Development Update #6 - DJX, Cratehackers Workshop, Mashup Contest

Hey everyone! It’s been a super busy time here at DJ.Studio, and we’ve been so caught up in the action that we haven’t done a dev update since March. Oops! But don’t worry, we’re back, and we’ve got a massive summer edition to catch you up on everything that’s been going on and what’s coming up. 

Get ready for a deep dive into all the new features, exciting events, and some sneak peeks into the future of DJ.Studio!

Highlights#

Here’s a quick overview of what’s been happening and what you can expect in the coming months:

• Huge updates to the beat grid and stem separation. 

• We hosted an online workshop with Cratehackers and DJ Ragoza

• A new mashup contest with Armada University.

• We went to DJX, and will be at ADE soon!

• We started an interview series with top DJs.

• We have some exciting features in the pipeline…

What We’ve Been Up To#

We’ve been all over the place! From connecting with the community to showcasing DJ.Studio at big events, here’s a snapshot of where we’ve been:

DJX Convention#

We had an awesome time showing off DJ.Studio at DJX. It was great to meet so many of you in person and get direct feedback! We met a lot of new DJs and of course a lot of existing users who were all blown away with the newest mashup features that we added.  

We also got to spend time with our friends from Mixed In Key, CrateHackers and Mr. Wired up and had a lovely dinner at a Japanese restaurant.

And… Siebrand felt like a celebrity because we even had customers asking for a selfie with Siebrand.

Cratehackers & DJ Ragoza Webinar#

We recently collaborated with Cratehackers and DJ Ragoza to deliver a value-packed webinar that’s a must-watch for DJs looking to level up their skills using DJ.Studio. 

During the event, the Cratehackers team hosted an engaging hour-long workshop with our Siebrand, where they walked through unique techniques for creating mashups with DJ.Studio. Missed it? No worries - you can catch the replay here: Watch The Cratehackers Workshop.

Following the workshop, DJ Ragoza took over with a deep-dive masterclass, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how he crafts his signature DJ sets with DJ.Studio. His tutorial, which you can watch here, is full of actionable insights on beatmatching, transitions, and advanced track editing. 

I tuned into this livestream and found it super eye-opening. Even though I’ve been using DJ.Studio since the private beta I learned a bunch of new tricks and techniques I had no idea about. 

Thanks to everyone involved!

And the best part? This is just the beginning - there’s more content like this on the way, with future webinars and events on the horizon. So, if you're eager to stay ahead of the curve, make sure to keep an eye on our blog and YouTube channel for updates!

Armada University Mashup Contest#

Calling all creative DJs and producers! 

We’ve teamed up with Armada University for an exciting mashup contest that gives DJs the chance to flex their skills using DJ.Studio. 

All you need to do is create a cool mash-up using select tracks from Armada Music’s catalog inside DJ.Studio, to give you a chance of winning! Top prizes include a feature on Armada Music’s YouTube channel, a lifetime DJ.Studio license, and a year of access to Armada University masterclasses. 

The contest is open until October 6, 2024 - Enter Here!

There are prizes for the top 10 entries, so there’s plenty of room for you to win big! 

Latest Features and Updates #

The DJ.Studio dev team has been hard at work improving performance and adding new features to enhance your DJ experience. Here’s a rundown of the most significant updates:

• Rekordbox Beat Grid Integration: DJ.Studio now supports importing beat grids directly from Rekordbox, making it easier to sync your tracks and manage your library across both platforms. This update allows for a smoother, more integrated workflow.

• AI Beatgrid: We’ve introduced a new version of our AI beatgrid, designed for better performance with tracks that lack clear beats. Whether you're working with complex or more experimental music, the new AI2 beatgrid ensures better alignment, making it more accurate and reliable in challenging sections. It’s perfect for straightening out wonky live beats and giving you the consistency for a seamless transition. 

• More Sample Lanes: Flexibility is key, and now you can layer even more sounds into your mixes. With the addition of extra sample lanes, it’s easier to stack FX, loops, and creative elements for a more intricate and dynamic set. You can enable this at Settings > Interface.

• Voiceover Lane: There is now a separate track for adding additional voiceovers. These are sidechained to the master, so they always shine through clearly - perfect for radio shows and podcasts!

• Enhanced Stem Separation: We’ve improved the stem separation technology, making it even more precise when isolating vocals, drums, or instruments. This results in cleaner cuts and gives you more control over the specific elements of your mix, perfect for remixing or mashups. We've also improved the interface to make it easier to use and more flexible, and increased the audio quality with a new HQ mode. 

• Updated Library Page: The library page has received a complete overhaul, making it easier to sort, organize, and search through your tracks. We’ve added new tagging options and optimized navigation to ensure a faster and more intuitive experience when building your sets.

• VST Support (Closed Beta): We’re testing out VST support, which will allow you to integrate your favorite plugins directly into DJ.Studio. This gives you more creative control over your sound design, adding layers of versatility to your mixing. You can configure custom folders for VST installations, and plugin lists have been improved for easy access. Email support@dj.studio to get in on the beta.

• Hotfixes & Performance Enhancements: Along with new features, we’ve resolved several bugs. These include fixing issues with Beatport and Beatsource integration, export problems (like Ableton stem exports), and updates to VirtualDJ support. At the moment we are working with the whole team to enhance the overall performance of DJ.Studio. This will reduce stuttering in the studio, project loading times and improved automation controls, ensuring smoother performance across the board.

With all these updates, DJ.Studio is more powerful and user-friendly than ever. Whether you’re using AI tools to perfect your transitions, adding effects with VST plugins, or experimenting with stem separation, these features are designed to give you more creative freedom and efficiency. 

Thanks to everyone who gave feedback and found bugs for us!

Coming Soon#

We’re not slowing down anytime soon! Here are a few things on the horizon:

• We’ll be heading to ADE (Amsterdam Dance Event) next, so if you're attending, come say hi!

• Keep an eye out for our upcoming VST support feature, allowing you to bring your favorite plugins directly into DJ.Studio.

• Phrase detection - we’re adding some cool phrase detection features to give you a better overview of your track’s arrangement. 

• Mobile app to listen to your own mixes on your phone!

There’s a lot more to come, and we can’t wait to share it all with you. Stay tuned, and as always, feel free to drop us a line with your feedback.

Catch you next time! 

 ~ The DJ.Studio Team

💛