Ah, technology. Something bright and shiny comes out, and we DJs think, “Cool, but can I DJ on it?” DJs have been playing and hacking with tech since the turntable.
Many people have asked me if it’s possible to DJ with just an iPad. Like all technology that wasn’t specifically designed for DJs, it will depend on what you are trying to accomplish. Obviously, you’re going to have to make some sacrifices and compromises, given that you aren’t using a full laptop. But I’ve always felt that the best way to get started as a DJ is to use what you already have. If you have an iPad, use it!
Can you DJ on an iPad? Yes you can, and there are several different options for software depending on the style of DJ you are.
Be a Music Curator
The simplest way to DJ with your iPad is to use the existing music player. If you are already using iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music or most other music players, you can enable the crossfader effect in your existing playlists. Then you simply drag tracks into the queue and rearrange them in the order you want.
This won’t give you very much control over the music. You will be at the mercy of the crossfader timing that you set, and won’t be able to customize the transition. But, I’ve used this technique at house parties back in the days of CDs where I was quickly switching from one track to another without a mixer. It’s not great, but it works.
Some of your songs will mix together nicely on their own, and some will be a complete train wreck. You won’t have the ability to skip over long introductions, or beatmatch, or control the relative volume of the two songs. You can compensate for this by choosing a track that is similar to the one playing as your next song.
Know that you won’t be fully DJing with this method. You are more of a music curator, lining up the next song for the mood of the room. Music selection is a very important part of DJing, but it’s not the whole thing.
DJ For Real with DJ Apps
Installing specific DJ software on your iPad is a much better option. DJ software will give you the majority of tools DJs need right on your iPad.
djay
My #1 recommendation is Algoriddim’s djay. It is specifically designed to DJ on an iPad, and it has all of the features you would find on high-end DJ controllers. You have cue, beatmatch, keymatch, scratch, crossfade, EQs, kills, samples, waveforms and so much more. And, best of all, it’s currently a FREE download from the App Store.
Even better, it allows you to DJ straight from Spotify Premium, so you will have access to millions of songs. This requires an internet connection, so make sure you will have Wi-Fi at the party. At the very least, you will need to connect to your phone as a hotspot. Djay will download the songs into your player as you load them, and you can clearly see the progress as the waveform loads. Once you have a song loaded, you have full control over it, even if your internet connection cuts out. I’ve tested this multiple times myself, even on slow bandwidth, and it works very well.
MAJOR UPDATE 3/26/2020:
Algoriddim has announced that they are removing support for Spotify on 7/1/2020. They will continue to support Tidal and Soundcloud. From their website:
As of July 1, 2020 Spotify will no longer be playable through 3rd party DJ apps. You’ll still be able to use Spotify in djay until the end of June 2020. In the meantime, we’ve introduced new streaming services that will enable you to continue mixing all of the great music you love, plus give you extended access to new content and features. In addition, we’ve prepared steps for you to easily migrate your library to a new supported streaming service. We are committed to make this transition as easy as possible for you and we appreciate your understanding during this process. (source)
If you are using Spotify to DJ now, you need an alternative streaming service quickly. I’ve listed all of your options here.
Traktor and others
Traktor DJ also has a really good, free app for DJing on the iPad. If you are already familiar with Traktor software, this might be a good option for you. It was built natively for iPad and desktop and the same time, so you have all of the features available in the full version of Traktor right on your iPad.
Traktor DJ connects to SoundCloud GO+, which also gives you a huge library of streaming songs. It also has some excellent slicing and auto-beatmatching capabilities. And Traktor DJ will connect directly to a controller from your iPad.
There are other DJ apps for iPad, including Pioneer’s WeDJ, CrossDJ, and more. They each have their benefits. But, in my opinion, djay has the best features. It’s super easy to use, and did I mention it’s also FREE?
Get Touch-y with What You Have
Depending on your DJ software, you may be able to use your iPad as a remote to your existing DJ setup. Serato, Virtual DJ, and Traktor all make iOS versions that can remotely control their DJ software. You will need a laptop running their DJ software, but you can use your iPad as a virtual DJ controller. You don’t even need to purchase a physical controller!
This gives you a huge advantage over the typical DJ setup. Imagine mixing right in the middle of your dance floor! You can walk around the room and tweak your levels. You don’t have to rush back to your setup if you are running to do something. Now, I wouldn’t recommend mixing during a bathroom break, but the other possibilities are endless.
This is also a really nice way to evaluate different DJ software without having to buy a software-specific controller first. You can demo the different products and get a good feel for their real performance using your iPad as a controller. Once you know which one you like best, you can buy your favorite compatible controller.
Extra Gear You Might Need
Splitter Cable
If you are considering DJing from your iPad directly, you will want to be able to cue tracks in your headphones. You can use the Split Output mode in either djay or Traktor and a very inexpensive splitter cable. There are several different cables on the market, but I prefer the one made by Traktor because it’s $9 on Amazon. You just need any cable that will split the stereo output into 2 mono outputs. Traktor or djay will send the master output to the left channel and the cue output to the right channel.
The key is to have a stereo to mono cable that will send mono signal to both channels. Then, you just need a 3.5mm stereo to RCA cable, and you can plug your tablet into any professional mixer and speakers. Your output will be in mono, but that’s what many larger audio setups will use anyway.
If you want amazing headphones for less than $20, check out my recommended headphones from Monoprice. So cheap and so good!
UPDATE: With their latest release, Algoriddim is now charging a subscription to enable pre-cueing with headphones. It used to come with the app automatically. Now it’s $40 per year. Traktor DJ still includes the feature in their free app.
Controller
As I mentioned above, you can connect some DJ controllers directly to your iPad and control your music that way. This may be a better option if you are doing a lot of professional gigs. Both djay and Traktor have certified controllers that work seamlessly with their apps. I would recommend one of these. Although it is possible to use just a compatible controller, it will be much easier to use one that was built for the software. iOS specifically is a very fickle environment, and it doesn’t tend to play well with others. Stick to something tried and true.
Before you run out and buy a new, shiny controller to play with, make sure that you really like DJing with your iPad. You will be limited in some of the things you can do. If you already have a compatible controller, that’s also a good place to start. My number one rule in DJing: learn the skills before you buy the toys.
In Summary…
Yes, my friends, it is absolutely possible to DJ with just an iPad. You can add a little bit of gear to enhance your experience, or you can tie your iPad into your full DJ setup. The days of thinking that iPads are just toys for DJs are long gone. You may run into some people who sneer at your small setup, but they will shut their mouths once they see what you can do with it. There are no limits for DJs these days. Go big or go small, buy it or build it. As long as the music flows and the party is jumping, who cares what you DJ with?
