are we going to get stems

[DJ Vintage]

The problem isn't so much in being able to integrate stems into the software. But in order to use Stems fully, your hardware needs to support it. A built in screen (preferably per deck) and 4 faders per deck (ala the S8/D2) seem to be needed.

So, what you are suggesting would mean that MV would change their software (still a pretty big change, but that is my humble opinion) to support something that - currently - is supported well only by two bits of NI hardware, where they don't have the manpower to create mappings for far more popular hardware when it's released.

I agree that if/when Stems takes off to the point that big names in controllers (Numark, Reloop, Denon and eventually Pioneer) start considering putting Stems support in their hardware, this would be a time for MV to quickly adapt their software to support that.

Until then, as another poster said, the dev team have bigger fish to fry.

[tb0ne]

The controller actually doesn't need a screen for it to work, if the GUI supports it that's already sufficient.
You can map any MIDI control to control the stems, visual feedback is nice to have but not required.

Concerning the fish, yes, effects please!

[Stormcaller]

Hardware wise it's pretty much just a different volume control and a killswitch per stem. If it was implemented in Cross you can just map a second MIDI controller to them, such as the Twister I use for effects (It works great in Cross. I don't even need to worry about figuring out how to map lights because it does them internally).

Right now it will depend on whether or not stems.mp4 becomes widely adopted. If noone is using it apart from a small minority then there is no point in Mixvibes putting the time in to add that feature. Until then they are going to focus on making what we have now better, or implementing something new to stand out from the competition such as the transpose feature they just implemented (I don't think the big two can do that, please correct me if I'm wrong).

Also, They are going to want to watch their estranged divorcee Pioneer like the mutant lovechild of a hawk and a deranged stalker because they just decided to turn Rekordbox from a track preparation tool into a fully fledged rival DJ software. Right now we don't know what it can do, but it looks to come with some very advanced features, which could make them a formidable opponent. If they release a game changing feature, Mixvibes needs the mobility to put their developers on the case to match it which they cannot easily do if they are heavily invested in the possible white elephant of stems.

[DJ Vintage]

Hardware wise it's pretty much just a different volume control and a killswitch per stem.

From the reviews and talking to some very experienced DJs that have played around with it (like serious playing around), having a screen per deck is, if not necessary, highly desirable to get the most out of stems. Yes, you can always use some other controller that you can then map, but personally I think only a relatively small portion of users is that advanced. Many will just want plug and play and focus on using what's there, not spending time making something work that wasn't really designed for it.

Also, They are going to want to watch their estranged divorcee Pioneer ... because they just decided to turn Rekordbox from a track preparation tool into a fully fledged rival DJ software ...

And it looks like a marriage of RekordBox track management with ... tata ... Serato. So that race is run.

I think that Cross is in danger of losing customers by not adopting a "our software will work with all the major brand controllers" approach. Having good contacts with manufacturers that get you early (pre)production models to test and make a mapping for would be clearly essential, but it can be done (Serato made it happen, even when Traktor seemed to goto software for all brands). Something else is marketing and sales presence. Every review is about the big three. You never see Cross on any of the tradeshows, will you guys be at the BPM in Birmingham in a few weeks?
No big name DJs endorsing Cross. No major brands delivering a Light/LE/Intro version of Cross with their controllers.

In short, if you don't know it already or someone points it out to you, you have no idea it even exists.

Which is a pity, because I think it is very close to Serato in many aspects and I feel no desire to change from Cross to Serato at this time, even with a Serato-supported DDJ-SX as my primary controller now.

I so wish for Cross to become a bit more mainstream. Which would in turn increase revenue which would lead to more money for development which would lead to faster innovation curves which ... well you get the idea.

[BoldFaceType]

@ DJ Vintage,

You make some very good points I didn't consider. The fact that the format itself is still brand new, and not widely supported in software or hardware are big factors. The near necessary screen support, and already limited resources makes one pause as well.

I agree that MV should probably chill in the cut, focus on making good better, and see what plays out.

-BFT