djay Pro 2
Faster, more flexible, and funkier than ever
$39.99 From Algoriddim, algoriddim.com Needs OS X 10.11 or later
The robots are here, and not just for your job: As well as refinements and improvements, this update of Algoriddim’s award-winning app brings a really big new feature: machine learning. Algoriddim calls it Automix AI, and it can do the DJing for you. Sort of.
It doesn’t quite deliver the hands-free sets that some people think certain superstar DJs do, but Automix AI does a really good job of mixing between tracks based on real DJs’ sets, creating appropriate fades and intelligently applying EQ and filters for the best transition. That makes it ideal for background music, DJ restroom breaks, or events where the DJ isn’t the star.
If you’re a DJ who wants to be the star, we have good news and bad news. The bad news is that Automix AI starts to falter if you go beyond dance music; the good news is that the next version probably won’t.
Other than a view that now includes up to four decks, the most obvious new feature in djay Pro 2 is the media library. This makes it easy to bring in music from iTunes and Spotify as well as local audio and video tracks. You can create your own playlists across multiple sources, and the Smart Playlists feature makes it easy to narrow things down for specific genres or tempos. A split mode also shows sources side by side.
We particularly liked the new PhotoBeat feature, where you can drag photos onto the decks and see a beat-matched slideshow. You can use the same effects as for video — many of which are improved in this version — and as with video, communicate with an external monitor or projector via HDMI cable or AirPlay. As ever, you can record your performance for future reference or sharing.
Some of the most important changes are under the hood. There’s a new audio engine with significantly better performance and lower latency, and the various EQ and filters sound better than ever. You can now apply effects post-fader. There’s also a keyboard shortcut editor for laptop users who want to assign features to particular shortcuts. It’s useful, but is also a reminder that a laptop is not a great platform for a DJ without dedicated DJ hardware. djay Pro 2’s interface is clear and well thought out, but it’s a virtual representation of something very tactile.
The bottom line. A superb DJ app, faster and smarter than ever.