• Mixxx is a complete free alternative to paid DJ software that works even better than some of the commercial programs. It's strongest competitor is the Virtual DJ Free Home Edition but Mixxx has all the features enabled and Virtual DJ doesn't (such as looping and fully editable effects not to mention MIDI and transport control).
• Apr 20, 2018 Yup, Mixxx is an amazing open-source cross-platform project that brings DJ software to the masses. No price limited feature set, no paid expansion packs: this is a true community project. Keep reading to learn what's new and why you should give the app a spin. There’s also XML and JavaScript-based MIDI controller scripting support in Mixxx.
• Mixxx is an open source multi-platform application for making remixes. It supports various hardware devices such as turntables and MIDI controllers, although it's also possible to use only the mouse. The list of devices compatible with Mixxx include renowned names such as Hercules DJ Console MK2 and RMX, and M-Audio X-Session Pro.

• Midi Controller Korg
• Fl Studio
• Midi Controller Pedal
• Akai
• Midi Controller Software

DJ MIDI controller for UltraMixer DJ-Software. Pioneer, Numark, Reloop, M-Audio, AmericanAudio, Hercules, Behringer, EKS and more. Native Instruments' older DJ controllers including the S4 Mk1 use a proprietary protocol called NHL that Mixxx does not support. The Windows and Mac OS X drivers can switch these controllers to a MIDI mode by pressing certain buttons (see the Native Instruments website for the button combination for each controller), which could be mapped to.

Interfacing to Mixxx via MIDI (Linux)

This tutorial explains how to drive QLC+ via MIDI from Mixxx. Mixxx is an open source DJ application, running on Windows, Mac OSX and Linux. The light effects are geared to a disco setup and we will use the beat detection of Mixxx to drive light effects synchronized with music.

The instructions were tested on Linux, but Windows or Mac OSX should be similar.

Prepare and configure Mixxx

We need Mixxx to send information about the music via MIDI to QLC+. For this capability we need a plugin script in Mixxx which sends the information as MIDI events.

Midi Controller Korg

• Install Mixx, I used version 1.11
• Install the 'MIDI_for_light' script from this (Mixxx forum thread)The script files (xms + js) must be installed in /usr/share/mixxx/controllers.
• Run Mixxx in developer mode with the command 'mixxx --developer'.This is necessary because Mixxx hides the 'Midi Through' interface but we need it.
• Start Mixxx, go to 'Options - Preferences - Controllers', select 'Midi Through', enable it and load the Preset 'MIDI for light' from the list.

Fl Studio

This will enable the sending of Midi events. You can now run a midi monitor, like 'kmidimon', connect it to the 'Midi Through' device and look at the all the events. Be careful, Mixxx sends 40 events 25 times per second. It to my kmdimon only a minute or two to hang because of overload.

Midi Controller Pedal

Configure QLC+

Akai

Now we have Mixxx sending us lots of interesting data and want QLC+ to do something with it.

Midi Controller Software

• Install QLC+, I used version 4.8.2

• Define your fixtures and functions as usual

• In the 'Inputs/Outputs' panel, select the 'MIDI Through' device as input

• Select the MIDI Through device and click on plugin configuration and configure the 'Midi Through' device. Then:

  It is really possible conveniently to mix songs and play many tracks at the same time.

  • Set the 'Midi' Channel to 1
  • Set the 'Mode' to 'Note Velocity'
  • Leave the 'Init Message' on 'None'
  • Push EXIT button.

• In the Profile tab of the 'Inputs/Outputs' screen, add a new Input Profile. I called it 'Mixxx' and model 'MIDI'.
  Here we need to add a Channel for each MIDI message we expect from Mixxx. The list of Midi messages is documented in the file 'VU-Meter_Info.txt' you got with the Mixxx plugin script.

  • First we add a channel for the BPM info (not documented in the file).
    Add a channel, name it 'BPM', Type is 'Button', Midi channel is '1', Message is 'Note On/Off', Parameter is 101.
  • Then we add all channels with the volume information
    Add a channel, name it 'Volume - absolute', Type is 'Slider', Midi channel is '1', Message is 'Note On/Off', Parameter is 101.
  • Repeat this for all channels you find interesting
    The relative volume channels can give interesting light effects, the absolute volume is less interesting

• Now go to your Virtual Console and start using the MIDI signals. Here two examples:

  • Configure the BPM to advance a cue list on each beat
    In your Cue list, in the 'Next Cue' tab, click on 'Choose', expand the 'Mixxx MIDI' line and pick BPM from the list. Your cue list will now advance with the beat of the music, as determined by the Mixxx beat detection.
  • Make a lamp light up with the Volume of the music (VU meter)
    Configure a Slider, on the 'General' tab, under 'External input' click on 'Choose' and select a channel of your choosing, for example 'Volume absolute'. The selected Fixture will now light up with the volume of the music, like a giant VU meter.