HW controllers with Waveform display / Full djay Integration

DJ Hardware
1

Ive searched & read many threads on here & looked at the DJ gear page but I cant seem to find a definitive list of controllers that are

  1. Fully integrated with djay pro (plug & play) on macOS
  2. Have waveform display so that the mac can be in shell mode

I can see that the CDJ 900/2000/3000 & XDJ 1000 are “officially” listed as supporting this but there also seems to be announcements that this is possible on XDJ-AZ, Opus Quad, DJM-S11, DDJ-REV7, DDJ-1000, and Omnis Duo.

Is this the current complete list of controllers offering 1&2 above? Its only Pioneer/Alpha Theata devices?

For the past few years ive been using djay with the Reloop Mixtour Pro and its OK but would like to upgrade to something with built in screen facilitating waveforms/library. The Omnis Duo looks like a possibility but im unable to find any videos of how the djay library/waveforms translate to the screen on that device.

Appreciate some help/advice

3

I don’t think this software has ever been designed to be used in clamshell mode. Those screens on hardware are only there to accompany the software, not replace it.

Perhaps you’re better off exploring the standalone units from Alphatheta and InMusic if not wanting to use a laptop screen is your goal.

4

thanks for the reply

seems wild to me that djay wouldnt be useable from the screens in these devices.

effective library scanning and then waveforms display when playing - is this not useable on its own at the moment? problem for me is seeing examples of this in practice to make a judgement

5

No, those screens arent there to fully run the software, they are just accompanying it, like they do with all other DJ software on the market.

Djay Pro offers lots of features beyond what the devices do in standalone mode, and those additional features are accessed on the computer screen itself.

6

yep, i understand that. but for a simple usecase of -

  • decent library scanning & loading
  • ability to see waveforms side by side on a two channel setup
    surely thats do-able?
    the other features - neural mix, fx, eq, etc.. can easily be midi mapped
7

Im not sure you will get side by side or ‘stacked’ waveforms on some of those systems, the only CDJ/XDJ that supports it is the CDJ-3000 from a standalone point of view, and things like the DDJ-1000 its just a platter screen showing what is relevant to the channel assigned to the platter.

You have to remember the whole ethos of a DJ software company is for you to use their DJ software, and the UI that comes with it, so they design everything based on you looking at their UI.

1 Like
11

Hi @classicvinyl, by “shell mode”, do you mean with the laptop closed?

Here is the current list of supported hardware on macOS with main screen support and waveforms. I have excluded hardware that only has jogwheel screens:

CDJ-900
CDJ-900nexus
CDJ-2000
CDJ-2000nexus
CDJ-2000NXS2
CDJ-3000
CDJ-3000X
OMNIS DUO
XDJ-700
XDJ-1000
XDJ-1000MK2
XDJ-AZ
XDJ-RX3
RANE Four
RANE Performer

1 Like
13

Hi @PKtheDJ and @STU-C, thanks for the info, but the original poster is specifically asking about screens and djay. Please keep your discussions related to djay or continue your discussion on another forum or new Off Topic thread so we can keep this thread organized. Thanks!

14

Apologies but I did feel it necessary to address Stu’s statement that “all other DJ software” doesn’t fully run from the screen/hardware.

15

No problem

16

thank you, appreciate the detail!

1 Like
17

You’re welcome @classicvinyl. I have sent a follow up to our hardware team to see if these devices will work with your Mac lid closed and if library navigation is supported on the main screens. I’ll share more news when I have it.

1 Like
18

I personally don’t think it should be flagged but that’s up to you as the moderator.

if we’re speaking in general terms about the level of functionality available on hardware screens then the conversation around other ‘laptop software’ is entirely relevant. I was only pointing out the difference between ‘it works’ and ‘it’s a fully integrated solution’.

Anyway the point still stands from my part. If you want to enjoy the full experience of computer based DJ software, doing it from a computer screen is the absolute only way to truly do it.

19

No problem. Thanks for the input.

20

And thats what im trying to discern for myself.

Each user case is different and ive used many different types of DJ tools in the last 30 yrs, accross the board - 1210s, was a Beta tester for PCDJ in the early 00s, Traktor, Serato, Ableton, CDJs and now djay. The ease & accuracy of BPM analysis along with the quality of the real-time neural/stem are what i like about djay.

I know what I would prefer to see on a screen and im OK with it not being the “full computer experience”, it just needs to serve my purpose. Im happy to midi map functions and would prefer a clean uncluttered screen that allows easy library navigation and indicitave waveforms with gridlines. The Mac doesnt necessarially need to be in clamshell mode, just so that it is not front & centre.

21

Hi again @classicvinyl, regarding using djay with the laptop closed, this is not a supported, as not all djay features are available on external screens. Also, MacBooks by default, go to sleep when closed. That being said, if the feature set available on a controller is sufficient for you, and you install some 3rd party tools to prevent sleep when closed, it should work.

22

Thanks for following up.
There is no issue keeping the Mac running.
Without physically getting one of the controllers you listed, how is it possible to see djay running on these and ascertain what the library / waveform experience is like? Believe me ive looked :slight_smile: