Algoriddim's djay Pro software has always had close ties to Apple and often been at the forefront of new DJ tech, especially on Mac, iOS or iPadOS. Today marks the launch of djay Pro version 5 and it includes a variety of novel features, many of which leverage the company's AI and a new partnership with the interactive team at AudioShake. There are several buzzy trademarked names to remember this time around including Next-generation Neural Mix, Crossfader Fusion and Fluid Beatgrid. These are the major points of interest in djay Pro 5, with only a passing mention of improved stem separation on mobile, UI refreshes for the library and a new simplified Starter Mode that may cater to new users on the platform. The updates include some intriguing AI-automated features that put the system in control of more complex maneuvers.

Many DJs who've gone digital still like the feel of vinyl for their sets, opting for apps and hardware that support a digital vinyl system (DVS). Today Algoriddim's djay Pro AI joins that camp with a few unique twists. Not only will DVS support include iOS devices in addition to Mac, but the control vinyl will offer a special B-Side with three'tracks' that leverage Neural Mix's ability to isolate stems from any song. This way you can drop the needle on track one for the original version, track two for an instrumental and three for an acapella, all extracted on the fly from any song you want to play. While DVS support is new for djay Pro AI on Mac, the addition of iPhones and iPads with this capability is truly unique.

When it comes to motion tracking and music, you can follow the breadcrumbs including Max Mathews, Imogen Heap, Beat Saber, a growing research and Kickstarter crowd, and now potentially you. If you're a DJ using djay Pro AI on an iPad Pro running iOS 14 (utilizing Apple's Vision Framework) today's the day you join the party. An update to Algoriddim's djay software is now available, and while it includes various new tweaks, the most notable is a touchless Gesture Control interface. You'll still need your hands for track selection, volume and occasionally the fader, but you can trigger automatic transitions, filter sweeps, scratching and loops with the motion of your hands… placed carefully over an iPad Pro in a well-lit area. So, essentially an environment unlike most DJ booths, but you have to start somewhere.

Algoriddim has been improving its DJ software consistently over the past few years for both mobile and desktop, with its most recent foray breaking ground on Microsoft's turf. Today, the company announced another step forward with an update to its Mac desktop app called djay Pro 2 (macOS 10.11 or higher). This is still a high-functioning hybrid with both music and video mixing capabilities, but new features along with various tweaks to the look and feel are welcome changes. The standout feature here is Automix AI, which leverages machine learning as part of its improved functionality. It may seem like a slight against practiced human ability, but as long as you're not trying to Paris Hilton your way through gigs, it's actually quite useful.

You may not know it yet, but our music is already highly reliant on artificial intelligence. AI is already being deployed to develop music scores for advertisements and movies. Artificial Intelligence is also finding itself developing mood based music for games and smartphone apps. While they don't produce music themselves, Siri and Cortana are at our disposal if we need music suggestions. The same goes for streaming services such as Spotify, which rely on AI to deliver new music to our tastes.