Traktor vs. Serato vs. Abelton

DJ Techtools did an article yesterday where they very politically correct compared Traktor, Serato and Abelton.
If you read between the lines one can clearly see that for a DJ: Traktor RULES!

Comments on Traktor:
The article has two cons for Traktor, but I don't see them as any problems and one of the also pretty much contredict one of the pros.
No sampler: Traktor S4 has a sampler and the upcoming reliese of Traktor will have a sampler.
No Midi learn: But you do have midi learn! You just can't click an interface controll. You have to select from a list.
Also one of the biggest pros for Traktor is it's MIDI programability. So if you want  to use MIDI you probably want Traktor anyway.

About the Bridge:
For those of you that don't know it: Traktor works perfectly with Abelton aswell!
It's pretty neat that you can record your sets and do minor changes after it's done and to be able to control Abelton with your turntables through a Serato deck with The Bridge. However the best thing about the bridge is the ability to view the Abelton layout inside the Serato software.
I believe if you're dropping your own loops and beats on top of your DJ set. The only thing you really need is to be in sync. Traktor delivers just that.

So adding it all up...

1. Traktor is one system with all features included. With Serato you have to pick either Scratch or Itch.
2. Traktor can also be used with Abelton.
3. Traktor has sync/beat grid.
4. Traktor has quantise.
5. Traktor has more effects.
6. Traktor has better sound quality (when time stretching audio).
7. Traktor S4 has sampler and the next version will also have samplers.
8. Traktor has the best MIDI mapping options.
9. Traktor has internal mixer mode.
10. Serato has pretty colorcodes for the waveforms (Which the next Traktor also will have)
11. Serato can mix video.

Traktor did take sampler and waveform colors from Serato, but those are probably the only nice features left for selecting Serato (except video). I do believe the scale still tips in favour of Traktor anyway.

Oh... If you're a producer. Abelton might be a nice way to perform, but if you want to DJ... Go for Traktor and learn how to mix deck by deck.

Gemini Firstmix

I've hasseled Gemini about their product quality lately as they are now trying to make their way into the market. I haven't tried a Gemini product for about 15 years, but I still remember their dodgy quality products as a dear memory back when I started DJing.
However I think they might have hit their market segment with Firstmix. This is what I remember good old Gemini was aiming for and what I would expect from a Gemini.
Check it out!!!

Learn Traktor at a high level

If you like to enhance your skills you should take a look at what DubSpot can offer. They've got some very nice courses that you can attend if you're in New York or you can take a smaller online courses that they are holding aswell.


Digital DJing w/ Traktor Program
Digital DJing w/ Traktor Level 1: Introduction to DJing
Digital DJing w/ Traktor Level 2: Phrase Mixing (by phone)
Digital DJing w/ Traktor Level 3: Beyond The Beatmatch (by phone)

Some more cool Traktor info here...

Teenage Engineering OP-1

It's a bit off topic, but since it's so freakin' cool I just had to tell you about this awesome synth.

Teenage Engineering made a synth called OP-1 which is one of the coolest music device out there. It you want to have a small portable synth with your DJ setup and just be über fantastic. This is the way to go.

Check out this video from Skratchworx.


And... If you think you've seen it before? You're probably right! Swedish House Mafia used in the music video for their super hot track: One

American Audio VMS-4 Traktor FIRST LOOK

Nothing shows off the gear like a video. :) I think this is a pretty neat controller for Traktor. Like the touch faders that 's on theese controllers. I think we'll be seeing quite alot more of this type of additions to controllers in the future.

This video is from NAMM 2011

djTechtools - Nammies 2011

There where alot of great news last week about Digital DJ products beeing reliesed.
DJ Techtools did an article about the greates relieses at NAMM 2011, but I can't figure out why they didn't mention Pioneers DDJ-T1? Didn't Pioneer show it off at all? If so that was a pretty bad marketing move, or maybe it just isn't stable enough.

Anyway Rane delivered a solid soundcard for Serato and Re-loop did a solid controller release for Traktor. Check it out the new DB4 from Allen & Heath if you are interrested in expencive multifunctional mixers...

Read it all here

EXFORM PDS-1 PCDJ SWITCHER

If you've ever played back to back with another DJ playing on a PC, you've probably experienced some difficulties when changing setups. This smart box in the setup makes switching easy and pretty simple too. A must have for any clubs featuring more then one DJ pr. night.