Hey guys, I need some help. I would like some basic information on the software and hardware you'd recommend to a novice for computer based DJ projects.

Here's some background info to give you an idea of my experience level. In the late 80's and 90's I spun on vinyl; my gear and record crates met a tragic fate. Then, for a short time around 2003 I had a portable Numark Fusion 222 set up for CDs. Although the jog wheel on the CD players was pretty decent for its time, these weren't true CDJs and I didn't stay with them very long (ending my stint as a DJ). The last few years have been pretty busy with me starting a family, but I am finally finding myself with a bit of hobby time during the weekends again. I have no interest in going back out to the clubs or bars, but I've somewhat kept up my music collection and would like to make some new mixes for myself. However, I am a novice when it comes to making mixes on the computer. I'm running Windows Vista @4 GB of RAM (and may upgrade to Windows 7 in the near future).

I want to know what software you recommend for a starter. I've seen demos on Ableton, Traktor and PC DJ. Traktor has caught my eye even though I know Ableton is popular. Again, this is exclusively for "studio" work, so keep that in mind. However, I don't want a kiddie program that just matches beats for me, either. I've seen Mixmeister 7 and may start there. I like that it allows the user to plot the mix out, save it, and work on it again later. Time is a big factor for me. Gone are my days of working 45+ minutes on a mix, train wrecking, and starting over until I get it right. I want something that favors editing and precision placement of beats, volume, minor eq (highs-lows-mids standard) and bpm / pitch control.

In the early 00's I worked with Acid (Acid Pro 4 maybe?). I was never very proficient with constructing my own beats, but I really loved the control the app provided. I would like something exactly like that, but something that would allow me to line up beats by dictating bpm's with total control. Bending the pitch would be nice, too (I've never worked with that feature in any form). I did use Acid to make a few mixes, but I had to rely on segues and not true beat matching. The Acid style interface would be perfect for me if I could incorporate direct bpm/pitch control in a non-live environment. That's why I might try MixMiester for now.

So, any advice for me on software? Price is somewhat of an obstacle, but I do understand you often get what you pay for. Let's assume I want to treat myself with a new piece of software. Based on what I've said, what do you recommend?

Also, what hardware will be necessary / recommended? For isntance, Acid would not need a midi controller where as Traktor propably would. Let me know what I need to get started. Since the hardware is not the immediate priority, I want to get the most bang for the buck (and as cheaply as possible).

I know there are some other threads with similar topics on gear, but I wanted to start a new dialog with anyone that is able to help. It might be weird to hear me say I'm a novice with such specific specs in mind, but that's why I'm asking for help. I've heard some of the great mixes on the "Post Your Music" thread and really believe you guys might have some ideas for me.

Thanks in advance!

Having just finished a mix with Ableton, I can say with certainty that it is a quality program. I was able to clean up parts, make different decisions 2/3 of the way through the mix, and easily bring in different audio effects on the fly.

Two things, though: 1. I downloaded it for free.

I know, this is ethically irresponsible. However, I did end up inadvertently purchasing a copy of it. This brings me to #2--I purchased a controller for four hundred bucks (actually, three hundred because my friend is a high level sales manager at Guitar Center :) ) which allows for even more fluid ease of using Ableton.

There are other, cheaper controllers which you might be able to get to use fairly well, but I do enjoy the APC40. :D

Of note: Haven't used Traktor. Not the best resource for comparison.

I'm looking for something about exactly the same as to what satur8's looking for. I'm a noob to mixing, but I get the concept of how mixing works, what BPMs are and how to make a smooth transition. I've listen to enough mixes in order to know what to do. I've been inspired to make a mix lately, and I tried to put somehing together on my copy of FL Studio, which probably couldn't synchronize a beat with a gun pointed at it. I need something simple that puts little emphasis on live mixing and more towards detecting BPMs, speeding up/slowing down a whole track to match another, and cut and paste sampling that will assist in mashing up songs. I want something I can completely sequence ahead of time, automate it instead of having to sit there and put it together in real time. Eventually I might progress to live mixing but right now I should probably just concentrate on getting my feet wet.

Complex programs are not a problem. It took about 2 days of experimenting with FL Studio for me to figure out how to use it correctly. I catch on quick, so to speak. I'm flexable.

I checked out Mixmeister 7 and it looks like the Express version is what I need to get my feet wet, and the Studio version to really get going, but in my case price is definately an issue. I can't get the trial versions either, because they insert one of those d%mn audio 'buy the trial version now' messages every few minures into any completed mix. Not happening, so I may end up finding my own ethically irresponsible way of getting a copy of it.

I just want to know if there are any other programs out there that will give me straight forward control over bpm, pitch, and also let me edit tracks to shorten them, remix them, lengthen them that I could find free, or a trial version with reasonable limitations. You know, so I don't have to download an illegal copy. Anybody have other suggestions?

I'm also quite interested in this matter. I used to have a copy of ACID 7 which was fairly capapble of putting a mix together. I made a spotty mix back in high school, but I'm starting to get the itch to mix again. I have FL studio, but it seems like that is actually less suited for mixing than ACID; so I'm wondering if there is a small-ish, free-ish program similar to what satur8 is looking for.

I like Mixmeister! It works good for putting mixes together and matching track Bpm's with others on the fly and showing the keys as well (for harmonic mixes). Acid is good cause of the learning curve.

Never tried Fl Studio before.

if your looking for a hefty studio program look into reason. ive seen some people do some tasty stuff with record. then again traktor might be more what your looking for considering your background.

id shy away from numark gear, its cheaply constructed.

I'm glad to see others are curious as well. We have a lot of talented peeps here with varying skill sets and I hope more people offer their opinions.

inchem - A friend just recently introduced me to Mixmeister and I like what I've seen so far. It is actually the motivation behind my post here. I don't want to get too involved with it until I make sure there's not a better one (for me) recommended by the peers on the forum. Thanks man.

vormov - I haven't heard of Reason. I'll check it out. Yeah, Traktor has a sweet look and feel. For right now I'd really prefer something with less of a "live" feel. Traktor will be my number one choice if I have to buy hardware, although I'm trying to stay with something strictly application based (like Acid or Mixmeister). Also, thanks for the tip on Numark.

'Pooter - I enjoy what you do in your mixes in Ableton. I am seriously considering taking a look. As for your other advice - I buy my software like I buy my music...after it has been thoroughly demo'd to make sure I like it first (especially a pricey one like that). Can you tell me more about what you mean by, "clean up parts, make different decisions 2/3 of the way through the mix"? Are you building a studio mix first and then running it live with changes? That sounds pretty cool.

Yeah, FL Studio's more geared towards single song production, not mixing. Mixmeister has been great so far, and the Trial Audio messages are more infrequent than I had expected. I might just stick to this program for now.

i love my traktor pro software in combination with a macbook pro 15''. also the dj audio 8 (soundcard) works fine. only thing i hate on my setup is my midi controller (numark stealth control), will sell it on ebay.

but when you search something for producing, traktor is not the right thing (=only dj / life rmx software).

unfortunately i have gig tomorrow and no midi controller, damn. but i can also do effects with my keyboard, but a midi is more sexy!

from my numark money i will buy the new x1 control form native = massive shit.

for downloading good mp3's: bahaos.org (brutally legal)

since having a family of my own to coupe with i too have ditched the decks and fx. and i got to say the only way to go and dj in a natural way is by using traktor pro. briliant software, great fx and intuative.

The nice thing about Ableton is that you can set up a bunch of tracks in the launch window and go with what you're feeling when you're creating your set. If you feel a great flow and then you fuck up at a certain point, you can stop and start playing back what you've already recorded from any point you want, and then drop another track in, even if it's not one you originally planned.

There's a great amount of flexibility and spontaneity in Live that I absolutely love and am learning to use. The APC40 is a wonderful collaboration between Akai & Ableton--I have to say, I'll continue to grow as a DJ because of what they've been able to make together.

I am familiar with ableton and Traktor. if you have a specific live set you want to play and completely mash things up like daft punk did with their alive 2007 tour you need ableton. it needs a lot of time to prepare a set like this. if you want just want to DJ and beatmix tracks in a user friendly way your best choice is traktor. you probably only need 2 tracks so you dont need the scratch pro edition.

if you want to stick to vynl there are special time code LP's that work perfect with Traktor DJ

@ brother_ging, snaekerbeater & Eis-T - I really appreciate your feedback!

Thank you again to everyone for the great responses. I am grateful for the help and opinions you've provided.

de nada, satur8!^

what an interesting topic.

I just thought i'd offer my lil knowledge of reason. I'd say reason is much more suited to actual song creation rather than mixing. It is very electronic based as it takes a bit of messing around to use vocals etc. From my experience it seems like for djing, traktor and ableton are much more dj friendly due to the beat matching as well as dj specific filters, rolls etc.

However having said that, i pretty much only use reason for my song creation ><

Its good to see so many people doing their own thing with their own style!