DJ Curt
I'm considering an operating system switch to Linux based Zorin OS instead of buying new computers that Windows 11 would be happy with. Supposedly, Zorin OS emulates Windows quite well, but I just wanted to ask here and see if anyone has actually tried it with VDJ. Thanks in advance!
Inviato Thu 23 Oct 25 @ 4:57 am
PhantomDeejay
No, I don't think you'll find someone who's tried it.
Also we've said it numerous times that the MAIN issue is not VirtualDJ itself (it already runs on some distros under Wine), but the drivers of any DJ gear you may want to use, and of course the Stems Engine.
If you are serious about DJ-ing then forget about Linux and get yourself a Windows PC or a MAC. Period.
Otherwise you can try it, but the results will most likely be mixed.
Also we've said it numerous times that the MAIN issue is not VirtualDJ itself (it already runs on some distros under Wine), but the drivers of any DJ gear you may want to use, and of course the Stems Engine.
If you are serious about DJ-ing then forget about Linux and get yourself a Windows PC or a MAC. Period.
Otherwise you can try it, but the results will most likely be mixed.
Inviato Thu 23 Oct 25 @ 6:59 am
complynx
I understand that there are fewer drivers on Linux, but my controller is supported. (eg I can use it as a sound card, and as a MIDI device) And many are supported as well. Moreover, until somebody brings a DJ software, how can device providers be interested in bringing drivers to their devices?
Inviato Wed 03 Dec 25 @ 4:53 pm
DJ VinylTouch
There is DJ software (Mixxx), but you'll see once you start talking about hardware, everything falls down.
Maybe you should start with reading their hardware support docs to see how hard the problem is.
Once you have consistent uptake with hardware makers on Linux distributions, it then becomes feasible for a DJ software team to look into porting to Linux distributions. For any software offering, the supported platforms chosen always depends on all of the parts of the ecosystem that surrounds. The DJ world is heavily hardware centric, and hardware makers aren't making the effort to port to Linux distributions for the vast majority of their professional line of hardware.
This is different from like say, a DAW like REAPER - the focus is much more on software capability - the hardware often not required to do the job professionally.
Add to that problem, there are many distributions, so you have to choose the few you want to support, and most DJs aren't tech savvy enough to even use mainstream OSes like Windows/MacOS, then you add a Linux distro into the mix (tons of variables in terms of configuration, setup, Desktop Environment, etc) - you could imagine the confusion with supportability just with that.
Summary: Your issue is not with DJ software providers, it's with hardware makers (if they made all hardware class compliant, to start, the story could be different).
Maybe you should start with reading their hardware support docs to see how hard the problem is.
Once you have consistent uptake with hardware makers on Linux distributions, it then becomes feasible for a DJ software team to look into porting to Linux distributions. For any software offering, the supported platforms chosen always depends on all of the parts of the ecosystem that surrounds. The DJ world is heavily hardware centric, and hardware makers aren't making the effort to port to Linux distributions for the vast majority of their professional line of hardware.
This is different from like say, a DAW like REAPER - the focus is much more on software capability - the hardware often not required to do the job professionally.
Add to that problem, there are many distributions, so you have to choose the few you want to support, and most DJs aren't tech savvy enough to even use mainstream OSes like Windows/MacOS, then you add a Linux distro into the mix (tons of variables in terms of configuration, setup, Desktop Environment, etc) - you could imagine the confusion with supportability just with that.
Summary: Your issue is not with DJ software providers, it's with hardware makers (if they made all hardware class compliant, to start, the story could be different).
Inviato Wed 03 Dec 25 @ 5:13 pm
Brandon Spradling
So I can confirm that VirtualDJ works on ZorinOS. I have a Hercules RMX2 Black & Gold Edition controller that worked for it as well. There are a couple things to do though:
1. In ZorinOS, disable animations.
2. In VirtualDJ go to Settings>Performance and disable experimentalSkinEngine.
3. Install the drivers for the controller like you would on Windows.
4. Plug in your controller and bring up VirtualDJ, which should bring up a message asking about if your speakers are connected to the computer or controller.
When I first installed VirtualDJ, I ran into a bug that caused parts of the screen to flicker with the timing pulse of the UI. I went to forums and ChatGPT looking for possible fixes, and then delved into the Settings one by one. the experimentalSkinEngine being disabled stopped the flickering immediately and haven't had it since. I thoroughly tested my controller with it connected and it had zero issues. All controls worked as they did in Windows.
Posting this to pay it forward and hoping it helps someone else. Good luck to you all!
1. In ZorinOS, disable animations.
2. In VirtualDJ go to Settings>Performance and disable experimentalSkinEngine.
3. Install the drivers for the controller like you would on Windows.
4. Plug in your controller and bring up VirtualDJ, which should bring up a message asking about if your speakers are connected to the computer or controller.
When I first installed VirtualDJ, I ran into a bug that caused parts of the screen to flicker with the timing pulse of the UI. I went to forums and ChatGPT looking for possible fixes, and then delved into the Settings one by one. the experimentalSkinEngine being disabled stopped the flickering immediately and haven't had it since. I thoroughly tested my controller with it connected and it had zero issues. All controls worked as they did in Windows.
Posting this to pay it forward and hoping it helps someone else. Good luck to you all!
Inviato Thu 16 Apr 26 @ 10:22 pm
GioviPen
That (the answer from PhantomDeejay at the beginning) is a bit of an overstatement.
Yes, Linux can have limitations with some DJ hardware and proprietary software, but turning that into “just use Windows or Mac, period” is not really a technical argument — it’s just defaulting to the mainstream option.
In this case, for example, complynx already confirmed their controller works as an audio interface and MIDI device, which is the main hurdle. So the blanket advice doesn’t really apply here.
And more importantly, dismissing Linux entirely just because it’s not the dominant commercial platform ignores the whole point of open systems: flexibility, control, and the ability to build working setups outside of vendor lock-in. That’s not “less serious”, it just requires a bit more awareness of your tools.
If the workflow works, it works — regardless of the OS.
“Period.” doesn’t really add anything.
As conclusion, thanks Brandon Spradling for the confirmation on Zorin :)
Yes, Linux can have limitations with some DJ hardware and proprietary software, but turning that into “just use Windows or Mac, period” is not really a technical argument — it’s just defaulting to the mainstream option.
In this case, for example, complynx already confirmed their controller works as an audio interface and MIDI device, which is the main hurdle. So the blanket advice doesn’t really apply here.
And more importantly, dismissing Linux entirely just because it’s not the dominant commercial platform ignores the whole point of open systems: flexibility, control, and the ability to build working setups outside of vendor lock-in. That’s not “less serious”, it just requires a bit more awareness of your tools.
If the workflow works, it works — regardless of the OS.
“Period.” doesn’t really add anything.
As conclusion, thanks Brandon Spradling for the confirmation on Zorin :)
Inviato 6 days ago @ 12:29 pm
DJ VinylTouch
So his discovery doesn't change anything on the original summary.
If you want a shortcut to a list that of controllers and audio interfaces that might work, check any DJ software page that claims to support them on iOS (implies compliance), then take a look at all that doesn't work.
For the vast majority of professional controllers one or more of the conditions stated in 2) is false, and it doesn't make sense for a (perhaps small) team of devs to port and support the application to work there, especially given one of the goals is to support as much hardware across the platforms as equally as possible (it really isn't that hard to understand) - that is what matters, not that you can find select cases were it might work (and probably could have its own issues based on the method used).
Get the hardware vendors to agree to complete compliance first going forward, then ressurect this thread.
- Zorin uses Wine for Windows app emulation
VirtualDJ can probably run there. - The controller he identified is most likely MIDI compliant. The audio part may or may not be compliant, or there may have been support added to the Kernel for it in ALSA
Wine normally does not provide emulation support for these kind of drivers (i.e. the driver installation step most likely failed or did nothing towards the verification situation).
If you want a shortcut to a list that of controllers and audio interfaces that might work, check any DJ software page that claims to support them on iOS (implies compliance), then take a look at all that doesn't work.
For the vast majority of professional controllers one or more of the conditions stated in 2) is false, and it doesn't make sense for a (perhaps small) team of devs to port and support the application to work there, especially given one of the goals is to support as much hardware across the platforms as equally as possible (it really isn't that hard to understand) - that is what matters, not that you can find select cases were it might work (and probably could have its own issues based on the method used).
Get the hardware vendors to agree to complete compliance first going forward, then ressurect this thread.
Inviato 6 days ago @ 1:19 pm