MP3 Scratching for Free

August 10, 2005 3:08 PM

What's the best freeware DJing software for Windows?

I'd prefer something that lets me match beats easily and/or preview waveforms to match beats, if that's possible. But I know I can't be too picky.

Oh, and nothing with spyware or adware please.

posted by LGCNo6 to technology (4 comments total)

Except for the 'freeware' caveat (which I didn't actually notice until after I'd dug up this link), I'd recommend Traktor DJ Studio. I haven't produced anything with it yet, merely played around a bit, but it's very impressive.

Freeware, I haven't got a clue on...nothing I ever saw when I was looking impressed me in the least.
posted by djwudi at 3:55 PM on August 10, 2005

The only freeware dj software I've seen that was halfway decent was Sonophile's Dekstasy which is Mac only and no longer in development.

There may be better freeware around now as I've not looked for a few years, but dj software is tricky because in order to be truly usable it needs to support assignable 4 channel output (and your soundcard needs to support this too) in order to preview tracks on 2 of the channels (stereo) while the current track plays on the other two channels.

I'd agree that Traktor is the best too ;)
posted by p3t3 at 8:31 PM on August 10, 2005

A good Windows and freeware DJing software is the MR1200 MP3 Player For DJs v1.6.

It basically simulates a turntable (Hence the 1200 reference) and allows you to do most of what is possible with a real deck. You have a bpm button to manually match beats, no waveform though. It takes a couple of seconds to load a track but once that is done, you can instantly access all parts of the track.

I don't know of a freeware that give you as much playback control: reverse play, set and jump to a cue in the track, nudge (speed up the track), twist (slow down), pitch control. Yet it is not cluttered with useless functionality, it does one thing and does it well.

Download link here
posted by TinTitan at 9:33 AM on August 11, 2005

I've played around with the MR1200 MP3 Player For DJs v1.6 and liked it immensely. Recently, another program caught my eye: Mixxx.

I haven't had a chance to check it out yet, but It looks a little more feature filled than MR1200 so you may want to give it a shot as well.
posted by ktrey at 9:42 AM on August 11, 2005