The PCDJ DEX 3 is our best DJ software and this software can handle up to four DJ decks so you can use it with ease. You can also have an offline playback option as well as support for streaming capabilities using the Pulse Locker feature. There is also a time code feature for CD and vinyl playing which is also greatly support for those who want to start an old school or throwback party. You can use it to preview both audio and video in its tabs and this software has a mixer that is of professional grade. The playlists that you can create with this awesome DJ software are very diverse and very easy to access.
Our step-up pick is the Mix Vibes VFX Audio-Video DJ software and this DJ software allows you to mix both audio and video together using its effects and other awesome features. The software also contains 9 rotary knobs as well as 5 faders and it also offers various virtual controls for DJ software such as pitch bending and scratching using the highly sensitive jog wheels. It also comes with one output for headphones which is a 6.35 mm jack output. It comes with two RCA outputs for stereo and it has a total of four players plus one central mixer. A lot of transitions and effects are present in this amazing DJ software for you to mix on the go. There is also an Inch Shift button so you can access the secondary functions of the controls.
The budget pick is the Mix Vibes CROSS DJ Package and it gives a lot of simplicity yet efficiency to their mix. It also supports Windows 8.1 and its audio engine design is very good and the vinyl controls help you train yourself on how to become a better DJ in the process. It works well with Virtual DJ and Traktor and it also supports any iTunes library or playlist. This DJ software allows you to easily mix tracks on the go and it is a very reliable tool for any DJ who is starting out in the scene or practicing at home.
A Little Background
DJ software is slightly different from regular DAW or audio editing software such that it is designed to help you make up your perfect and seamless mix or be able to play it on a live audience. It is designed for endurance live sessions where you want to throw mixes depending on your preferences and the audience’s mood.
How We Picked
In choosing the best DJ software, here are some of our criteria:
Ease of use – the DJ software must be accommodating for a wide range of users, from beginner to advanced users.
Compatibility – you must look upon the compatibility of the DJ software to your current DJ controller.
Clear sound – the DJ software must be able to give you high quality sound and customization.
Our Pick
PCDJ DEX 3
Our best DJ software is the PCDJ DEX 3 and this software can handle up to four DJ decks so you can use it with ease. This software has a mixer that is of professional grade and the playlists that you can create with this awesome DJ software are very diverse and very easy to access. Also, you also have an offline playback option as well as support for streaming capabilities using the Pulse Locker feature.
In fact, you can use it to preview both audio and video in its tabs and the skin has two modes so you can choose whichever you like. There is also a time code feature for CD and vinyl playing which is also greatly support for those who want to start an old school or throwback party. The skin support allows you to customize the looks of your software based on your preferences and there are a ton of effects such as echo, reverb, filter, bit crusher, panning, flanger and many more. You can freely switch between automatic mixing and manual mixing at your expense. You can also perform video mixing with this awesome DJ software with effects such as reverse, pitch, break, scratch and many more.
You can also use various video transitions and video effects so you can sync your audio with your video and create a pleasing DJ live set experience for your crowd and there are also format filters for the library so you can easily browse for files faster. In fact, you are guaranteed support from most DJ controller functions such as hot cues, loops and playback functions.
The automatic beat mixing is very great with this awesome DJ software so you can work seamlessly between tracks that have different beats. Adding to its seamless features of mixing is the automatic key detection so you will have a very smooth mix. In fact, these two features allow you focus more on the content of each song to build your mix framework better. It supports over 75 different DJ controllers due to its versatility and it also has a smart looping feature which allows you to play music seamlessly.
You can even use it for karaoke parties because it can support karaoke files and the transport controls and the user interface of this DJ software resemble realistic CD decks so they are very familiar to use. You can also import playlists from iTunes so you can easily play your favorite music to start up the party and the playlist also has an auto mix feature as well as a shuffle play feature.
The traditional column style layout helps you find the music you are looking for faster. In fact, searching for your favorite songs and albums also help you ease your song search along with the auto complete feature as you type. You can use this DJ software for hobbyist DJ-ing or just for starting up a party in your neighborhood or backyard. Moreover it also supports Windows 7 and above as well as Mac OSX 10.6 and above.
Flaws but Not Dealbrakers
The PCDJ DEX 3 may have its own flaws and cons but they are not as much to break the deal for the best DJ software ever. For instance, some Amazon karaoke files won’t work properly on this DJ software, but that is a very minor issue since this is mostly for DJ-ing and live music rather than karaoke parties.
Step-up Pick
Mix Vibes VFX Audio-Video DJ software
Our step-up pick is the Mix Vibes VFX Audio-Video DJ software and this DJ software allows you to mix both audio and video together using its effects and other awesome features. It comes with two RCA outputs for stereo and it also comes with one output for headphones which is a 6.35 mm jack output. It also offers various virtual controls for this DJ software such as pitch bending and scratching using the highly sensitive jog wheels and the software also contains 9 rotary knobs as well as 5 faders.
There are also a total of 58 push buttons on the DJ software as well as 7 rotary push knobs for total control of your mix and there is also an Inch Shift button so you can access the secondary functions of the controls. A lot of transitions and effects are present in this amazing DJ software for you to mix on the go. Also, it has a total of four players plus one central mixer and you can even use a ton of logos, pictures and flashing animations.
You can even use animations for the text and you can also use the DJ software to input live camera feed so you can use it for your live shows. It is able to play a lot of formats for music and video, making it truly versatile and it is a great way to power up your live stage performance and get the crowd moving and jumping.
Budget Pick
Mix Vibes CROSS DJ Package
Our budget pick is the Mix Vibes CROSS DJ Package and this DJ software allows you to easily mix tracks on the go. It can be used for both Windows a well as Mac OS platforms due to its versatility and it is a very reliable tool for any DJ who is starting out in the scene or practicing at home. It gives a lot of simplicity yet efficiency to their mix.
If you are still learning on how to DJ then this is a great emulator for any DJ software. Its audio engine design is very good and the vinyl controls help you train yourself on how to become a better DJ in the process. It also supports Windows 8.1 and you can use it with a wide range of DJ controllers such as the Numark Mixtrack Pro. It also supports any iTunes library or playlist and it works well with Virtual DJ and Traktor.
Ideal DAW or Digital Audio Workstation DJ Software
Ableton Live 9 Suite Multi-Track Recording
The Ableton Live 9 Suite Multi-Track Recording can take as much as 32-bit at 192 kHz of audio recording so it is quite high quality in its recording capability and it comes with up to 23 sound libraries to choose your sounds from, which is very massive and contains over 50 GB of original music and sounds to make your mix from. You can easily use it as a DAW or digital audio workstation for making your original music because of its MIDI sequencing capability that enables creativity for the user.
You can easily mix and match software and hardware instruments using its intuitive program design and recording system. It also has up to 41 different effects to choose from and over 10 software instruments to boost your creativity with. There is also a real-time mode for time stretching so you can mix and match various loops and create mashups in no time also thanks to its advanced warping system. You have no limit to how much number of MIDI tracks and audio tracks you can input in each song so it is very handy for the meticulous DJ or composer / arranger who wants a lot of effects and instruments all packed up nicely in layers.
It is able to give you an intuitive workflow for studio and stage switching. It works on both Windows and Mac OS so it is very versatile. This DJ software is best for intermediate to advanced users and you must have prior knowledge to DAWs before using this DJ software since it is being used mostly by professionals in the music industry nowadays. However, it is a good upgrade or supplementary DAW if you have other DAWs like Cubase or FL Studio, specifically for live shows.
Ideal DJ Software for the Traktor DJ Controller
Native Instruments Traktor Scratch Pro 2
The Native Instruments Traktor Scratch Pro 2 is highly compatible with the Native Instruments Traktor DJ controller and you can even take off the control of the vinyl and replace it with a real record to lessen the load of the software in question. It can run on most Windows 7 and above with at least 2 GB of ram or above.
You get up to four tracks in this DJ software so you can definitely use it to layer down various tracks as much as possible so you can play over acapellas on an instrumental track plus a bunch of loops and other instruments, creating your original mashup or remix. Also, there are four different effect units that you can configure to work like a chain.
You can also combine the various functions of the buttons and the keys so it can perform a wide range of tasks. It is nice DJ tool that is comparable with Serato due to being compatible with Traktor and some of the best DJs out there that use this DJ software include Nick Faniciulli, Umex, Carl Cox, Pete Tong and Sharam. You can also perform very seamless scratches with this amazing DJ software to give you a great performance whether at a live event or indoors in your studio or home base. It gives a lot of creativity to the user and it also adds a lot of professionalism when it comes to using it in the club as an excellent source of your music or mix.
Ideal DJ Software for FL Studio Users
Image-Line Software Deckadance House Edition V.1
If you are a frequent user of FL Studio as a DAW or digital audio workstation then you may have probably heard of the Image-Line Software Deckadance House Edition V.1 which is ideal for mixing and DJ purposes. The software comprises of two decks that can load any mp3 file (whether it is ld3 v1 or v2) as well as Ogg files and wav files so it is good for those who are beginners in DJ-ing as well as the intermediate or the casual DJs.
There are various effects included in this DJ software such as low pass, band pass, high pass as well as band reject filter and there is also a 3D echo and flanger effect that is variable to suit your mood and your mix. There is also an 8 tap 3D phaser for your convenient mixing and you can use it as a VST / VSTi for your DAW such as FL Studio, Cubase, Reason, Ableton Live, etc. or you can use it as a standalone DJ mixing program to start up the party. It works on both Windows and Mac OS.
As one of the best DJ mixing software out there it also has an automatic beat detection so you can loop seamlessly between mixes for that awesome mix in your live session. There are a total of 8 samplers that are built-in so you can record from your live session without much worry and there is also a Relooper feature which helps you trigger your beat slices and chop them in any way you want without missing a beat. It uses 64-bit for its DSP and provides high quality processing.
It works for a wide range of DJ controllers such as the DJ Tech, Behringer, Hercules, XSession, Numark, Korg Zero4, Kontrol-DJ, Allen & Health, EKS Otus, Omnitronic, DBeat by OpenLabs, Vestax, SYNQ, Stanton SCS and Reloop Digital Jockey and there are also beat jump functions to give you a very seamless mix or mashup . It has a total of 12 outputs to choose from with 6 stereo outputs and it has a monitor, a master mix plus deck A and deck B for its 2-deck design.
Its tempo analysis uses the aufTAKT technology so that your beats will never miss at all and it has a standard EQ range control for low, mid and high, from -36 dB to +12 dB. It also has a band kill at -48 dB and there are also tempo tracking switches which help you seam together tracks that have different tempos. There is also an auto transition feature plus a transformer in the crossfader which also includes and embeds the UV meter. Also, the pitch control on this DJ mixing application is very precise in its build and its function so you can stay on-key without many problems.
There is also an automatic playback start that syncs to the beat and there is also a button for auto slave to the host or main tempo. There are also a lot of auto sync buttons to use with this awesome DJ software and you can choose between linear and curved modes for the crossfader modes which you can also tweak using the curve adjustment.
You can also use the phone split and the pre-fader listener level and you can use it for absolute cueing and seamless looping. There is also a leap feature as well as a reverse feature and also a loop feature and there is also a holding feature for the mouse for scratching with great torque simulation.
Choosing between slow and fast control, you can easily use the pitch bending technique as well as the down beat shift control. The UV meters and switch can be used for a wide range of elements and there are also X/Y control pads for you to control while in any live performance. There are also tons of VST effects using the Juice Pack including wave shaping, stereo enhancer, vocoder (similar to the Daft Punk vocals effect), and compression, filtering, flanging, EQ, delay, visual analysis and many more.
Playlist transitions have auto beat matched style for unleashing the DJ spirit in you. There are also tons of MIDI grooves for you to choose from as well as samples to create your own fresh mix. There are tons of downloadable royalty-free loops amounting to more than 500 and you can easily view your mix’s spectrogram using the spectroscope, peakscope as well some in-line help. There is also a crossfader for the bass and there is also a favorite function and a song browser for easy access to your files. Also, there is a shuffle mode.
Best Editor DJ Software
DJ Audio Editor 5.1 2014 Edition
The DJ Audio Editor 5.1 2014 Edition can support a myriad of audio formats such as mp3, Ogg, wav, AMR, AAC, m4a FLAC and many others and you can easily cut and manipulate audio files to produce your professional sounding mix for your live performance. It has a wide range of pasting functions such as from file or from the mix and it has a ton of effects such as amplify, echo, chorus, invert, mute, normalize, fade, flanger and vibrato.
You can also adjust the pitch, perform reversing on the track, add noise, add silence and change the tempo and there are many filters such as the EQ, delete silence notch filter, band pass filter and many more. You can also edit your song tags and information before you export it so you can add your artist or DJ name and any information about the track and you can also rip from CDs to your preferred audio format and you can edit and save. You can even join or split parts on any audio and it is also compatible with Windows 10.
Applicable DJ Software for the Mac OS
Roxio Toast with Jam 6 (Mac)
The Roxio Toast with Jam 6 (Mac) is compatible with Mac OS X that can be used to burn CD and DVD files without compromising quality and there is included software called the Jam 6 with this bundle that helps you to mix and master tracks at your expense to create a full DJ experience and play seamless music. There is also stereo editing software called the Bias Peak Express for your convenience.
It uses Dolby Digital Sound to master unprecedented encoding for videos and audio and the like – a great must-have if you want to wrap up music videos and much more and you can also use the DVD music album feature so you can play and burn hours of music in just one DVD. It has AES encryption at 128-bit along with password protection for privacy purposes.
You can also put in photos and videos using the zoom and pan features for editing slideshow videos from collections and you can also create movies from any DV camcorder. Aside from the Toast Jam 6 software, it also has CD Spin Doctor 2 software which helps you record from live audio performances, tapes, vinyl records and much more. Easily convert to a wide range of formats using the universal audio and video converters. You can burn any file from your desktop using the Toast It feature.
You can also use the Toast Anywhere feature to share your CD or DVD burner and you can also use the burning feature for the Jam 6 software. There are also many VST plug-ins as well as features for the Bias Peak Express for stereo editing without compromising quality and the Deja Vu automatic back up helps you schedule your CD and DVD burning. You can burn up to 30 minutes of extended video for any DVD without compromising quality.
The results of the burned CDs and DVD can be played in any home entertainment system or on your car’s DVD or CD player and it is a great tool for people who want to make their own mixtape in CD or DVD format.
DJ Software with Tons of Royalty-Free Loops
Acid DJ 3.0
The Acid DJ 3.0 is great DJ software that can be used for making your own original music or remix and it is a great tool for remixing and DJ-ing as well as producing your own music or for other purposes. You can get access to more than 600 royalty-free loops for use on your music with many instruments such as keyboards, synths, drums, percussion and much more.
You can definitely create a lot of combinations for your looping and mixes because of its loops that are made for use in dance music and electronic music and you can also export the files that you have created to mp3 or wav formats. You can use this DJ software for a ton of genres – from dance to house, jungle, downtempo, drum n bass, progressive, hard house, breaks and break beats as well as old school and tech house and you can also use the wide range of sound effects to create a great atmosphere for your music. You can easily hook up your mix to your other DJ software for an extended experience for your DJ live set.
Ideal DJ Software for Recording Audio
Sony Acid XMC
With the Sony Acid XMC, you can easily remix or record or create your own songs with this awesome DJ software. It can also help you import music from mp3s as well as CDs and you can share it with your DJ live set and you can also match the tempos well with its automatic tempo detection and key detection as well so you can play live music in any DJ set without much problems and present your mix in a precise way. Also, you can use up to 600 music loops to spice up your mix.
There are also tutorials included with this old but gold DJ software and you can also export your music to CDs. It also uses the Beat Mapper remixing tool to help you mix together songs with different time signatures and can support a myriad of formats such as mp3, AIFF, wav, Ogg and other lesser known formats such as SFA, W64, RealAudio, ATRAC3, QuickTime and much more.
The Competition
Other DJ software out there did not have the capability to present live music at a reliable phase. It is important for any DJ software to be able to seamlessly in any situation so that your audience will not have dead air in your performance.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why do DJs need to know about the beat jump technique?
A: Beat jump saves you a lot of time because it aligns the track onto a sort of a grid so that your mixes stay on the same beat when you re-align them when they are off the track. In the event that you realize that one of the decks in your current mix has excess or less bars than the other track then you can use beat jump to help you skip back four or eight bars back or forward so you get a seamless mix.
Q: What are the pros and cons of being CDJs and Laptop DJs?
A: According to Digital DJ Tips , the comparison between CDJs or traditional DJs using regular gear and laptop DJs who use MIDI controllers is like comparing someone who drives with manual transmission and automatic transmission. It really depends on your preferences and both kinds of DJing should be respected.
Wrapping It Up
Overall, the PCDJ DEX 3 is our best DJ software to help you accomplish a great mix with seamless quality.
Jen Miller is a former electrical engineer and product specialist with more than 20 years of product design and testing experience. She has designed more than 200 products for Fortune 500 companies, in fields ranging from home appliances to sports gear and outdoor equipment. She founded Jen Reviews to share her knowledge and critical eye for what makes consumers tick, and adopts a strict no-BS approach to help the reader filter through the maze of products and marketing hype out there. She writes regularly and has been featured on Forbes, Fast Company, The Muse, The Huffington Post, Tiny Buddha and MindBodyGreen.