Consumer Tech
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Source: Serato / Serato
Serato Scratch Live shifted DJ culture, and probably saved millions of dollars in future chiropractor bills. To celebrate its 25 anniversary, Serato just released a special limited-edition reissue of its original Serato Scratch Live Control Vinyl.
Source: Serato / Serato
The OG Digital Vinyl System (DVS) helped the art of the DJ become digital yet maintain its analog roots of manipulating vinyl physically. Think DJ’s like Jazzy Jeff being able to scratch and mix their digital files instead of lugging around heavy crates of records. Instead, all you needed was a pair of control vinyls and a hard drive full of music (and software and hardware but that’s another story).
Originally released in 2004, 20 years later only 1,500 units are available for sale for $49 USD. That gets you the “Serato Scratch Live Control Vinyl – 25th Anniversary Edition” package that includes a pair od 12” 140g control vinyls tucked into a commemorative jacket. The reissue arrives in five colors (black, transparent red, transparent blue, orange, and gray marble). However, you won’t see what color you get until you unwrap your purchase.
“At Serato’s core is a passion for music and technology, and we’ve built our foundation on the ongoing commitment to creating best-in-class products for DJs and music producers,” said Nick Maclaren, Serato’s Chief Strategy Officer, and a DJ himself, in a statement. “When Serato Scratch Live was first introduced, it reinvented what was in the realm of possibilities for DJs at the time. As we celebrate 25 years of empowering artists through Serato’s advanced technology, we’re excited for our community to experience the magic of this innovation once again with the reissue of the Serato Scratch Live Control Vinyl.”
Find out where to get the Serato Scratch Live Control Vinyl – 25th Anniversary Edition set right here.
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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.
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Source: Serato / Serato
Serato and Roland have teamed up for a special edition vinyl that marled the celebration of “303” Day” on March 3. The vinyl was created in collab with DJs J. Rocc, Fast Eddie, Shadow Child and DJ Haus, while the Serato + Roland TB-303 Bass Line / TR-606 Drumatix Control Vinyl will serve as a “time capsule and toolkit” to pay homage to Roland’s classic 303 and 606 synthesizers.
Roland’s TB-303 Bass Line Synthesizer and TR-606 Drumatix were released in 1981 and credited with revolutionizing the music industry. The machines became to electronic music and by the end of the decade and into the early 90’s the tech became TK in. production kits.
Per Serato:
The first record pays tribute to the distinctive bass lines of the 303, reinterpreted by hip house pioneer Fast Eddie and influential dance music DJ and producer Shadow Child. The second record simulates the pulsating drum beats of the 606 reinvented by seminal producer DJ Haus and J. Rocc, one of the original turntablists.
“When I first heard the 606, it was a revelation – it’s right up there with the best,” said said J. Rocc in a press statement.
Adds Fast Eddie said, “If it wasn’t for the 303, I wouldn’t even be here right now talking to you. That’s my history.”
The hope is that the limited edition vinyl serves as inspiration for future producers as they make their beats, with Roland’s iconic equipment. Find more information about the project right here.
Source: Serato / Serato
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Source: Akai / Akai
If you’re an up and coming producer looking to create some new sounds but don’t have all the equipment necessary to do to, Akai might have something you can add to your arsenal as they’re dropping a new production keyboard with all kinds of fixins.
Source: Akai / Akai
Engadget is reporting that Akai has just announced their new MPC Key 37 production keyboard which allows users to craft and cook beats from scratch without having to use an actual computer, laptop or DAW. Of course with that being the case it will have some limitations, but the keyboard seems like a dream come true for many would-be producers looking to get into the game.
Engadget reports:
There are 37 full-size keys, complete with aftertouch. There aren’t that many standalone devices out there with a full keybed, so this should excite musicians who lack experience with Akai-style pads. This device does have 16 velocity-sensitive pads for laying down drum parts and triggering samples, so it’s a “best of both worlds” type situation.
The Key 37 ships with 32GB of on-board storage, though 10GB is used up by the OS and included sound packs. Thankfully, there’s a slot for an SD card to expand the storage — these standalone devices fill up fast.
You get the same color 7-inch multi-touch display and four assignable Q-Link knobs as the company’s Key 61 workstation. This is great for making system adjustments and for controlling effects plugins and the like. As a matter of fact, the entire layout recalls the Key 61, though this new release is slightly less powerful.
Though the Key 37 understandably lacks some of the key aspects of it’s Key 61 predecessor (such as 2GB of RAM, compared to the 61’s 4GB and a few microphone inputs), the keyboard does feature Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity for wireless streaming on platforms such as Ableton Link. That’s gotta count for something, right?
The MPC Key 37 is currently available for a cool $900 on inMusic and authorized retailers around town. Would you be interested in copping one? Check out the video for the keyboard below and let us know in the comments section.
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