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Algoriddim's djay iOS app uses Shazam to recognize and sync with live music
Algoriddim is integrating Shazam into its latest iOS djay app with the release of iOS 15.
Djay Pro uses AI to turn songs into acapellas and instrumentals on-the-fly
Algoriddim leveraged AI for an update to its djay Pro software a couple years back, improving its Automix capability. It seems the company has been developing some more interesting uses since then with today’s launch of Neural Mix, as part of the new djay Pro AI.
Spotify will end support for third-party DJ apps on July 1st
DJing is no longer about two turntables and a fader -- laptops and tablets are essential tools of the trade. Apps like djay help performers beat-match, remix songs and trigger samples, and have the added convenience of cloud-based library integration. However, Spotify -- one of the most popular streaming services -- is pulling support for all third-party DJ apps. It's not clear why the company is longer allowing access to its immense library of music, but Engadget has reached out to hopefully learn more.
Algoriddim merges its iOS djay apps, adds new Pro-level features
Algoriddim's djay app has been an Apple favorite for some time, regularly appearing in the company's keynotes to show off incremental updates over the years. There's been djay, djay for iPhone, djay for iPad, vjay (for video), djay 2, djay Pro and djay Pro 2, but the whole thing has gotten a bit fragmented. Today, the company is simplifying its app catalog by releasing the new djay for iOS, spanning all the requisite devices and available as a free download in the App Store. On top of that, djay for iOS Pro is now the same app, but with an unlocked set of new features as part of a $5-per-month subscription model (or $40 if you pre-pay for a full year).
Djay for Apple Watch puts decks on your wrist
Desktop, laptop, tablet, phone and (now) watch. That's a list of things you can DJ (or rather, djay) on, thanks to a multi-platform update to the eponymous(ish) app from Algoriddim. As Apple Watch (kinda) hits stores this week, you'll be able to update Djay 2 for iOS (the Watch version isn't a standalone app) so that it works with your new timepiece. Of course, features are stripped back, but you can do most things you need to keep the music flowing, such as browse your iTunes library, add and sync tunes to a "deck" or use Force Touch and have the software do it all for you (aka "Automix" mode). It's a tough life for the wearable DJ. If you prefer to mix on the other devices we listed, Algoriddim has updates for you, too.
Interactive album artwork doubles as a DJ controller
Jack White isn't the only act doing amazing things with vinyl releases. Inside DJ Qbert's Extraterrestria, one of the jacket inserts doubles as a controller for Algoriddim's djay iOS app. After connecting to a mobile device via Bluetooth, Novalia's printed MIDI tech makes the album art the console, complete with scratching and a smattering of other tools. What's more, it'll work with Apple's desktop OS, too. The album was funded by a Kickstarter campaign, and most of the copies will go to those who committed ahead of time. Unlike White's Lazaretto release, it's not the record itself that's the main attraction here, but rather the packaging -- not that it makes the project any less awesome. Jump down past the break to see it in action.
Algoriddim releases djay Pro for the Mac with Spotify Integration
Just in time for non-stop holiday parties, last minute mix-tapes for your friends and family or an always appreciated compilation of road-trip standards, the world's best-selling DJ app just got a whole lot better. Algoriddim, creators of the Apple Design Award-winning app djay, today released djay Pro. Yes, there is finally a professional version of the ever popular djay app for the desktop. This new desktop version has been totally purpose-built for OS X as djay Pro now can take full advantage of desktop class architecture and 64-bit processing. Earlier this year in May, Algoriddim released djay 2 for the iPhone and iPad adding Spotify integration. Now with djay Pro for the Mac, the desktop jock has access to the same 20 million tracks and growing (minus a few Taylor Swift ditties.) I've been a professional Dee Jay for over 20 years. Gone are the days of stuffing a mini van full of milk crates jam-packed with records, not to mention time-consuming equipment setups. What's worse is to have a party-goer request a random, off-the-wall song backed by a neatly folded Hundy, which you must decline because finding it will be nearly impossible. With djay Pro for the Mac, you can just run a quick search on Spotify and Musica Obscura is a success. "Cha-ching!" I'll be the first to admit when apps in this class first came out I thought they were useless and underpowered. I spouted the typical vinyl curmudgeon mantra, "No self-respecting DJ would ever get caught using a computer, tablet or phone for their set." After falling in love with djay 2 for the iPad I did a complete turnaround on that position. A quick look at the all new user interface and all the professional features one would expect are in djay Pro. Features like beat detection, looping, slipping, scrubbing, multi cue point, non destructive FX, live sampler, beat matching and the killer recommendation engine powered by The Echo Nest that made djay the number one app in its class with over 15 million downloads. What a surprise when I loaded up my library on djay Pro for the Mac, discovering all my metadata like cue point, grid adjustments and FX all carried over from the iOS version of djay via iCloud syncing. The new layout features standard turntable view, and enhanced waveform views that can be adjusted to 2 deck or 4 deck configurations, and even further with horizontal or vertical views of those tracks. It is almost as if Algoriddim set out to create a software version of some of the more elaborate hardware DJ control surfaces on the market. On that note djay Pro supports a wide range of hardware controllers from top makers like Native Instruments, Numark, Vestax, Reloop and Pioneer. If you're a long time DJ professional, enthusiastic hobbyist or just starting out, djay Pro for the Mac is hands down the best application out there for the job. Available in the Mac App Store for any machine running Mac OS X 10.9 or later, djay Pro is available today for limited time introductory price of $US49.99 (regular price will be $79.99.)
Algoriddim takes on Traktor with its djay Pro desktop app
Algoriddim's popular mixing app djay is a lesson in mass appeal. If you see yourself playing in clubs and festivals, you'll likely be reaching for software like Serato, or Traktor. But, if you have a phone or a tablet (and a penchant for the old turntable setup, albeit virtual) then djay is an easy choice. So much so that 15 million of you have downloaded it to date. The app broke out of its mobile scheckles some time ago, with a Mac OS X version, for those that wanted to look a little more serious. Today, Algoriddim is hoping to pick up a few more dedicated DJs with the launch of djay Pro, an even more advanced version (also for Mac).
Moonlight as a DJ using Spotify tracks and an iPad
We've living in an age of on-demand music and high-power hardware everywhere. That means (among other things) that it's never been easier to play at being a DJ... especially if the streaming-audio buffs have anything to say about it. You see, Spotify and Algoriddim -- the makers of the popular iOS DJing app djay 2 -- have partnered up to give would-be turntablists access to Spotify's extensive audio archive, just in time for all those early summer shindigs.
Djay 2 for iOS gets 20 million song update via Spotify
Just in time for summer pool parties, beach bashes and wild wedding receptions, one of the best full-featured DJ apps for iOS just got cranked up to eleven. Algoriddim's award wining djay 2 application for iOS has just been upgraded to version 2.5, and now includes seamless Spotify integration. If you have djay 2 and a Spotify Premium account, you can DJ anything. Don't have Spotify Premium? There's a free 7-day trial included with djay 2. The limitations of device storage and pre-purchased music in your iTunes library are now things of the past with djay 2. Users can choose from over 20 million tracks via Spotify including their existing playlists, starred tracks and inbox. DJs from all skill levels can appreciate that awkward moment when somebody asks you to play a song that's, shall we say, not in your wheelhouse. Now just use the powerful Spotify search, instantly add the requested song to your inbox and wow the crowd with your best Rock Lobster remix. Don't know what to play next? No problem, djay 2 now features harmonic song matching technology from Echo Nest, which looks for solid matching tracks that go with what you're playing. The team from Algoriddim demoed the new Spotify integration for a couple of my TUAW colleagues last week at Spotify's US office in New York. Even over 4G or 3G, the Spotify-sourced songs loaded in quickly and played with no hitches or hiccups. Company founder Karim Morsy (who has 15 years of DJ experience under his belt) showed how easy it was to search the full Spotify database, including some non-traditional tracks like stand-up comedy or famous speeches. Using those tracks as part of a DJ set would certainly get the crowd's attention. What about those times when you don't want to keep your hands on the device all night? Taking full advantage of song matching and a vast catalog of music, iOS devices can be the DJ using the Automix Radio feature. The live mix will feature perfectly beat-matched music complete with seamless DJ style transitions. For the professionals Algoriddim has a wide selection of compatible controllers from hardware partners like Numark, Pioneer DJ, Vestax and Reloop. Desktop-class audio effects by Sugar Bytes are available via in-app purchase; they are available for a limited time at a 50% discount. Djay 2 2.5 is available today in the iTunes App Store for iPad and iPhone. This is a free update for existing users. New users can purchase djay 2 iPad for $9.99 ($4.99 during launch week) and djay 2 for iPhone for $1.99 (free during launch week). Spotify integration is available only to users with a premium subscription.
Philips announces iOS-friendly M1X-DJ system, puts decks on your dock
Philips, more known for its TVs and home appliances isn't entirely new to the DJ game, but it's certainly not the first brand that trips off the tongue when talking all things spin. Still, it's IFA, and Philips is having a product releasing spree, which includes a renewed venture into this space with the M1X-DJ system. Essentially, the M1X-Dj is an iPad and iPhone dock (via lightning connection) with DJ platters and a mini mixer built-in. It's compatible with Algoriddim's ubiquitous Djay app, and supports Bluetooth streaming also. The speakers pumps out your mixes at 80 watts, and can run on regular D-size batteries should you want to take the fun outside. There appears to be a shoulder strap, too, perhaps making this the accordion for the iOS generation? We'll find out in November when it comes out, costing 399 euros. Follow all of our IFA 2013 coverage by heading to our event hub!
Pioneer announces DDJ-WeGO2 entry level DJ console with iOS support, onboard sound (video)
Pioneer's original DDJ-WeGO was an effort to secure some of the entry-level DJ-dollars (it does pretty well at the other end already). This time around, there's more of a focus on iOS, with a grip along the back that doubles as a stand for your iPhone or iPad (a lightning cable is included, too). This also means that as well as support for PC and Mac DJ software (Virtual DJ LE is bundled,) you can ride the fader with the fancy new Djay too. The rest of the hardware is pretty familiar ground, with two jog-wheels, effects and a tiny mixing console crammed-in to the small footprint. Learner DJs can improve their skills thanks to visual prompts provided by the LEDs (that flash with the beat etc.,) and USB power means one less cable to worry about. Importantly there's onboard audio, so you get the full DJ / headphone monitoring experience, and a decent audio line out. Prospective spinners will have to wait until October to get one, at a cost of $429. A shade more than the predecessor, but you do get three spiffy full-body colors (red, white and black) to choose from.
djay 2 now available, on sale for limited time
Djay is perhaps one of the best apps ever. The later video-based version, vjay is nothing short of an incredible feat of software engineering. I got a peek at djay 2, a standalone new app for iPad and iPhone/iPod touch, and it blew me away. I also got to meet the creators, and now that I understand how the original djay was created by someone who has actually worked as a DJ, I appreciate the small touches in the software all the more. djay 2 is a reworking of the original app, but the largely skeumorphic look remains. Details are amped up in places, but overall the app works mostly the same: you put records on one of two turntables and you commence to mixing, scratching, looping and making beats. The new touches add up to a whole lot, however. Beats in a song that are matched can now adjust and remain locked over the duration of the entire song. It's easier than ever to lock in on a particular riff and jump back to it over and over again. Albums appearing on the turntables draw grooves to match the duration of a song, so you can actually see a realistic representation of a vinyl album in the interface. That last part is of no consequence to amateurs who futz around, but if you've ever used a real table and real albums, it's really cool. Then there are the waveforms. Whereas most waveforms show you the shape of the sound, typically the dynamics (volume levels, more or less) of a song, djay 2 has introduced color waveforms. The colors are interpolated using the sound, so percussion areas might map to pink and softer string portions to green. I didn't coax a secret formula from the developers, but when you use it, you will immediately understand how much easier this is when it comes to finding portions of a song. It's now easier than ever to jump to a beat at any point in any song. All of this is also in HD and looks amazing on a Retina iPad. djay 2 continues a tradition of simplifying the work of a DJ's tools, while also giving pro DJ's a powerful instrument with which to play. Since the App Store doesn't do upgrade pricing, djay 2 (a separate, new app from djay v.1) is now available for US$4.99 on iPad and $.99 on iPhone/iPod touch. After a week the price will go up. We'll have a review from a real DJ in the coming days, so stay tuned.
Algoriddim launches Djay 2 with sample player, HD waveforms and a party starting pedigree
If you own an iDevice, and don't know Djay by Algoriddim, then frankly you should. Even Apple loved it enough to feature it in its own marketing materials and give it a design award. Now, it's back with a remix, or more precisely, version two. Djay 2 brings with it a bevy of new features, including: a built-in sampler, HD waveforms, slip mode (scratch without ruining your mix) and enhanced support for hardware controllers (details listed in the press release below). There are also some neat UI tweaks, not only to let you access the new HD waveform view (similar to that of Traktor DJ), or use a single deck portrait view for increased visibility, but other neat details such as "grooves" in the virtual vinyl that match the flow of your tracks (for spotting the breakdowns). There's a demo video past the break, but if you're the hands-on type, you can skip straight through to the App store and get it for yourself. Like the fees for the DJs who will be spinning with it, the prices are low right now ($0.99 for iPhone, $4.99 for iPad during launch week), but expect them to go up once your buddies hear about it.
Algoriddim teases Djay 2 for the iPhone and iPad
There's some good news coming down the pike for disc jokeys and other performance musicians. Today, Algoriddim launched a website with a teaser video about Djay 2, an upcoming version of its popular DJ app. Not surprisingly, the teaser video is light on details and heavy on production, but that doesn't really matter -- the promo still gets us excited to find out what Algoriddim has up its sleeve. We won't have to wait too long for the details as the video promises that Djay 2 will be coming soon. You can hop over to Algoriddim's website to sign up for the company's newletter and "be the first to know" when the app becomes available.
Numark iDJ Live II DJ controller hands-on (video)
If there's one company that comprehensively caters to the entry-level and intermediate DJ, there's a good chance it's Numark. While the firm has released a whole bunch of stuff at NAMM this year, perhaps its most mainstream offering is the iDJ Live II. If you remember the original, it was a lightweight controller (both physically, and metaphorically) designed for use with Djay on iOS. This time around the little fella gets a redesign, and a few functionality tweaks. Most notable, is that while the first iteration only gave you the option of iOS connectivity -- via the 30-pin adaptor -- this time you have the choice of Lightning, 30-pin, or straight up USB. Thus, you can now bring the iDJ Live II out to work with your Mac or PC, too. Once again, it's built with Algoriddim's Djay in mind, be it the desktop or iOS version, and we got our hands on it to take it for a spin. Head past the break for the lowdown.
Ion Audio shows off its latest offerings, including the AirCopy and the iDJ2Go, at CES 2013
Ion Audio has a booth set up as usual on the floor of this year's International CES, where it is showing off a number of new and fairly new products for anyone coming to see them. This company is one of our favorites -- they make some really excellent iOS accessories and fun devices (including the very popular iCade line and the All Star Guitar) and we were very excited to see what 2013 would bring. Fortunately, Ion didn't disappoint. The most impressive accessories in the booth were probably from the iDJ 2 Go line. The 30-pin version of Ion's DJ controller (as seen above) is already available, and it provides a great physical interface for either the company's official iDJ2Go app, or Algoriddim's great djay app. There's a new Lightning version of the iDJ2Go board coming this spring, too, so if you have an iPad mini or an iPhone 5 you want to use it on, you can do that. Ion was also showing off its Scratch2Go accessories, which are a set of capacitive touch-based accessories (including a few sliders, and some turntable knobs), which can sit right on your iPad's screen and allow for more physical controls while using these DJ apps. The Scratch2Go kit makes for a little more crazier contraption (you literally stick the knobs and sliders onto your iPad's screen with suction cups), but at US$39, it's a relatively cheap and easy way to set yourself up with real physical DJ controls. Elsewhere in the booth, Ion was also showing off its Bluetooth speakers. The Party Rocker was an interesting bit of fun -- it's a speaker with a spinning light on top that's designed to make any parties you play music at a little livelier. But the Job Rocker Pro was probably the most impressive speaker in Ion's arsenal: It's a completely wooden speaker that's got all of the bells and whistles you can think of, from an AM/FM tuner to plenty of USB auxiliary plugins, a mobile battery for 50 hours of off-cord life, and even two AC power plugs on the side for charging or using anything else you happen to have around. The Job Rocker Pro was seriously impressive -- I don't know if you'd need a speaker on a work site, but if you do, this $299 model would be all you need. Finally, Ion also showed us the AirCopy, which isn't related to audio at all: Instead, it's a WiFi based scanner that can transmit any photos or documents wirelessly over to your iPad or any other iOS device. This scanner actually runs its own WiFi network wherever you set it up, which means all you have to do is connect the iOS device to its network once it's up and running, and then anything you send in through the slot on the wireless scanner will get automatically uploaded to the iOS device's photo library. From there, you can push it out to any other apps, running optical recognition, photo processing or any other tasks on it as needed. It's all very impressive -- you get a real-time view of the photo coming in as it scans, and the quality looks very excellent. The AirCopy will be available for $149 when it comes out this spring, and we'll keep an eye out for it to run a full hands-on. Ion always brings some fascinating gadgets to show off at CES, and this year was no exception. The company's certainly got a big year ahead.
Algoriddim's vjay gets remixed for iPhone, mobile movies meet the mash-up (video)
When it comes to holding the party down on an iPad or iPhone, djay by Algoriddim's been a front-runner ever since it came out. Then came vjay for video spinning iPad owners. Now, that video follow-up is ready for the main arena, as it's just been release for iPhone / iPod touch. Now you can mash-up your favorite videos right on your phone, add soundtracks to your existing clips, and throw down some effects for good measure. If you kinda dig what you create, you can -- of course -- share it with the world, or throw it up on the big screen. Not sure your cat clips will cut the mustard? Worry not, as there's purpose-made bundled content thrown in with the deal. And at just $0.99, it won't hurt the pocket it was built for, either.
Daily iPhone App: djay for iPhone 5 brings new features to the wider screen
Algoriddim's music-mixing djay app has been a hit on both Mac and iOS for a while now, so it's not brand new by any means. But the iPhone version has just been updated with some new features, including compatibility with the iPhone 5's wider screen. And while a lot of developers have been content to simply spread things out with the extra real estate, Algoriddim has gone the extra mile, and actually added in some functionality that takes advantage of the extra space. You can see the difference above: The new version has volume sliders on each side of the virtual turntables, and the BPM is represented for each track above those sliders. There are two other big changes in the app that take advantage of new features in iOS 6. The first is that audio can now be routed within the iPhone, which Algoriddim calls a "game-changer" this means that the iPhone can send one signal out of its Lightning dock adapter, and another out of the headphone port at the same time, which means that with the right setup, DJs can listen to one track while another is playing. The latest version of djay, obviously, supports this. And the other change is that you can now buy and display music from iTunes right inside the app, which means users can pick up new jams without ever stopping the beat. Both of these features are pretty impressive, and make a big difference in how djay can be used to play music from the iPhone 5. And as if all of that wasn't enough, djay for iPhone 5 is now also on sale for just $0.99, which is a crazy price for such a feature-filled app. Algoriddim has won multiple awards for this one already, and the new features with the wider screen and iOS 6 mean this one's a must-grab if you don't have it yet.
Philips' Mini Hi-Fi System lets you dock iPhones, spins them into turntables
The iDevice clique's had no shortage of options when it comes to choosing DJ-friendly gear. Now one of the latest peripherals to enter the spinning market is Philips' Mini Hi-Fi System, which boasts a modest 300W total output power and offers a cozy turntable canvas that has docking room for a couple of iPhones -- in theory, iPod touches should be okay to fit as well. Furthermore, the beat-inducing apparatus is also compatible with that rather popular djay application for iOS, making it easier to mix, scratch and blast all your favorite tunes in one place. Philips launched this Mini Hi-Fi add-on a while back, but today it's finally placing it up for grabs in the UK for a hefty £300, or about $470 if you're this side of the Atlantic. Be sure to click on past the jump to quickly gaze at a largely appealing pic gallery. %Gallery-161543%
