While software like Serato is very stripped down, it allows a DJ to quickly and easily perform his/her primary task – beatmatching and mixing music. The first time ever using Serato I quickly figured out how to use it with no instructions. The first time I looked at the user interface for Torq it made me want to cry. This interface is easily the most hideous looking thing I have seen in DJ Software market hands down! Even if M-Audio sent me a free copy I wouldn’t install this on my computer. I’m only reporting this new version of the software for those of you that do use it. I would love to hear some first hand comments about how great this software is so I can learn not to judge the software by the GUI, but I doubt I will hear any. Please let us know if you use this.
From the M-Audio Website
- cue, beat-match and mix digital files > leave your cumbersome records and CDs safe at home
- works instantly and seamlessly with compatible M-Audio hardware > no complex set-ups or conflicts
- organizes digital audio files (including iTunes) into easily searchable database >instant access to your entire digital library
- supports optional third-party VST effects > add your own signature sound
- 16-cell tempo-synced sampler > trigger loops and samples on the fly
- ReWire support > take your performance to the studio
- transmits and receives MIDI beat clock >flexible synchronization with external devices
- compatible with control vinyl/CDs >easily integrates with traditional DJ hardware
Nigel Stuke
December 29, 2008 (22:28)
I’ve been using Torq for a while now and it has it’s pros and cons. Serato is better at some things like ease of use and reliability, but Torq allows you to do more stuff.
The ability to use any MIDI controller as well as any 3rd party effects gives you limitless control far above what you can do with Serato. Also you don’t have to buy the matching mixer. It is cool to do things like patch Ableton Live into one of your decks. However it doesn’t allow you to control the up / down / select a song keys via MIDI (you can control this if you have the Rane TTM57S mixer + Serato).
I say if you are doing straight forward mixing than Serato is definately the key player in the game. If you want to do more experimental stuff like remixing songs on the fly, there is more opportunity for that with Torq. Plus, it’s super cheap.
djnth
December 31, 2008 (17:44)
Thanks for the review of Torq. I would definitely agree that Serato is sorely lacking when it comes to “advanced features” that other programs like Traktor, Torq, and Deckadance have. It seems like you either have a cluttered interface with more advanced features like Traktor and Torq or you sacrifice the advanced features for a clean interface. I think it’s getting to be time for dual-monitor DJ setups to become standard.
Nick love dj controllers
January 1, 2009 (15:50)
I never really got into torq much prefer Traktor.
LivingAudio
January 5, 2009 (13:28)
I bought Torq along with the Xponent and it has so much potential. Granted it is early in the development process; with that being said the fact that you can do so much is fun when spinning live. Looping and added effects makes for a good show enjoyable both for the crowd and the DJ. All i can say is I love Ableton Live but damn mixing with Live is not the best for showmanship or crowd interaction. It looks like your checking your e-mail just staring at the screen for god sakes (I love ableton i swear). Torq allows you to relax a little and have more fun with your sets. It has some room for improvement but def worth a try. sadly my Xponent had issues so i had to return to M-Audio for repairs just 4 months after i bought it;-( Hopefully they return it back to me ASAP!
Thanks for the heads up on the Version update!
torq is pretty good
January 10, 2009 (01:37)
For the last 4months, I spent countless hours online trying to decide which one to go with, Serato, Traktor or Torq, Everyone had an opinion. When people love their brands, they say everything possible to knock other brands down.
I finally came to a decision 2weeks ago, and finally, 2days ago, I purchased Torq… and I must say, It was very easy to install… I think people just dont read instructions, thats why they usually complain and say Torq is difficult to install blah blah… It was very easy to install. I had previously used VDJ for 4yrs..so it took me about 5mins to figure out where everything was in Torq and how they work.
So far, im loving my torq. I am not knocking Serato/Traktor, but I believe M-Audio has a pretty good product. Dont get discouraged by stuff you read online. Best of luck :)
Mark Mosher
January 12, 2009 (08:08)
I’m en electronic musician not a DJ, but I try keep up with this sort of thing. I use Ableton Live for all my work and know a lot of DJs do as well. “The first time I looked at the user interface for Torq it made me want to cry” – I kind of felt the the same way when I looked at it. Just for fun I messed a bit with deckadance (http://deckadance.image-line.com) and figured all most all if it out without reading a manual. Wondering if this app ever got any traction in the DJ world.
Mark Mosher
http://www.modulatethis.com
HeartBeat
January 26, 2009 (01:23)
Hey there! I Started of DJ’ing with virtual DJ so naturally I it seemed it wouldn’t be an easy switch to go with any other software because the GUI for VDJ was so incredably simple. I eventualy wanted to get into something bigger and better for the sake of haveing a more professional sound. So I hit the books and started studying most of the software products out there. I found Serato Scratch to be the industry standard and franklyI wanted to see what all the hype was about, scratch is a good, no, great product with a relatively simple interface. but when I tested scratch out for myself it wasn’t working out so well. It was very difficult to use at first and I couldn’t figure it out on my own right away I had to ask a buddy of mine what the key controls were. I also was researching Torq, its flat, obscure looking GUI was kind of attractive to me in the sense that it was very straight forward and simple nothing flashy. When I learned how flexible the program was with downloadable vst plug-ins, midi maping and re-wire capabilities I found it to be a pretty interesting “live” mixing software product. So I checked it out and I really liked it much better than Scratch. For me it was much easier to figure out how to use right away. Right after I installed it I was mixing and messing around with ease. I just recently purchased Xponent and its made the Torq experienece even better for mixing and remixing tracks quickly and easily and the new 1.5 uprgrade fixes most of the short comings in the original so its a bit better. So as far as Im conserned M-audio is going to take software DJing to the next level. but dont take my word for it. Test it out for yourself to see how you like it.