Serato Scratch Live

Serato Scratch Live

Serato Scratch Live is DJ software that allows DJs to manipulate digital music files as if they were on vinyl records. It integrates with special vinyl control records and CDs to control MP3 files playing on a computer.
Serato Scratch Live image
vinyl-emulation mixing scratching beatmatching

Serato Scratch Live: Vinyl Control DJ Software

DJ software that simulates vinyl scratching, integrating with vinyl control records and CDs for precise digital music file manipulation.

What is Serato Scratch Live?

Serato Scratch Live is professional DJ software developed by Serato Audio Research. It allows DJs to manipulate digital music files stored on a computer as if they were normal vinyl records. This includes scratching, speed adjustment, and setting cue points, all controlled by the turntables.

A key component of Scratch Live is its integration with specially encoded vinyl records and CDs. These function as controllers, communicating movement to the Scratch Live software, which then manipulates the digital tracks. This allows the DJ to use traditional vinyl turntable techniques while playing back digital files.

Scratch Live works with most standard DJ hardware and mixers. It includes effects, loops and visual waveforms of the tracks. The software has been widely adopted by hip hop DJs because of its precise scratching and cue point capabilities. However, it also supports a range of genres and works for mobile DJs playing a variety of events.

Later versions added MIDI controller and digital vinyl system support. The current Scratch Live 2 supports up to four decks with flexible assignment to turntables, CD players or MIDI controllers. It works on Mac or Windows and integrates with iTunes music management and the Serato DJ store.

Serato Scratch Live Features

Features

  1. Vinyl emulation - Allows DJs to manipulate digital music files as if they were on vinyl records using special timecode vinyl or CDs
  2. Advanced looping and cue point support
  3. Keylock feature keeps songs in key when changing tempo
  4. Supports a wide range of MIDI controllers
  5. Built-in recording function to record mixes
  6. Supports up to 4 decks
  7. Wide range of effects including filters, flanger, phaser, etc
  8. Supports both MP3 and lossless audio files

Pricing

  • One-time Purchase

Pros

Very intuitive vinyl emulation

Tight integration with MIDI controllers

Reliable timecode tracking

Keylock provides high quality tempo changes

Flexible deck layouts and large library support

Cons

Requires purchase of special timecode vinyl or CDs

Only supports 2 or 4 decks (not 3 or more)

No standalone version - requires a laptop

Only available for Mac and Windows, not Linux

Recording quality limited to 32-bit/96kHz


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