Fursa
First, apologies if this has been mentioned before but after searching - I could not find anything on the topic.
I purchased Virtual DJ Pro Infinity a few years back - I felt the company was credible as the LE version came with many of the controllers on the market. Recently - a friend asked me what software I use - I told them about Virtual DJ, but also the competitors, Serato and Rekordbox DJ. I shared that personally - I never could get enough of a feel of Serato because it was the intro version - regardless, I preferred Virtual DJ. (Video was a factor too.) I shared that I knew little about Rekordbox but that it is another contender on the market. We then checked out the website of Virtual DJ, Serato and Rekordbox. My friend's feedback was that the Virtual DJ site felt like someones small open source project website while the others felt professional. I have to agree. I then looked at social media for each of the three brands - again - Virtual DJ came off as the least professional of the three.
Later I decided it was time to check out the UI for each of the three - while I did not see huge issues - I could tell Serato and Rekordbox paid attention to detail in design - software just looked cleaner. Then in reading Digital DJ Tips buyers guide for VDJ they had this to say - "Of the other brands, Virtual DJ is the one that’s seen the biggest decline among our readership this year, perhaps due to the lack of official hardware partners - although the platform is still the choice of many, especially in the mobile community." - They did not even provide hardware recs for VDJ this year - instead they made space for more android/iOS products - it was disappointing to say the least.
Yes I know VDJ works - and its all good - I mean I use it enough to know - but they likely lost my friend as a customer (they are going RekordBox DJ with Pioneer DDJ-RB) and I can imagine they have lost many others. Even respected reviewers of VDJ complain of the unpolished feel of the company - from website to software. Now I imagine many of you - like me - enjoy the software and don't plan on switching - but if license subscriptions decline - so will the product.
Does Atomix plan on changing anything or is it sticking with the status quo?
I purchased Virtual DJ Pro Infinity a few years back - I felt the company was credible as the LE version came with many of the controllers on the market. Recently - a friend asked me what software I use - I told them about Virtual DJ, but also the competitors, Serato and Rekordbox DJ. I shared that personally - I never could get enough of a feel of Serato because it was the intro version - regardless, I preferred Virtual DJ. (Video was a factor too.) I shared that I knew little about Rekordbox but that it is another contender on the market. We then checked out the website of Virtual DJ, Serato and Rekordbox. My friend's feedback was that the Virtual DJ site felt like someones small open source project website while the others felt professional. I have to agree. I then looked at social media for each of the three brands - again - Virtual DJ came off as the least professional of the three.
Later I decided it was time to check out the UI for each of the three - while I did not see huge issues - I could tell Serato and Rekordbox paid attention to detail in design - software just looked cleaner. Then in reading Digital DJ Tips buyers guide for VDJ they had this to say - "Of the other brands, Virtual DJ is the one that’s seen the biggest decline among our readership this year, perhaps due to the lack of official hardware partners - although the platform is still the choice of many, especially in the mobile community." - They did not even provide hardware recs for VDJ this year - instead they made space for more android/iOS products - it was disappointing to say the least.
Yes I know VDJ works - and its all good - I mean I use it enough to know - but they likely lost my friend as a customer (they are going RekordBox DJ with Pioneer DDJ-RB) and I can imagine they have lost many others. Even respected reviewers of VDJ complain of the unpolished feel of the company - from website to software. Now I imagine many of you - like me - enjoy the software and don't plan on switching - but if license subscriptions decline - so will the product.
Does Atomix plan on changing anything or is it sticking with the status quo?
Posté Mon 23 Oct 17 @ 8:10 pm
toppadon
I agree with a lot of your points. In my opinion I do think VDJ would benefit from a 'refresh'. The website, social media, the gui, more videos displaying what it can do etc, would all help to raise its profile. In the past few weeks VDJ has had quite a bit of good publicity. There was a very fair and balanced comparison with Serato on digital dj tips. Then there was the colour timecode vinyls that are now available. Also, and for me potentially the most important news, was the announcement of the Reloop Touch. It's things like this which could help change the perception of VDJ and therefore mean the software gets shown more 'love' from the hardware manufacturers.
Posté Tue 24 Oct 17 @ 2:24 pm
Fursa
toppadon wrote :
announcement of the Reloop Touch. It's things like this which could help change the perception of VDJ and therefore mean the software gets shown more 'love' from the hardware manufacturers.
Do you think the Reloop Touch will bring new people in the fold for VDJ?
As for brand refresh - i mean a little bit of CSS goes a long way!
The name of the software never bothered me - I can see however that some people would see virtual as meaning "almost or nearly as described, but not completely or according to strict definition." meaning virtual dj means almost DJ. However I have always seen Virtual to mean "carried out, accessed, or stored by means of a computer, especially over a network." and most people I know don't have an issue with the name.
Posté Tue 24 Oct 17 @ 2:51 pm
wildcountryclub
you obviously didn't look very hard considering how long this one has been ongoing and how many others exactly like it have been brought up over the years. I even remember seeing them back in 2006 when I first posted in this forum.
they almost always devolve into drama and the same comments over and over.
https://www.virtualdj.com/forums/220416/General_Discussion/vdj_and_why_people_might_overlook_it_.html
they almost always devolve into drama and the same comments over and over.
https://www.virtualdj.com/forums/220416/General_Discussion/vdj_and_why_people_might_overlook_it_.html
Posté Tue 24 Oct 17 @ 3:08 pm
Fursa
wildcountryclub wrote :
you obviously didn't look very hard considering how long this one has been ongoing and how many others exactly like it have been brought up over the years. I even remember seeing them back in 2006 when I first posted in this forum.
they almost always devolve into drama and the same comments over and over.
https://www.virtualdj.com/forums/220416/General_Discussion/vdj_and_why_people_might_overlook_it_.html
they almost always devolve into drama and the same comments over and over.
https://www.virtualdj.com/forums/220416/General_Discussion/vdj_and_why_people_might_overlook_it_.html
I am speaking specifically about brand and image - not the software or hardware partnerships. I am not sure what software platform this forum and site are built on - but a bit of CSS goes a long way. Even if they created a new landing or home page and left the other components alone.
I can tell the name is a sensitive area - I don't think the name should change - nobody I spoke to ever questioned the name - well besides DJ websites/bloggers.
Posté Tue 24 Oct 17 @ 3:24 pm
toppadon
I saw the post that you are referring to and I agree with you. I though it was a good post which did, unfortunately, end up in somewhat of a slanging match and drifted totally off topic.
"Do you think the Reloop Touch will bring new people in the fold for VDJ?"
No not necessarily. However I personally believe that a hardware manufacturer releasing a controller based around VDJ is a positive move, and hopefully Reloop will continue to do this in the future. It's been a long while since I've seen a controller launched for VDJ, and to have the backing and support of a hardware brand would definately be a good thing.
"Do you think the Reloop Touch will bring new people in the fold for VDJ?"
No not necessarily. However I personally believe that a hardware manufacturer releasing a controller based around VDJ is a positive move, and hopefully Reloop will continue to do this in the future. It's been a long while since I've seen a controller launched for VDJ, and to have the backing and support of a hardware brand would definately be a good thing.
Posté Tue 24 Oct 17 @ 3:28 pm
klausmogensen
Looking at Seratos forum and the Serato DJ skin, it doesn't look like better/fresher/modern is the answer.
Both look like something out of the 1980's East Germany
So judging by Serato (and Traktor for that matter) it seems like retro look is the thing,,,
This has always been strange to me BTW.
How Serato DJ can get away with looking the way it does, and rarely anybody complains about it
Both look like something out of the 1980's East Germany
So judging by Serato (and Traktor for that matter) it seems like retro look is the thing,,,
This has always been strange to me BTW.
How Serato DJ can get away with looking the way it does, and rarely anybody complains about it
Posté Tue 24 Oct 17 @ 3:30 pm
MissyBee
Serato looks awful in my opinion... but apart from the looks Virtual DJ wins over anyone in one important feature (at least important for me)
Native Streaming!
The build-in streaming ability that comes with the software is so easy to do, and gives you the ability to go live to your online-audience without much hassle. Hence why Virtual DJ was my pick, because it couldnt be found anywhere else...
Yes Traktor does have a feature to stream but from what I ve heard it a huge hassle and only compatible with Icecast.
Every software has a thing that makes it shine and stick out from others. Mostly negative comments towards Virtual DJ, is from people that have actually never tried it and just think its a software for kids. But as said before.... Serato or the other "established" DJ Software might have become Pro-Stuff because they have had hardware partners...
"Oh look Pioneer and Serato make a controller! So it must be awesome!"
I never bought a Serato Controller because the silvertrim all over the controller makes it look cheap and toyish... and when I look at the laptops with Serato on it next to the controller, the thought doesent go away. So... whats the deal with it?
Rekordbox. It came with my controller along with other fancy stuff like Video Mixing ect (whut? VDJ has it all in one package. No extra license needed) and hey I gave it a try to see how it is. I liked it. Rekordbox comes with a nice UI, dark tone as I prefer it.
BUT... CPU is always at max. Loading songs or analysing it takes some time. The whole UI feels slow. Now people might say: "Get a better machine" but hey why should I do that when VDJ 8.2 runs super smooth on it with the same results right? So Rekordbox... really nice software.
Lets see how we can stream when we mix... oh wait we cant... why?
I reasearched what Pioneer says about native streaming and I did not like it. "We dont plan to add native streaming because of legal issues that come with the streaming"
Uh huh.
So yeah, as I said: Every software shines with some things. Why is Virtual DJ so unpopular or DJ Software for Wannabee's?
I seriously have no Idea. I remember VDJ beeing the thing for the digital DJ's back in the day before I ever heard names like Traktor, Serato or Rekordbox. I think Rekordbox is the youngest Software around the market but Pioneer fans treat it like it was the beginning of Digital DJing... I like Pioneer too, but come on people get a grip.
In the end I dont care what other people say. I use what suits me the best and others should do so too, regardless if you smiled upon or called a "Noob" DJ. Many people forget that not the Soft- and Hardware does the DJing. You do the DJing, so judging someone by his tools is retarded.
In the end usage its all personal perference and I think using or not using a DJ Software because everyone else does so is wrong!
Thats my 2 cents in this matter!
Native Streaming!
The build-in streaming ability that comes with the software is so easy to do, and gives you the ability to go live to your online-audience without much hassle. Hence why Virtual DJ was my pick, because it couldnt be found anywhere else...
Yes Traktor does have a feature to stream but from what I ve heard it a huge hassle and only compatible with Icecast.
Every software has a thing that makes it shine and stick out from others. Mostly negative comments towards Virtual DJ, is from people that have actually never tried it and just think its a software for kids. But as said before.... Serato or the other "established" DJ Software might have become Pro-Stuff because they have had hardware partners...
"Oh look Pioneer and Serato make a controller! So it must be awesome!"
I never bought a Serato Controller because the silvertrim all over the controller makes it look cheap and toyish... and when I look at the laptops with Serato on it next to the controller, the thought doesent go away. So... whats the deal with it?
Rekordbox. It came with my controller along with other fancy stuff like Video Mixing ect (whut? VDJ has it all in one package. No extra license needed) and hey I gave it a try to see how it is. I liked it. Rekordbox comes with a nice UI, dark tone as I prefer it.
BUT... CPU is always at max. Loading songs or analysing it takes some time. The whole UI feels slow. Now people might say: "Get a better machine" but hey why should I do that when VDJ 8.2 runs super smooth on it with the same results right? So Rekordbox... really nice software.
Lets see how we can stream when we mix... oh wait we cant... why?
I reasearched what Pioneer says about native streaming and I did not like it. "We dont plan to add native streaming because of legal issues that come with the streaming"
Uh huh.
So yeah, as I said: Every software shines with some things. Why is Virtual DJ so unpopular or DJ Software for Wannabee's?
I seriously have no Idea. I remember VDJ beeing the thing for the digital DJ's back in the day before I ever heard names like Traktor, Serato or Rekordbox. I think Rekordbox is the youngest Software around the market but Pioneer fans treat it like it was the beginning of Digital DJing... I like Pioneer too, but come on people get a grip.
In the end I dont care what other people say. I use what suits me the best and others should do so too, regardless if you smiled upon or called a "Noob" DJ. Many people forget that not the Soft- and Hardware does the DJing. You do the DJing, so judging someone by his tools is retarded.
In the end usage its all personal perference and I think using or not using a DJ Software because everyone else does so is wrong!
Thats my 2 cents in this matter!
Posté Wed 25 Oct 17 @ 10:44 am
the SOUND INSURGENT
You can stream with both Serato and Pioneer, only difference is it's not built in....
Posté Wed 25 Oct 17 @ 6:47 pm
MissyBee
Yes when you use 3rd party plug-ins and don't need meta tags.
Most Radiostations require meta tags to be send so good luck making that work.
As I said it's much more hassle with other software then with VirtualDJ. Period.
Most Radiostations require meta tags to be send so good luck making that work.
As I said it's much more hassle with other software then with VirtualDJ. Period.
Posté Wed 25 Oct 17 @ 6:55 pm
the SOUND INSURGENT
I personally could give a shit less, lmao!!
This thread is stupid and so is the other one, I don't have any vasted in Atomix nor any other program. VDJ works for what I need when I need it. I've never had anyone say anything to me about using VDJ, EVER PERIOD!!
For anyone that's worried about what other people think, y'all should just quit trying to dj now because if you can't handle the criticism people say about your software imagine what they say about your mixes, lol!!
This thread is stupid and so is the other one, I don't have any vasted in Atomix nor any other program. VDJ works for what I need when I need it. I've never had anyone say anything to me about using VDJ, EVER PERIOD!!
For anyone that's worried about what other people think, y'all should just quit trying to dj now because if you can't handle the criticism people say about your software imagine what they say about your mixes, lol!!
Posté Wed 25 Oct 17 @ 7:08 pm
kradcliffe
Or your shoes ..... or your jacket .... or your phone ...... or your face.
Correct, this thread is just stupid. Again.
Nothing has changed regarding the website, marketing, price or anything else in years. As long as VDJ starts up (well, most of the time excluding server failures) then I'm a happy bunny.
These people at my club gig last Wednesday don't seem too bothered which software I'm using.
Correct, this thread is just stupid. Again.
Nothing has changed regarding the website, marketing, price or anything else in years. As long as VDJ starts up (well, most of the time excluding server failures) then I'm a happy bunny.
These people at my club gig last Wednesday don't seem too bothered which software I'm using.
Posté Wed 25 Oct 17 @ 7:10 pm
Don Moir
themak85 wrote :
.....We then checked out the website of Virtual DJ, Serato and Rekordbox. My friend's feedback was that the Virtual DJ site felt like someones small open source project website while the others felt professional. I have to agree.
...Later I decided it was time to check out the UI for each of the three - while I did not see huge issues - I could tell Serato and Rekordbox paid attention to detail in design - software just looked cleaner.....
...Later I decided it was time to check out the UI for each of the three - while I did not see huge issues - I could tell Serato and Rekordbox paid attention to detail in design - software just looked cleaner.....
themak85, I do not agree with anything you said. Not mean spirited but I just don't. Please provide links or images to backup what you are saying if you please.
Whatever Serato is doing they seem to be successful in making people think they are the best of the best. A good position for them but not necessarily for you.
I just installed RekordBox.. amateur big time.
Posté Wed 25 Oct 17 @ 7:41 pm
Djratedxxx919
The difference in main Guis is Traktor and serato and rekordbox is they make better use of space. example VDJ jog decks has a lot of wasted space.
Posté Thu 26 Oct 17 @ 1:09 am
Don Moir
I believe that is up to the designer of the skin for VDJ which is not an option in the others as far as I know. Don't think any space is provided for video in Serato and RekordBox and just added as external app (at least in Serato). Optional video on skin for VDJ. I don't think they will ever catch up to VDJ in that area. I see Serato as a app for management and playback of mostly audio and seems to be static (not changing). I have one from 2 years ago and one from about 2 months ago. Seems static except for some minor things. That is fine if it does what you want. VDJ needs improvement but I think they are ahead of the game with something more robust.
Posté Thu 26 Oct 17 @ 1:54 am
groovindj
Djratedxxx919 wrote :
VDJ jog decks has a lot of wasted space
In which of the many hundreds of skins? That's the huge advantage of VDJ over Serekordtrakato. If you don't like a skin, use another one.
Posté Thu 26 Oct 17 @ 6:06 pm
kradcliffe
Problem is that most judge the software by it's initial look, and many probably don't know 3rd party skins are actually available.
Personally I have always thought the default skin deck area wastes far too much space to the detriment of the browser.
Personally I have always thought the default skin deck area wastes far too much space to the detriment of the browser.
Posté Thu 26 Oct 17 @ 6:10 pm
groovindj
These 'most' and 'many' folks must be pretty stupid then! :-)
A quick Google search for Virtual DJ shows the download area as one of the first results, including the word skins prominently shown.
Switch to Google images and it's blatantly obvious that VDJ doesn't just have one look or one skin.
Search for the same on YouTube and again, multiple skins in the results.
All the above even before downloading and opening the software, where clicking through the settings icons shows straight away that the appearance can be changed.
I just can't fathom how anyone can get the impression of VDJ having one fixed GUI.
A quick Google search for Virtual DJ shows the download area as one of the first results, including the word skins prominently shown.
Switch to Google images and it's blatantly obvious that VDJ doesn't just have one look or one skin.
Search for the same on YouTube and again, multiple skins in the results.
All the above even before downloading and opening the software, where clicking through the settings icons shows straight away that the appearance can be changed.
I just can't fathom how anyone can get the impression of VDJ having one fixed GUI.
Posté Thu 26 Oct 17 @ 6:30 pm
derwoodski
+1 GroovIndj - When I discovered the additional skins it opened up a new world. There is pretty much anything that meets your tastes or supports an individual's style or workflow.
Posté Fri 27 Oct 17 @ 2:55 pm
A Man and His Music
I learned early in my career that I was not going to please everyone, no matter what you do. So guess what, I don't even try. I only shoot for 90-95%. If there are ten people in the room, and eight are on the floor, I'm doing a great job. I have seen this company go out of it's way to provide users with most of their request, and yet there will always be a few that are never satisfied. Fortunately for that few, I don't own the company. I am a working DJ, and get paid to make people dance, so I am not slitting my wrist because of the way the skin looks. Plus I have choices. But that's just me, part of the 90%.
Posté Fri 27 Oct 17 @ 4:28 pm
