Image Line DeckaDance Review

What makes Image Line Deckadance great DJ software?

Image Line DeckaDance is one of those music mixing software solutions that shine through simplicity. The layout is easy to understand yet the capabilities nothing short of impressive. The application can work as a VSTi* in your favourite host or as a standalone program. On top of that, Deckadance is controllable using most existing midi controllers.

The music mixer comes in two versions. The DVS version is a bit more expensive, but allows you to use time-coded records to improve the mixing and scratching functionalities. Both versions allow you to sue most popular forms of data including MP3, WAV, AIFF, M4A and FLAC. There is however no video format support like in PCDJ Dex.

The software engineers from Image Line have kept the layout clean and simple, yet still offer you the functionality of having four track decks at once, where each deck utilizes its own EQ and gain knobs. Smooth transitions between your tracks are optimized by having cross-faders between the decks.

Its total iTunes integration works effectively. It enables you to search through your entire library by song name or length, BPM and artist name. Beyond that, it allows you to create your own playlists which is an obvious and very helpful, but sometimes overlooked, feature.

The cue points setup allows you to create eight points from which you can jump from one to the other with ease. In order to match the BPM between your decks, you can use the sync button. This can come in very handy, as it enables you to focus on mixing and spinning rather than making beats match.

You can switch between FX, sampler, waveform view and the mixer by using the control panel at the top of the music mixer’s interface. The sampler allows you to emulate a MIDI controller and you can assign samples to to each pad which are easily included to your mix by simply touching the pads.

*A VSTi is a Virtual Studio technology interface that integrates audio synthesizer software with effect plugins, audio editors and hard-disk recording systems

Why choose Image Line Deckadance as your DJ program?

Deckadance is a good all-round DJ mixing program, very worthy of the number two spot rating. It stands out for its 4 deck mixing capabilities, low system requirements and smart knobs. If in doubt, the DVS version is worth the small premium to access the time-coded record control.

Specifications:

• Supported Platforms: Windows and Mac
• Hard Disk: 200 MB
• RAM: 512 MB
• Processor Requirements: PC: Intel PIII 1 GHz or Athlon XP 1.4 GHz Mac: G4 1.5 GHz or Intel Core Duo family
• System Requirements: DirectSound or Asio compatible soundcard Mac: CoreAudio drivers. A decent graphic card will make Deckadence a lot more enjoyable.

Operating System:

• Windows XP
• Windows Vista
• Windows 7
• Mac OS X

Mixing Effects:

• Automatic Beatmatching
• Automatic Crossfade
• Automatic Gain
• Automatic Key Detection
• Loop
• Reverse Play
• Time Stretching

Sound Effects:

• Echo
• Flanger
• HPF(High Pass Filter)
• LPF(Low Pass Filter)
• Phaser

Features:

• Graphic Waveform
• Playlists

Compatible Hardware:

• Microphone
• MIDI/HID Controllers/Mixers
• Timecode Vinyl Controller

DJ Deck Brands:

• Allen & Heath
• American Audio
• Behringer
• DJ TechTools
• EKS
• Hercules
• M-Audio
• Numark
• Reloop
• Stanton
• Vestax

DJ Deck Models:

• American Audio VMS4
• Behringer BCD3000
• Hercules DJ Console MK2
• Hercules DJ Console MK4
• Hercules DJ Console MP3
• Hercules DJ Control MP3 e2
• Hercules DJ Control Steel
• M-Audio X-Session Pro
• M-Audio Xponent
• Numark Total Control
• Reloop Digital Jockey 2 Controller Edition
• Stanton SCS.1d
• Stanton SCS.3d
• Vestax Typhoon
• Vestax VCI-100
• Vestax VCI-100MK II
• Vestax VCI-380
• Vestax VCI-400
• Vestax VCM-10