After a few incremental bug fixing builds, Serato 1.9.3 has arrived, and this one comes complete with something that they didn’t make, but has the hallmarks of being a very important addition. Ableton’s Link protocol is now built in to Serato, and lets suitably enabled software wirelessly sync together.
Serato’s detailed words:
Serato DJ 1.9.3 Available Now
Serato DJ 1.9.3 is now available, adding a number of new features and improvements including:
- Support for Ableton Link.
- The Serato Sampler has been updated from the classic SP-6, now with an additional two slots, as well as a number of changes to the design for better usability.
- Support for the Roland DJ-808 controller.
- Bundled driver updates, providing El Capitan support for the Rane SL 2, SL 3 and SL 4. More info about OS X Sierra support.
- An improved and refreshed look for MIDI mapping.
- Various bug fixes, changes and stability improvements.
Michael Redwood (Serato Product Team Manager) says: “Ableton Link support provides huge benefits for DJs wanting to expand their setup and perform with others, while being perfectly in time. Complimenting this are well deserved updates to the Serato Sampler, as well as support for the all-new Roland DJ-808 controller, an instrument for DJs that allows seamless movement between the DJ booth, live stage or the studio. For DJs that like to keep things simple, we’ve also worked hard on stability and performance improvements, and recommend updating.”
Download and update to Serato DJ 1.9.3.
Ableton Link
Serato DJ now supports Ableton Link in 1.9.3. Ableton Link provides a way of syncing Serato DJ to Ableton Live, syncing multiple Serato DJ setups as well as your Serato DJ setup with supported iOS Apps – all wirelessly.
How to set up Ableton Link for Serato DJ
Roland DJ-808
- Integrated TR-S drum machine offering the iconic 606, 707, 808 and 909 drum sounds in a 16-step sequencer, which can also trigger the newly improved 8-slot Serato DJ Sampler.
- RGB coloured performance pads give performers and DJs control for all the usual Serato DJ features such as Hot Cues, Loop Roll, Slicer, Sampler as well as TR Pad Mode for the drum machine and Pitch Play.
- The unique Roland VT Voice Transformer is something new for Serato DJs, offering a number of powerful effects including pitch shifting and vocal key matching to playing tracks via the Auto Pitch feature.
- Two AIRA link USB ports offering seamless connection with Roland synths and instruments. This offers a huge range of creative possibilities for live performance rigs, remixing and music production.
- Control for all of the professional level Serato DJ features such as Serato Flip, Pitch ‘n Time DJ Key Shifting and Sync, Looping and all library and play controls.
- Serato DJ Enabled – no extra license required. Also includes a license for Pitch ‘n Time DJ.
- Purchase the DVS Expansion Pack and connect turntables or CDJs.
Learn more about the Roland DJ-808 for Serato DJ.
Serato Sampler
- Includes two extra sample slots, allowing a total of eight samples to be loaded at once.
- Mapped across all supported hardware.
- Simple Sync now supported for the Serato Sampler.
- A redesigned interface with new simple / advanced view modes for ease of use and also flexibility for complex control.
- More improvements listed in the full release notes.
This release also 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 1.9.3 release notes.
And the DJ-808 too
For me, this is where it gets interesting. Not only can you sync the TR-S drum machine with playing decks and use the sequencer to trigger samples, you can also hook up external devices and have them synced via MIDI, and use Link to sync nearby iOS and other Link enabled software too. Suddenly, Serato DJ becomes a seriously hooked up bit of software, with the potential to have all manner of stuff running happily together. Well that’s the theory anyway.
Now that Serato has sync, it’s just a matter of time before everyone else follows suit. And then the DJ world will be a harmonious hooked up hub of… other words beginning with H probably.
Really glad Link is becoming a thing.
In iOS was a thing since some time ago. Lots of apps included it so fast.
Yeah, but there wouldn’t be adoption until desktop apps got in on it. Also doesn’t hurt that they slapped the source on Github as OSS.
I don’t think so… Desktop apps need to got it but lots of people using hardware such volcas or novation circuit also are working with apps like modstep, AUM, blocs… Without desktops and when they add it then Ableton is the common tool (and that’s why these released Link) It’s good to have the Api for desktop but Dan you should start considering iOS more because iPads come six years ago now. Serato is catching up the times (also the only dj app without standalone app in iOS…) so not the “standard” anymore (and never been in Europe). In addition to that Link as recycled “Bridge” is natural to be first on Serato. Cycling’74 (max7 devs) and Propellerheads are also implementing it but it makes sense in each context.
Ipad pro and new usb 3 lightning adapter are game changers. Please consider look into it and maybe you will find the true potential IMHO.
#consideriOS #ipadsforharambe
You can talk all you want about how people are using iOS apps for hobbyist production, but they still aren’t (and, IMO, will never be) considered ‘PRO’ level gear. The fact is, workflow on iOS is terrible for anything that requires precise actions like cutting and pasting between apps, or even just sharing common access to local files. For messing around and sketching ideas, I can completely see the appeal, though.
The fact is, desktops (and I mean OSes, so it includes laptop computers) are far more suited to hardcore content creation, because of their open nature.
These limitations aren’t so thanks to apps like audioshare or IAA. Even recently AudioUnits came to iOS. For file sharing I use dropbox and personal synology NAS (with dedicated apps from them). I use time to time x86 to upload content into it but it’s mainly due I don’t need it and I’m still learning it only when I need it.
In this case innovation is happening first at mobile OS and Apple had to “Back to Mac” due it seemed x86 (is the way to include anything outside tablet/smartphone world ;)) was left aside with lots of bugs.
Professional or not I didn’t suffer the drwabacks of el Capitan and I can do my “task” without problem. If messing with driver updates is professional, ok… Continue working.
Finally, I have used computers for music making over 24 years (since Ballad for windows and Fasttracker era) and today due to, the supposed professional tools doesn’t worth the cost and market (and brands) have shifted into “prosumerism”, I’m more cappable of doing the most usual task on iOS device. Even some that are not possible in x86 realm (or are uber expensive) and risking less equipment in gigs.
It’s not “me” talking about… It’s new kind of usergroup growing (and other ungrowing) and some of them never used a x86 to do their “homework” and maybe when they become “professionals” the x86 only will be a memory from oldies. I can teach my mother (76 yo) or my nephews (under 10 yo) with an iPad but I never make them pain with x886 platform. They don’t have the background and don’t need the supposed “powerhouse” of file system management.
Jm2c
Typo in the last sentence… I think you are talking about “link” not “sync”. Serato has sync since quite some time now ;-)
I still don’t see why Ableton doesn’t make a DJ Version of LIVE. I think it would really put a push the market :D (see what I did there)
They don’t see the need. What’s the need for them?
IOTH it will be interesting of course!
Discussions around here are a whole lot less tedious to read when you block certain people. Jus Sayin.
Serato isn’t real DJing…. hahahahahahahaha!
Really looking forward to getting away from ScratchLive soon. I’ve been stuck with a TTM57SL for years and it’s holding back my laptop altogether now. I can’t upgrade the OS for fear of my mixer not working; or having to apply a workaround.
I’m pretty excited that the upgrade will open a few doors, namely with Link. I’s also like to tip the old hat to them for making it open source. Kudos, here’s hoping it works well, sticks around and is widely adopted.
would one imac computer with a 1tb of ssd and 1tb of external hdd. 32gb. i7 4.0ghz be able to be used for serato and for production and be able to be used smoothly with abelton link on one machine. Could you have a push 2 and maybe a novation control xl for production but then route them both with abelton embeded in serato and set to play via the aux channel of a 2 channel mixer. Its prob possible with a rane 62 but Id prefer it with an s9. Not sure if it needs send and return or something. Maybe it can work with an s9 aux channel and have a push 2 and a novationxl or maybe just a push2. Also are the thunderbolt ports ideal for connecting an external drive to free up usb. I guess some people may use 2 machines but if possible to use one for these 2 programs. Whats the best way to structure the drives. Would it be best to go up to 1tb ssd rather than 500, even though main storage would be in external hdd, there should still have a decent amount to store a chosen set amount on the ssd which boots the programs without it slowing down.
Also, would it be best to use a touchpad keyboard to free up a usb, so that bluetooth isnt on. 3 usb left. One for mixer. One for push2 and one for another controller. Would they all use the mixer soundcard in both modes. When used just in abelton and when used in serato link.