Algoriddim Djay For Meta Quest Review

Video Review

First Impressions / Setting up

When Algoriddim first launched its DJ software on the Apple Vision Pro, we barely paid attention since very few people own one. But now, with Djay for Meta Quest, it’s accessible to a much larger audience — 20 million and counting. For an additional $20 on top of the Meta Quest headset, DJs can dive into both VR and mixed reality mixing, making this a much more attainable and affordable option.

Setting it up was simple: you install the app from the usual Quest app store, put on the Quest, and it’s like stepping into a virtual DJ booth, complete with a fully stocked music library, effects, and mixing tools. The Meta Quest handles everything without a computer, so everything — audio, library, and software — runs from within the headset.

There are lots of songs in Djay’s own library for you to choose from, but you can also log in to your choice of streaming service, with big names like Apple Music and Beatport represented. If you want to add your own music, you can do so via Apple’s Music cloud, or using the Android File Transfer app and a USB cable from the device to your Quest headset.

The software runs on any Meta Quest device from the Meta Quest 2 upwards.

In Use

Once set up, DJing on the Meta Quest is unlike anything I’ve tried. You can either DJ in a mixed reality view, seeing both the virtual decks and the real room around you, or fully immerse yourself in VR, transported to digital environments that range from typical DJ lounges to skate parks.The latter is particularly fun, as waving your arms around elicits reactions from both crowd and environment.

What the “gear” is like to use

The decks and controls appear as virtual holograms, and even though it’s all running in a VR headset, it doesn’t skimp on functionality: You’ve got cues, loops, effects, full library access, headphones pre-cueing, a cute “floating display” of the top tunes from any playlist you select, and a settings panel so you can fine-tune the quantise, mixing, effects and deck behaviours to suit how you want to DJ.

While this is clearly all state-of-the-art, it’s curious – and exciting – that Algoriddim has chosen the turntable paradigm for this app, meaning you have the fun of taking the records out of their sleeves and putting them on the turntables, and you get to lift the needle and drop it where you want on your song. That said, there are more modern waveform, time elapsed and cover art displays too, and the 3D hand-activated FX are definitely futuristic.
 

 

Connecting physical equipment

A standout feature is the ability to connect a real DJ controller. You can plug in one of 40 compatible controllers (we used a DDJ-FLX4), and Djay will adjust to show you a custom VR layout with the necessary virtual elements around your real equipment, allowing you to mix physically and virtually at the same time.

The headset becomes your monitor, speaker, and interface, while a single cable connects to the controller for audio and Midi, letting you use the Quest much like a traditional set-up.

There are some downsides, though. It’s hard to precisely control things in mid-air, and there’s no stems functionality yet, which limits more advanced mixing styles. Monitoring is cool — you cup your hand over your ear to hear the track in the other deck – but once a physical controller is connected, you’ll need a separate set of headphones, which makes things feel clunky.

You’re on your own, baby

Also, the software lacks communal interaction at the moment, which could be an issue. In its current state, it’s quite an insular experience, limiting the ability to share what you’re doing with others around you.

Although you can cast your DJ sets to external devices via a web browser, there’s an unavoidable delay, making real-time sharing with others in the room challenging. You can record what you do, though, so you can at least share with others after the event.

We’d like to see experiences where you can have friends in the room with you or even play “back to back’ in VR – that is when things will get really exciting.

Conclusion

Algoriddim’s Djay for Meta Quest is a fresh, innovative step in the DJ world, offering a compelling VR option that will appeal especially to younger generations and curious VR users.

This isn’t a replacement for a physical DJ set-up — yet — but it’s a fun tool for those who already own a Meta Quest headset or are looking to experiment in VR.

Algoriddim could address its limitations by making it more interactive, possibly allowing other users to join in a virtual DJ room, or enhancing its livestreaming capabilities (I’d like to see a live feed of comments from Twitch, for instance, easy connection to livestreaming platforms, and the ability to talk back using the built-in mic).

What’s the competition?

It’s not the first VR app on the Meta Quest (that’s Tribe XR, kind of like a “flight simulator” but for pro Pioneer DJ gear), nor is it the first Algoriddim software in VR (that’s Djay for Apple Vision Pro), but it is the first VR app that looks like it’ll gain real traction, due to its low price, ease of use, good mix of gameplay feel and serious DJing, and a sense that VR is starting to come of age with the Meta Quest 3S now offering serious power at $300.

Read this next: The 7 Most Popular DJ Set-Ups Today

For now, Djay for Meta Quest makes for a great gadget and even a teaching tool, providing a taste of DJing in a new way with an approachable price tag. It’s an exciting glimpse into the future of DJing, one that could keep the art relevant to tech-forward audiences as VR becomes increasingly commonplace.