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Serato DJ 1.9.3 is here, with Ableton Link

Mark Settle·
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serato dj 1.9.3

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.

What is Ableton Link? 

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.

Download Serato DJ 1.9.3

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.