Engine DJ 4.0 has dropped as a free upgrade for Denon DJ and Numark standalone DJ units and players, bringing a large list of much-asked-for improvements and fixes.
Watch our video
What’s new in Engine DJ 4.0
Watch the accompanying video for a quick talkthrough of some of our particular favourites, but some headline changes include:
- A combined library and waveforms view – no more switching!
- Independent control over 2/4 deck and 2/4 waveform layouts in performance mode
- The ability to save and recall three performance mode layouts
- Choice of current playlist or whole library search
- Expanded track list showing more songs and bigger preview waveforms (auto hiding the tree when not needed)
- FX improvements – filter/noise sweep now in PFL, and flashing FX light when activated
- Ability to eject decks (LOVE this one)
- Ability to reset played tracks (LOVE this one too)
- Louder recording levels on some units
- Better key sync/shift controls
- Switchable beat counter/phase meter
- A 24-hour clock option (hello, Europe!)
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Overall, the UI is cleaner, flatter and more mature, with a higher level of consistency across views and a more predictable layout of features. It feels like no part of the UI has not had a few pixels trimmed, a bit of digital paint added, and some real thought put into how to make it easier to use.
What, no stems?
The elephant in the room, of course, is real-time stems, and it’s an elephant of Engine DJ’s own making, ever since they released an early beta version of the tech for the Prime 4+.
Fair to say it didn’t impress, quality-wise – understandable for standalone hardware, and why possibly we haven’t hear any more of it. My personal view is that the idea has not died, just that a slightly different approach (or next gen hardware) will be needed to move it forward. Watch this space for info as we get more…
• Note that users of 1.x versions will have to update to 3.4 before updating to 4.0, full info over on the Engine DJ website.
Phil Morse
