Mixvibes has announced Cross DJ 5, a complete rebuild of its flagship DJ software that promises a unified experience across iOS, macOS, and Android. The update introduces real-time stem separation, over 30 professional effects, and expanded Midi controller support.
Cross DJ 5 is a ground-up remake of the application, bringing all platform versions under a common codebase for the first time. According to Mixvibes, this was necessary to create consistency across their iOS, Android, Mac, (and presumably at some point Windows) versions, which had previously been quite different from each other. The company says this unified approach will allow them to implement changes more quickly in future updates.
The new version retains Cross DJ’s familiar layout while refining the visual design with updated animations and transitions. The collection management system has been completely rebuilt, which Mixvibes claims will fix previous display issues and enable faster track analysis.
New features and improvements
The headline addition is real-time stem separation, allowing users to split vocals, drums, and instruments on the fly. This joins a reworked FX section with over 30 professional effects, 20+ demo tracks included in the app, and new sample packs created in partnership with music studios. There’s also a new Smart Automix feature for continuous playback.
The waveform view has been rebuilt with what Mixvibes describes as “high-precision” display, alongside improved BPM detection and key analysis. Ableton Link integration provides synchronisation with other apps and hardware, and there’s USB audio interface compatibility.
Cloud integration includes SoundCloud Go+ at launch, with support for iCloud and local files. Beatport integration is apparently in development, with more streaming services planned for future updates.
Midi controller support – but it’s limited
Mixvibes has expanded Midi controller support, with new mappings for Pioneer/AlphaTheta’s DDJ-FLX2 and DDJ-FLX4, plus various Hercules controllers. The company says the rebuild makes adding new Midi mappings easier than before, allowing them to expand controller compatibility more quickly going forward.
However, the current list of supported controllers is very limited compared to established competitors. This seems like a curious position for a software relaunch – promising better hardware integration while launching with minimal hardware support. Competitors such as Algoriddim with Djay Pro have been working hard to fix this issue in their software, and it remains to be seen how well this new software would work with controllers that have built-in screens, for instance.
First thoughts
Cross DJ has been in Mixvibes’ lineup for over 20 years, so there’s presumably an established user base. According to the company, users consistently cite the cleaner, more accessible interface as a key reason for choosing Cross DJ over competitors on mobile devices. This streamlined approach remains the focus for version 5, sometihng Mixvibes confirmed to me when I reached out to ask about what they feel is the new software’s strengths.
But it’s hard to see where the market is here. The DJ software world is already saturated with established players, and you need something distinctive to stand out. The main selling points appear to be cross-platform consistency and easier hardware mapping, yet there’s no mention of Windows at all, and the hardware support at launch is extremely limited. Real-time stem separation is expected nowadays, as are a good range of streaming services – this launches with one.
The company is small – possibly why this rebuild took so long – and they’re clearly backing their flagship product with this investment. Whether there’s enough here to attract new users or retain existing ones in an increasingly competitive market remains to be seen.
• Cross DJ 5 is free to download with in-app purchases for additional features and packs. A subscription option will unlock all features and packs, though introductory pricing hasn’t been announced yet. The app is available now on iOS and macOS, with the Android beta version also available. More information is available at the Mixvibes website.
