12am.com.au : Mixing Music Media

Many of you probably wish you could afford a pair of 1200's and a DJM 600. Like you, I myself am still saving. For the time being I have found a cheaper software based mixing platform. It's called AtomixMP3. It is essentially a set of mp3 players with pitch adjustments, EQ's, a crossfader and an effects unit. Providing one-click BPM beat matching, beat-aware loop engine, live recording, optional dual soundcard output (so you can cue) and master tempo functionality, it is exactly what the bedroom DJ has been waiting for.

So what is it?
AtomixMP3 is a mixing software primarily aimed at the bedroom and mobile DJ. It allows live mixing from your own MP3, CD (depending on your cpu) or WAV file collection. This allows you to take a laptop and a few other accessories and be able to mix.

Who is it for?
AtomixMP3 is designed for digital musician who wants to perform live or record his own mix CD's.

What else do I need?
The first thing you need to do is download a new skin. The default skin is terrible. Get a hold of the "JN Classic" skin, which is available from the Atomix website. When I've used Atomix at party's I've always taken a reasonably powerful laptop (at least 500 MHz, 128 MB RAM and with USB). A USB external sound card. This is a must. I recommend an EMI 2/6 (2 input's/6 outputs). This includes a monitor channel, which is a must. It goes with out saying that you need a good pair of headphones. If you've got a hardware mixer then all the better as Atomix suports using external mixers. However the current version does a surprisingly good job without one!

Macintosh:
Currently Atomix doesn't have a Mac version planned.

PC:
200 MHz CPU or faster, 128 MB RAM (a faster CPU means less RAM), CD-ROM drive, Windows 95/98/NT 4.0/2000 or later, monitor resolution 800 x 600 (or higher), Windows-compatible sound card, preferably with DirectX or ASIO driver. If you aren't using a laptop I would suggest getting yourself 2 good quality soundcards (preferably not of the same brand as the can conflict). Another alternative is to get a Sound Blaster LIVE! which has a front and a rear output, which Atomix can use as an output and a monitor (cue) channel. System requirements are sketchy with Atomix, you will often find that it will work on machines way below benchmark.

Getting Started with AtomixMP3….

Installation
Go to www.atomixmp3.com and download the timed demo. You can purchase the full version for $59.95 USD, which scared me at first but trust me, it's worth it.

Copy Protection
As mentioned the demo is timed. This means at short intervals (I think it was like 20 minutes) the sound cuts out and a small box pops up asking you to buy the full version. If you do buy the full version (which you must download, it's around 3 MB, small considering) you are given a unique serial number which you will need to obtain certain upgrades. AtomixMP3 has grown up with it's users. The development team was, up until recently, letting customers who had bought version 1 upgrade for free. This may has changed now.

Configuration
Configuration of AtomixMP3 is largely personal and is easy enough to do as the demo comes with a flash tutorial. This is the setup I recommend:

Set your keyboard shortcuts up so you can control just about everything from the keyboard. You don't want to be trying to use a mouse when the house is packed and you keep getting interrupted. I have provided a link so you can download my keyboard shortcuts file. Just load the file by going to the setting tab, then keyboard short cuts, then click load. Just download it and drop it into the Atomix directory. once in Atomix go to setting, click "Shortcuts.." and click "load". This may save you some time.

click here to download Rick Bakers keyboard shortcuts.

The Interface
The Atomix interface is relatively customizable. There are plenty of skins available from the Atomix website. This is the JN Classic skin but there are heaps of others including just about every CDJ ever made.

Features
I separated the features which will get you up and running into sections below:

Samples
Atomix supports wav and mp3 sound files. I would suggest you get your own samples. The samples included in Atomix are cheesy and pathetic. It's as if the development team made them as a joke! Once you've got want you want (Atomix can load up to 12 at one time) it's just a matter of assigning your samples to Atomix internal 'keyboard'.

AtomixMP3 will beat match your sample automatically and does a reasonable job at keeping your samples in phase.

Looping
The beat-aware loop engine in Atomix is similar to the sampler on Pioneer's DJM 600. You have the choice of looping 1/4 a beat, 1/2 a beat, 1,2,4 & 8 beats. You can imagine how this allows you to be extremely creative with your mixes!

Recording
AtomixMP3 lets you set up a direct recording of your mix. I was surprised at how well my computer runs Atomix when it's recording in the background, no skipping at all! Also, as long as your original music is of good quality, you won't loose any quality as it's a direct digital transfer from Atomix to a WAV file. This allows you to make CD quality mixes!

One click BPM beat matching & the beat window
Atomix really makes it easy here. Forget tapping out BPM's or counting. Atomix does it all for you. Just click the "Sync" button! (or hit the 'escape' key when using my keyboard shortcuts)

The dual soundcard issue (for desktop users)
I thought I should expand on this issue as it took me months to get past all the conflicts! Atomix does support dual soundcards and I highly recommend getting 'em. As mentioned above make sure you get 2 different brands as Windows and Atomix don't like the conflicting IRQ's & drivers. It will save you time. Also, you can use a 3D soundcard such as Sound Blasters LIVE! cards which will let you use the front and rear outputs for your output and monitor channels. I have heard some complaints about this method however.

Effects
Atomix can have up to 3 effects loaded. The default effects are:
Flanger (press insert)
Pan (press home)
Brake (press page down)

Again many more are available for free download

Support
As mentioned above the AtomixMP3 development team have closely monitored what the community was saying and did add many of the features listed in their 'Wish List" section on thier forums. There tech support is usually very good and is available via email or though the forum. However the Atomix forum is open to anonymous post and you do get the occasional thoughtless remark.

Comparisons
At the moment I have yet to find anything remotely as good on both value for money and features as AtomixMP3. I'm sure that will be debated as there are at least a dozen other mixing programs out there. Tracktor DJ is the only alternative in my opinion, expect a 12am review of it shortly!

Where do I buy?
Atomix is available from there website, www.atomixmp3.com. Also, the early test version of the current AtomixMP3 was distributed with the latest Dance eJay. This version was riddled with bugs and lacked full product support. Get the current version from the website, it much better...

How much is it?
$59.95 USD.

More Info -
Currently Atomix is running a contest with Ministry of Sound and Nescafe. The winner of the contest gets to play a set alongside some of the worlds best DJ's at Ministry of Sound event! Goto www.atomixmp3.com for more info.