How to DJ Mix With Spotify
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Many DJs rely on the Spotify app when mixing tracks. You’ll certainly agree that the option to integrate a third-party DJ app with your streaming service provider is a darn good deal. After all, it’s the library you’ve been updating for years!
There are many reasons why it would be in your interest to integrate your Spotify, Apple Music, or other streaming services into your DJ app/software. The most famous third-party DJ app integration of this sort was introduced in 2014 by Algoriddim, via its DJay app for iOS and Android.
So, you’re here to get answers to some questions about integrating Spotify into your DJ software, especially since there have been some rumors going around about this not being possible anymore.
In this article, I will separate the rights from wrongs, and facts from rumors. By the end of this read, you should know exactly which streaming providers allow the integration of third-party DJ apps or DJ software, and how to do it. Plus, I’ll give you some tips on how you can bypass Spotify integration limitations.
Is Spotify Available On DJay?
Algoriddim and Spotify had a great collaboration when they introduced the option of integrating Spotify into the DJay app. This went on for some seven years until Algoriddim said the journey has come to an end.
I was really disappointed at the time. The integration was a great way to have all the tunes I like in one place. You know how there’s a bunch of tracks you just know you like, but you’ve no idea what they’re called? Well, with Spotify, you always know you’ll eventually find it.
Unfortunately, as of July 1, 2020, the possibility to play Spotify in DJay is no longer available. And back in those days, you didn’t really have much choice. Combining DJay with Spotify music was the only option.
Luckily, nowadays, you can stream your Spotify playlist via various third-party DJ software providers, such as Serato, Traktor, or Rekordbox. So, if you’re hell-bent on integrating Spotify into a DJing app, you can just skip Algoriddim.
Continue reading to find out what apps and software support Spotify and other streaming services.
What DJ Software Apps Supports Spotify?
Since Algoriddim announced that it will no longer support Spotify in DJay, people have been wondering if there is a way around this. Lots of playlists depended on Spotify and they couldn’t just cut them out cold turkey.
Many DJs used only Spotify for mixing purposes, so this led to a lot of frustration among the users.
Luckily, there is a way around it. Most famous DJ apps offer this integration and even Algoriddim has found a way that allows you to still mix using your Spotify playlists.
How To Use Spotify In DJay (Algoriddim)
To keep Spotify as a source, and still use the DJay app to mix music, Algoriddim introduced the integration with other streaming service providers such as SoundCloud, Tidal, Beatport, and Beatsource.
Even though you can no longer directly use your Spotify library, Algoriddim has created several easy steps for you to follow so as to smoothly migrate your Spotify music files to any one of these streaming platforms.
Tidal
In order to migrate your Spotify playlist into the Tidal DJ app, you’ll follow three simple steps. It will then ask for your Spotify login data, after which you’ll be able to transfer your music files.
You can use Tidal for three months for free with DJay, but after that, it’ll cost you $9.99 per month. The Premium version, which will give access to more premium features, costs around $19.99 per month.
Tidal is very common with other software as well, especially Serato, whom they’ve partnered up with.
Serato DJ
If you’re a Serato user like me, you won’t have any trouble using your Spotify collection in your mix. Serato DJ also allows integration with Tidal as its main streaming service provider.
Of course, Tidal is not so popular and you’re probably used to some more mainstream platforms like Apple Music or Spotify.
Luckily, there is a way around using Tidal as your main streamer, so here’s how you could use your Apple Music or Spotify playlists with Serato.
First off, you’ll need a Tidal subscription. Second, download Serato DJ Pro or Serato DJ Lite, unless you already have it on your laptop.
Third, migrate your Spotify playlist through Soundiiz, a free music converter that you can use as the intermediary between all these streaming platforms. Once you open it, you’ll see that the sidebar has all the streamers listed.
So, you basically get access to all the playlists from different streaming providers in one place. This leaves you with a full library you can choose music from in your DJ set!
A downside to all these solutions is that you’ll have to get a Spotify subscription and a Tidal subscription. At the same time, Tidal’s library is not the largest, especially not compared to Spotify, SoundCloud, or Apple Music, so some songs might not make it through the migration.
Pacemaker
The Pacemaker DJ app is an excellent addition to your DJ set that allows you to stream music straight from Spotify onto your iPad. It’s suitable for experienced DJs but also for those beginner DJs that are still trying out different styles.
Unlike other DJ apps and software, Pacemaker allows you to use Spotify directly in the app without the need to convert or migrate your files from one platform to another. This makes Pacemaker very popular among DJs who prefer integrating a third party with Spotify.
This DJ app is very good at analyzing the tracks that you’ve selected. It will create the perfect DJ mix for you by beatmatching the songs’ tempo (speed). You don’t have to be a professional spinner in order to create a mix on Pacemaker.
I’d say that the Pacemaker DJ app is the best solution if you want to use Spotify in your DJ mix. It allows you to easily crossfade songs using nothing but a simple sync button. However, this might not be the perfect solution for experienced DJs or DJs aspiring to go pro.
Does Spotify Have A DJ Mode?
People have been using Spotify mostly because of its huge library that allows you to listen to music from all around the world. I also find Spotify to have much better algorithms than other streaming platforms, as it recognizes my taste in music much better than the rest.
However, people have been asking if they can DJ within the Spotify app. The answer is yes! Spotify offers a DJ mode that allows you to directly mix music at a party.
How To Activate DJ Mode In Spotify
If you still haven’t downloaded the app – get Spotify. If you’re gonna use the DJ mode I suggest you opt for Spotify Premium. There is a one-month free trial and the price is $9.99 per month after that.
There are lots of reasons why you should choose Spotify Premium. For example, when you’re mixing using this platform, your volume will turn off once an ad starts playing. With the Premium package, you won’t have this problem as ads won’t play. You basically pay to go ad-free.
Moreover, with a Spotify Premium account, you won’t be limited in your choice of music, i.e. you can choose any track at any time, unlike with the free version which limits the heck out of you.
Step 2 would be to create a playlist, which you could do by clicking on File in the upper left corner, then proceed to new playlist. You can add music from your computer, or you can browse for music that is suitable for the party that’s happening at the moment.
Once you’re done creating your playlist, comes the most important step.
You know how DJing is mostly about manipulating two tracks at a time? Well, all you have to do in Spotify is to enable the crossfade tracks feature to make sure the transitions between songs are smooth. You can do this by going to Edit, then click Preferences, where under Playback you’ll find the crossfade feature.
For more advanced DJs, you can play Spotify Music through other DJ software, by using a music converter app such as Sidify, which will allow you to keep your Spotify playlists where you need them while DJing.
How To DJ Mix Using Spotify: Summary
Most DJ apps have found a way to circumvent the unfortunate fact that Spotify no longer supports third-party software integration. While a good deal of DJ software has turned to Tidal as their main streaming platform, you still have the option of migrating your existing Spotify playlists there. So, in a way, there’s a workaround.
Pacemaker is the only DJ app that I know of that allows you to directly stream music from Spotify into your DJ mix. However, you also have the option to use Spotify’s DJ mode to mix tracks.
How To DJ Mix Using Spotify: FAQ
What Free DJ Apps Work With Spotify?
Pacemaker is a DJ app that will allow you to use Spotify and Apple playlists. You can do this simply by syncing the app with the libraries, and you’ll gain access to an infinite number of tracks. Other apps have a way around this, but the Pacemaker app works directly with Spotify.
