Friday's Freeware: Mixxx 2

The result was worth the wait: it may have taken three years to the developers to achieve this new version, but Mixxx 2 appears as one of the rare (not to say THE ONLY ONE) free and open-source multiplatform (Mac OSX, Windows and Linux) DJ-dedicated softwares able to compare with the likes of Traktor and co. It is even compatible with the most popular controllers (including Numark, Korg, Pioneer, Reloop, Hercules, Gemini, FaderFox, Behringer, Denon, Akai, American Audio, Stanton, Vestax, Allen & Heath, Keith McMillen, M-Audio and Native Instruments) and control vinyls (Traktor, Serato, Mixvibe…).

Version 2.0 introduces several new features, including four decks with advanced controls and powerful master sync engine, new built-in effects (including reverb, echo, flange, bitcrusher, Moog-inspired 4-pole ladder filter and 4 different EQ effects), musical key detection, new RGB waveform display, four microphone and AUX inputs with auto-ducking, and the possibility to use three different resizable skins. Ather features which already were included in the previous version have also been improved, such as the time-stretching algorithm, multi-soundcard synchronization, split cueuing or reduced master/headphone delay.

Mixxx 2 is available for free and can be downloaded directly from www.mixxx.org.