Published
Thu, Oct 4, 2012, 11:00
- Aimed at DJs using controllers, the new software features extra decks and cue points, MIDI mapping and iZotope-powered effects.
Serato will release Serato DJ, a new software package aimed at controller-based DJs, with an integrated controller from Pioneer also arriving this November.
Serato, known primarily for their Scratch Live vinyl emulation software, has made inroads into the controller market before with ITCH, its professional controller-integrated software package, and DJ Intro, which was aimed at beginner digital DJs. While current ITCH users will be able to upgrade to Serato DJ for free (DJ intro users will have to pay $199), it's billed as completely new software.
In addition to a new user interface, Serato DJ includes a number of new features aimed at controller users. The software has new audio effects from high-end plugin developer iZotope such as echo, ping pong delay, reverb and flanger. Users will also be able to incorporate and customize secondary controllers through MIDI mapping. In terms of mixing options, Serato DJ will expand the number of decks to four and the number of cue points to eight. Many popular features, like the SP-6 sample player and auto tempo matching, will make the move to the new software, and music libraries from Scratch live, ITCH, DJ Intro and iTunes will remain compatible.
Serato has tapped Pioneer to manufacture the first fully supported controller for Serato DJ, the DDJ-SX, which will come bundled with the software. The controller features touch-sensitive deck control platters that will be familiar to current Pioneer control users and comes with eight velocity-sensitive pads that trigger cue points, loops, samples or sections of the track chopped using the Slicer, a feature aimed at on-the-fly rearranging. DJs can also use the DDJ-SX as a standalone mixer with standard turntables or CDJs, and each channel features dedicated high- and low-pass filters for standard mixer EQing. Support for the software will be expanded to current ITCH and DJ Intro controllers later in the winter and spring.
Serato DJ will be available from November 1st, 2012 as bundled software with the Pioneer DDJ-SX controller, as a free upgrade for ITCH users, and for $199 for DJ Intro users.