MP3 Mixing Software

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gecko2

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Starting to get a lot of MP3's, and going to be converting some of my vinyl to MP3, so I need a decent MP3 Mixing Program where I can mix it myself. Can anyone recomend some software, preferably free.
 
Using mp3s professionally since 1998 I can recommend Traktor 3, I make my living with it gigging 3 nights per week. I also have Abelton Live 5, however, for 'normal' DJing Traktor 3 all the way.

I bought both programs and get regular updates, although I did 'test' them out with freebies. Only trouble is freebies dont get updated.

Oh, and if you're gonna convert your vinyl to mp3, make sure you convert to the highest quality 320kbits.

Let me know if you need any more info.
 
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I mostly do non-live mixes these days as I like to re-edit the tracks as I'm putting the mix together "on the fly" to create the vibe I want, keeping things punchy, so I use Ableton Live.

Traktor 2.x is excellent too, I used it before AbletonLive, I could take tracks in MP3 format and play them without pre-preparing them. It's more real-time work - and actually it's more akin to traditional vinyl playing of sorts. You can pre-configure your tracks (start cue's and bpms) and it's worth doing I guess... but I moved to Ableton instead.

Ableton is heavier work in advance (your computer might glitch if you try to import tracks [which caches the MP3 into a WAV] while playing 'live') In the early days after Traktor I imported the tracks, preped the first track, clicked record, and preped the next track one at a time, and mixed them in as they came up, I use a Evolution USB DJ mixer for smooth mix control. What I liked about this setup was I could get from converted vinyl+downloads into an output mix quickly. Prepping tracks is quite boring! but once done, your mix can be done live by just dropping the tracks as you would with anything else but it'll be beat perfect and you can on the fly click through the loops to skip to the bits you like - I really love that as I like to keep things moving without drawn out sections that some tracks are better without. Ableton is great for using the Effect's you'd use in the studio in your mix - I stay away from that usually in my recorded mixes, they're great fun when your playing live as long as you don't over do it!!

In the end, Ableton works for me as my intention isn't to prove my old school skills which I enjoyed doing many years ago, I just try to create the best sound for the listener so I'm using Ableton as a production tool more than a mixer. Guess it all depends how you feel comfortable (after you've learned the tools!).

Clive
 
Badger_Nostripes said:
Les,

I've never used Traktor 3, I've used an earlier version and didn't get on with it at all...

What makes it your prefered bit of kit?
Click to expand...
I too tried earlier versions of Traktor and could not live with it.

I started initially in 1998 with VTT (Virtual TurnTables), a brilliant versatile program written by a student in Texas (I think). Unfortunately it was written for Windows 98 and wouldn't work properly on XP.

I then moved onto PCDJ Red in 2002, it is setup with 2 players side by side at the top of the screen and the controls are very much like traditional CD players. It is still an excellent solid robust program, but, the internal mixer was poor so had to use an external mixer with 2 separate stereo outputs. I used the official 19" rackmount controller which was a direct copy of a Numark CD Controller. I used this setup every weekend for 4 years, but had to drag my mixer around to gigs for consistency (and the Controller).

http://www.djsoulman.f2s.com/PCDJ FX VRM.jpg

A year ago I got interested in Traktor 3, it also uses a similar side by side player setup, although, it actually has 4 players. The screen display is versatile as you can hide what you don't need. The great selling point of Traktor 3 for me is that I require a power socket for my laptop and one stereo pair of phonos with the finished final output! I only need an external mixer in my gigs for microphone use. There are 4 internal mixers to use, one of which is sanctioned by Allen & Heath, this is the one I use. It also has some decent internal FX that can be used. I also use a small battery powered Faderfox Controller with Traktor.

http://www.djsoulman.f2s.com/OC4a.jpg

Although Abelton is an excellent program, it is designed primarily as a production tool, whereas Traktor 3 is a DJ centred tool. Abelton requires time consuming preparation (warping) on your mp3 files. Traktor needs minimal preparation work on mp3 files. The search facilities in Traktor are fantastic and fast with versatile playlist facilities.

I could go on, but................

http://www.nativeinstruments.de/index.php?t3shorttrailer_us

http://www.nativeinstruments.de/index.php?id=traktor3_us

Then there is the new Traktor Scratch for those who can't/won't let go of vinyl;

http://www.nativeinstruments.de/index.php?id=traktorscratch_us

...........need anymore info let me know.
 
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Badger_Nostripes said:
So basically, prepping the tracks is easier on Tracktor 3 than Ableton?
Click to expand...
Yes, I would say so! You have to warp your tracks in Abelton to get them to load and beatmatch perfectly. Only takes about a minute or less per track once you get the hang of it, but, it's so freakin' boring and time consuming especially if you get 50 to 100 new tracks every week. Gets very tedious.

You CAN do the same sort of thing in Traktor (called Gridding), not as flexible as in Abelton. In Traktor the grid you can set has fixed gaps (which is OK for most EDM). Unlike Traktor, Abelton can deal with fluctuating tempo (like 'live' music). However, the bpm detection in Traktor is very good. I choose NOT to grid and let it automatically detect the beats, which means, during mixing you sometimes need to nudge to keep the beats in line just like we used to do with vinyl. Feels more real to me than the relying on the computer to keep it spot on.

Conclusion : If you are going to do a relatively fixed set like the big name DJs used to do with say 100 vinyl records all of one genre (i.e. Tech House) then Abelton is probably the way to go. Also Abelton is great for chopping up your tracks and 'remixing on the fly' and being creative. You can use more FX in Abelton.

If you want maximum flexability with thousands of records from various genres and your DJing is of the more traditional aproach of playing tracks from 'end to end' style, then Traktor is definately the way to go (you can mess around with loops in Traktor to get creative too as well as having 4 synchronised decks if necessary). Traktor is limited to one of 5 FX per track, but, you can also have one of 5 FX on the Master output.

Sorry for the longish post. :spank:
 
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