VirtualDJ Home is an audio and video mixing software that provides an essential set of features for creating basic mixes and playlists. While it won’t satisfy the demands of a professional DJ, amateurs and beginners will probably find this program a good way to practice their deejaying skills without spending money on expensive vinyl setups.
Installation & Requirements
The free version of VirtualDJ has a fairly simple install process. You can choose between the typical or the custom installation (we recommend custom) and if you opt for the latter one you will be able to see all of the program’s components and deselect the ones you don’t need. Also, the setup includes adware (the VirtualDJ Toolbar, Ask search engine and Ask.com homepage) but all of it is optional so you can skip it.
VirtualDJ has versions available for Windows and Mac. The minimum system requirements are as follows:
For Windows:
– Windows XP SP3 or newer.
– Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon XP processor.
– 1024×768 resolution.
– DirectX compatible soundcard.
– 512 MB of RAM.
– 50 MB free hard drive space.
– Video mixing additional requirements: 2 GB of RAM, ATI or NVIDIA video card w/256 MB or dedicated DDR3 RAM, video card with support for dual-screen output.
For Mac:
– Intel processor
– Mac OS X v10.5.x or newer.
– 1024×768 resolution.
– CoreAudio compatible soundcard.
– 1024 MB RAM.
– 50 MB free hard drive space.
– Video mixing additional requirements: ATI or NVIDIA video chipset w/256 MB of dedicated DDR3 RAM, video card with support for dual-screen output.
Interface
When you run VirtualDJ for the first time, it will ask you to submit your VirtualDJ account info (which can be created for free on the official website). Having an account is not mandatory but it does provide several benefits among which is access to the online community and additional downloads.
The program’s default interface features two digital turntables with many options such as loop, cue, adjust pitch, scratch and others. The mixing console stands right between them, allowing you to adjust the gain and master volume but also transition between the two tracks. Songs can be loaded into any of the two turntables by a simple drag and drop. From the same place you can shift to video mixing and scratch.
Below the turntables there are four separate tabs – browser, sampler, effects and record. The browser offers a folder tree for you to quickly access your music, the sampler and effects can be easily used to spice up your mixes, and from the record pane you can record, burn and broadcast your audio and video mixes.
At the top of the interface the small Config button reveals the program’s extensive tabbed list of settings. From here you can adjust sound and video, change the skin (adding more decks), customize the browser and the list goes on. The Info tab allows you to check for program updates, reset to factory settings or download plugins (this is where that online account comes in handy). Plugins include skins, effects, controllers, languages, samples, Grafx and Tools (such as skin creator and resizer, DJ patterns, MIDI control definer…etc.). Sadly, users of VirtualDJ Home have restricted access to this content and they are only allowed to download files from the Languages and Grafx categories.
VDJ wasn’t designed specifically for beginners, but considering its vast array of options, it does present a well-organized layout allowing intuitive use to a certain degree. The official website also provides VDJPedia the official repository of the program, containing all sorts of related information from manuals and F.A.Q to detailed tutorials and tips & tricks.
Pros
– Easy to use interface designed for simplicity.
– Powerful features include an internal mixer with gain and equalizers, instant BPM detection, recording, sampler and effects.
– The Browser allows users to easily find music tracks and create playlists.
– Built-in skin presents with varying number of decks.
– Comprehensive documentation available on the official website.
Cons
– No microphone support.
– VirtualDJ Home users have limited access to the additional plugins available on the official website.
Alternatives
If you liked VirtualDJ Home but its limited functionality seems insufficient you can either opt for one of its commercial versions (Broadcaster, Pro Basic or Pro Full) or check out Mixxx (open-source), Traktor Pro (paid) and KraMixer (free).
Conclusion
VirtualDJ Home has a powerful collection of features and it provides an easy way of creating simple audio and video mixes. The straightforward interface, extensive documentation and the multitude of customizations will surely suit the needs of most beginner or amateur DJs.
