words: MICK WILSON TECH News TECHNEWS
VERDICT BUILD QUALITY
EASE OF USE FEATURES
8.0 8.0 9.0
VALUE FOR MONEY 8.0 SOUND QUALITY
HYPE Optional DVS support, four
GRIPE The lack of two-way MIDI
decks, VST plug-in support and killer new features like the Smartknobs will be very tempting indeed for DJs.
support to light up LEDs on controllers will disappoint some.
Deckadance 2 has been updated to bring its features in line with the competition, and also manages to add in new unique tricks of its own.
8.2/10
PRICE $99
CONTACT
image-line.com
DIFFERENT STROKES W
hen it comes to Digital DJing and Digital Vinyl Systems, the market is dominated by the big two — namely, Traktor and Serato. Newcomers could
be forgiven for thinking that these are the only two options for pro DJs, but that is far from the truth. There are more than a few great software packages available for digital DJing that don’t carry the Native Instruments or Serato badge on their packaging. Deckadance is one of those packages that has been around for a while. It’s found its own little niche in the market with DJs who like to do things a little differently, and don’t mind trying something new. However, in recent times — mainly due to the advancement of other digital DJ software titles and their fancy new features — Deckadance seemed to be falling behind the times and looking a little tired, but all of that has changed with the release of Deckadance 2. The most notable new feature to be found in Deckadance 2 is the availability of four-deck mixing, with the option of switching between four-deck and two-deck mode via the customizable interface. This enables DJs to show only the features that they want to see — with control over decks, smart panels and function panels. Another killer feature to be found in Deckadance 2 is the support of VST plug-ins, opening up a huge range of exciting possibilities. Not only are some of the most professional and awesome effects and outboard style
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djmag.com N/A
The new Image-Line Deckadance 2 DJ software is tempting DJs to dance to a different beat…
plug-ins available in VST format, but there is also a huge amount of fantastic free VST plug-ins available to download from various places. The ability to run VST plug-ins natively really gives Deckadance 2 an advantage over the likes of Traktor — which is not compatible with VST plug-ins — and Serato, which requires the use of The Bridge and ownership of Ableton to be able to bring VST plug-ins into the mix.
Another very cool new feature that Image-Line have added to this version of Deckadance is Smartknobs. This takes a similar approach to Korg’s KaossPad by combining control over multiple effects and mixer controls on a single knob, with user programmable envelope control. Smartknobs can be used to create a virtually limitless amount of effects and controls that can be executed with a simple twist of a knob, making it perfect for use while in the mix and giving big results without the need to fiddle around with lots of knobs and buttons. Smart Panels, which are another new addition to Deckadance 2, can be used to configure custom loop, cue, grid, DVS, key Smartknob and tempo panels with the possibility to add between two and eight panels per deck. When it comes to controlling Deckadance 2, various hardware interfaces are supported via pre-mapped controller templates along with the ability to custom map any controller. The options for DVS control are unusually broad with Final Scratch, Ms. Pinky, Serato Scratch Live, Torq, MixVibes, PCJD, Reflex, Virtual
DJ and Deckadance’s own CD time-code all being supported along with Deckadance 2’s ability to learn any other new timecode that is thrown its way — giving DJs virtually unlimited options to get their mix and scratch on. Deckadance 2 is available as two distinct versions. The basic edition is priced at around £59, and the DVS edition is about £110. The good news for existing Deckadance users is that for them, Deckadance 2 is a completely free upgrade. If Image-Line continue the tradition they started with FruityLoops of free updates for life, this could also be an ongoing bonus.
While some people will always want to go with the crowd and stick to the most popular choices when it comes to their DJing software, there are other more adventurous souls who like to explore their options and find the software that suits their needs and style the most. Deckadance 2 will suit these more adventurous souls, and also provide great rewards in the form of extreme flexibility in the choices of hardware and software control options. Additionally, it supports VST plug-ins and the countless combinations of plug-ins that can be deployed to create dancefloor devastation. With trial versions of Deckadance 2 available on Image-Line’s website, it costs nothing to take this software for a spin to see if this is the magic ingredient your DJing has been missing up till now.
image-line.com
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