Serato Scratch Live vs. Traktor Scratch vs. Virtual DJ (VDJ) vs. Numark Virtual Vinyl vs. Mixvibes, MixMeister, and more - Who’s the best? Cast your vote here!
I saw this video on youtube the other day about another hidden easter egg in Serato Scratch Live version 1.8.2. It’s basically a loop-roll, but it continues to keep it’s track position no matter how long you continue the loop. For example, if you start looping at :05 into a track and exit the loop after 25 seconds, the track will be at it’s normal :30 mark.
It took me just a little bit to figure this out, so check out the video and I’ll tell you how to do it below:
So, here’s how you do it:
1. Make a new crate titled “this is how I roll” (without quotations)
2. Load a track
3. Under the “In Out Loop” section of your virtual deck, you will see some numbers. “1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32″. This is the length of your loop. You can only display 4 of these at a time, so arrow over to the left to display “1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 1.”
4. Play your track.
5. Hold “Control + Alt” and then press either 1, 2, 3, or 4 on your keyboard. These numbers on your keyboard will correspond to the loop lengths selected in step 3.
6. Release the number key that you’re holding and the track will continue to play from whatever position it would have normally been in if you weren’t looping.
7. Rock the party, but don’t overuse this effect. It’s best in moderation!
There have been some rumors floating around online that there is a drop sampler hidden in Serato Scratch Live as an easter egg. There is also another rumor claiming that there will be a sampler in Serato version 1.8.3. I don’t know anything about that, but I do know there is a program called KueIt that let’s you add samples to your mix and works in conjunction with Serato, Traktor Scratch, or whatever DJ software you’re currently rockin’.
KueIt works on both Mac and PC and will run you $100. The website is www.kueit.com.
This video from KueIt will give you a better understanding of this software:
I came across this video on youtube some time back. Apparently, Mac users can now use Serato to mix video files, even if they do not have a Rane TTM-57 mixer. The software is called MixEmergency, and it is available from a company called Inklen (www.inklen.com.) The price of the video mixing software is $179, and you will need a midi controller in order to use it properly.
The website does offer a free download, with watermarks on the screen and minus the ability to output it to a TV. It’s definitely worth a shot if you would like to start spinning video, but don’t want to drop $1500 on a Rane TTM-57. You will, however, need a Macbook or Macbook Pro (recommended by the Inklen site), because this software is not available for PC.
OK, Serato, you guys are usually on top of things like this. Do you really expect everyone to buy a TTM-57 that wants to spin video?
Ok, what the hell is this new thing from Stanton called DaScratch? More importantly, what can it do for me?
There has been a lot of buzz lately about Stanton’s new SCS.3d midi controller, also known as Da Scratch or DaScratch. I guess since Stanton’s Final Scratch couldn’t really compete with the likes of Serato or Traktor, they decided to come out with the next best thing - a flashy, colorful little midi toy that can be used in conjuction with your favorite DJ software.
DaScratch (still don’t like that name) plugs into your laptop via USB and maps itself according to whatever DJ software you are using. This is done through a little application called DaRouter. So if you’re running Serato, DaRouter will load up presets tailored to that particular program.
So, what does it do? You can basically use DaScratch as a midi player for your software. It has start/stop buttons, looping, eq, effects, trigger buttons for cue points, a slider for volume, a slider for pitch, and even let’s you scratch directly on the unit.
DaScratch does look like it would be a lot of fun to play around with, but I’m just not sure if it would be that practical of a unit to add on to an existing setup. Maybe it could be a slick way to browse through and load tracks from the Serato library, but as far as hands-on control of my music, I’ll stick with DaVinyl!
Gotta love those guys over at Serato! They continually update their software to improve performance, fix bugs, and add new features. Their latest Serato Scratch Live release, version 1.8.2, includes some nice new features.
Serato Scratch Live now works with 64-bit vesions of Vista. This is a big deal for DJs who are still a little scared of Vista (myself included!) I’ve been running Serato on my Dell Inspiron E1405 for the last couple of years, but have been scared to purchase a new laptop since they all come with Vista installed. I know you can get a 32-bit version of Vista, but I feel a little more comfortable knowing that if I get the 64-bit version, I can still run my Serato Scratch Live without a problem!
Another nice new feature is the library zoom. You can make the text of your library bigger or smaller by using the following keystrokes: Ctrl + Zoom In, Ctrl - Zoom Out - Easy enough, huh?
I don’t really care, since I don’t have Pioneer CDJ-400’s, but version 1.8.2 has added native support for these players.
One other nice little feature is the improved relocate lost files function. With this feature, Serato will scan all of your computers drives to locate song files that have been lost or moved.
A little over a month after Serato ITCH is being released along with the Vestax VCI-300, the Numark NS7 will hit the streets with the same software (Serato ITCH.)
The Numark NS7 has a release date of November 30th, 2008 and looks totally badass!
Many digital DJ’s are itching to get their hands on the new Serato ITCH software along with it’s flagship controller, the Vestax VCI-300. So, when is the actual release date? According to PSSL.com, the dynamic software/hardware duo will begin shipping on September 18th, 2008. In my opinion, it may be a little spendy at $899.99, but it is definitely a cool new product!
In the meantime, prepare yourself for all the bad “itch” puns that will be associated with this product!
Here’s a video of Serato ITCH and the Vestax VCI-300 from the PSSL website:
I’ve been using Serato for quite some time, but have never been really active on the Scratchlive.net forum. I went on there today and discovered that Serato has serveral “Easter Eggs” hidden that allow you to access certain features. One of which is playing Pong on your computer and using your turntables or CD decks to control the paddles!
This might come in handy to kill time during dinner at my next wedding reception! Plus, you will still look like you’re working since you have to use your decks to control the game.
It’s very easy to access. On a PC (which is what I use), simply hold down CTRL + Shift and click on the “Setup” button at the top of the screen! Bingo! You’re now playing the first video game ever made on the finest DJ software available!
If my instructions aren’t simple enough, check out the video below.
I was turned on to these recently while chatting on www.djchat.com. If you’re a wedding mobile DJ like myself, you need a classy yet subtle way to promote yourself at events. The same holds true if you are a club DJ - you would like to promote yourself but probably don’t have the time to hang a banner or sign at every gig.
Hello www.schtickers.com! This website allows you to create a custom decal or sticker that you can apply to the front of your laptop! The decals are removable and reusable and will leave none of that sticky glue all over your beautiful laptop! They’re only $25 and are supposedly very durable!
I’ll be designing and ordering mine very soon to dress up my bland Dell Inspiron E1405!
I’ve always used a PC for DJ’ing, but lately I’ve been thinking that a Mac might be the way to go. This seems to be the ultimate question in the digital DJ world, so I though I would post a poll. Cast your vote below, and make sure to post a comment backing up your choice. Also, let everyone know what DJ software you are running (Serato Scratch Live, Virtual DJ (VDJ), Traktor Skratch, PCDJ, Torq, Mixvibes, etc.)
