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’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.)
Yes, I know Traktor Scratch has been out for quite some time, but I just found this video from agiprodj on Youtube. It’s a very informative video, and taught me a few things about DVS history and the benefits of having Traktor Scratch vs. Serato.
A UK student named Scott Hobbs invented this super sweet touch-screen turntable setup for his innovative product design course.
Currently, Attigo only exists as a prototype, but Scott is planning on commercializing it in the future.
I have to admit, it looks very cool, but it is really practical? I’m sure it won’t be cheap, and most Serato, Traktor Scratch, and other DVS users love the feel of “real” vinyl. It looks like an awesome DJ “toy,” but I don’t expect it to be showing up in nightclubs or mobile DJ rigs any time soon.
Of course, I could be completely wrong here!
Whatever the case, the video is worth checking out!
For months now, I’ve been running Serato Scratch Live on the lowest buffer setting (1) with no drop-outs whatsoever! My laptop is a Dell Inspiron e1405 with an Intel Core Duo processor with a gig of ram. If I can do it, you can too!
Here’s how I think I did it:
- I set up a seperate harware profile for Serato and implemented these Windows XP Tweaks.
- I built overviews for all of my music files.
- I reduced the screen update settings in Serato to as low as I could. The waveforms are a little choppy, but I try not to look at the screen very much anyway!
- I left the recommended 10 gigs of free space on my hard-drive. I also defrag the hardrive often.
-Serato is the only program open on my laptop when performing. Everything else is closed, including wireless internet.
That’s pretty much it! If you want to run your Serato Scratch Live at it’s lowest buffer setting too, give these tips a try!
Alright all you loyal Serato users, Serato Scratch Live version 1.8.1 has made it through it’s beta stages and is now available for download.
Serato version 1.8.1 is available to download for free on www.scratchlive.net.
From Serato:
“This version of Scratch LIVE is primarily a maintenance release, with the emphasis on fixing problems and improving stability. Scratch LIVE 1.8.1 also introduces native controller support for the Denon DN-HC4500, Denon DN-HD2500 and the Numark DMC2.”
Here’s a cool video that I found of a fellow DJ cutting it up with Abelton Live. This guy, Nathan Ramella, wrote a plugin that enables Ableton Live to be controlled via time coded vinyl.
If you are not a plugin-writing guru, you can also use vinyl with Ableton by using Imageline’s Deckadance as a VST plugin.
For months now, the Serato forum has been buzzing about Serato Scratch Live 1.8.1 beta, and when it will be released. Well, the wait is finally over. Serato version 1.8.1 is out for public beta testing.
Probably the most anticipated feature in the new version is the ability to use the software with some of the newer controllers like the Pioneer CDJ-400, Denon DN-HC4500, and the Numark DMC2.
Another nice feature in Serato version 1.8.1 is the “Loop BPM” feature. When looping, the deck BPM counter now adjusts the displayed BPM to fit the exact length of the loop.
Serato 1.8.1 Public Beta release notes and download links are available on the Scratch Live Forum at www.scratchlive.net.
UltraMixer (currently UltraMixer 2) is a fairly recent addition to the DJ software realm. At first glance, it looks similar to Traktor from Native Instruments and has a nice clean layout. UltraMixer also claims to be the first DJ software in the world that is available for all of the most popular operating systems, Windows, Linux and Mac OS X. It also claims to work very well with all of the big name Midi DJ controllers, like the Denon DN-HC4500, Behringer BCD3000, Behringer BCD2000, Hercules DJ Console, Hercules DJ Console MK2, Hercules DJ Control MP3, Numark Total Control, EKS XP10, and the M-Audio Torq Xponent.
UltraMixer 2 is available in 3 versions: Free, Basic, and Professional. The Basic version is $109, and the Professional version is $239. If you would like to give the free version a whirl, visit UltraMixer’s website at www.ultramixer.com.
Here’s a video of UltraMixer 2 being used with the Denon DN-HC4500 Midi Controller
