UltraMixer

UltraMixer
Developer(s) UltraMixer – Digital Audio Solutions
Initial release 7 January 2016 (2016-01-07)
Stable release 5.1.2
Written in Java, C++
Operating system Linux, Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows
Available in 4 languages
Type DJ-Programm
License proprietary
Website www.ultramixer.com

UltraMixer is a DJ Software for so called digital or virtual DJs, who are not using Vinyls or Audio-CDs but using digital music formats like MP3. UltraMixer is designed especially for the need of mobile DJs, who work as an entertainer for events like weddings, it is also used in dancing schools and restaurants.[1] According to their website, it was the very first platform independent DJ Software for Windows, Mac OS and Linux.[2] The software is being developed and distributed since 2003 by a company, in Dresden that is called UltraMixer Digital Audio Solutions GbR.

Functionality

The software works as a dual player with two independent controllable decks. The music tracks can be adjusted in real time Mixer, crossfader and optional beat matching which ensures seamless blending during track transition. The software can also apply effects to a track. Time stretching allows two tracks with different speeds to be normalized to each other while preserving the tone pitch. A 3 or 31-band equalizer is available to allow the output signal to be tuned to best fit a particular room.

The user interface has a file manager called file archive as its central working area. It can efficiently be used to search and organize tracks and play lists. Besides audio formats like MP3, AAC, FLAC or M4A, video files and Audio-CDs can also be played. Furthermore, the software can be used to record a live set. Supported languages are English, German, Dutch and Japanese (as of May 2014).

Hardware support

Since version 4.1 the software is fully MIDI compliant and can be used with any available MIDI controller.

Editions

Version 5 is available in four different flavors (Home, Basic, Pro Entertain) with different functionality. A demo can be tested unlimited.

History

UltraMixer has been actively developed since 2002 by Tobias Bley and Matthias Hänel. The main goal of the development was Usability.[3] Version 1 was free of charge, and the very first commercial version, 2, was published as a first beta version in October 2005. Significant changes to version 1 has been a complete user interface revamp.

New versions of UltraMixer are released roughly every month or two. Since early 2006, the software has implemented the Replay-Gain Algorithm. Features such as the 31-Band-Equalizer, looping, time stretching, and real time effects, such as flanger, (cutoff), high and low pass have been supported since the end of 2006. In version 2.1, the ability to record as well as support for MIDI-devices was introduced. Since then, the list of supported MIDI controllers has been steadily increasing. Version 2.2 introduced silence detection, and version 2.3, the ability to directly access an iTunes playlist.

UltraMixer 3.0 was announced near the end of 2008[4] and released in November of 2010. New features included the ability for the user interface to scale gracefully at various resolutions, graphical waveforms, and the possibility to switch between two different operating modes – a single or double playlist view. Version 3 supports automated and synchronized Beatmatching, automated loops, digital Scratching, Recording as well as automatic gain control (AGC).[5]

Since the beginning of 2012, version 4 has been released as a publicly available beta version. Key new features are the ability to connect with an Internet radio streaming server such as those found on SHOUTcast and Icecast, microphone support, as well as the ability to search through videos and cover art.

Version 4 has been undisclosed December 2012. Major new features web radio-streaming-server (SHOUTcast, Icecast), microphone-support and video- and cover search.

In December 2015 UltraMixer5S has been undisclosed with a major rewrite for it's video engine and a lot of new features like karaoke support, beat driven visuals and full 64 bit support.

In the press / Reception / Reviews

Demo and occasionally full versions of UltraMixer are distributed regularly as promo material via the magazines C't and Computer Bild.[6] UltraMixer has also been the download tip of the day from various web portals.[7]

For example, the editorial staff from the "Computer Bild" magazine recommended the free version of the "visually appealing player" as "the perfect accompanyment for your next party".[8]

In a market overview, the journal Beat introduced 18 different DJ programs, of which UltraMixer was included.[9]

Netzwelt regards the software as "one of the best DJ Programs".[10]

The Brazilian download portal Baixaki praises the intuitive user interface and highlights the ease of use in comparison to other music players.[11]

Criticized and simultaneously praised[12] was the simplicity of the software, that for example, up till 2009 still didn't have a graphical Waveform view.

The software has been downloaded in 2008 over one million times from the vendors webpage.[13] Download portals like Netzwelt show more than 400.000 downloads.[10] Softpedia has more than 40.000 downloads.[14] MacUpdate.com states "UltraMixer for Mac is DJ software done right."[15]

External links

References

  1. ↑ Salection: UltraMixer 3 – Test. 22 June 2011.
  2. ↑ product description for UltraMixer 4
  3. ↑ Freistaat Sachsen: Sächsischer Mittelstandsbericht 2008. January 2009.
  4. ↑ UltraMixer Blog: UltraMixer – The next step (Waitlist, Waveform & more). 29. Oktober 2008.
  5. ↑ delamar: UltraMixer 3: Die DJ-Software wird erwachsen. 7. Januar 2011.(German)
  6. ↑ Pressespiegel
  7. ↑ Wolfgang Harbauer: (German Only) Das muss auf den Rechner: Aktuelle Software-Tipps 100. 1st, October 2010: "Despite a multitude of practical features, UltraMixers functionality remains wonderfully clear"(German)
  8. ↑ Computer Bild: UltraMixer-Rezension und Download(German only)
  9. ↑ Beat DJ Guide 01/2011: The right DJ Software (German)
  10. 1 2 Netzwelt: UltraMixer-Rezension und Download(German)
  11. ↑ Baixaki: UltraMixer-Rezension und Download (Portuguese)
  12. ↑ Frank Martin Lauterwein: Hier spricht der User: Meinung des Monats zu UltraMixer. 28. Dezember 2009. Darin: "... exactly the functionality that an event DJ really needs."(German)
  13. ↑ UltraMixer Blog: Frohe Weihnachten & guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr 2009.
  14. ↑ Softpedia
  15. ↑ Macupdate
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