Why settle for simply mixing music? If you want to really stand out from the crowd, the first thing you should know is what a DJ effect means!

2. Suited to any style of music

Whatever the style of music you're playing, whether it's house, dance, electro, techno, trance, drum&bass, breakbeat, hip hop or dubstep, you're sure to find the effects that best suit your needs. Most effects in Music FX Live sound great with any style of music.

4. All you need is a computer

You don't need any special computer devices or attachments to use Music FX Live: the program can be run on an ordinary laptop/notebook or PC.

The capacity of your computer, however, is important. Click here to find out about the recommended computer configuration.

Tip: To get the best results from the program, use it on a laptop/notebook instead of a PC, since this way you can control effects by moving your finger on the built-in touchpad.

6. It is compatible with DJ mix programs

Do you use your computer for mixing? Music FX Live can also add effects coming from your favorite DJ mix program.

Music FX Live is fully compatible with most of the best known DJ mix programs and lets you add effects to those. To use this option, launch both the DJ mix program and Music FX Live separately on your computer, after which a single click lets you link Music FX Live to your DJ program, and you're ready to start using DJ effects!

A few examples of the DJ mix programs you can use together with Music FX Live: Virtual DJ, Traktor, MixVibes. It can, however, also be used with other music programs such as Ableton Live or Reason.

We won't try to list all the compatible music programs, since that would be impossible. It is enough that you know that Music FX Live is able to add effects to the output of all programs that support ASIO sound cards.

8. In can handle two sources of sound at a time

In the Music FX Live program you can command and add effects to two independent sources of sound (channels). Both channels could come from music files on your computer, an external channel (such as your DJ mixer, turntable or CD player) or from the audio output of another DJ program (such as any DJ mix program, for example Virtual DJ or Traktor).

You can block effects on either channel at will or you can also add separate effects to the two channels and change those at any time.

9. Up to 9 effect configurations at a time

You can create up to 9 different effect configurations at a time. A configuration is a package: it can consist of several effects. You can even give names to these configurations to distinguish them (e.g. "HP+reverb", "Recorded samples"). The quickest way for switching between configurations is to use the numerical keys (1-9).

You can switch on/off at will the effects of the configuration you have selected (through the touchpad, for example). However, you can also link configurations. For example, if you switch on configuration no. 3 and press the HOLD button, and next you switch to configuration no. 1, then the effects you switch on in the latter will modify the audio output of configuration no. 3 instead of the original one.

In many cases, the right order is important. Once you've gained enough practice, you can use Music FX Live to create incredible effects. DJ mixers equipped with effects are incapable of similar magic!

11. Effects tied to the beat, BPM counter

Both channels are equipped with a BPM (beats per minute) display. The program continuously attempts to calculate the tempo of the music being played and also when each beat takes place (that is, when the kick drum can be heard).

Many effects only work really well if they are adjusted to the tempo and the beat of the music. This depends on the program's ability to recognize the tempo of the music.

There are cases in which the program is unable to determine the tempo and/or the beats precisely. In such cases you can help by pressing the TAP button at each beat of the kick drum, about 8-10 times.

13. "Hold" effects by pressing a button

You can switch on the effects by touching the touchpad. Wouldn't it be great if the effect would continue after you release the touchpad? That's why we’ve invented the HOLD button!

If you press this button, the effect will continue after you have released the touchpad, up until you turn off the HOLD function.

15. Effect volume can be set

For each effect you can set to what extent it should be audible compared to the original sound (in technical terms this is a dry/wet knob). If the knob is turned up to the maximum, then the effect will be heard in full extent. If the knob is in its middle position, the half the sound you hear will come from the original audio and the other half from the effect. If it is turned down to the minimum then practically you won't be hearing the effect at all, only the original sound.

The dry/wet knob is associated not only with the effects, but with the entire program. As a result, you can also set overall how clearly the effects should be heard over the original sound.

17. Record audio by pressing a button

Simply by pressing a button you can start recording in MP3 or WAV format everything you hear. This allows you to record the best-sounding effects so that you can show them to your friends, or use it to create your own music.

And if you connect the output of your DJ mixer or your DJ mix program to Music FX Live, then you can record the entire mix - together with the effects, of course.

19. Built-in protection against distortion

You can set the input and output volumes separately on either channel and every signal level is indicated on a separate LED display.

On the output side the computer uses a compressor-limiter to ensure that there is no distortion even at higher volumes. In the event that distortion occurs (if the output volume reaches such a high level) a warning light comes on to indicate that the sound is becoming audibly distorted.

This is something you should pay attention to, since not only does it sound bad, but it can also damage your speakers. A good DJ always keeps an eye on the volumes and signal levels!