Mixing Software

[discophil]

I know this topic doesn't really fit here, but I don't see another forua where it might have a better fit.

At any rate, does anyone out there know of, our use, a decent "mixing" software program for mp3s to create your own mixes? I'm not looking to do this professionally; just want to blend together my own songs to make CDs for the car, work, etc. I'm not a DJ so I need something easy and intuitive to use.

Anyone know of such a thing?

Thanks!!

[Videoskooter]

Phil, there is a special subforum for questions like yours on software and DJ techniques. I'll move your post and I'm sure you will get response from our skilled members.

[discophil]

Originally Posted by Videoskooter

Phil, there is a special subforum for questions like yours on software and DJ techniques. I'll move your post and I'm sure you will get response from our skilled members.

Ok, Vid! Thanks!

[canadiantire]

In no particular order (and a partial list):

• Traktor DJ Studio NATIVE INSTRUMENTS : Home
• Rockit PRO DJ Rockit Computer DJ Software - MP3 DJ Mixing Software - Computer DJ & Audio Software by SoftJock
• Atomix Virtual DJ Pro VIRTUAL DJ SOFTWARE - MP3 Mixing Software -
• MixVibes Pro www.mixvibes.com/
• DJ Decks djdecks.be/
• PCDJ PRO PCDJ Pro Edition
• DSS DJ DJ beat-mixing software - DSS DJ for live experiences
• Virtual DJ Studio Virtual DJ Studio - Mix MP3s, host DJ and Karaoke Shows
• PCDJ Red PCDJ Home

Most of them handle MP3 format files and beat mixing functions.

- Marcus

[discophil]

Originally Posted by canadiantire

In no particular order (and a partial list):

• Traktor DJ Studio NATIVE INSTRUMENTS : Home
• Rockit PRO DJ Rockit Computer DJ Software - MP3 DJ Mixing Software - Computer DJ & Audio Software by SoftJock
• Atomix Virtual DJ Pro VIRTUAL DJ SOFTWARE - MP3 Mixing Software -
• MixVibes Pro www.mixvibes.com/
• DJ Decks djdecks.be/
• PCDJ PRO PCDJ Pro Edition
• DSS DJ DJ beat-mixing software - DSS DJ for live experiences
• Virtual DJ Studio Virtual DJ Studio - Mix MP3s, host DJ and Karaoke Shows
• PCDJ Red PCDJ Home

Most of them handle MP3 format files and beat mixing functions.

- Marcus

Awesome, Marcus. Thanks!

I didn't realize this forum existed when I penned my OP so when it was moved here, I looked over the other available threads. Found one talking about mixing software and read through it. In that thread was mentioned Audacity and Acid. I have Audacity and XMS Acid 6.0. Would either of those work, too? And if so, is one better than the other?

That doesn't mean I won't be checking out your links, Marcus! I still want to know what's available and easy to use for a novice.

[canadiantire]

If your goal is to do simple transitions from one MP3 to another, the above listed software are the right solution.

The best amongst these software will even do "on-the-fly" beat mixing without too much tweaking.
As your learning curve improves, most of them allow you to "fine tune" the mixes to your taste by modifying the duration of the transition or the transition begin and end points.

Audacity is more of an audio editing and processing software. The main purpose if the software is not mixing. Since I never really worked with it, I can't tell you if it incorporates project sheets on which you "lay down" the audio files to create cross fades, but I don't think so.

Acid is more oriented toward audio montage and music creation. It's a great tool for creating remixes from samples, per example. One great advantage with Acid is that you can "beat match" superimposed samples to a main song.
You can do long mixes with Acid but the user interface not really designed for that job.
The main problem comes from the fact that Acid does not process the files in their native format (MP3) like the other listed software do.
It needs to convert them to the WAV format and then back to your preferred format once the "project" is finished. That takes a lot of hard disk space and some processing time.


Hopefully, I am not misguiding you by missing your real goal...

- Marcus

[kso]

Originally Posted by canadiantire

Audacity is more of an audio editing and processing software. The main purpose if the software is not mixing. Since I never really worked with it, I can't tell you if it incorporates project sheets on which you "lay down" the audio files to create cross fades, but I don't think so.

Audacity handles multiple tracks easily, and allows for beat-matching with a little work. Use the "Project" -> "Import Audio..." function to load all the files you want to mix, or do them one at a time. Use the "Time Shift Tool" to slide the second track's beginning to the right (forward in time), and match it up to the first track's ending. Use the "Envelope" tool to lower the volume as needed to make the mix fade in and out properly.

Here's a screen shot showing the mixing of two tracks: