Product Reviews

The iTunes Party Shuffle mode might be OK for house parties, but if you want to get the dance floor moving to your MP3 collection you need more capable software. DJS provides everything you'd expect from a professional DJ setup, including pitch controls, jog dials, a cross-fader and various effects. It can output an independent headphone mix for cueing tracks, but can't send it to the rear output of a surround-sound card; you'll need a card with multiple output drivers or two sound cards to use this function.

DJS includes a variety of functions that are rare or impossible in hardware DJ systems: automatic tempo detection and

ADVERTISEMENT

matching, graphical waveform displays and the ability to save four locate points with each track. MP3s are analysed on import and can be listed by BPM, which is useful for finding tracks to mix together. Importing tracks is slow and causes glitches in playback, so you'll need to put in the hours before trying it with an audience. Only MP3 files are supported, but CDs can be ripped to MP3 with the software.

A keyboard and mouse aren't ideal controls for DJ work, so you have little chance of pulling off spectacular scratching performances with this software. However, extensive use of keyboard short cuts makes the interface highly versatile and there are a lot of keyboard stickers included in the box to help you find the correct controls. These cover up the keyboard's normal labels, however, so you'll need a computer that's dedicated to DJ work or at the very least a spare keyboard.

DJS's price means it's for enthusiasts only, but experienced DJs will love its authentic emulation of a well-specified hardware DJ CD system. Its automatic tempo-matching and cross-fading aren't infallible, and some skill is required to use it effectively, but with practice it becomes highly rewarding and a lot of fun to use.