Algoriddim's djay apps for iOS and Mac have long been among Apple's favorite apps to show off at keynote events and in annual "best of" lists, with slick designs, demo-friendly interfaces, and utility that supports both fun and creativity with music and video.
Given djay's visibility as a popular premium app, it's a significant development that with today's introduction of djay 3 for iOS, Algoriddim is shifting djay from a set of relatively premium-priced standalone apps to a freemium subscription model.
With the release of the new djay, Algoriddim is consolidating a handful of previous iOS apps down to a single universal app available as a free download that includes features such as the Classic Mode turntable view, Automix Mode that uses Algoriddim's proprietary Automix AI engine to automatically identify optimal transition points and seamlessly transition between tracks with the touch of a button, iTunes and Spotify integration to pull from millions of available song titles, and hardware integration with select official controllers.
While today's update brings some of djay's most popular features to users free of charge for the first time, those who want more can look to the djay Pro subscription, which unlocks unlimited access to libraries of samples and loops, the Looper feature Apple demoed at the iPad Pro event in October, support for dozens of MIDI controllers, and much more.
With over 1 GB of audio and video loops and audio samples from a variety of genres available through the djay Pro subscription, the new Looper and sample pad functions allow DJs to build and sequence their own loops while mixing. The grid-based Looper supports up to 48 loops, automatically synchronized to the beat. And with new video loops, Algoriddim has brought its vjay app into djay, allowing users to mix synchronized video clips in real-time to add a visual aspect to their mixes.
The new djay is also one of the first apps to really take advantage of the USB-C port on the new iPad Pro models, allowing for multiple peripherals such as an external display and a MIDI controller to be connected simultaneously.
djay Pro is available with a seven-day free trial, after which it's priced at $4.99 per month or $39.99 per year. Existing djay users who previously purchased any version of djay are eligible for a discounted $9.99 djay Pro subscription for the first year. Algoriddim is far from the first company to shift a popular app from paid to subscription pricing, but it's certainly among the most prominent for those who have paid close attention to Apple's events, awards, and App Store features over the years.
The freemium model opens up djay to many more potential users who previously might have balked at an upfront purchase price, and Algoriddim clearly hopes that some of those free-tier users will want access to more features and sign up for the Pro subscription plan. And shifting to a subscription model also gives Algoriddim greater flexibility such as the ability to offer free trials.
The new version of djay is rolling out now [App Store] as a free download.
