Scratch Live

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Scratch Live
Developer(s) Serato Audio Research
Stable release 2.5 / July 13, 2013 (2013-07-13)
Operating system Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X
Type Vinyl emulation software
Website http://www.scratchlive.net/ or http://www.serato.com

Scratch Live is a vinyl emulation software application created by New Zealand based Serato Audio Research, distributed by and licensed exclusively to Rane Corporation. Serato was first known for its popular Pro Tools plug-in Pitch N Time which was sold predominantly to the film industry[1] However, since its debut in May 2004, Scratch Live has become Serato's main product focus, and as such, Scratch Live is often referred to simply as "Serato" within the DJ and music scene.

Scratch Live allows manipulation and playback of digital audio files (mp3, wav, aiff, ogg and non-DRM aac) using traditional vinyl turntables or CD players via special timecode vinyl records or CDs. It seeks to cross the divide between the versatility of digital audio and the tactile control of vinyl turntablism and has become the industry's dominant digital DJ'ing tool.

Video SL

In 2008, Serato released the first major plugin for Scratch Live, Video-SL. It allows the playback of video files in similar fashion to audio files. Users can apply effects in real time and mix between video independently of audio.

A demo copy can be installed and used but a watermark is displayed on the main output screen. Activation is done via a serial number.

Itch

In 2008, Serato announced the development of Itch, an integrated software and hardware system similar to Scratch Live but tied to hardware controllers and with a more simplified interface. Compatible hardware included the Vestax VCI-300 and the Numark NS7. The controllers connect via USB and use the MIDI Protocol to communicate with Itch. Since Itch's original release, new controllers and accessories have been released by Numark, Vestax, Denon, and Allen & Heath.[Edit; Itch has been replaced by Serato DJ] These include:

  • Allen & Heath Xone DX - All-in-one contoller with four channel mixer layout. Allows four deck control/playback(compared to two with other current hardware) and fx control.
  • Denon DN HC5000 - Rackmount controller with touch sensitive jog wheels and displays with two line character text support. Compatible with optional CD/DVD drive.
  • Numark NSFX - Matching fx controller for the NS7. Unlocks and allows control of Itch's fx section.
  • Numark V7 - Single deck style controller modeled after NS7. Features A/B function for two deck control from one V7. When using two decks, the controllers are linked via an RJ45 ethernet cable so that only one USB port is used, which also allows seamless transition between DJs by plugging into the free USB port. Also features built in fx control.
  • Vestax VFX-1 - Matching fx controller for VCI-300. Unlocks and allows control of Itch's fx section.
  • Novation Twitch

There is also the forthcoming Numark X7 digital mixer which is rumored to allow full four deck control when combined with four V7s.

Custom hardware

Scratch Live currently works in conjunction with five application specific audio devices designed and manufactured for the system by Mukilteo, Washington-based Rane Corporation.

SL4

The latest audio interface is the SL4. It is the first standalone DJ interface with two USB 2.0 ports for seamless DJ changeover and back-to-back performances. It also has 96 kHz, 24-bit audio. The SL4 has built in galvanic isolation between USB and audio, with turn on/off muting. The unit also includes Low-latency ASIO and Core Audio drivers which allow the SL4 to be used as a studio production tool with third-party software applications.

SL3

The SL3 is another audio interface for Scratch Live. Features include a USB 2.0 interface, improved dynamic range (120 dB), improved audio performance (24 bit converters) and additional audio channels with AUX input and output. Like the SL2 it also has 48.0 kHz, 24-bit audio. The extra channel allows the DJ to record his/her music set, use a sampler while performing or connect a third player for three deck mixing.

SL2

The SL2 is the audio interface set to replace the older SL1 interface.[2] The unit has 2 inputs which can be used both as phono or line input, but unlike the old SL1 interface it doesn't have a microphone input and it has only 2 line outputs and no 'thru' outputs. It also features improvements to the sound quality. Whereas the SL1 interface had 16-bit 44.1 kHz audio, the SL2 now has 24-bit 48khZ audio with USB2.0 and Core Audio/ASIO support.[3]

SL1

The SL1 is a multi-channel, USB 1.1 external soundcard. The unit has inputs for two stereo turntables or CD players and one unbalanced microphone. There are two stereo line level outputs and two 'thru' outputs which provide a copy of the input signal to enable playback of regular vinyl records or CDs. ASIO drivers are available for the unit to allow it to be used by other Windows applications as a multi channel sound interface. There are no Core Audio drivers for Macintosh based computers. The SL1 interface is no longer in production, but is still supported.[4]

MP4

A 19" rack mount DJ mixer based on the MP2, incorporating the sound card functions of the SL1. The MP4 allows you to record your set digitally within the Scratch Live software over the USB interface. The mixer is recognized by Windows as a 4x output 2x input soundcard so it can be used with any windows application. Also provided are ASIO and Core Audio drivers for use in audio applications on both Windows XP and Mac OS X.

TTM 57SL

A DJ mixer combining the functionality of the SL1 with an application specific control surface based on the popular TTM56 scratch mixer. It also contains added effects not available with the TTM56 or bare SL1 set-ups.

TTM 57SL specifications

  • Four main stereo inputs all of which can accept both line and phono level signals. Two of these inputs can be used at any one time for controlling Scratch Live or playback of a phono or line level source. The inputs use RCA jacks.
  • Two input buses can output any four inputs and both analog and digital signals.
  • Non-contact magnetic faders on both channel faders and crossfader and slope on all faders is completely adjustable.
  • One stereo line input without EQ for playback of other sources on RCA jacks.
  • Input gain with left/right pan with 3-band, full cut EQ with kill switches
  • Internal effects including default LFO filter and echo with six possible insert points to pre- or post-channel faders for Program 1 and Program 2, main mix, and aux input bus.
  • A balanced microphone input with two band EQ on a 1/4" TRS jack.
  • A stereo effects loop with 1/4" Jack connectors.
  • Three main stereo outputs providing balanced outputs on XLR and TRS Jack connectors and unbalanced output on RCA jacks.
  • Two record channels can record pre- or post-channel faders for Program 1 or Program 2, main mix, or aux input bux
  • Two headphone connections providing both 3.5 mm and 1.4" jack connections
  • 1/4" TRS Jack for connection of a three button momentary action footswitch.
  • Programmable switches and joysticks for software control of cue and loop points.
  • An IEC 60320 C14 power connector - the mixer has a universal power supply that can accept any AC voltage 100-240V making it possible to use the same mixer anywhere in the world without changing a setting or the use of a transformer.
  • USB firmware updates possible directly through Scratch Live program.

Sixty-Eight

Announced at NAMM 2010, the Sixty-Eight is a 4 channel club style mixer with 2 separate USB inputs. Via ScratchLive 2.0 it adds support for up 4 real or virtual deck combinations.

Pioneer DJM-900SRT Serato DJ Edition

Pioneer is launching the “DJM-900SRT Serato DJ Edition” DJ four channel mixer with an in-built Serato soundcard for native control of the hugely popular Serato DJ software.DJs can connect the DJM-900SRT to their laptop via USB cable and use the included CONTROL DISC*1(CD/VINYL) to mix and scratch with Serato DJ’s four decks, without the need for an external sound card*2. The DJM-900SRT inherits all the high-performance features of the DJM-900nexus, including six Sound Color FX, thirteen Beat FX with intuitive X-PAD control that allows the DJ to manipulate multiple parameters simultaneously. Plus, PRO DJ LINK enables DJs to connect the mixer via a LAN cable to compatible CDJs to access Serato DJ Beatgrid information and hit the Quantize button to sync FX to the master BPM.

Supported third party accessories

Serato have begun working in supporting third party players/controllers with the Scratch Live software. These controllers are "natively" supported and do not require the use of the timecode CDs, all playback and control information is sent over USB. The following are the currently supported native controllers:

  • Denon DN-HC1000S
  • Denon DN-HC4500
  • Novation Dicer (versions 2.1 and above)
  • Pioneer CDJ-2000 (versions 2.1 and above)
  • Pioneer CDJ-900 (versions 2.1 and above)
  • Pioneer CDJ-850
  • Pioneer CDJ-400
  • Pioneer CDJ-350
  • Pioneer MEP-7000
  • Vestax VFX-1

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Digital DJs mix and Scratch". The Dominion Post. 21 July 2008. Retrieved 7 November 2011. 
  2. ↑ Rane SL 2 Product page
  3. ↑ Scratch Live Feature Comparison
  4. ↑ Rane SL 1 Product page

External links

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