Powerful DJ mixing suite with pro tools, video, karaoke, and customizable, modern interface
Powerful DJ mixing suite with pro tools, video, karaoke, and customizable, modern interface
Pros
- Intuitive DJ program with many professional features
- Can be used with music videos and karaoke lyrics
- Updated design makes the program look and function better
Cons
- There is a learning curve for newcomers
Virtual DJ is a music mixing program with professional features both for in-person and live streaming music events. There are various layouts and dozens of advanced tools to use to ensure the music sounds perfect. While this has many professional tools, it's accessible enough for consumers and beginners who are curious about DJing.
Comfortable Interface
Virtual DJ has a comfortable interface that should be accessible to most DJs and enthusiasts. The controls are logical and it's easy to find most tools. You'll be able to change tracks, apply sound effects, create cues and more. You can also create or set loops to be used with a hotkey. This allows you to adjust the music as needed during the event.
Filters are a big part of Virtual DJ. You can launch and use filters whenever you want, and you can create custom hotkeys for specific filters. It's also easy to find ones that match your song or need. You can search through filters by key, beats per minute and more. This ensures you find relevant filters in seconds. If you're using this online, then you can even browse online audio streaming services to find relevant filters and songs based on your search parameters.
With the click of a button you can even launch music videos. This is perfect if you have screens available or if you're streaming online. You can show the song's video to make the event more engaging. Making karaoke events is just as simple. With the touch of a button the song will show the lyrics so that people can sing along. These features will take some getting used to in order to synchronize the effects with the lyrics and video, but it shouldn't require too much effort.
Improved Appearance
Virtual DJ has been around for several years and while most people love all its features, the one thing common criticized was the appearance. Previous versions looked very old and outdated. This has been updated so that the program looks much better. Not only that, but Virtual DJ makes it easy to adjust the layout so that it matches your needs. There are five menus to choose from and you can customize all of them. These menus include starter, controller, essentials, performance and pro. Each comes with default menus and tools, but you can add or remove as needed until the layout is perfect. You can also change the color and waveform display.
There are both light and dark modes to choose from. Switching between the layouts and colors is all done from a drop-down menu. Simply scroll through the options until you find one that you like.
Offline Usage
Virtual DJ is much better when used online for streaming events, but it's an adequate program when offline as well. This means you'll be replying on music that you have downloaded on your hard drive, but you can use this program at events where online connections are difficult. Many programs in this niche require a connection, so this is ideal if there won't be one for some reason.
Just make sure that all your music is available. While you can still use all the filters and effects from the program itself, you won't have access to music outside of the songs saved on your computer.
Learning Curve
This program is intended for experienced DJs who know technical jargon and what the tools do. While there are some tutorials here and there, this program isn't made for those who are completely new to DJing. It's accessible to a point to newcomers. If you're willing to play around with features and see what everything does, then it shouldn't take too long to figure out.
At the same time, don't expect this program to be simple. This isn't the type of program you can master in just an hour or two unless you have experience. If you put in the time, then you'll see how useful this program can be.
No Controller
Having a controller is essential for a DJ to get professional results. Virtual DJ is much easier to use with a controller and it has many more features as well. At the same time, you can use this program without one if you really need to. Much like the offline usage this reduces how much you can do, but it still ensures that you can effectively play music at any event.
Make sure that you get familiar with the controls before attempting this. Things are much different when you don't have a controller.
Pros
- Intuitive DJ program with many professional features
- Can be used with music videos and karaoke lyrics
- Updated design makes the program look and function better
Cons
- There is a learning curve for newcomers
Pros
- Built-In Effects Sampler
- Professional, Intermediate, or Beginner Use
Cons
- Sizable Learning Curve
Virtual DJ provides a vast array of tools for DJs, and it does so from an entirely virtual console. The software is ideal for advanced consumers or budding professionals, and it provides the optimal middle ground for DJs of varying skill levels.
Not only is this software an excellent option for music mixing, but it also has an integrated sampling mechanism and sound effects generator. If you opt for the full paid version, it comes with downloadable tracks that can help you create a musical foundation for your DJ skills.
To satisfy the needs of a wide range of users, Virtual DJ is available in five versions. Each successive version includes slightly more functionality than the last. This way, you can start with the beginner level and work your way up to the professional level.
The software comes with many separate decks, preloaded sound effects, beat matching, tone control algorithms, pitch control, EQ, beat lock engine, and many, many more functions.
The UI of Virtual DJ is meant replicate the appearance of an actual DJ mixing console. Even with such a realistic interface, it can be difficult to seamlessly use all the features without actual switches and knobs. Thankfully, there are numerous digital controllers that work with Virtual DJ. However, it's important to remember that the LE version of the app only works with the physical controller it comes with. The free version of the five options, the Home version, will work with any compatible controller, but you're limited to using the physical controller for only 10 minutes at a time.
The variety in the available tiers of this app help you find exactly what you need to improve your skills and reach the next level. Virtual DJ Home is the ideal option for those with even a small amount of experience mixing.
Virtual DJ LE not only comes with a physical controller, but it includes external sound cards as well. This version is ideal for those with moderate experience who want to master the basics.
Beyond Virtual DJ LE and Home, three paid editions are also available. They vary mostly in control mapping and support of different hardware. The three paid options for this app are Virtual DJ Pro Full, Virtual DJ Pro Basic, and Virtual DJ Broadcaster.
The great thing about Virtual DJ is that it's suitable for DJs of all levels. It might offer greater benefits to those who are just starting out and can get by with the free version since that version still contains a uniquely high number of advanced features for a free piece of software.
This might not be the only virtual music mixing console app on the market, and there are definitely others that compare to Virtual DJ in terms of functionality. However, the free version of this software runs perfectly and offers a smooth transition from real-world to digital consoles.
Pros
- Built-In Effects Sampler
- Professional, Intermediate, or Beginner Use
Cons
- Sizable Learning Curve
Pros
- Great balance between usability and features
- Excellent UI and highly customizable
- Built-in sampler and effects
Cons
- Long track loading times
- Intensive resource usage
Virtual DJ is a powerful tool that lets you sample and mix digital music.
Virtual DJ is a powerful tool for digital music. The performance and feature options make it an excellent choice as an entry-level professional software solution, but it’s also a strong option for enthusiasts. There is a learning curve, which is to be expected with a program like this, but the developers have found a great balance between user-friendliness and a broad feature set. You’ll make your first creation in no time at all, but the application will also reward you for mastering it.
While the software is an effective tool for mixing music, it’s also a great option for remixes thanks to an integrated sampler and a broad selection of included effects. You can also load practically any third-party VST effect into the program, and paid users have access to a huge selection of tracks that can be downloaded into the program and mixed and remixed in a royalty-free fashion.
Not having a traditional physical interface can make mixing music difficult, but Virtual DJ does a great job of mimicking that style and providing you with UI customizations that can make you feel more comfortable. Controller use is limited to the included controller unless you upgrade. The Pro Full version has no limitations of any kind, but the Home version is still limited to 10-minute periods with a custom controller, at which point that setup must be reset.
There’s not a lot to complain about with Virtual DJ. This is a high-quality software product that’s complete, customizable and simple to use. Perhaps the biggest negative associated with it is the extended load times. This isn’t a big problem if you’re going to load a set of tracks and then work on them for a while, but it can make for a frustrating experience if your project requires a lot of loading and unloading. The program can be resource-intensive as well, which can matter on older computers.
Pros
- Great balance between usability and features
- Excellent UI and highly customizable
- Built-in sampler and effects
Cons
- Long track loading times
- Intensive resource usage
