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Forum: Wishes and new features

Topic: Stems waveform
Hi,

I miss one feature from Djay Pro (Traktor also has it) - waveform with the stems separation - it makes mixing and using effects on stems possible.
 
Posted Fri 10 Oct 25 @ 7:49 am
What you are describing is purely a visual thing (split waveform display):


  • VirtualDJ already supports pretty much all the audio processing you described on stems already
  • VirtualDJ does have a way of displaying stem change information that is similar to Serato - the main waveform can show stem level changes, given you select an advanced (non-frequency) EQ mode.


It might require a bit more processing power to show what you want too - VirtualDJ has 5 stem parts, and that would require drawing 5 waveforms per deck for up to 4 decks.

It still could be useful for mixing visually (especially if you came fron software that displayed things like that) - just saying it isn't a functional deficiency in terms of capability with stems audio.
 
For me I wish if this feature of muting and unmuting stems is added to color wave form like that of Serato cause Shapes wave foam looks boring and unusable to me
 
I've used shapes without any issues really.
It would be good to have waveform coloring of colored based on stems, and even have even Frequency mode show the frequency modifications and stems modification overlayed.
 
Atleast make shapes user friendly like stem wave on rekord box so that kicks ,melo and vocals can be located even before muting stems but when vocals are not muted they cover the all song on shapes and make it difficult for scratching using a kick yet kicks can be simply seen on colored wave or serato and rekord box waves for stems
 
DJTouchDan's skin Project X has a Stem Waves option...
 
Don't mean to sound mean but this statement confuses me:

Zeusmatic wrote :
....when vocals are not muted they cover the all song on shapes and make it difficult for scratching using a kick...


I've pretty much never heard a scratcher complain about scratching being difficult because they can't see stems clearly on the waveform - scratchers are almost always focused on the platter/mixer and knowing your songs, listening for changes and track prep (e.g. placement of cues), pretty much has the DJ in the know about what they would be scratching and when.
I'm guessing you play a lot on the fly (without cues).

I do agree that the stem support with waveforms can be improved in the default cases though.
 
groovindj wrote :
DJTouchDan's skin Project X has a Stem Waves option...

Ooh, I came here to say the same thing Groovindj. It has been available for over 5 years.
 
Okay but for me implementing Serato like Stem wave form on colors can work for me
 
DJ VinylTouch wrote :
What you are describing is purely a visual thing (split waveform display):


  • VirtualDJ already supports pretty much all the audio processing you described on stems already
  • VirtualDJ does have a way of displaying stem change information that is similar to Serato - the main waveform can show stem level changes, given you select an advanced (non-frequency) EQ mode.


It might require a bit more processing power to show what you want too - VirtualDJ has 5 stem parts, and that would require drawing 5 waveforms per deck for up to 4 decks.

It still could be useful for mixing visually (especially if you came fron software that displayed things like that) - just saying it isn't a functional deficiency in terms of capability with stems audio.


It's just a matter of Virtual DJ removing the red color when you remove the kick drum, removing the green color when you remove the vocals, and removing the blue color when you remove the hi-hat. There's no need for five different colors. I have several students who resist switching from Serato DJ to Virtual DJ precisely because of this visual detail.
 
DJ VinylTouch wrote :
Don't mean to sound mean but this statement confuses me:

Zeusmatic wrote :
....when vocals are not muted they cover the all song on shapes and make it difficult for scratching using a kick...


I've pretty much never heard a scratcher complain about scratching being difficult because they can't see stems clearly on the waveform - scratchers are almost always focused on the platter/mixer and knowing your songs, listening for changes and track prep (e.g. placement of cues), pretty much has the DJ in the know about what they would be scratching and when.
I'm guessing you play a lot on the fly (without cues).

I do agree that the stem support with waveforms can be improved in the default cases though.


Yes, and many DJs request RGB features for stems, just like Serato. Even the free software Mixxx has a feature where removing bass removes the red color from the waveform, removing mids removes the green color, and removing treble removes the blue color. This has been a standard in audio software for many years, and many DJs and producers use RGB colors associated with bass, mid, and treble frequencies. Therefore, it would only be a matter of following the same rule for stems. Remember that DJs, especially scratch DJs, don't need to look at laptop screens; waveform displays are on DJ mixers, controller jog wheels, CDJ screens... a good example is the Rane System One with a screen in the center above the mixer... In short, DJs are indeed looking at waveform displays, especially scratch DJs.
 
Which controller changes the waveform colors based on stems?
 
So I respect your viewpoint, but I do disagree, especially with saying it's being a standard for years.

VirtualDJ had stems way before Serato, if anything VirtualDJ set the standard for Serato to follow in that regard. Anyone who is that dependent on a waveform color change to make a sole decision between software imo is too dependent on visuals and needs to revise how they do the job, and imo, you should teach your students to not depend on this so heavily - as you said, DJs who are tenured have been DJing way before these kind of aids without an issue, and its just visuals, it does not affect stems functionality in any way that an audience can hear.

With that said though, I'm not against the request - I'm actually all for it, but you guys are making it seem like the DJ world would end without it and I don't agree with that at all (the DJ world was created and existed many years without it fine)
 
Driving a car without GPS is not end of the world but technology is added to make things easier.
Just because we're asking for a new feature doesn't mean DJing is impossible without it. Look at AI integration: it didn't exist before, but now that it's here, it improves our workflow. We aren't asking for these updates for the crowd; we're asking for them to improve our own experience behind the decks."
 
We’ve seen VDJ lead the way with Stems 2.0 quality, but the UI needs to catch up. Other platforms have already implemented 'dynamic waveforms' where muted parts disappear or turn gray. Since VDJ is known for being the most customizable software, adding a toggle for 'Stem-Reactive Waveforms' should be a no-brainer for the 2026 builds.
 
Zeusmatic wrote :
doesn't mean DJing is impossible without it


Earlier in the thread you said that the shapes waveform was "unusable".

There tends to be a lot of comments from DJs saying that something needs to be "like [insert name of DJ software here]" whether that's Serato, Rekordbox, Traktor etc. with no real context or explanation as to why (in their opinion) it "needs to be".

I recall a recent thread from someone complaining that one VDJ effect was not the same as Traktor and practically demanding that it be changed "or else". 🤣
 
@groovindj the fact still remains - what is being asked for is a nice to have and not a make or break or absence of functionality.
Comparing stems waveform display to GPS lol...I won't even address that because it's not even a logical comparison.

The thing is, everyone on this post would like the feature to be implemented, but implying it's some defining factor on state of the art functionality/abilities on DJing to the point you'd chose software on that alone...I can't take that seriously (sorry) (I honestly wonder if persons just started DJing 5 or less years ago?).

I'm also waiting on the answer for @Adion's question (what DJ controller shows stem changes currently?).
 
DJ VinylTouch wrote :
So I respect your viewpoint, but I do disagree, especially with saying it's being a standard for years.

VirtualDJ had stems way before Serato, if anything VirtualDJ set the standard for Serato to follow in that regard. Anyone who is that dependent on a waveform color change to make a sole decision between software imo is too dependent on visuals and needs to revise how they do the job, and imo, you should teach your students to not depend on this so heavily - as you said, DJs who are tenured have been DJing way before these kind of aids without an issue, and its just visuals, it does not affect stems functionality in any way that an audience can hear.

With that said though, I'm not against the request - I'm actually all for it, but you guys are making it seem like the DJ world would end without it and I don't agree with that at all (the DJ world was created and existed many years without it fine)


Perhaps you misunderstood. I said that the standard for years has been the use of RGB colors to reference sound frequencies, not stems. We all know that Virtual DJ started with stems before everyone else. Regarding DJ training, you need to understand that there isn't just one type of DJ. I teach DJs who want to learn the classic way, with turntables and by ear, or advanced DJs, but I respect my students' wishes. Many beginners arrive with habits based on the ease of use of DJ software. It's not about me imposing something as a teacher; the person develops resistance because they are used to the functionality. We know the power of Virtual DJ, but those accustomed to other software don't. I don't know if you know, but even without stems, some software can remove the color from the waveform as the DJ changes frequencies on the mixer, and this can help beginner DJs better understand the 'sound'. It may seem irrelevant to professional DJs, but I've received this same request for color removal according to sound frequency. The DJ who made the request participates in DJ competitions. He won a 6-month trial license at a VirtualDJ workshop I taught here. After a few months, he was surprised by the power of VDJ and said he would like the RGB feature for bass, mids, and treble. In other words, this feature could be important not only for beginner DJs but also for professional DJs. I came to this forum to talk about this subject because I received several requests from my students and clients. The tip I give my students is to use the Waveform in the (SHAPES) option to see the frequencies coming out of the waveform for 3 stems, which is already something, in blue for deck 1 and red for deck 2. I understand that the request for RGB SHAPES is not a bad one; Virtual DJ is one of the best software programs precisely because it knows that details make all the difference. I personally think it's cool to have this option in the waveform.
 
So yes, RGB has been used for years in waveforms, and VirtualDJ actually has that. What I think is new is controller EQ knobs manipulating waveform frequency displays in realtime - if I'm not mistaken that came with stems. Even if it came before, it wasn't important for virtually any seasoned DJ I've been around to actually mention it as essential, before or after stems, and I actually didn't realize it was happening myself until I was actually looking at the wave peaks display one day.

So yes, newer DJs and some more experienced DJs have become comfortable with the display, and that's okay. But there is a difference between being comfortable with its assistance, and claiming that the job can't be done without it.
Oldschool/seasoned DJs, imo would never make that an issue, simply because stems only recently came about/they've been mixing way before that successfully and the functionality itself (stems EQ being available and manipulable) is fully there, and doesn't depend on a waveform display.

New DJs insisting it's a dealbreaker are simply too dependent on that. It really doesn't make that much of a difference - if you look at your controller, given it has EQ knobs and a pad display for stems, you will always know the state of your stems, and that's where you focus should be 80% of the time, and I would try to enforce that viewpoint as the teacher.

However, don't get me wrong, I think it's a good addition that will be helpful, I just don't think it's a dealbreaker.