djay: Music Mixing, Mac Style.

Recording music on a Mac is something that you can do right out of the box. With the set of tools that GarageBand provides, it is quite simple to create a song. djay, however, is not about recording music with instruments, loops etc., but mixing it. At v1.2, the tools that djay provides are pretty basic, but it gets the job done.

With iTunes integration, selecting a song is as easy as dragging it out of the sidebar in djay, and onto one of the turntables. Unfortunately, music tracks sporting Apple’s DRM cannot be used in djay. As soon as you drop a track on the turntable, it automatically starts to play, and even loads the album art (if any) of that particular song. From there you are free to do what ever you want to with that track!

At the heat of djay is a 5-band equalizer, customizable cross-fader, and pitch/tempo adjusters. Apple’s Audio Units are also compatible with djay, so any you have installed for GarageBand, Logic etc. can also be used on your tracks in djay.

To record in djay, its as easy as clicking the red button. It will ask you where you want to save your recording, then you are set to go. When you manipulate the audio, it will then be saved in your recording. It records to AIFF Compressed/Uncompressed, and CAF Compressed/Uncompressed.

Other notable features of djay include:

• Manual Beat Counting.
• Cue Points.
• Full control with keyboard.
• Apple Script-ability for mixing automation.
• Customizable Vinyl.
• Keep Pitch the same while increasing tempo.

djay can be quite an addicting app, as it can be great fun making The Red Hot Chili Peppers sounds like chipmunks… If you ever have that creative, musical urge, djay might be for you. djay is freeware, and available from Algoriddim.