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Christmas In January? Serato Announces New Video Plugin For Both Scratch Live and Itch!

Sevan Kambel — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 09:10:23 +0000

The Wait Is Over!

Christmas in January? Why Not? Serato has announced Serato Video, a brand new plug in for Scratch Live and ITCH that allows DJs to playback, scratch and mix video files using turntables, CDJs or supported controllers.

Based upon Video-SL, the popular plug-in for vinyl emulation software Scratch Live, Serato Video will offer support for both Scratch Live and ITCH, giving DJs more flexibility than ever.

Features:

Add video clips to your Scratch Live or ITCH performance.
View loaded clips and output from your computer.
Manipulate playback with Serato control records, CDs or with your ITCH controller of choice.
Use built in transitions and effects including text and image effects.
Enrich your set with audio responsive effects, including bass zoom and splits, that are controlled by analyzing the music signal.
Preview and manage video files in both the ITCH and Scratch Live offline players.
Use Video Instant Doubles to play the same video and effects on a second deck.
Store effects within each video file for instant recall.
Setup different output configurations (Output Only, L/R prefader or all 3 outputs) for greater flexibility when video mixing externally.
Utilize 3rd party controllers with Serato Video’s MIDI control in Scratch Live.

Already own Serato Video-SL? No problems! Serato Video is a FREE upgrade for existing Video-SL customers.

Serato Video will be available to purchase for US$149 in March 2012.

Serato ITCH 2.1 software update now available

Sevan Kambel — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 05:28:13 +0000

Serato has released the ITCH 2.1 software update

After releasing a public beta back in November 2011, Serato has officially launched a stable update for its popular ITCH DJ software. Although the ITCH 2.1 software update doesn’t add support for video play like many of us had hoped for, it does however add a few new features as well has a few bug fixes to improve stability and performance.

ITCH 2.1 is now available for free online at www.serato.com

Whats New With Itch 2.1:

· SP-6 Hardware Control

· Simple Sync for 2 deck controllers

· Smart Sync changes

ITCH 2.1 includes a large rewrite of all MPEG-4 file reading and writing of meta data (tagging data). This includes .mp4, .m4a, .aac and many .mov files. One of these changes involves writing Serato meta data to files in a different way than previous versions of ITCH.

When playing one of the affected audio files in ITCH for the first time, all existing Serato meta data will need to saved in the new format. Consequently there will be a lot of writing to file, as signified in the status bar.

ITCH 2.1 will not delete meta data created in previous versions of ITCH, however, new meta data created in ITCH 2.1 will not be able to be read in older versions. Such meta data includes cues, loops etc.

Hardware and OS Support

Support for current ITCH hardware

ITCH Controllers with internal audio mixing
Allen & Heath Xone:DX
Novation TWITCH
Numark NS7
Numark NS6
Pioneer DDJ-S1
Vestax VCI-300

ITCH Components for outboard audio mixing
Denon DJ DN-HC5000
Numark V7

ITCH DJ FX Controllers
Numark NSFX
Vestax VFX-1

Support for all current OS

Mac OS X 10.6 / 10.5 / 10.4.11
Windows 7 / Vista / XP 32-bit
Windows 7 / Vista 64-bit

Serato Video-SL Plugin $99us Until December 31st 2011!

Sevan Kambel — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 10:05:12 +0000

Just in time for the Holiday season, Serato has marked their Video-SL plugin down half price until December 31st 2011!

What is Video-SL?

Serato Video-SL is a software plug-in for Scratch Live which adds the ability to playback and mix video files. Manage a variety of video clips from within the Scratch Live library and load them onto a virtual deck for control with either vinyl or CD.

The controls allow you to mix clips with a variety of transitions, as well as apply exciting effects to each video clip. The mixed output can be sent to your computer’s secondary display for connection to external monitors or projectors.

Download and try the fully featured demo before you buy.

Video-SL Features

Add video clips to your Scratch Live performance.
View loaded clips and output from your computer.
Manipulate playback with control records or CD’s.
Use built in transitions and effects including text and image effects.
Audio Responsive effects let the music control a variety of live video effects. These vary from Bass Zoom to Splits and are controlled by analyzing the music signal.
Video files can be previewed and managed in the Scratch Live offline player.
MIDI control enables you to use 3rd party controllers with Video-SL.
Video Instant Doubles allows you to play the same video and effects on a second deck.
Effects are stored with each video file for instant recall.
External video mixing allows you to setup different output configurations in the the control panel of Video-SL’s setup mode. Choose from Output Only, L/R prefader or all 3 outputs for greater flexibility.

Serato DJ Intro Adding Support For Pioneer DDJ-Ergo-V

Sevan Kambel — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 01:21:45 +0000

Serato and Pioneer are pleased to announce that the recently released Pioneer DDJ-ERGO-V controller will soon support Serato DJ Intro software.

This ultra-compact controller gives any music enthusiast the ability to make their own unique music mixes and play out more.

Check the video and the Pioneer website for for more info. A free download of Serato DJ Intro for the DDJ-ERGO-V will be released in December 2011.

Overview of Novation TWITCH with Serato ITCH DJ software (Video)

Sevan Kambel — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 06:30:32 +0000

Novation TWITCH is a DJ controller with a completely new take on DJing. The worlds of digital DJ and Controllerist are colliding; performers are looking for new ways to manipulate music.Instead of simply mixing tracks together with ‘decks in a box’, TWITCH re-focuses on cutting up beats, glitch-esque looping, firing off cue points and getting a totally different level of control over FX.

TWITCH has been co-developed with Serato and comes with ITCH DJ software, which is ultra-stable and has some powerful performance features, including the ability to beat-match your tracks so you can do some incredible remixing in real-time without falling out of sync.

Here is an overview video for the Novation Twitch touch strip controller with Serato Itch DJ software!

Denon DJ DN-MC3000 Preview

Sevan Kambel — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 05:07:39 +0000

After a few teaser images were sent out via facebook and email, Denon DJ has released a few preview images and a slight list of features to their new DN-MC3000 DJ controller. We first caught a glimpse of this beauty at the last BPM Show, and now we have official word of its name and news of its official introduction to the world. Denon will officially announce the DN-MC3000 with complete press release on Friday November the 18th.

The MC3000 will feature the following:
• Optimized for TRAKTOR™ 2 Technology Inside Products
TRAKTOR™ 2 LE Included*
• Optimized for VIRTUAL DJ
• Layer Function for Dual Deck and 2+2 4-Channel Mixer Control
• USB Audio Interface 2 in / 2 out (Stereo)
• Line to Master – 2 Analogue Line Input Mixing Control
• Professional-Grade Steel Chassis

*TRAKTOR™ 2 LE included for Europe and Asia Pacific

It appears the idea behind the MC3000 was to make a controller that is more cost effective and mobile. And in order to do this you have to remove some of the features. Here are some of the features that appear to not have made the cut.

Notice: This is not an official list of features. This is simply our take from the images available and information that we have received.

Removed
• Dedicated Fast Search buttons are gone. It’s now Shift + -/+. I constantly use both Pitch Bend Buttons and Fast Search for Beat Jumps.
• No Matrix (You can pull off some interesting effects with the same audio on 2 different channels. Especially with dedicated Filters)
• No Echo On
• No Post
• No XLR out (A HUGE Minus for me)
• No XLR IN for MIC
• No Full 3-Band EQ for MIC
• Only 1 Mic input
• No VINYL input or Ground
• No X Fader Contour
• No Channel assigned to cross fade
• No Booth Send
• No Stereo/Mono Switch
• No Restart Mode

Added
• Dedicated FILTER Knob above the up-faders. A first for Denon.
• Dedicated Toggle Jog/Scratch button. It’s back! I hate using Shift + << to toggle.
• Pitch Slider Mirrored (A first for Denon)
• Dedicated Buttons for A to C and B to D for Up-Fader and EQ
• Dedicated Buttons for A to C and B to D for everything else
• Two Knobs on the right. One Level Knob to control the Sampler or Channel Volume? If so, very nice.

Pioneer Introduces The New DDJ-ERGO DJ Controller

Sevan Kambel — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 03:10:57 +0000

The DDJ-ERGO gives any music enthusiast the ability to make their own unique music mixes. Bundled with the Virtual DJ Limited Edition software by Atomix Productions, the DDJ-ERGO controller enables consumers to be creative with their music collection as soon as they take the unit out of the box. The new controller also incorporates MIDI functionality, making it possible to be used with other MIDI compatible DJ software.

The stylish controller is designed using contoured edges with black, white and gradient colors and a large 115 mm platter for increased operability. The system also features “Pulse Control” that illuminates various areas of the controller to assist in the mixing process.

Creative Features of DDJ-ERGO

Pulse Control– The integrated Pulse Control of the DDJ-ERGO provides users with visual prompts via various types of illuminations on its buttons and platters. The controller utilizes a new “Pure Platter” jog wheel that helps guide the user during performance with the movement of lights in accordance with the pitch, beat, and effects of the music as well as when a song is being loaded.
- Mix Pulse – The mix pulse mode shows the difference in pitch of songs currently playing through the light of the jog wheel. As the pitch of songs begin to match, the intensity of the light increases. In conjunction with the music, the pulse of lights increases beat matching skills.
- Beat Pulse – The embedded LEDs in the channel faders illuminate along with the beat of the current song playing. The illumination intensifies and weakens based on the output sound level.
- Launch Pulse – Triggers a red light to illuminate on the jog wheel to signify a press of the track load button.
- FX Pulse – The effect being applied to the currently playing song will be represented not only audibly but also via the light movements on the Jog wheel.

Laptop Dock Design – Like Pioneer’s other DDJ controllers, the DDJ-ERGO is designed to accommodate the placement of a laptop computer below the unit to help save room and bring the screen closer to the user. The controller also features removable legs, enabling it be used in angled or horizontal positions.
DJ Software – The DDJ-ERGO includes a copy of the “Virtual DJ LE” software by Atomix Productions that offers a broad range of functions for mixing songs, such as making loops, adding effects and creating samples, as well as the ability to mix up to 4-channels and even perform video playback.
MIDI Compatibility – The DDJ-ERGO is compatible with Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI), allowing up to four-deck control and use of the controller’s dedicated sampler button. The unit is also compatible with various MIDI compatible DJ software such as Native Instruments’ TRAKTOR (not included).
USB Power – The DDJ-ERGO utilizes power from USB connections found on most computers, eliminating the need for an external power supply.
High Quality Audio – The unit employs the same audio technology used in Pioneer’s professional DJ mixers for clear, powerful audio output.
Other features
- Employs a P-LOCK Fader Cap locking mechanism to prevent the channel fader knobs and crossfader knob from slipping.
- Built-in audio interface for high quality sound input and output.

For more info, tips and tricks, demo videos and forums visit pioneerdjusa.com

MOPHO DJ – Digital DJing With Out The Hardware Or Time-Code Vinyl

Sevan Kambel — Mon, 16 May 2011 16:09:17 +0000

Nicholas J. Bryan, a student at the Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics at Stanford Univeristy, created the MOPHO DJ system. We’re not sure what Bryan was thinking with the name, but the system uses analog turntables as a material interface to control how the digital audio can be played back. Bryan created MOPHO DJ in a way so that it doesn’t need specific hardware or a special record used in digital DJing called time-coded vinyl.

A novel method of digital scratching is presented as an alternative to currently available digital hardware interfaces and time-coded vinyl (TCV). Similar to TCV, the proposed method leverages existing analog turntables as a physical interface to manipulate the playback of digital audio. To do so, however, an accelerometer/gyroscope–equipped smart phone is firmly attached to a modified record, placed on a turntable, and used to sense a performers movement, resulting in a wireless sensing-based scratching method. The accelerometer and gyroscope data is wirelessly transmitted to a computer to manipulate the digital audio playback in real-time. The method provides the benefit of digital audio and storage, requires minimal additional hardware, accommodates familiar proprioceptive feedback, and allows a single interface to control both digital and analog audio. In addition, the proposed method provides numerous additional benefits including real-time graphical display, multi-touch interaction, and untethered performance (e.g “air-scratching”). Such a method turns a vinyl record into an interactive surface and enhances traditional scratching performance, while affording new and creative musical interactions. Informal testing show this approach to be viable, responsive, and robust.

MOPHO DJ Will be presented at this years NIME 2011 (http://www.nime2011.org/) in Oslo, Norway May 31-June 1.

For more info, please see https://ccrma.stanford.edu/~njb/research/turntable/

Serato ITCH 2.0 Preview

Sevan Kambel — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 03:04:20 +0000

Serato ITCH is an integrated software and hardware system, designed to give music selectors and DJs new kinds of control. Using the ITCH software you can DJ music on your computer with accurate control from a range of purpose built ITCH hardware.

Its beginning to look a lot like Scratch Live..

The forthcoming 2.0 release of Serato ITCH includes an array of exciting new software features, to give DJs everything they need to really rock a party and push their creative boundaries.

New in Serato ITCH 2.0

SP-6 Sample Player to add drops and samples to your performance.
Brand new Display Modes with a range of deck layouts.
Night and Day color schemes for easy visibility under any conditions.
Improved Sync Engine with new visual feedback.
Enhanced Album Art browsing for quick identification of your music.
“Smart Crates” which auto-fill using keywords from your music library.
“Serato Playlists” enabling sharing of your sets online.
New File Management options to allow you to easily copy crates and tracks to external drives for your gig.

Serato ITCH 2.0 will be released in Quarter 3 of 2011.

SL2 For Serato Scratch Live

Sevan Kambel — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 16:55:25 +0000

Announcing the new standard in digital DJing.

Rane and Serato are pleased to release the Rane SL 2 for Serato Scratch Live: a compact, professional two-deck interface packed with creative features to give DJs a competitive edge.

Professionals and budding enthusiasts alike will appreciate the streamlined design of the SL 2, the most portable in the series of Scratch Live interfaces, with two stereo inputs, two stereo outputs and a high-speed, low latency USB 2.0 connection.

“Our engineers stepped up their game to increase the performance and shrink the size of the new interface” comments Dean Standing, Director of Sales for Rane. “I’m blown away by how good this new box sounds.”

Rane’s trademark sonic qualities resonate in the SL 2 with 48 kHz, 24-bit audio processing. Plus studio grade phono preamps produce a vivid, dynamic sound for any performance. ASIO and Core Audio drivers transform the SL 2 into a premium studio production tool, and galvanic isolation ensures crisp, clear, interference-free signal.

“The SL 2 is destined to be a modern day classic,” says Sam Gribben, General Manager of Serato Audio Research, “it has the simplicity of a traditional two deck DJ setup, but the flexibility to add samples and effects to the mix. The SL 2 may be small, but it packs a massive punch.”

The Rane SL 2 comes complete with Serato Scratch Live, the world’s leading DJ software; offering a fully-featured arsenal of creative DJ tools including cue points, loops, the SP-6 sample player and powerful DJ-FX.

DJs will experience the tightest, most authentic vinyl feel, thanks to Scratch Live control vinyl and CDs, which are pressed with a proprietary non-timecode-based Serato NoiseMap™ control tone. This specially designed tone delivers amazing response at both very high and very slow speeds, for unparalleled sensitivity and responsiveness.

Hardware by Rane. Software by Serato. The crowd is yours.

The Rane SL 2 is shipping now!

Features:

Inputs for two turntables or CD decks and software THRUs for quick connection.
Studio-grade phono preamps and 24-bit audio processing for superior sound quality.
Advanced, low latency USB 2.0 drivers.
The most authentic vinyl feel, due to Scratch Live’s non-timecode-based control tone, which utilizes Serato’s unique NoiseMap™ technology.
Built-in galvanic isolation to eliminate computer noise and interference.
Compact and ultra rugged hardware for portability and simple setup.
ASIO and Core Audio Drivers for studio production with third-party software.
Support for The Bridge* with Ableton Live and compatibility for video mixing with Video-SL**.

* The Bridge is free for users of Serato Scratch Live 2.1.1 and above and Ableton Live 8.2 and above. The SL 2 ships with Serato Scratch Live 2.2.
** Video-SL available separately.