Bringing your DJ setup into the digital age will make your night in the booth a lot easier.
With the rise of digital music, it has become necessary for DJs to move into the digital age. Manufacturers and developers have both been hard at work over the past several years creating both hardware and software tools to make the job of the DJ much easier.
Mixing Software
A must-have for the laptop DJ, mixing software allows for the DJ to mix using the music files already on his or her computer. This negates the need to carry around a crate full of records or CDs. Popular mixing software includes Traktor and Serato.
MIDI Controller
The MIDI controller is the interface which allows for manipulation of digital tracks much like a traditional turntable and mixer setup. Here, those two items are built into a single device. Most MIDI controllers will also add special effects to enhance the mix. MIDI controller manufacturers include Vestax and Hercules.
External Sound Card
External sound cards are necessary to play your mixes on a traditional sound system if you are not using a MIDI controller or a controller without a built in sound card. It allows for a standard mixer to be used to mix together tracks on the computer through the mixing software. Native Instruments and Rane produce these devices.
Harmonic Mixing Software
Software such as Mixed in Key detects the key in which your digital songs are recorded, allowing them to be mixed harmonically. This results in a mix where the sounds of the two tracks complement each other in the best way possible. This is important because ome tracks, while at the same BPM, will clash because they are in a different musical key.
