What could make me buy this software instantly?

[Media-XE]

Hi there! I'm going to post here a few things that I noticed in the demo version of FutureDecks Pro.
I really like the interface, it's pretty straight-forward, as a fellow DJ posted on the forum, and I've seen the PDF manual too, however I believe that there are some key elements from it that haven't been fully explained - probably playing with the program and self-discovery will sort out the issue, but when I pay for something I'd expect to have a complete list of features and capabilities. Also, it would be brilliant to have the program window size adjustable, like in winamp.

Second of all, I know that the DJs with consoles wouldn't complain about this, but I'd love to see all the low, mid and high frequencies adjusters looking more like the volume sliders (yes, the very same ones from this software, but used for volume) and not some tiny round "thingies" which are really annoying to use with a computer mouse (even if it's the best laser mouse, it's still not very convenient to turn those buttons). I know that I could choose some other skin, but I would rather use a skin made by the developers themselves, with all the bells and whistles ringing ok from the start.

I enjoyed very much the fact that FutureDecks Pro opened my x264 mkv encoded videos - most of them have flack sound - so, the upshot is that the application "kinda" offers support for flac, when embedded into a video file. However, the simple flac files cannot be opened - how's that for "weird"? I think that this piece of software should have a more comprehensive file support, both audio and video file types. When it comes to video rendering in the video window, I used my HDTV from the video card output module - the videos looked very well in terms of clarity, but very distorted in the ratio aspect - as in very squeezed - I think the video rendering should have aditional options when in full screen at least - for example when I use the free video player KMPlayer (KMplayer.com) the videos do not overstretch unless I choose such settings - I'm thinking of using FutureDecks Pro with an HD screen and playing videos - in most cases you need customized settings in order to make everything work properly.

Why I posted this? Because out of all of the DJ pieces of software, FutureDecks Pro looks forward to a bright future, especially if important details such as the ones mentioned above are taken into consideration by the software developers. In conclusion, if the above ideas would be put into practice, I wouldn't think twice about buying this software and also recommeding it to my huge group of DJ friends.

[tyska]

it would be brilliant to have the program window size adjustable, like in winamp.

Hello, welcome to the forums! FDP started off with a lot (and I mean A LOT) of problems, but in version 1.5.1 onwards, Xylio have turned things around - and I agree - out of all the DJ software, this looks the most promising .

In many other posts, people have talked about non-static skins, and vim (one of the heads behind the software) has posted recently that they are working on this feature for not the next update, but very soon.

Second of all, I know that the DJs with consoles wouldn't complain about this, but I'd love to see all the low, mid and high frequencies adjusters looking more like the volume sliders.

I know what you mean, but in my personal view, having sliders instead of rotary knobs would clutter up the window, but I have a controller and I use timecoded vinyl...so I'm biased . Perhaps take a look at the skins section, and try the skin designer that comes with the program - as most of the people here (I believe anyway) have a controller with FDP, so it's unlikely that this will be implemented...

I enjoyed very much the fact that FutureDecks Pro opened my x264 mkv encoded videos - most of them have flack sound - so, the upshot is that the application "kinda" offers support for flac, when embedded into a video file. However, the simple flac files cannot be opened - how's that for "weird"? I think that this piece of software should have a more comprehensive file support, both audio and video file types.

I agree - and I've been pushing for FLAC support! FDP uses the codec's installed on your computer, apparently, but I haven't been able to use FLAC yet. However - good news is the aforementioned vim has stated that he believes FLAC support will appear in the next upgrade

FutureDecks Pro looks forward to a bright future, especially if important details such as the ones mentioned above are taken into consideration by the software developers. In conclusion, if the above ideas would be put into practice, I wouldn't think twice about buying this software and also recommeding it to my huge group of DJ friends.

Futuredecks Pro is getting better and better! I like the fact that many feature requests seem to be taken into account. You have a lot of thoughts and ideas here, might I suggest posting them in these threads:

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=9497

and

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=9553

which the program developers read, and I believe they take a lot of them on board. Futuredecks Pro as you know it hasn't been around very long, previous versions of it (below 1.5.1) were OK, but quite buggy, so Xylio have worked really hard on making the software as stable as it is today, and are now starting to add in features requested on here. Welcome to the forums, hope you enjoy it here, feel free to ask questions - someone's always around, and I hope you enjoy using FDP!

[DJ A. J. Slye]

Futuredecks Pro as you know it hasn't been around very long

Actually it has been around in one incarnation to another for a long long time, first there was DSS DJ which later was licensed by behringer for the BCD2000. The software was then taken and revamped with parts rewritten for the controllers use only, then they released FD light for computer DJ's to use with the keyboard and mouse, which was slightly better than DSS DJ (which they continued to work on until 2007 before stopping development on it completely), later came FD Pro with a lot of rewrites and compatibility with more hardware, etc.

Link for DSS DJ: http://www.myxoft.com/

You should recognize this as the green skin in Future decks. The original effects are still there as well and work, they just did not make it in to the other skins.

[tyska]

Futuredecks Pro as you know it hasn't been around very long

Actually it has been around in one incarnation to another for a long long time.

No no - I meant the new one, where they sorted out a lot of the stability issues, bugs, added the Pro 5 skin etc - Version 1.5.1 onwards. I know FDP has been around for ages, I meant as he knows it - since he's just started using it .

[Media-XE]

Futuredecks Pro as you know it hasn't been around very long

since he's just started using it .

No, I've been using DSS DJ for a long time, it's how I actually found out about this site - since they have posted a link to this site.

As to the knobs - NO, it's not a waste of time at all to make a skin with sliders, just like they did with the skins for DSS DJ:

http://www.myxoft.com/skins/brownish800.jpg

and

http://www.myxoft.com/skins/dssdj4old800.jpg

See? There's no clutter of the skin because of sliders, and this also gives a whole lot better maneuverability of these specific controls (usually if the song is recorded in a professional studio with the right tools - there's no need to even touch these knobs, but as not all music artists have good recording studios - it's sometimes necessary). Even if out of date, DSS DJ still does a great job, especially for digital DJs. Just because I don't have a console doesn't meant I don't need good control either - if that would be the case - I think Winamp with activated cross-fade and Izotope plugin (or just the plain Foobar) does the job a LOT better, and with better file support too (like flac - native support). But no, I really wanted to work with an allegedly professional DJ software, and so, FutureDecks is quite the best at the moment, but it just lacks the few things I mentioned above - another problem is that it is not so much promoted - I accidentally found the link to this site in the old DSS DJ site, on the front page. Therefore, this software needs just a better advertising campaign, a few tweaks and a few addons - in order to be top high-end. The fact that it makes use of the codec packs already installed on the computer system is brilliant and with this occasion I'd like to congratulate the developers for not pressing the users to install silly, old and "somehow" customized codec packs like the dumb ClubVJ Pro software (which by the way is NOT compatible with the Windows Vista and 7 Aero interface, while FutureDecks just works great with that).

I tried using the skin editor, but to be honest it's like drinking a cup of tea with the hand behind your head.

[tyska]

since he's just started using it .

I'll give up explaining what I meant haha

As to the knobs - NO, it's not a waste of time at all to make a skin with sliders, just like they did with the skins for DSS DJ:

http://www.myxoft.com/skins/brownish800.jpg

and

http://www.myxoft.com/skins/dssdj4old800.jpg

See? There's no clutter of the skin because of sliders, and this also gives a whole lot better maneuverability of these specific controls (usually if the song is recorded in a professional studio with the right tools - there's no need to even touch these knobs, but as not all music artists have good recording studios - it's sometimes necessary). Even if out of date, DSS DJ still does a great job, especially for digital DJs. Just because I don't have a console doesn't meant I don't need good control either

No - you've got me all wrong there! I never said nor meant that it would be a waste of time, neither did I say that you needed a console or you won't get good control. What I meant was personally I don't mind since I use a controller with FDP, but I can see what you mean by it gives the people without controllers more control over the EQ. I also meant since a lot of us on here use controllers, you'll need more than a few people wanting these sliders before they get implemented. I didn't mean they'd be a waste of time or that you don't need control over what you're doing.

I think Winamp with activated cross-fade and Izotope plugin (or just the plain Foobar) does the job a LOT better, and with better file support too (like flac - native support).

As said I agree with the FLAC support being implemented , and I said vim has hinted at it being introduced in the next version. If you honestly want to try and perform a professional DJ gig with Winamp or Foobar, then be my guest, BUT FDP will be set out easier, has more FX, quicker control over what you need control quickly for (eq, sampling, FX, video, song positions, cue points, volume etc), and will give you a better result.

But no, I really wanted to work with an allegedly professional DJ software, and so, FutureDecks is quite the best at the moment, but it just lacks the few things I mentioned above - another problem is that it is not so much promoted - I accidentally found the link to this site in the old DSS DJ site, on the front page. Therefore, this software needs just a better advertising campaign, a few tweaks and a few addons - in order to be top high-end. The fact that it makes use of the codec packs already installed on the computer system is brilliant and with this occasion I'd like to congratulate the developers for not pressing the users to install silly, old and "somehow" customized codec packs like the dumb ClubVJ Pro software.

Futuredecks Pro is one of the best if not THE best DJ software out there - in my opinion anyway, and it's getting closer to your vision of the software being professional. I agree with most, and see why all your points are relevant to what you're doing. If you've posted them into the feature request forum, then hopefully you'll see them implemented soon.

In my personal opinion, I prefer FDP as it is - small, hardly heard of, because if it was advertised more, and more people were using it, then a lot of the things we users love will be lost.

a) It's so cheap compared to other DJ software
b) Very light on system resources - no bloatware, doesn't use the registry...
c) A lot (if not all) of the feature requests put in by users get implemented into the software - if there were more people there'd be more requests, meaning it'd take longer for them to be implemented.
d) Since it's so small, it feels like there's a more personal relationship with the developers and the users.

That's my personal opinion anyway. I don't have anything against it becoming bigger and more well known, as it would be nice for the developers to gain more money out of what they're doing, but if it becomes as big as traktor or serato, then I think the points mentioned above will be lost, and that would be a great shame

I tried using the skin editor, but to be honest it's like drinking a cup of tea with the hand behind your head.

Another feature request! Put it in the forums for a more user-friendly interface . I don't understand it much either - I can't work with graphics very well at all, but once it gets out of beta stage, and maybe has a manual I'm going to sit down and teach myself it .

[Media-XE]

No - you've got me all wrong there! I never said nor meant that it would be a waste of time, neither did I say that you needed a console or you won't get good control. What I meant was personally I don't mind since I use a controller with FDP, but I can see what you mean by it gives the people without controllers more control over the EQ. I also meant since a lot of us on here use controllers, you'll need more than a few people wanting these sliders before they get implemented. I didn't mean they'd be a waste of time or that you don't need control over what you're doing.

I'll just have to work on convincing others more, altough the point is self-explanatory.

As said I agree with the FLAC support being implemented , and I said vim has hinted at it being introduced in the next version. If you honestly want to try and perform a professional DJ gig with Winamp or Foobar, then be my guest, BUT FDP will be set out easier, has more FX, quicker control over what you need control quickly for (eq, sampling, FX, video, song positions, cue points, volume etc), and will give you a better result.

Exactly my point - I want this professional DJ software to be top notch! Not just because I like the soft very much, but also because I'm from the same country as the developing company - so it's also a national pride to have the best DJ software ever made by a Romanian team.

d) Since it's so small, it feels like there's a more personal relationship with the developers and the users.

Well, given the fact that I own an online web magazine (http://www.XenonMagazine.com) I'd be more than happy to give them a call (as I wrote above, I'm from Romania too ) - how's that for a feeling of closer relationship with the devs? I certainly want to get an interview-review of this software, so this might happen soon.

That's my personal opinion anyway. I don't have anything against it becoming bigger and more well known, as it would be nice for the developers to gain more money out of what they're doing, but if it becomes as big as traktor or serato, then I think the points mentioned above will be lost, and that would be a great shame

I know what you mean, and I fully understand you. But I think that the aim of any shareware software developer is to get some very good reputation and earn lots of money, in order to get the reward for investing time and effort in creating/improving the software. And I do think FutureDecks is the only DJ software I would buy - given the added features I mentioned.

[tyska]

Exactly my point - I want this professional DJ software to be top notch! Not just because I like the soft very much, but also because I'm from the same country as the developing company - so it's also a national pride to have the best DJ software ever made by a Romanian team.

Glad We're on the same wavelength , except I'm not Romanian

Well, given the fact that I own an online web magazine (http://www.XenonMagazine.com) I'd be more than happy to give them a call (as I wrote above, I'm from Romania too ) - how's that for a feeling of closer relationship with the devs? I certainly want to get an interview-review of this software, so this might happen soon.

Wicked - will look forward to reading that

I know what you mean, and I fully understand you. But I think that the aim of any shareware software developer is to get some very good reputation and earn lots of money, in order to get the reward for investing time and effort in creating/improving the software. And I do think FutureDecks is the only DJ software I would buy - given the added features I mentioned.

Yeah I understand that - and Xylio deserve a lot of money, and will be getting it as the software progresses - as long as it stays as stable as it is now. That's one of the things I love about FDP - other dj software crashes more than this now, instead of the other way around . I just hope the feeling of a close-knit community and the feeling that our ideas are being heard and taken into account isn't lost - as I've seen that happen too often with software I love and appreciate

[Xenobase]

I'm trying to make the skin you wanted (had some free time left, so I thought why not try it ).
I don't know if it's possible to use faders for the hi/mid/lo freq, so it will be trial and error.
Here's a preview:

[Media-XE]

Ultra ownage!

I think this is the first step to make this software extremely good.

Imagine using this skin on a Windows 7 tablet PC - with touch screen - moving those sliders on a (multi)touch screen is awesome!

[tyska]

I'm trying to make the skin you wanted (had some free time left, so I thought why not try it ).
I don't know if it's possible to use faders for the hi/mid/lo freq, so it will be trial and error.
Here's a preview:

Looking good man! great work!

[Xenobase]

Haven't tested it on my touchscreen pc yet, though I will in the near future (maybe even make a special skin for it).
Note that I'm not a programmer at Xylio, I'm just a volunteer

Have fun! Report any problems you encounter, will fix them if I can.

http://www.4shared.com/file/238347641/b ... _Skin.html

[Media-XE]

They should be paying you! Very good job!

[Xenobase]

Thank you! Lay-out is a bit cramped though. Never really thought about using FutureDecks Pro in combination with a touch screen.
So I'm definately going to make a touchscreen only skin!

[Media-XE]

Thank you! Lay-out is a bit cramped though.

No, no, it's exactly the skin size I was previously using on Pro 5 while mixing the music. So even your skin size choice was perfect.

Never really thought about using FutureDecks Pro in combination with a touch screen.
So I'm definately going to make a touchscreen only skin!

Ya, well it's the next logical step in technology - so why not - let's bring FDP to the next level!