Tablets and laptops, cars and trucks, iPads and MacBooks and Surface and things that have “Pro” at the end of them and don’t… enough.
Let’s ask a simpler question. What would be a music app that would make you want an iPad Pro?
Well, the first potential answer is djay Pro. It’s a new version of a disruptive DJ app, for starters – that will be of interest to anyone with an iPad. But it also includes a design that’s tailored to the new powers Apple has added to the iPad Pro. And whether you want either Apple’s tablet or this DJ app or not, that presents some early indications of how a “Pro” iPad could be different from the ones we’ve seen before.
First, let’s be clear: “DJ” itself means a lot of different things to different people. DJ developer Algoriddim have been able to carve out a place in the market partly because they aren’t Serato, Native Instruments, or Pioneer. From the beginning, they’ve made Apple-centric products that are friendlier to beginners, but doing so without necessarily dumbing down functionality. So on one hand, don’t dismiss djay Pro by comparing it to a couple of Pioneer CDJ-2000nexus decks and a boutique rotary mixer. (I just rubbed a Sony Discman and a magic genie appeared, so I will be asking him for that very rig, since I don’t have five grand handy.)
Think of this as something that could easily show up in bar gigs, at weddings, alongside other stuff in the studio, or even for a touring DJ plopped on a bed (or the back of a helicopter, if you’re Tiesto).
But second, don’t underestimate Algoriddim, either. Because they aren’t selling higher-end gear, they don’t have to keep high-end features out of the entry level product.
So put djay “Pro” on the iPad “Pro,” and you get some interesting features you might not expect.
A huge interface. Unfortunately, a lot of the apps we love aren’t yet tailored to the iPad Pro screen. This is, and it looks gorgeous. Part of why I use an iPad mini is because the iPad Air size is still somewhat cramped, so I choose portability. But everything that looked small on the previous iPads looks, weirdly, exactly the right size on the Pro – and this is exceptionally so, enough so that you might finally trade in physical controls for touch. (Well, maybe.)
Massive video power. You can now capture and render full HD video at 1080p. That alone could transform this into must-buy category even if it’s sitting alongside an existing DJ rig. There’s even 4K video support, though good luck working out how to store all that video.
Faster graphics, real multitasking. 60 FPS graphics rendering. And you get the new iOS 9 multitasking integration (slide over and split view). (That can theoretically be supported on other new iPads, too, but I’m told it’s iPad Pro only for djay, which makes some sense.)
Keyboard shortcuts. This one I didn’t expect: integration with Apple’s Smart Keyboard gives you over 70 keyboard shortcuts. So you heard that right – having traded in your laptop for an iPad to get rid of the keyboard, you wind up adding it back again to get keyboard shortcuts. QWERTY (QWERTZ!) forever.
Here’s an impressive test Algoriddim shared from their lab showing performance – and yes, no question, this chipset is the future of Apple mobile:
“Okay, fine, sure,” you say, “but I don’t want to carry around a huge tablet and I already have an iPad.”
Yep, right there with you.
Across all models, there are some nice integration features:
- AirPlay
- iPad camera functionality (even nicer on the newest generation)
- iCloud integration: syncs cue points, grid edits, and metadata with iOS and Mac versions of djay. (Huh, nice feature, cough, Native Instruments.
And that’s on top of all of this, including connectivity to hardware, because sometimes you really want physical controls and not a touchscreen (and not Apple’s weak audio I/O):
Video Integration
• Video mixing and scratching
• Camera integration to record custom clips on the fly • Transitions
• Music Visualizers
• Visual FX
• Title & image overlays
• A/V recording
• Support for external displays and AirPlay
• Video library with preÂbundled contentSpotify Integration
• Instant access to over 20 million songs
• Playlists, Songs, Charts, Browse
• Match: cloudÂbased song recommendations powered by The Echo Nest
• Instant access to BPM and Key information through the cloud
• Advanced audio streaming technology: ultraÂlow latency, advanced effects, onÂtheÂfly analysis
• Supports streams of up to 320 kbps bitrateHardware Integration
• Native support for DJ controllers including Reloop Beatpad, Reloop Beatpad 2, Pioneer DDJÂWeGO, Numark Mixdeck Quad, Numark iDJ Pro, and others
• Support for multiÂchannel USB audio interfaces
Again, if you use Spotify to find new music, you may already have a reason to run this. (I’ve regularly used it to mess around with mixing new tracks before I buy the downloads. If anyone’s worried about the business model there, I can tell you that the result has been buying even more music. If I start collecting vinyl… yikes.)
At the same time, there’s evidence of why other makers probably won’t jump on the iPad bandwagon: price. This very serious app, with all these features, is only 30 bucks – US$19.99 intro price.
But then, that’s their problem, not yours. And I can’t imagine any music-loving iPad owner who wouldn’t have djay installed. Right at the top of my homescreen.
More:
http://www.algoriddim.com/djayÂproÂipad
The reasonable next step.
The reasonable next step. The true point of this is smart keyboard support because it means you could charge the ipad meanwhile you can plug a HID controller… So we could expect some combos of audio cck + HID controllers (cough Native cough) or even bt additions in some point of the equation.
More or less what surface could been but never will be (lol) due apps like this will neve so hard code integrated than iOS ecosystem I dare.
The reasonable next step. The true point of this is smart keyboard support because it means you could charge the ipad meanwhile you can plug a HID controller… So we could expect some combos of audio cck + HID controllers (cough Native cough) or even bt additions in some point of the equation.
More or less what surface could been but never will be (lol) due apps like this will neve so hard code integrated than iOS ecosystem I dare.
i started DJing in 96, i LOVE the feel of a record spinning under my fingers. but i have to be honest, i have Traktor DJ on my iPhone and i dont know that I’ve ever had so much fun DJing. all that to say, Apps like Traktor DJ and djay Pro could eventually push me over the edge to grab an iPad. and i don’t know if anyone else notices this but there seems to be a bit of a look-down upon “iPad DJ Rigs”. and i dont completely understand why having to lug around 2 Tech 1200’s, a mixer and crates means you’re a “Real” DJ. could it be that sets played from an iPad can make you dance just as well? and do you care after a few glasses of wine what the DJ is using? it would be cool to see some of the bigger DJ’s saying screw it, I’m gonna use an iPad, and if you don’t want to dance to it oh well. 🙂
i started DJing in 96, i LOVE the feel of a record spinning under my fingers. but i have to be honest, i have Traktor DJ on my iPhone and i dont know that I’ve ever had so much fun DJing. all that to say, Apps like Traktor DJ and djay Pro could eventually push me over the edge to grab an iPad. and i don’t know if anyone else notices this but there seems to be a bit of a look-down upon “iPad DJ Rigs”. and i dont completely understand why having to lug around 2 Tech 1200’s, a mixer and crates means you’re a “Real” DJ. could it be that sets played from an iPad can make you dance just as well? and do you care after a few glasses of wine what the DJ is using? it would be cool to see some of the bigger DJ’s saying screw it, I’m gonna use an iPad, and if you don’t want to dance to it oh well. 🙂
i started DJing in 96, i LOVE the feel of a record spinning under my fingers. but i have to be honest, i have Traktor DJ on my iPhone and i dont know that I’ve ever had so much fun DJing. all that to say, Apps like Traktor DJ and djay Pro could eventually push me over the edge to grab an iPad. and i don’t know if anyone else notices this but there seems to be a bit of a look-down upon “iPad DJ Rigs”. and i dont completely understand why having to lug around 2 Tech 1200’s, a mixer and crates means you’re a “Real” DJ. could it be that sets played from an iPad can make you dance just as well? and do you care after a few glasses of wine what the DJ is using? it would be cool to see some of the bigger DJ’s saying screw it, I’m gonna use an iPad, and if you don’t want to dance to it oh well. 🙂
iPad split screen: the next level of checking e-mail on stage.
iPad split screen: the next level of checking e-mail on stage.
iPad split screen: the next level of checking e-mail on stage.
Please, don’t use “disruptive”, it makes me cringe every time I have to read it.
Please, don’t use “disruptive”, it makes me cringe every time I have to read it.
Please, don’t use “disruptive”, it makes me cringe every time I have to read it.
Just wanted to say I am excited every morning to read Peters blog. It has been a ritual for a long time now. In my opinion it is the best digital music blog out there. He is passionate about all forms of electronic music and you can really see that. I have and keep on learning so much. Much respect. I also learn a lot from the comments and the constructive criticism as well.
The reason why I am posting is I can not believe some of the disrespectful comments criticizing petty details. It’s a shame this is my first comment but I wanted to put this out there.
If you are a true digital music lover you would obviously respect what Peter has done for the scene and have constructive criticism at least.
You obviously are drawn to his blog so have respect. For those of you that can not help but be petty and flat out mean put a link to your own blog and see what happens.
This is the end of my rant!
Great article by the way!
-O
Just wanted to say I am excited every morning to read Peters blog. It has been a ritual for a long time now. In my opinion it is the best digital music blog out there. He is passionate about all forms of electronic music and you can really see that. I have and keep on learning so much. Much respect. I also learn a lot from the comments and the constructive criticism as well.
The reason why I am posting is I can not believe some of the disrespectful comments criticizing petty details. It’s a shame this is my first comment but I wanted to put this out there.
If you are a true digital music lover you would obviously respect what Peter has done for the scene and have constructive criticism at least.
You obviously are drawn to his blog so have respect. For those of you that can not help but be petty and flat out mean put a link to your own blog and see what happens.
This is the end of my rant!
Great article by the way!
-O
“Just wanted to say I am excited every morning to read Peters blog. It
has been a ritual for a long time now. In my opinion it is the best
digital music blog out there.” – you are not alone
Just wanted to say I am excited every morning to read Peters blog. It has been a ritual for a long time now. In my opinion it is the best digital music blog out there. He is passionate about all forms of electronic music and you can really see that. I have and keep on learning so much. Much respect. I also learn a lot from the comments and the constructive criticism as well.
The reason why I am posting is I can not believe some of the disrespectful comments criticizing petty details. It’s a shame this is my first comment but I wanted to put this out there.
If you are a true digital music lover you would obviously respect what Peter has done for the scene and have constructive criticism at least.
You obviously are drawn to his blog so have respect. For those of you that can not help but be petty and flat out mean put a link to your own blog and see what happens.
This is the end of my rant!
Great article by the way!
-O
“Just wanted to say I am excited every morning to read Peters blog. It
has been a ritual for a long time now. In my opinion it is the best
digital music blog out there.” – you are not alone
does this work with Faderfox DJ 4?
does this work with Faderfox DJ 4?
It would do…if there was in-app midi mapping functionality. The reason there’s not is possibly down to deals with Reloop, Pioneer & Numark.
does this work with Faderfox DJ 4?
It would do…if there was in-app midi mapping functionality. The reason there’s not is possibly down to deals with Reloop, Pioneer & Numark.
Hows the multiple midi device support? Using the lowly $35 raspberry pi3 with mixxx you can map in multiple controllers at once and the dj software is free and open source,