Algoriddim has announced a new version of its djay Pro app for Windows, now including features ported across from the company’s Apple apps, including digital vinyl system (DVS) control, Asio support, and Algoriddim’s take on real-time stems, Neural Mix. Read this next: Algoriddim djay Pro AI v4 For Mac, iPhone & iPad Review “We’ve completely … Continued If you require the extra two channels, external inputs, or access to streaming services… choose the PRIME 4. Otherwise, it’s mostly a matter of taste. Incorporating acapellas (vocal only versions of songs) in your DJ sets is a technique as old as the hills. Recently, DJ software has started to incorporate real-time “stems separation” features (stems separation being the ability to solo or mute the vocals and other parts of songs, such as drums, instruments and basslines). The question is: … Continued If you already have a preference, this part is easy. If you’re already maintaining a library in either Rekordbox or Engine, and you’re happy in that ecosystem, you know where to aim. Once again I’ll give my top recommendation in this category (assuming I had no other information)… and that is the PRIME 4.

It has 4 assignable inputs (for connecting media players or turntables), and a suite of effects from Denon's X1850 PRIME mixer. It can play music straight from one of its four USB inputs, or from an SD card. It even includes a 2.5” SATA drive bay… allowing you to carry your music on an internal hard drive. Uncompressed music is supported (such as FLAC, ALAC, or WAV files)… and you can use any one of these sources to record your DJ sets.Some promoters or other DJs may even look down on or ban the use of a laptop during sets. I think this type of attitude has no place in DJ culture. The average punter doesn’t care. Smart loops when enabled quantize the loops to the closest whole beat regardless of Quantize being active. This allows DJ’s who prefer to DJ with Quantize off still have accurate loops. EQ Type Settings The nature of standalone systems means that they are overall simpler than DJ controller setups. With the laptop out of the way, there’s a smaller footprint and fewer wires to worry about. Tight and seamless integration with professional-level DJ software is an added benefit. While you may intend to never use your controller with a laptop it’s still nice to have the choice.

All things being equal, if given no other info, this would be my general recommendation for a Pioneer standalone unit. There is auto looping and loop move on each channel, and while the performance pads are limited to four each side, they have a “layer” button so you can cycle between 1-4 and 5-8, so really, you do still have all eight pads. They offer hotcue, loop and loop roll (no slicer on this model). All they care about is having a good time. Whether a laptop is part of the process shouldn’t make a difference.Engine DJ 3.1 also brings new Sampler updates! Sampler audio can now be routed to any available channel, or to the main output. Access this by double-pressing the Roll pad mode button. The possibilities are endless! Denon DJ has announced a new Engine DJ software update with version 2.4. The latest update brings some new key features and improvements to the Operating System (OS) and Desktop. The PRIME 2 also doesn’t have external inputs for turntables or CDJs, and it is missing the four Sweep FX (the knob controls a filter only). And while it does support Virtual DJ, Serato is out. Control different effects easily by moving your finger across the screen to create unique effects in the most effortless way. For example, there are only a couple of onboard FX, in comparison to getting the full gamut of NXS2 goodies. The jog wheels aren’t quite as nice, the screen is high-quality, but it’s not touch-enabled… so that means no keyboard search. Stuff like that.