Is SoundCloud changing the game again? In addition to integrating with Virtual DJ earlier this year, it looks like DJs are in for another treat. The world’s largest open audio platform announced recently that they are launching software integration with Native Instruments’ Traktor DJ 2. Furthermore, instead of having to load your own mp3s, SoundCloud and Traktor DJ 2 users can access the massive SoundCloud digital streaming catalog. This includes over 200 million tracks, from 20 million creators.
From the full press release:
To celebrate the launch, a series of playlists reproducing real setlists by top DJs Sama, Rachael, Lyzza, Tommy Four Seven, Objekt, Felix Da Housecat, Kornel Kovacs, and more, are available exclusively on Native Instruments’ SoundCloud profile. DJs at any level can utilize these artist-curated mixes to jump right into mixing sets using SoundCloud and TRAKTOR DJ 2, or to practice their tempo matching, song selection and style techniques.
Competing with Beatport?
Although this is exciting news for SoundCloud, it seems to be a competing market as other major streaming services such as Beatport are launching their own DJ streaming service with Pioneer DJ, ‘Beatport LINK’. With the beta version released earlier this month, Beatport CEO Robb McDaniels said in a statement; “The launch of Beatport LINK exhibits our commitment to creating the best possible experience for our expanding ecosystem of DJs, and we can think of no better partner than Pioneer DJ for the service’s first software integration. We are particularly excited to introduce the upcoming Offline Performance Mode, which firmly sets Beatport LINK apart from its competitors in the DJ market.”
As the DJ ecosystem grows and evolves, the prehistoric tradition of lugging around vinyls sounds less and less appealing. Although, neither SoundCloud nor Beatport specifically address audio quality or kb/s streaming rates in their statements, the move to make music catalogs more accessible for DJs seems like a great, and universal move.
Get started today by downloading the Traktor DJ 2 on the Native Instruments’ website or ‘Beatport LINK’ here! Happy mixing!
