Having just asked the question yesterday about what’s next for DJ software, and responding with “more stability please”, Serato announces Serato DJ 1.9.2, a public beta update that brings improved library features, a new subscription offer, and a solid round of gremlin zapping.
The words from Serato HQ:
SERATO DJ 1.9.2 Public Beta Is Now Open
Serato DJ 1.9.2 is now in public beta with a focus on stability and bug fixes, as well as important workflow and interface improvements. Updates and changes include:
- Library changes including updates to search and sorting, visual optimisations and changes to Smart Crates.
- Significant stability improvements and bug fixes.
- Serato Video performance optimizations and licence management enhancements.
- Subscription plans to Serato DJ and more now available.
- Serato DJ Trials reset. You can now trial the full Serato DJ Suite (including all Expansion Packs & Add Ons) for 14 days.
Michael Redwood (Serato Product Team Manager) says: “Serato DJ 1.9.2 is the first in a series of updates focussed on improving performance and workflow, as well as working on lots of feedback from the community. We understand that for the majority of DJs, reliability and ease of use in often stressful environments is what matters the most. We appreciate all the valuable feedback we get from DJs around the world who help make Serato DJ the very best platform for working DJs.”
Join the Serato DJ 1.9.2 Public Beta to try this update early and give feedback.
Library Changes
- Smart Crates are now able to be Subcrates.
- Secondary library sort. Ctrl/cmd+click a column title to set custom secondary sort order.
- Saved loops are able to be named.
- Key support in Smart Crates
- New option to reset played tracks on exit
- More improvements listed in the full release notes.
Stability Improvements & Bug Fixes
This release includes a number of important stability improvements for all Serato DJs. Read the full list of bug fixes, changes and additions in the Serato DJ 1.9.2 release notes. Fixes and optimisations include:
- Fixes for various crashes
- Lower CPU performance with Serato Video
- Plus many more listed in the full release notes
Subscription Plans to Serato DJ
You can now subscribe to Serato DJ or all Expansion Packs from USD $9.99 a month, or the entire Serato DJ Suite for USD $14.99 a month.
Join the Serato DJ 1.9.2 beta: http://sera.to/-b5pa
SERATO DJ 1.9.2 — WHAT’S NEW?
The subscription approach is interesting. Obviously it guarantees a trickle of revenue rather than irregular sums. For example, the complete Serato DJ suite (i.e. everything) will set you back $299, which equates to $24.92 per month and having to pay for each new release as they come along. But for $14 per month, you get the lot for ever — does seem like a no brainer to me, and if I were a playing out DJ I’d sign up immediately to ensure that I was always up to date.
I’m also happy to see a focus on making things better rather than adding new things. Serato’s rep isn’t as great as it once was, and to me a sustained period of fixing long-standing issues would rebuild a solid foundation and in turn reputation to take Serato DJ to a good place with V2 impending, especially if that upgrade is a paid one.
As ever, with a public beta, use at your own risk. Grab it here if you feel brave.