I’m sure you’re all still taking in the AkaI Pro AMX and AFX announcement — it was just one hour ago after all. But a key part of the appeal of the AMX is the ability to hook up turntables or CDJs and use DVS directly without an additional interface. And that’s where the just announced Serato DJ DVS expansion pack comes in.
Just about everything you need to know is contained in this post from the Serato blog:
We’re excited to announce the DVS Expansion Pack for supported Serato DJ controllers.
Controllers able to take advantage of the DVS Expansion Pack are known as “DVS upgrade ready” devices, while hardware that supports DVS natively are called “DVS ready”. Check out the first list of DVS upgrade ready controllers below:
- Akai AMX
- Numark N4
- Denon MC6000mkII
In terms of other controllers that have hardware mixers – The Pioneer DDJ-SX will not support DVS Expansion Pack as the hardware is not technically capable of this. The Vestax VCI-380 and VCI-400 require firmware updates from before support can be developed – when these are available we can add support in Serato DJ.
Available this September in Serato DJ 1.7. This Expansion Pack can be purchased and activated in-app through the My Serato window or the Serato Online Store for USD $99.
NOTE: This will only be available in the full release version of Serato DJ 1.7 and is not available during the public beta period.
I do have to make one thing clear — Serato has confirmed for me that this will not enable standalone mixers to make them DVS ready. The expansion pack is strictly for Serato partner controller hardware. So your USB enabled mixer will not be endowed with the $99 gift of Serato DJ DVS love.
This is a subject that I’m really interested in. I’ve often wondered how many controller users would really want to use it as a mixer for turntables. I get that it’s a perceived benefit, but I cannot help but think that the number of people who genuinely think it’s a real need is very small.
Can you tell me otherwise? Is it a prerequisite that your controller is DVS-able, or do you see controllers and turntables as mutually exclusive?
I have a DDJ-SX, which won’t be compatible with the DVS expansion pack. While this is disappointing, I never planned on using the SX with turntables, so I’m not really that bummed out.
“The Pioneer DDJ-SX will not support DVS Expansion Pack as the hardware is not technically capable of this.” also it makes little sense to place turntables THAT far away from a mixer. it would be funny if something like the Z2 or whatever NI release next were to get support though :) #futureofmusic #DVSWAR
The Z2 has an advantage over any of the Serato equipment other than the current Rane products in that it allows use of DVS without a Traktor Audio 2/6/8/10. Their attempt for these controllers to be able to be updated to be able to perform this same task is a great move for them. Traktor and NI need more of this. The Z1 should have been built this way however I see why they didn’t since the Z2 exists.
If the AMX is marked as “Upgrade Ready” what can you use it for without the $99 upgrade? Its only inputs are analog.
You can play regular vinyl or CD. But if you wanted to use DVS, you’d need an external interface like the SL2, 3, or 4. With the $99 DVS pack, you can plug your decks straight into the AMX and do away with the interface.
But then what is the point of this thing without the $99 upgrade? If it doesn’t play or control Serato at all unless you add the DVS upgrade.
It can control Serato DJ just fine. This upgrade unlocks playing timecode directly with an external interface.
The AMX unlocks Serato DJ. It’s the audio interface that allows this. If you have a setup with a stand alone Serato controller, like an Akai AFX, Denon 3900, or a CDJ, the AMX will unlock the world and allow you to play. With it’s touch knobs, and filters, you are getting a lot of power. It’s also possible to DJ completely with this unit, remember full headphone cueing. Noise Map DVS expansion support is only one of the many reason this is a great solution.
I would very much like to use the SX with turntables, but the most important benefit to me is having a piece of equipment in the center that does the most features. For example I’m considering buying a VSI 380 JUST to place where i would put a mixer and take advantage of having more controls in front of me in that place, such as the 8 pads, the looping, the FX controls, etc. The results are endless and better placed together.
Really glad I opted for the VCI-400 now. Hope the actual implementation is easy. All I need is Slicer mode in the next update and I’m gold.
It does rather depend on Vestax doing the update first though.
which i hope they will as it might boost sales a little.. even though you mentioned it as being something for just a small number of people.
Yeah, I saw that too (sigh) and Vestax is not known shipping out firmware updates quickly..
As far as I know the VCI-400 has no phono preamps, so the DVS upgrade would only make sense if you have turntables with line-outs… Then its an estimation if it would make sense for a specific targetgroup that is hard to evaluate.
i asked vestax about this functionality last year and they said that they were able to do it, they were just waiting on serato. they claimed that the vci380 has the ability to have four decks with serato DJ – the 2 controller platters and also the 2 phono inputs. i’m hoping that this is how it’s going to work when it becomes available
im actually quite happy.. i bought a vci380 not long ago and after that i bought the sl2. I expected both to work and i would be able to use the 380 as a controller while using dvs, i was quite dissapointed when i noticed that this didnt work. I’m happy to spend that 90$/€ to be able to use the vci instead of buying a seperate controller like the ddj-sp1.
So maybe the Numark NS6 would be able to use DVS then?
Serato has already said on their blog that because of the way it routes audio, it can’t. Sorry.
So….. Why couldn’t the Rane 57 been able to work with this?
As established when Serato DJ was announced, Serato DJ doesn’t work it the Rane 57, so a plugin won’t either.
Oh dear NI have a lot of catching up to do or they are going to be left in the dust and its gotta be aimed at actual djs. I can see lots of people jumping ship if Ni don’t up their game soon!
NI have the “DVS upgrade Kit” since the release of the S4… or have i missed something?
NI has had this since the S4… but only the S4 and TSP-certified hardware can support the DVS upgrade kit.
And… pretty much the same here. Only 3 controllers so far for Serato. Pretty sure they will keep it quite limited.
+ they don’t have it for one of their flagship controllers with pioneer
The SZ does have DVS functionality but the SX does not.
yes.. very right.
I’ve been using my vci 380 with DVS for for ages.
In my opinion Serato seem very grabby. Locking down their software so only approved manufactures can use the software, NI is a lot more open
$99? Take my money now! :)
I have a VCI-380 and I would pay another $99 to Vestax just for the firmware update.
I also own an SL 1 and an SL 2 but it will be so much better with native support of all the buttons and lights incl. Slicer, Effects, etc.
In answer to your question, there has been a pretty vocal group of VCI-380 users that have been keen to get their hands on a direct DVS plugin. It’s form factor lends itself to sit quite nicely between two decks. That, a non-contact fader upgrade, and a few demos of it being used by Rasp with and SL box probably sparked interest.
Obviously it’s seen as a niche feature as the pricing is a bit more than other packs, but it’s a bargain considering I had been using an SL2 with it to clumsily implement DVS.
In fact, $99, with the VCI-380 also functioning as an analogue mixer, and all of a sudden you not only replacing you SL box but your mixer too… and you get a bonus controller thrown in with real buttons to drive SDJ, LED stickers to somewhat negate Serato face, and all the goodness that comes with buttons at your finger tips.
I made the call that I wouldn’t bother buying another standalone mixer after I sold my TTM56, and now the tech has caught up, it’s surpassed all that could be achieved on that rig.
Keep on hassling Vestax for a firmware fix. I have used the beta of this DVS pack for the 380 and the workflow is just great. I love it.
I did the same – had my TTM56 and hooked up to SL1 and swapped it for the VCI-380. Have wanted the option hook it up to a turntable for DVS use so glad that it’s not far off (hopefully)!
Hold on, you have used the beta of this DVS pack for the 380? So there is a firmware out there somewhere? Is it a beta of the firmware as well?
hmmm I own an SX and I would have loved the ability to use turntables with it.. really how come the 380 and 400 is capable??? I just googled the input of all 3 controllers and they are all like the same???
Can’t they make a firmware update for that?? or is the SX really that handicapped lol… i just find it hard to believe the 380 and 400 is capable with just a firmware update??
This is from the Serato site and talks about the DDJ-SX:
So there does seem to be some technical limitations. Given that these are now known about, perhaps these are issues that won’t happen again in future controllers.
Hmm I wonder if Pioneer will sell an updated version of the SX like an SX Nexus version or something in those lines sometime in future to fix that issue… I love the SX portability the SZ just too big
Hard to call. I can’t see a Nexus version, but I can imagine a Numark NV competitor with screens. Perhaps its edge would be phono inputs and DVS compatibility.
Hi Johnny, I have personally experimented with my DDJSX with a Rane SL3 box and I was able to control decks 1-3 and only those decks will be enabled and can be controlled either by the Jog wheels of the SX or DVS signal via CDJs or TTables .. Depending on what SL box you have, SL-2 will only be 2 decks and SL3 – 3 decks (likewise with my experiment) then SL4 4 Decks.
NOW THIS IS IMPORTANT, USB CONNECTIONS FOR BOTH DDJ SX AND RANE BOX SL-2 – SL4 MUST FIRST BE CONECTED BEFORE STARTING SERATO DJ 1.6.X!
WARNING YOUR MAC OR PC MIGHT CRASH IF YOU DON’T EXIT DJ FIRST BEFORE DISCONNECTING EITHER ONE OF THETWO!!!
WITH THE RANE SL BOX NUMBERS 2 THRU4 VERSIONS ONLY THE OUTPUTS FROM THE TURNTABLES OR CD DECKS WILL BE CONNECTED TO THE INPUTS OF THE SL BOX! THERE WILL BE NO NEED TO HOOK UP THE OUTPUTS OF THE RANE SL BOX TO THE INPUTS OF THE SX BEING THAT THE SOUND WILL BE PRODUCED BY THE SX! THE RANE BOX WILL ONLY NEED THE CONTROL SOUND SIGNAL FROM THE CONTROL CD OR VINYL!
The digital djing revolution really does appear to be coming full circle now. Serato is releasing modular software and more and more companies are introducing modular hardware, such as Akai’s AFX and AMX. Serato releasing a DVS expansion pack for controllers shows that vinyl is still a hugely popular performance medium, even for people who you might think it would be redundant. Even if vinyl as a format is ultimately over, vinyl DJing in DVS form has plenty of life left. What all this should make clear is that everyone, no matter what their personal preferences can DJ in whatever way they like with whatever gear they could wish for.
for me this is fantastic news if vestax pull their finger out for a firmware update.
I had used DVS running through sl1 with the vic380 controlling all the functions worked very well. You also used to able to have both itch&serato open at the same time and switch between the two. Which was fun (not for playing out purposes mind you). I haven’t tried mucking around with that since getting SL3 tbh though.
In my opinion the vci380 is one of the best sized and featured controller and sit very comfortably between two turntables. It can take one of the best upgraded cross faders available so having a dvs expansion for this is a brilliant move. I have mine set between my tts and depending on the gig just lift out my controller or pack my sl3… easy life ;)
I’m not too tall so i really cant see the practical use of having dvs on bigger controller such as the sx – juggling on turntables that far apart wont be fun imho.
I am STILL waiting on confirmation from Serato. Has anyone been able to partner a DDJ SX1 with an sl sound card or DVS capable device for turntable control?