Lucky for you, you don’t even need to buy fancy equipment to be a DJ. Computer-only setups have allowed us to explore the wonders of being a DJ through DAWs.
DAWs, or digital audio workstations, are software that you can install on your computer to create music, regardless of genre. Famous DJs like Disclosure, Flume, and Martin Garrix use DAWs to create their music.
Most amateur DJs opt for this option because it’s the most convenient in terms of both cost and effort. The only con is that they don’t offer the “hands-on experience” you might want with DJing.
We took the liberty of compiling the three best DAWs there are to use according to famous DJs.
Ableton Live
The beauty of Ableton Live is its versatility. DJs produce different types of music such as trap, EDM, and dubstep with Ableton, which is why a lot of DJs opt for it.
Ableton’s layout is organized and clean, which makes it easier to choose between your tracks. It even comes with built-in lessons so it’s great for beginners.
The software is customizable in terms of bass, treble, and waveforms. But at the same time, it doesn’t include complex forms like dragging a MIDI editing tool onto an audio track.
DJ artists, Flume and Disclosure, have stated that they normally use Ableton Live for shows.
Other key features include:
Ability to link more than two audio tracks
An algorithm that combines reverbs and convolution
Ability to adjust every single chord
Macro variations of sounds and drops within a song
Automatic adjustment of tempo in real-time
Traktor Pro
Traktor Pro is also one of the best software you could invest in for DJing. It’s available in many different versions that are constantly advancing in quality.
Traktor is known for perfecting its music analysis algorithm. Most experts believe its algorithm is the closest to perfect it can get.
Traktor also adds a layer of creativity by allowing you to alter your tracks by separating the vocals, bass, and melody.
The software is most compatible with house or techno artists, like Rebekah or Joris Vroom.
Some key features include:
FL Studio
FL Studio is also another top-ranking DAW according to most famous DJs like Martin Garrix or Avicii.
Its layout displays the mixer, piano roll, playlist, and channel rack. This is also accompanied by a convenient toolbar and browser. This makes it much easier to organize your tracks.
FL studio can copy patterns throughout your older tracks to replicate them into newer tracks. So, if you have a certain style with your music, it eases the workload.
The software also comes with a ready-made track for beginners to pick apart and learn from. This makes for a great DAW to get started with.
Other key features include:
A step-sequencer that adds any sounds in the middle of a track as part of the sequence
Syncs up different channels to make a sample
Freezes midi clips to audio
Windows and macOS version
Ability to customize walls, height, width, and size of the reverb