#serato updates

The fact that Serato wasn’t about to release a replacement system for their traditional DVS soundcard setup says a few things about their company.  For starters, they are not willing to separate their soundcard from their software.  The only form of this we get to see is with Serato DJ, which uses the internal soundcard of controllers to send and receive information.  Unlike Traktor, they really only have one version of their system with variances only in the soundcard rather than the software.  Traktor, on the other hand, has three different versions of their software for tiered levels of use and cost. Serato’s new Remote application is a remote in every sense of the world (except for being wireless, that it is not).  Instead of relying on the processing power of your tablet, it uses it as a mean to transmit and receive data – all of the hard work is left for the laptop, which I assume will be hidden off to some corner now.  I personally think that this is a better solution for those who own Serato, rather than for those who own a Tablet and want to being DJing.  It simply gives you better access to basic controls on screen. http://createdigitalmusic.com/2013/07/serato-updates-add-ipad-control-app-more-hardware-support/

How do you feel about programs that constantly need to be upgraded and updated?  Is it a hassle to have to re-learn things every time you update your software?  Or perhaps you are thankful that the developers are working hard all the time to release fixes and other much needed changes?  It all depends on how you look at what the definition of an update is.  The more frequent an update the smaller or perhaps more urgent it really is.  This is common with program like Traktor and Serato, and even more common with other streaming services like gaming hubs and movie services. Personally, I find the smaller updates to be the most annoying – since most of them don’t really affect me in any positive way.  There are those small security updates or stability updates that you don’t get to experience – unless you were one of the few who experienced crashed and glitches from another update.  Even with my operating system, I do not allow it to constantly upgrade without actually seeing what it is adding or changing.  Unfortunately, with a DVS you do not have the option to pick and choose which parts of the update you want to install, so it’s all or nothing. http://traktortips.com/traktor-le-gets-an-update-in-traktor-2-6-3/

The original purpose of Serato Scratch Live has not been lost in all of the updates and goodies that Serato is producing.  Their initial goal of creating a stable DVS has always been maintained, even at the cost of new features and goodies that other programs are offering.  When it really comes down to it – all the features in the world are no good if your system shuts down in the middle of a gig.  What Serato has done in the form of advancements is developed their smaller Serato DJ software so that it is more suited to a crowd who wants features, rather than authenticity. One thing that I have noticed is that there is much more support for FX on the Serato DJ side than there ever was for those who had Serato Scratch Live to begin with.  Many of these effects are actually based off of old DJ trick that used vinyl, except that they have their inherent roots in CDJ effects.  The newest updated give us slip mode, which allows a live track to be manipulated while playing the live track underneath it once the record is released.  Small changes here and there are what Serato is best known for. http://djworx.com/serato-dj-1-3-fx-expansion-packs-and-more/

Regardless if you are person who buys Pioneer gear, of if you are a person who would never buy their gear – you have to admit that there is nothing ugly that comes out of their shops.  Their gear sits right at the top as the most expensive items on the shelf, and while this might scare some away – it also gives you a bit of pride to say that you own something from Pioneer.  Many of you have met a DJ or two that only buys Pioneer gear and swears by it.  Are there cheaper alternatives?  Of course there is, but buying Pioneer gear is like buying a brand new BMW.  It just feels good. Their newest addition to the DDJ line of controllers is the DDJ-SP1.  It shares some of the layout of their DDJ-SX, but this controller is not meant to be the mainstay of your DJ setup, it is meant to act as an add-on controller.  For some, this is reason not to buy the expensive controller which is set to be around four hundred dollars.  It has the familiar feel of 8 pads per each side, with 8 rotaries in total and its size is slightly thicker than most. http://djworx.com/pioneer-ddj-sp1-serato-dj-for-mixers/

I kind of like the way Serato is gearing up for big changes.  First off, they have already warned users about the changes to their hardware and software.  I think that it is good of them to actually let out the news early, rather than making the announcement on the same day that their new hardware is released.  Another nice thing is that they have been working towards an updated program, rather than trying to do it in one sitting.  This lets people try things out and helps them get an idea of what will work and what will not work in the future. [embed width="656"]http://youtu.be/L1NLLvGXbYI[/embed] These small changes are not always free though, in their latest release they have included an optional FX pack that will cost users 20 bucks if they want to try it.  Other changes include the addition of new controllers under the support list, and scrollable drop down menus.  These types of changes indicate that the newest form of the DVS has been paired to work well with MIDI controllers and Serato supported decks that have rotaries and knobs installed.  It makes sense that Serato would use what is already out there to design their software.  http://djworx.com/serato-dj-1-5-2-new-fx-controllers-fixes/

Back when we were kids, a video game was just that.  It was something that we loaded onto our television screens.  The games were discreet, meaning that they were only used in the form that was given to us.  If you wanted a new game or an update, you had to wait until the next system arrived.  These days, the thought of being stuck with a buggy game is not appealing.  Most of our entertainment systems are wired to the internet, making live updates possible.  It might have been annoying in the beginning, but many of us are thankful that our software is always being worked on and updated. The same is true with DJ software, but I feel that these updated will continue to happen at a faster pace.  Why?  It is because there is always new hardware coming out on the market, and most DJs want their gear to play nice, even from another manufacturer.  The DJ gear makers have learned that it is better to cooperate than to keep their gear one-sided.  Serato has been late to the game with this concept, but they have done a good job of modernizing what most of us would see as our primary means of DJing. http://djworx.com/serato-dj-1-6-1/#.Uz3L4PldW1B