couple weeks, I’ve been wearing my movie maker’s trousers and shooting a couple of videos for algoriddim’s latest and greatest incarnation of their iOS djay app. Having seen djay Pro step up to the plate and bring a bunch of professional features to the OS X platform, I did wonder what djay for iOS would develop into. And it’s fair to say that djay Pro for iPad completely exceeds expectations.
FULL DISCLOSURE: I have been algoriddim’s video guy for a few years now. I’m not involved in the product but do get paid for my services. Do with that information what you will, but rest assured that any opinion I offer is my own and not bought.
Having got that out of the way, let’s see what they have to say:
Algoriddim Unveils djay Pro for iPad
Desktop-Class DJ & VJ Application Designed Exclusively for iPad Pro
(MUNICH, Germany) – December 09, 2015 Algoriddim, creators of the the world’s best selling DJ app with over 20 million downloads, today released djay Pro. The first professional grade app to fully leverage the advanced audio and video capabilities of the new iPad Pro, djay Pro includes a suite of sophisticated desktopclass features including 4 Decks, HD Waveforms, and Video Mixing.
Building upon the rock-solid foundation of the Apple Design Award winning app djay, the sheer performance of iPad Pro enables a host of new features that were previously impossible. djay Pro stretches the limits of audio visual performance on a mobile device, including mixing of up to 4 audio tracks, plus two simultaneous 4K video streams, all rendered in pristine sound quality and with brilliant video output in full HD, at 60 frames per second. Moreover, djay Pro for iPad works with the Smart Keyboard offering over 70 keyboard shortcuts for cue points, looping, library navigation, search, and more. This takes the best of both worlds, desktop and iPad, and melds them together for an unparalleled experience.
djay Pro’s advanced iOS 9 Multitasking capabilities let the user quickly open another app and interact with it without leaving djay Pro. This improves the preparation and performance workflow by allowing DJs to take notes about a tracklist or write down song requests onthefly. With Split View, users can go a step further and have djay Pro plus another app open and active at the same time.
“iPad Pro sets a whole new standard for music and video creativity on a mobile device,” said Karim Morsy, CEO of Algoriddim. “Every element, from the A9X chip plus the graphics processor to the Smart Keyboard, has enabled us to introduce unprecedented pro level features that combine the best of touch with tactile control. djay Pro gives performing DJs and visual artists endless flexibility to take their sets to new heights.”
At the heart of djay Pro is an innovative, modern user interface that provides flexible layers of functionality alongside a powerful music library. It features advanced performance modes including horizontal and vertical colored waveforms, live sampler and drum pads, FX racks, as well as a powerful four deck view that allows DJs to play, mix, slice, and synchronize up to four tracks simultaneously.
The all-new video mode in djay Pro allows users to apply visualizers to their music and mix videos in real-time, all with stunning transitions, visual FX, plus title and image overlays. It also comes with extensive prebundled video content so users can get creative right away. Additionally, users can quickly record video on-the-fly using the iPad’s built-in camera and combine it with their music for a personalized music video creation. The 1080p video output can be saved as a high quality movie recording in realtime, displayed on an external monitor through HDMI, or streamed wirelessly via AirPlay.
The innovative music library in djay Pro enables DJs to seamlessly combine the Spotify catalog with their local music and video tracks, as well as files stored in iCloud Drive or Dropbox, into a single library. This provides unprecedented flexibility for song selection to DJs and VJs no matter where the user’s content is located. Furthermore, djay Pro’s music library includes an advanced song recommendation engine powered by The Echo Nest which suggests tracks that go well with what the DJ is currently playing based on danceability, BPM, key, music style, and how well the song mixes with the currently playing track.
Over 30 state-of-the-art audio effects by Sugar Bytes are available via In-App Purchase. DJs can beatsynchronize and chain multiple effect units on up to four decks simultaneously allowing for unprecedented creative expression. A host of new audio analysis and editing features powered by audEERING allow users to view and edit beat grids with sample accurate precision.
djay Pro integrates seamlessly with professional DJ hardware supporting select controllers by Pioneer DJ, Numark, Reloop, and other manufacturers right out of the box.
Even better, Cue Points, beat grid edits, metadata, and FX purchases from iOS and Mac versions of djay will automatically sync over iCloud to djay Pro bridging the experience between consumer and pro. DJs can now prepare for their DJ sets no matter where they are and no matter which device they are using.
Over the past 10 years, Algoriddim established itself as a leading innovator of DJ software winning the Apple Design Award, App of the Year, and more than 8 Editors’ Choice awards from the App Store and Google Play across 5 different platforms.
Working with top tier hardware brands, Algoriddim has made DJing accessible to millions of users around the globe. djay Pro for iPad opens a new chapter for professional DJs and VJs as the first solution to truly leverage the capabilities of iPad Pro.
FEATURES OVERVIEW
Built for iPad Pro
- Smart Keyboard integration (over 70 keyboard shortcuts)
- Advanced iOS 9 Multitasking integration (Slide Over, Split view, and Portrait modes)
- Full HD video capture and rendering (1080p)
- Support for 4K videos
- AirPlay Integration
- iPad camera integration
- 60 frames per second graphics rendering
- iCloud integration: syncs cue points, grid edits, and metadata with iOS and Mac versions of djay
Video Integration
- Video mixing and scratching
- Camera integration to record custom clips on the fly
- Transitions
- Music Visualizers
- Visual FX
- Title & image overlays
- A/V recording
- Support for external displays and AirPlay
- Video library with prebundled content
Spotify Integration
- Instant access to over 20 million songs
- Playlists, Songs, Charts, Browse
- Match: cloudbased song recommendations powered by The Echo Nest
- Instant access to BPM and Key information through the cloud
- Advanced audio streaming technology: ultralow latency, advanced effects, onthefly analysis
- Supports streams of up to 320 kbps bitrate
Hardware Integration
- Native support for DJ controllers including Reloop Beatpad, Reloop Beatpad 2, Pioneer DDJWeGO, Numark Mixdeck Quad, Numark iDJ Pro, and others
- Support for multichannel USB audio interfaces
Official Video: https://youtu.be/gY6ZdiKsXx0
App Store Link:
http://www.algoriddim.com/store/djayproipad
Official Website:
http://www.algoriddim.com/djayproipad
Pricing:
$19.99 timelimited, introductory pricing (regular $29.99)
Requirements:
djay Pro is compatible with any iPad running iOS 8 or later.
djay + Spotify:
A Spotify Premium subscription is required to access the Spotify music catalog. A 30 day free trial of Spotify Premium is available to all djay users. To learn more about using Spotify with djay, visit http://www.algoriddim.com/spotify
DJAY GOES PRO
It’s more or less the complete djay Pro for Mac transplanted into the iPad. And while some things work differently across platforms, it’s no hyperbole when I typed “no compromises” into the video. For a very long time, DJing on the mobile platform (I’m still not a fan of smartphones as a DJ platform) has felt like there has been some serious tradeoff, but with djay Pro, that feeling has largely gone. Bar DVS, djay Pro for iPad has everything the majority of DJs need. And this is just v1.
When confronted with the first builds, there were some disappointments. I loved that album art could be displayed on the vinyl, something that seems to have been left behind in the regular djay. Perhaps it’s a move away from skeumorphic design, but as I learned a few years ago, album art is essential for DJs with dyslexia. I hope it makes its way back, along with a cool feature that isn’t quite ready for prime time yet and was left out. ;)
What it really needs is more hardware support. There are dedicated controllers designed explicitly for djay, but to get wider acceptance, djay Pro needs a mapping engine, just like arch rival DJ Player has. When that happens, you’ll be able to unlock the big wide world of the controller industry. And it really does need to happen.
But in my stilted and broken playing time, I can to appreciate the raw unbridled power of djay Pro for iPad. In fairness I have been generally running it on a spangly new iPad Pro, but even on my older iPad Air, it handled everything I threw at it. The fact that it can stream 4 decks, apply effects, and run 4K video and record the whole thing without breaking sweat is testament to how far the mobile platform has come. But this piece is veering off on a tangent about the viability of mobile for DJing (it is but I’ll write 1000 words about it another time).
So having established that I’m getting slush money from algoriddim, and obviously can’t be trusted, why not check out these videos from Mojaxx at DJ City and Phil Morse at Digital DJ Tips. Between them they cover off just about everything, and come away with a very positive opinion of djay Pro for iPad as well as the viability of the mobile platform in a DJ environment. And to be frank, I’ve been staring at djay Pro for just a tad too long this week and will happily use Mojaxx and Phil as stunt doubles.
GALLERY
So the keyboard controls functions; cues, loops, etc??
So that’s a no?
A quick trip to the algoriddim site would have answered your question.
Thank you. That’s really cool. Could never understand why this wasn’t the norm.
Thank you. That’s really cool. Could never understand why this wasn’t the norm.
Thank you. That’s really cool. Could never understand why this wasn’t the norm.
There was no need until now from apple standpoint.
after they changed auto-scratch from something great into something bland, I’ve come to expect being disappointed.(I’m being completely earnest) This is the sort of psychological perspective I would gladly bring to co’s approaches, if they only ask. I too became frustrated with their site and forum.
Mixed with gabors refusal of my requests 3 years ago to put keyboard support in, (because I had tried, bought, and built every controller imaginable and found a $14 number pad to do just as well as any of of them)
I genuinely thought if I checked I would see “browsing only” or some nonsense.
after they changed auto-scratch from something great into something bland, I’ve come to expect being disappointed.(I’m being completely earnest) This is the sort of psychological perspective I would gladly bring to co’s approaches, if they only ask. I too became frustrated with their site and forum.
Mixed with gabors refusal of my requests 3 years ago to put keyboard support in, (because I had tried, bought, and built every controller imaginable and found a $14 number pad to do just as well as any of of them)
I genuinely thought if I checked I would see “browsing only” or some nonsense.
Keyboard could be used for text input only 3 years ago. Perhaps they changed something in iOS 8 or 9.
It will make sense due to Gamekit/UIkit improvements for tvOS and smart keyboard for the ipad pro (and the bus included for it)
I made a little research but it seems promising.
It will make sense due to Gamekit/UIkit improvements for tvOS and smart keyboard for the ipad pro (and the bus included for it)
I made a little research but it seems promising.
It will make sense due to Gamekit/UIkit improvements for tvOS and smart keyboard for the ipad pro (and the bus included for it)
I made a little research but it seems promising.
Check the latest DJ Player app. Works with any USB or Bluetooth keyboard.
Keyboard messages are injected into the MIDI stream, so actually you can MIDI map any keyboard with DJ Player.
Bar DVS…and in-app midi mapping…oh and Stems support. Admittedly, these may come in the future if this is to be a pro level app
I didn’t include stems because that’s not any kind of standard.
I need this for my iPhone 6+. I need access to the 320kb Spotify stream. I would miss the Technics deck skin because I dig it. At one of regular my gigs all I play is R&B and hip hop that I pretty much drop on the ‘1’ all night long. I use djay pro on my MBP and mix with Spotify pro tracks. I can’t count on the sketchy Internet connection at the club so I always tether my iPhone to the MBP. If I could stream 320kb songs on the phone, and if it works reliably with a Traktor Audio 2 (with the NI wall plug) then I could mix off the phone and leave the MBP at home.
In the future (and this is beyond past-due) I need midi learn for when I want to use my controller.
Look, I’m a DJ which makes me a nerd. The only people that would be judging me for DJing on a phone or tablet are gonna be other DJ nerds which makes the criticism completely irrelevant.
I’d never judge you on your gear, but we could have a conversation over a beer about the reliability of streaming tracks for DJing :)
That’s valid. I would only say so far, so good. The particular gig where I use the djay+Spotify combo has been perfect. It’s a 4 hour gig, I’ve done about 12 of them over the last 6 months so whatever that hour count is . . . I have a few Spotify playlists that I loosely organize based on early mid and late tunes. I also pre-load all of those so they’re in cache on the MBP version of djay, that seems to keep them there in cache for months but, to be safe, I pre-load them every few weeks. That only leaves requests or random ideas that need to be loaded during gigs. Since songs aren’t streamed as much as they’re loaded into cache when you load them into a deck, it’s not really subject to dropouts . . . I was having trouble with the club Internet but cell coverage is great in my city so switching my tethered phone and data plan fixed my Internet probs. I would concede that with really marginal coverage, I wouldn’t be able to load new songs from Spotify very fast and would also be worried about getting bumped out of Spotify during a gig but, when the coverage is good, it’s been rock-solid. If I were to ever to lose Spotify during this current gig, I’d just lose access to new R&B and hip hop so my crowd would have to deal with the massive amounts of ’90s jams that I own outright:) Peace from Akron, Ohio.
That’s pretty cool then, sounds like you’ve found a real sweet spot. Often if I’m at a gig where I might accommodate requests and I have internet, I’ll just buy the tracks there on the spot. Doesn’t your data plan get hammered doing the tethering?
That’s pretty cool then, sounds like you’ve found a real sweet spot. Often if I’m at a gig where I might accommodate requests and I have internet, I’ll just buy the tracks there on the spot. Doesn’t your data plan get hammered doing the tethering?
It used to but then I switched it up for an unlimited plan and never looked back. It’s expensive but I figure it’s necessary. I don’t like most of the new hip hop and r&b enough to buy it and I’m so happy I don’t have to. The way my mind works, once a joint is about 10 years old, I’ll usually find a new appreciation for it if it was good all along. That’s when I usually buy it.
I think being honestly is the best way to express an opinion. Money is money and job is job.
Thanks to share your thoughts and honestly opinion with knowledge and experience.
I will love this articled came before the traktor kontrol one because it make more sense to me due the over the top banner.
I did not deal with keyboard input ever since. I’m checking the iOS dev docs now — if this feature works at all. I don’t have a Smart Keyboard nor an iPad Pro.
This is nothing than a “Upgrading” marketing strategy. The only improvements in this Pro version are the four-deck mode, and the inclusion of Vjay inside the app itself. Everything else (filters, EQ’s, sampler, effects, etc.) are exactly the same as Djay2. The only thing different is the redesigned GUI (apparently a major selling point). Also, there’s currently no controller for 4-deck mode. Some people already own, say, the Reloop Beatpad, which is clearly 2-deck oriented. It’s not fair. There’s clearly no point “upgrading” to Pro as Djay2 is already powerful on its own.
And you know what’s worse? Algoriddim updated Djay2 to its 2.8 the same moment Pro was launched. Well, guess what? This version is filled with bugs (just imagine: the gain controls don’t even work), and suddendly a pop-up appears suggesting you to buy the “new”, “improved” DJAY PRO. Bad move, algoriddim. Bad. Move.
Screw Djay. I’m using Traktor S2 from now on.
So you don’t see 4 decks and 4K video mixing with effects in the same mobile app as worthy of jumping to djay Pro? That’s a pretty huge addition. You only have to try djay and then djay Pro side by side to see that the Pro update is pretty major across the board.
As for there not being a 4 deck controller — the Numark Mixdeck Quad worked with regular djay. I’m sure that will be updated for djay Pro, and in reality it’s been out a week — give them a chance.
It seems that you’ve had a tough time with the app. My experience has been excellent. Given that four decks with video is about as far as any platform can be taken, I hope that the existing features get polished and improved, and things like DVS and MIDI mapping get added in due course.
Midi Mapping “feature” on the iOS version of sorts has been included it appears as a kind of “easter egg” assuming you have the desktop version of Djay as well.
Export your Desktop Mapping, and you can transfer it into itunes via App File Sharing and sync your iPad.
Someone else had a Problem re-mapping an actual supported device though, so guessing the built in mapping takes priority if the device is on the supported list.
Not 100% sure this will work with absolutely every controller, but seems it works with the Pioneer and definitely the Vestax range for certain, I would imagine it should work with most class compliant “unsupported” gear as well so long as you have a powered Hub.
I’ve been streaming audio while playing for a year now and I actually dig it. I like the fact I can sit around listening to tracks on Spotify and create playlist. Then use those playlist at my gig within the DJay Pro software on all my devices. The only problem you might run into is losing wifi connection, but that’s why you should have tracks available on your hard drive to play when that happens. I purchased the iOS version of DJay pro and like the layout. The layout make using an iPad only a lot easier. I got a wego3 I use with both the iOS and OS X version also. No serious complaints so far. I did notice the video function of the iOS DJay pro app crashes. But I don’t really use it so it’s not a big deal. Anyway for $20 it’s totally worth it.
There is not a way to use DJay Pro with an iPad and any Native Instruments products.
Rather misleading according to what the website says. Major disappointment.
The algoriddim website (https://www.algoriddim.com/djay-pro-ipad) is very clear about djay Pro for iPad working only with controllers designed for it.