Setup for Windows Version.
MacOS Setup Instructions will be available soon.
NOTE: there is a difference in the setup procedure if you are setting up VirtualDJ 8.1 or Version 8.2 onwards. The main one being that Version 8.1 is almost fully accessible and can be setup without sighted help. If you are setting up VirtualDJ from 8.2 up to the latest version (currently 8.4), you will require sighted help, or heavy use of the OCR Function on your screen reader. The differences will be detailed in the following instructions. I recommend that you install Version 8.1, edit all your settings and controllers, and get it all up and running. then if you want, download and install the latest 64bit Version. This appears to keep the old 8.1 Version as well. Keep in mind that some parts of version 8.2 onwards are inaccessible, including the user login screen, settings screen, tag/info editing screen and all the message windows etc. All you will hear on these is ‘unknown’. Most can be closed by pressing the ‘escape’ key, and VirtualDJ will work as normal with speech. If you do decide to download and install the latest 64bit Version, you will still have access to version 8.1 (the icon will still be on your desktop). This can be useful, for example, when running 8.1 for changing settings, and to login etc, as these will then also apply to the latest version, when you use it, or you could be like me and just stick with version 8.1.
Unfortunately. Atomix longer support or have a download link for Versions before 8.2. I have provided a download for Version 8.1 (if you want to use that version). This can be downloaded from Here.
So, now that I’ve finally finished rambling, here are the instructions to help you setup…
Step 1. Install VirtualDJ. (You can skip this step if you already have a working VirtualDJ installed and setup)
I recommend version 8.1, as the versions after 8.2 up to the current version 8.4 (also known as 2020), needs sighted help on first setup. (The reason for this is that from version 8.2 onwards, the login screen and popup messages are not accessible, and you will need sighted assistance to complete this step.
Once you have VirtualDJ installed, you will need to run it for the first time before running the Speech Software (this is so that the settings files are created). Once VirtualDJ has started, you will be presented with a login screen. If you’re using Version 8.1, you can navigate this screen using your screen reader. If you’re on a later version, you will need sighted help to login. (All you will hear on version 8.2 onwards is ‘unknown’.) Once you are logged in, you might get a message window asking if you want to update. On version 8.1 (if you want to stay using that version, and while we are setting up), you can navigate and select ‘no’ using your screen reader. If you are using later versions, once again, you will need sighted help to click the ‘yes’ or ‘no’ button. (Again all you will hear from your screen reader is ‘unknown’.) At this point, you should have VirtualDJ installed and set up. Once this is done, you can close VirtualDJ by pressing (ALT+F4) and proceed to Step 2.
Step 2 Install LoopBe1 Midi
Download and install the free LoopBe1 Midi Software. This does not require any configuration once installed. A link to download this is in the downloads area on www.virtualdjaccessibility.com
Step 3 Download and Install the VirtualDJ Speech Software.
Download and install the latest version of the speech software. When this is first run and you have VirtualDJ and LoopBe1 installed and set up correctly, the speech software will check for VirtualDJ’s settings files, and ask if you want to change the default keyboard map to ‘AccessKeys’. Select ‘yes’ to this. Next it will detect the LoopBe1 midi port and ask if you want to use it, again select ‘yes’. At this point, we can now start VirtualDJ (using either the button ‘Start VirutalDJ’, or the normal shortcut on your desktop). The first time that VirtualDJ and the Speech Software are running together, you will get a popup message (on VirtualDJ) saying that a new controller has been detected On VirtualDJ 8.1 just use your screen reader to navigate to the ‘ok’ button and activate it. If you’re on a newer version of VirtualDJ, the message popups just say, ‘unknown’ so you will need sighted help to click the ‘ok’ button. (Sometimes you can clear these message popups that just say ‘unknown’, by pressing the ‘escape’ key, but I wouldn’t recommend it for this controller message). At this point you should now have a talking Virtual DJ setup.