At a time when a rekordbox shaped spanner was thrown into the Serato egg basket, it’s clear that they need to pull a very fat rabbit out of their hat to stop their fans looking at Pioneer DJ’s new software shiny. And the freshly laid Serato DJ 1.8 might just cause enough of a diversion to stop an immediate migration. Say hello to key detection and hardware remapping.
First, the official words:
SERATO ADDS KEY DETECTION, KEY SHIFTING & MORE TO SERATO DJ.
Serato announces Serato DJ 1.8, the next major software update for Serato DJs. This update adds key detection and display, an update to Pitch ‘n Time DJ allowing key shifting and key sync, user hardware remapping as well as a number of important performance and stability updates.
Serato DJ 1.8 will be a free update for all DJs with supported Serato DJ hardware or licenses.
All previous Serato DJ trials will be reset on release, giving Serato DJ Intro users another 14 day trial period to test out these new features.
Serato CEO, AJ Bertenshaw says:
“Serato DJ continues to move forward and 1.8 adds another important feature for professionals with in-built key detection and display, giving DJs even more tools to craft perfect mixes.
Hardware remapping is a common request from the community. We’re happy to be making this option available for DJs wanting to customize their workflow – especially with the number of new features in the software.
As well as this update, Pitch ‘n Time DJ users will be happy to see an update to this expansion pack with some powerful new key shifting and sync features – this is something uniquely Serato and something we’re exciting to see DJs experiment with!”
Serato DJ 1.8 will be available end of October. More info, videos and download here: http://sera.to/-b5au
KEY DETECTION
- Analyse the root key of your tracks in the Serato DJ Offline Player, a free download.
- Organize your Serato DJ library by key.
- Coloured key display in the Serato DJ library for quick and easy recognition and key matching.
- Choose one format to display key for all your tracks, whether analysed in Serato DJ or elsewhere. Display Camelot, Open Key, Musical Key notation or Original Tag (what’s already in your files).
- Key is written to your track. View this info in any other music software that supports ID3 tags.
- Serato DJ key analysis is developed by Serato.
Serato Key analysis is available for all Serato DJ users in Serato DJ 1.8.
PITCH ‘N TIME DJ UPDATE
- Key shift, match and key sync.
- Find the key that fits. Visual representation of compatible track keys on deck for harmonic mixing.
- Manually match key for the track you are mixing, key sync automatically or choose between various compatible keys.
- Studio quality algorithm, used by post-production professionals, audio engineers and producers worldwide.
- Speed up or slow down your track to extreme tempo values while maintaining its key perfectly, with the highest quality and definition of any available software.
Free for current Pitch ‘n Time DJ users updating to Serato DJ 1.8. For new users, Pitch ‘n Time DJ can be purchased in-app or on the Serato Online Store for 29USD.
HARDWARE REMAPPING
Supported hardware* is being opened up for user remapping of Serato DJ features. For advanced users wanting custom control, remap parts of your controller for quick access to features you use regularly.
*Official Serato Accessories do not support remapping at this stage.
There are some limitations for specific hardware. Information on remapping specific controllers will be included in individual controller quickstart guides.
Serato DJ 1.8 is available end of October! Read more on the Serato Blog: http://sera.to/-b5au
WHY THIS UPDATE MATTERS
As alluded to in the opening paragraph, rekordbox has changed the landscape for not just Serato, but the entire DJ software industry. And it’s going to be a matter of how everyone adapts to the new kid on the block and defends against the shots that will be fired. Thus Serato has come out guns blazing with some pretty hefty new features that should help allay a mass migration to rekordbox.
Key detection has become a bread and butter feature for DJ software. You can buy commercial software to do it, or have your software of choice do it for you. The difference here is that Serato is making is available for free right inside the offline player (that’s Serato DJ without needing a licence). Assuming that it’s accurate, it may well mean that paid software like Mixed In Key may well be in for a rough ride.
And I have no doubt that it will be good. And then utilising Serato’s core Pitch ‘n Time tech to push key detection into key remapping is a smart move. It bugs me that there are tracks that should go well together but end up sounding like nails down a blackboard when forced into a blend. And having Serato DJ sync it for you is going to make mixing a more pleasurable experience, and less limited than before.
I find the remapping less interesting on face va,ue, but more excited about where it might go. It’s clear that there is a need for such things, but the audience for it is very small indeed. The vast majority of DJs want a plug and play experience, so the need to remap a controller that was designed and labelled for something else is of interest to just a few DJs who have very specific needs. I don’t think it’s going to turn Serato DJ into the mapping monster that Traktor is, especially as Serato DJ has no mixer controls — I’m keen to see if any of that functionality has been enabled. That’s when things might get interesting.
So to recap, Serato DJ 1.8 will be out as a free update at the end of October. To get a lot of the questions answered that you undoubtedly have, check out this Serato blog post.
OVER TO YOU
Too little too late? Or are these the kind of big gun features that will help you keep the Serato faith?