History of Serato: from vinyl roots to digital dominance
If you’ve spent any time around a DJ booth in the last twenty years, you’ve probably seen Serato in action.
What began as a small project in New Zealand evolved into one of the most influential tools in modern DJ culture. Serato changed the way DJs perform by allowing them to mix digital music with the same hands-on feel as vinyl. From small bedroom setups to massive festival stages, Serato is now part of the global DJ story.
In this post, we’ll explore the history of Serato, where it all began, and how the brand became a worldwide leader.
Where it all began
The history of Serato starts in the early 1990s in Auckland, New Zealand, when two music and technology enthusiasts, Steve West and AJ Bertenshaw, began experimenting with digital audio tools.
Their goal was to solve the challenges musicians and producers faced when working with sound on computers. Their first major success came in 1997 with Pitch ’n Time, a groundbreaking plug-in that allowed users to change the speed or pitch of a track without degrading its sound quality — a huge leap for studio engineers and remixers.
Pitch ’n Time set the foundation for everything Serato would become. By the late 1990s, Serato was known as an innovative audio software company with a passion for music and precision technology — the perfect setup for redefining DJ performance.
Product evolution timeline
The history of Serato can be traced through a steady series of innovations that brought DJing from the analogue era into the digital age.
1997 – Pitch ’n Time
- Serato’s first professional time-stretching and pitch-shifting plugin.
- Allowed speed and pitch changes without audio degradation.
- Quickly adopted by studios and remix artists.
2004 – Serato Scratch Live
- Bridged analogue and digital DJing.
- Introduced timecode vinyl/CDs and the Rane SL1 interface for real-time digital vinyl emulation.
- Supported absolute, relative and internal modes.
2008 – Serato ITCH
- Focused on controller integration — no need for DVS setups.
- Plug-and-play support with controllers like the Vestax VCI-300.
2012 – Serato DJ
- Unified Scratch Live and ITCH into one platform.
- Introduced four-deck support, modular hardware compatibility and advanced FX powered by iZotope.
2016 – Serato Pyro
- iOS app that automatically mixed music from a user’s device or Spotify, aimed at playlists for parties or casual listening. Discontinued 2020
2018 – Serato DJ Pro
- Upgraded to a 64-bit architecture with improved stability and performance.
- Added Practice Mode and expanded pad functionality.
2019 – Serato Studio
- A full production environment for DJs.
- Seamless import of Serato crates, automatic key detection and real-time BPM sync.
Serato Scratch Live: bridging analogue and digital
Launched in 2004 in partnership with Rane, Serato Scratch Live revolutionised digital DJing. Using timecode vinyl or CDs, the software let DJs control digital files with the tactile feel of real records.
The system’s near-zero latency and precise control modes made it ideal for scratching, beat juggling and mixing. DJs could travel light, manage digital libraries, and perform with full creative control — all while keeping the familiar touch of vinyl.
Scratch Live set the stage for Serato’s dominance, merging analogue soul with digital flexibility.
The launch of Serato DJ
By 2012, Serato merged its software lines into one unified platform: Serato DJ. This version supported DVS, CDJs, and a wide range of MIDI controllers, bringing professionals and beginners under one ecosystem.
It introduced colour-coded waveforms, 24-bit audio, and an FX engine powered by iZotope. Four-deck mixing, Slip Mode, and plug-and-play integration with major hardware brands made Serato DJ the ultimate all-in-one solution for modern performers.
This release marked Serato’s shift from a digital bridge to a complete performance platform.
Serato DJ Pro: raising the standard
In 2018, Serato DJ Pro took things to the next level. Built on a 64-bit engine, it offered smoother performance, faster loading times and support for massive music libraries.
Key upgrades included Practice Mode, enhanced FX banks, smart crates, and integration with Serato Video and Pitch ’n Time DJ.
With support for Pioneer DJ, Rane, Denon and Roland hardware, Serato DJ Pro became the industry standard for professional DJs seeking reliability, flexibility and creativity.
Serato Studio: expanding into production
Released in 2019, Serato Studio brought DJ-style production to the masses. Designed for speed and simplicity, it allowed DJs to build beats, flip samples and remix tracks using familiar Serato workflows.
With automatic BPM and key detection, drag-and-drop sampling and Pitch ’n Time stretching, Serato Studio blurred the lines between live DJing and studio production.
Integration with Serato DJ Pro meant DJs could import crates, cue points and loops directly into Studio — making the transition from set to song effortless.
Key innovations and market impact
The history of Serato has seen a few groundbreaking innovations.
Timecode technology
Enabled DJs to control digital tracks using vinyl or CDJs, delivering real-time manipulation with near-zero latency.
Plug-and-play hardware ecosystem
By partnering with brands like Pioneer DJ, Rane and Denon, Serato ensured instant compatibility — no complex setup required.
Unified creative tools
Serato DJ Pro and Serato Studio offered a complete ecosystem for performance and production, from live sets to original tracks.
These innovations not only shaped the history of Serato but redefined digital DJing worldwide.
Current product line and ecosystem
Serato DJ Lite and Serato DJ Pro
- DJ Lite: Free, beginner-friendly software with plug-and-play setup.
- DJ Pro: 64-bit performance engine, DVS support, iZotope FX, Slip Mode and Slicer.
Serato Studio
- Designed for beatmaking and remixing.
- Imports crates and cue points from Serato DJ.
- Supports MIDI controllers and DJ hardware.
Serato Sample
- Powerful sampling plugin with real-time key detection and time-stretching.
- Perfect for producers working in DAWs like Ableton or FL Studio.
Hardware ecosystem
- Compatible with a huge range of DVS mixers, battle mixers and controllers.
- Integrates with TIDAL, SoundCloud Go+, and Beatport LINK for streaming libraries.
- Includes Serato Stems (2022) — real-time track separation for vocals, drums, melodies and bass.
Company overview
Headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand, Serato has grown from a small audio software developer into a global leader in DJ and music production technology.
Its close partnerships with Rane, Pioneer DJ, Denon, and Roland helped build a consistent, professional workflow for DJs at every level — from bedrooms to festival stages.
With millions of users worldwide, Serato remains synonymous with quality, low latency, and reliability in live performance.
Legacy and future
The legacy of Serato lies in how it transformed DJing — keeping vinyl’s soul alive in the digital age. From Scratch Live to Serato DJ Pro, the company set the standard for digital performance.
Serato’s ongoing innovations — including Stems, AI-driven analysis and cloud library integration — ensure its place at the centre of DJ technology for years to come.
Wherever DJs perform — from festivals to livestreams — Serato’s influence remains unmistakable.
2025 – Tiny purchases controlling stake in Serato
Serato was purchased by a Canadian tech investment firm. Tiny owns a 66% majority stake in the company, although Serato remains based New Zealand and operating independently. AlphaTheta wanted to buy Serato, but had their bid turned down earlier in 2025 by the New Zealand’s antitrust regulatory agency, the Commerce Commission. Clearly AlphaTheta owning Serato would have meant significant changes to the DJ software landscape, so we wait to see if the actual change of ownership leads to more or less investment in the brand.
Ready to explore more?
Inspired to find out more about the history of Serato and its evolution from a New Zealand startup to a global powerhouse?
Check out our in-depth guides and reviews on DJWORX to learn how to get the most from Serato DJ Pro, Serato Studio and the hardware that brings it all to life.
Whether you’re just starting out or ready to elevate your performances, explore our tutorials and reviews to level up your DJ journey.