HHW Tech Review: DJ Ominaya Tests New Serato DJ Pro 3.2.0
Written by djfrosty on August 7, 2024
Source: DJ OMINAYA / DJ OMINAYA
DJs are in for some good news. The community’s most trusted software Serato DJ Pro has received some updates geared to optimize performance and increase creativity.
Source: SERATO / Serato
Originally launched in 1999 as Pitch ‘n Time, the revolutionary platform has gone on to allow users to mix two tracks together with just their laptop, have a limitless music library, and a crisp, high-resolution interface. Throughout the years, Serato has become synonymous with a DJ’s must-haves when it comes to their set up. This month, the brand has announced some updates to the platform in Serato DJ Pro 3.2.0 and Serato DJ Lite 3.2.0. These new versions introduce a never-before-seen series of custom-built FX and includes many firsts for the platform including native Apple silicon support for Mac users.
Source: SERATO / Serato
The good folks at Serato were kind enough to provide us early access to their beta, and we couldn’t think of anyone better than DJ OMINAYA to demo the new features. As the DJ for A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and Lola Brooke, DJ OMINAYA is no stranger to the technology. For the last 10 years he has used Serato DJ Pro to rock crowds all over the world including venues like Madison Square Garden, O2 Arena, The Kia Forum, Spark Arena, TD Arena, Manchester Arena, AFAS Live and more. Below you will find his breakdown on the new DJ Pro 3.2.0.
Full Suite of New FX
DJ OMINAYA: I like the fact that there are now channel FX scroll them out to a single channel; one through four. Or even put it on the master. Also, you’re able to save your favorite FX in your bank, and if you want to reset it you can reset it. But if you save it in your bank, anywhere you DJ your favorites will always be available when you click down. You can also organize them where when you pull up your drop-down menu only your favorite FX shows instead of all 100. This is a game changer because it makes them a lot more accessible.
Create Your Signature Sounds With Custom FX
DJ OMINAYA: The option to create your own signature sounds is amazing because this is another way you can separate yourself from your peers. Individuality is key as a DJ, and you never want to sound like the next person. Another feature that is key is that you can also import your FX easily as well, which will help new DJs out who are still trying to find their sound and style.
But you got to be careful with sharing your custom FX [laughs]. Serato has a regular bomb FX, but what I did was I put five other bombs on that one bomb just so it can sound more powerful because I do concerts, big venues and arenas. So, when I hit that bomb, it sounds way louder because it has more bass to it. I shared that FX with one DJ and now every DJ in New York City uses it [laughing].
Source: DJ OMINAYA / DJ OMINAYA
Favorite FX Banks
DJ OMINAYA: In my opinion this is the most important update to Serato DJ 3.2.0.The bank lets you load songs or FX to scratch in advance. If you’re a DJ that transforms or uses scratch FX, you can load the sounds in there. What I suggest is to prepare your tracks. So, if you’re doing a party and you know the next five records you want to play you can load them into the scratch bank and have them ready there opposed to searching for them while you’re DJing.
This new Serato DJ 3.2.0 definitely makes it a lot more easier to access your files and songs. As a DJ sometimes you lose your train of thought, and you forget what record you want to play next. And you can put them in the sequence you want ahead of time. This is something that comes in handy regardless of where you are playing. Let’s say I am doing a concert with [A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie] I can use that same bank of songs to do the club performance after the concert. My favorite FX is the reverb. This is a clean way to get out of a song without the transition sounding messy.
New Enhanced Look and View Modes
DJ OMINAYA: I love the new look and view mode! I feel it’s more straightforward and to the point; it’s a much cleaner interface. Even if you are new to the Serato platform, it’s really self-explanatory. You don’t need years of DJ experience to pick up the flow and functionality with Serato 3.2.0; they really took the guess work out of it. Serato 3.2.0 has shortcuts for everything you really have to explore it to see what works best for you as a DJ and your set up. Once you do, you’ll be able to get to things a lot faster and easier.
You can read more about Serato DJ 3.2.0 here.