by djamarelo on 14 Aug 2012, 16:30
Greetings from Brazil.
Here I am for a review about iPad CrossDJ 1.0.1.
First of all, my configuration:
iPad 4G/64gb
iOS 5.1.1
Few apps running in background (Mail, Flipboard, Chrome, Notes, Groove, Safari)
iTunes library contains 8,000+ songs, all divided in about 20 smart playlists
iTunes Match – No
0,5G free space
I had the opportunitty to test it on beta (all versions). I have to say that I got very frustrated since all beta versions repeated the same errors – I'm talking about the crashes here. But on this version 1.0.1 I think Mixvibes is getting very close to build the perfect iOS DJ solution. It's running almost flawless on the last 16 hours and counting.
(When I say “almost flawless”, I mean I had a couple of glitches when loading tracks to a deck. And, yes, when I say 16 hours I didn't play a set that long – instead, I did some testing, opened some apps in background, and on the last 10 hours or so, I put CrossDJ to analyse my files). No crashes, by the way!)
Particularly, I really like tha all-on-one screen functions (waveforms, cue/play, effects table), preserving the traditional jogwheel solution.
Also, the way it manages playlists is close to traditional DJ softwares (Traktor, Virtual DJ, Cross and the likes). By the way, I have tested most of the iOS DJ apps out and I have to say that CrossDJ has the fastest searching so far.
But there is still one issue, a critical one in my opinion, that prevents me of using it live. And that is concerned about the way CrossDJ splits the audio. I know it is an iOS limitation, but CrossDJ is doing a poor job on it's splitting solution compared to other benchmarking softwares (Red Bull BPM and Algoriddim Djay). Let me try to explain:
When loading a track like “The Beatles – Drive My Car”, which has a clear stereo division (mainly vocals on the right channel and instruments on the left), I get very different results on CrossDJ and Djay, using the split function and the same gear (Griffin Splitter or AIODJ, I tested them both).
When using Djay, this particular track sounds amazing to the audience. But when playing it over CrossDJ, the piano and part of the voices gets faded. It's like the stereo result got 100% of the left channel but just 50% of the right channel.
I think there is an easy way to correct that. But I don't even think it will be necessary, since iOS 6 will bring multi-routing audio to the iPad and maybe splitting cables will be soon part of the past.
Wishlist:
- Autogain (critical!)
- key lock function (critical, as well!)
- option to adjust the jogwheel to vynil or cdj style
- Automix function
- Recording function
- More sorting options, like comments or grouping
Last, but not least, some questions about library analysis:
I started to analyse my 8000+ files divided in about 20 smart playlists. Well, when I sync the iPad with my iTunes library, will CrossDJ preserve the data about the tracks already analysed? Or it will start analysing all the collection over again? Also, I wonder if after analysing all my tracks, will it prevent the sound glitches when loading a track to the decks.
Best regards. Hope it may help in some way.