I’ve been staring at a very lonely Denon DJ SC5000M Prime for longer than I care to mention, just waiting for the moment when I can complete my review with the… well Serato calls it “highly anticipated” update, but it’s more in the realm of fabled or mythic update in real terms. But now that update is here, and for the Prime 4 as well. Time to get testing and ticking one more off the list.
Detailed words from Denon DJ first:
DENON DJ BRINGS THE ULTIMATE SERATO EXPERIENCE TO PRIME 4 STANDALONE DJ CONSOLE & SC5000M MOTORIZED PLATTER MEDIA PLAYER
PRIME 4, already the ultimate 4-channel standalone DJ Console, is now also the ultimate full-featured 4-channel Serato Controller! With touchscreen navigation and flexible hardware control of all Serato DJ Pro FX, filter and performance features, PRIME 4 is the truly the world’s most versatile DJ console.
Cumberland RI, USA (October 31st, 2019)—Denon DJ, a leading manufacturer of premium DJ products and solutions, today announced that it has released Serato controller-mode support for their PRIME 4 4-channel DJ console and also their motorized-platter SC5000M media player. For PRIME 4, this enables DJs to set aside their laptop and take compehensive touchscreen and hardware control of the world’s most popular computer-based DJ software, Serato DJ Pro. The SC5000M motorized standalone media player brings legacy-vinyl based, hands-on control of Serato DJ Pro, again with touchscreen library navigation, deck selection and more.
With full flexibility between standalone performance, Serato controller mode and of course, WiFi streaming capabilities (coming soon), the PRIME 4 and SC5000M make a one-stop-shop, feature-rich DJ experience, unequalled by any other DJ technology available. For DJ gear choices, there really are no other alternatives that bring all these exciting performance elements in one box!
PRIME 4 X Serato DJ Pro Controller Mode features include:
- Sideline the laptop – browse, navigate and load with the HD touchscreen interface PRIME 4’s 10”, HD multi-touch display becomes the DJ’s window into Serato DJ Pro library navigation, browsing and 4-deck selection
- Visualize and Control Multiple Serato DJ FX with 8 OLED Displays
Stack up to 3 instances of Serato DJ Pro’s extensive FX selections plus visualize and adjust parameters with the hardware encoders and built-in displays
- DVS Ready for Traditional Turntables with Serato Control Vinyl
Using Serato DJ’s (optional) ‘Club Kit’, DJs and Turntablists get full, 12” vinyl control over their digital media
- Expressive hardware control of Serato DJ’s Mixer, Transport and Creative Performance features
Optimal, tactile and easy-access Serato control – from basic DJ playback and mixing, to sound-sculpting and beat-juggling
- Touchable ‘Dual-View’ options for Serato Library and Decks
Flip PRIME 4’s HD touchscreen to show ‘Standard’ (Serato library and full-sized Decks) or ‘Expanded Library’ view (Serato expanded library with Mini-Decks)
•SoundSwitch Support within Serato DJ Pro via Expanded USB Hub capabilities of PRIME 4 Reclaim those critical USB ports and run mobile, club and event lightshows seamlessly within Serato DJ Pro, with SoundSwitch DMX interfaces
SC5000M X Serato DJ Pro Controller Mode features include:
- Sideline the laptop – browse, navigate and load with the HD touchscreen interface
The SC5000M 7”, HD multi-touch display becomes the DJ’s window into Serato DJ Pro library navigation, browsing and 4-deck selection
- Touchable ‘Library Areas’ and ‘Sorting’ options for Serato DJ Pro Collections
Single finger-tap exploring of Serato Crates, Tracklists and Prepare folders, plus ‘Sorting’ options by Track, Artist, BPM, Key and Time categories
- Ultra-High Resolution Platter ‘Scratch’ Response
The SC5000M’s hi/lo torque brushless DC electric motor ensures lightning-fast response to Turntablist and DJ scratch techniques. Serato DJ Pro is controlled with the platter 7” vinyl providing 3,600 MIDI resolution ticks per single rotation
Note: Serato DJ Pro controller mode requires firmware updates:
PRIME 4: v1.3.3
SC5000M: v1.3.2
available via: denondj.com/downloads
Serato DJ Pro v2.3.1 required
“Since its launch and critical acclaim by the DJ media, industry, and end users alike, the PRIME 4 has secured its No.1 position as the most significant standalone DJ technolgy released this decade,” said Paul Dakeyne, Creative Director for Denon DJ. He added, “Now with the Serato control support added, PRIME 4 doubles-up to not only being the most advanced and powerful DJ console available, but the most versatile, feature-rich and now ultimate 4-channel controller for the DJ world’s most popular laptop software, Serato DJ Pro. Add the SC5000M Serato support into the mix, and vinyl lovers and DJ/Turntablists can get equally excited!”
And the words from Serato to complete this missive:
Serato DJ Pro 2.3.1 brings the highly-anticipated support for Denon DJ’s PRIME 4 and SC5000M Prime
Serato is thrilled to deliver an update of Serato DJ Pro 2.3.1 which provides full support for Denon DJs immensely popular PRIME 4 controller, as well as the SC5000M Prime media player, as an Official Serato Accessory.
The PRIME 4 is a 4-channel controller that unlocks Serato DJ Pro, with a 10-inch touch display and Dedicated Zone Output. This all-in-one unit allows any user to bring a mainstage level performance to any venue, allowing the pinnacle of control, capability, and performance.
The SC5000M Prime is the world’s only professional DJ media player with a 7” motorized platter that delivers a true, mechanical spin beneath your fingertips. This unit is perfectly suited for DJs wanting motorized control on a media player, which boasts ultra-high-resolution platter response and authentic vinyl experience, in both a live performance and studio environment.
“We are thrilled to be able to deliver Serato DJ Pro’s support for two incredible pieces of DJ hardware from Denon DJs Prime series” says Chief Strategy Officer Nick Mclaren. “Our software’s support for this hardware has been much awaited, and we can’t wait to see it being used out in the wild.”
Denon DJ PRIME 4 – Key Features:
- 10” touch screen with positionable angle
- XLR master, booth and zone outputs
- Six Serato FX controls with OLED screen parameter view
- Two dedicated mic channels with individual EQ, level and echo effect with instant on/off or talk-over
- 8 Performance Pads per deck letting you control Serato DJ Pro modes
- Serato DVS ready (DVS Expansion Pack required)
- Dedicated Beat Grid edit controls
- Track select knob with deck load buttons and back/forward navigation
Denon DJ SC5000M Prime – Key Features:
- 7” HD touch screen display
- 8 Performance Pads to control Serato DJ Pro modes
- Controls any of Serato DJ Pro’s 4 decks
- Die-cast aluminum platter with ultra-high resolution MIDI
- Variable Torque Adjustment
- Track select/load knob
- Auto loop with loop move and manual loop in/out controls
Watch
Full walkthrough video available here: https://youtu.be/bmucz2TECmk
Download Serato DJ Pro 2.3.1
Visit: https://serato.com/dj/pro/downloads Full Serato DJ Pro 2.3.1 release notes here
Denon DJ Firmware updates: https://www.denondj.com/downloads
So if I can get this straight…
The Prime 4 and SC5000’s very raison d’être is to operate as standalone units, but here we are with an update to make it work tethered to a laptop? Is that what you’re telling me? Just checking.
I do understand, but having used the SC5000s for a serious length of time without my MBP having to leave my desk, I just don’t feel that the experience is enhanced by crowbarring a laptop back into a setup designed expressly from the ground up not to use one.
But choice is good, and those accustomed to Serato DJ Pro’s workflow and having crates honed to perfection without the improving but still traumatic Engine Prime will be happy to see this update. And it may even make those that have held off from the majesty of the Prime hardware now happily jump feet first into Denon DJ Land.
Of course, Denon DJ definitely and defiantly planted their flag in Pioneer DJ’s booth dominance territory, asking you to #changeyourrider. And without Serato compatibility, the chances of Denon DJ making any kind of dent are lessened. Even Pioneer DJ had to make their players work with Serato to gain acceptance and get clubs to update. So while it doesn’t matter to me inside my Worxlab bubble, it does matter to a great many people, especially those who work at venues.
I’ll get all this installed and finally publish my SC5000M Prime review presently.
Atomix also released VirtualDJ mapping for the Prime 4 several days ago.
Unfortunately due to a problem relating to Denon’s SDK, the screens (main and jogwheels) are currently not functional.
I have been testing the Serato-Prime 4 integration the whole past night… It has been well done in terms of responsiveness and integration of the Serato functions, but the lack of full moving waverforms has been disappointing. I have a Numark Dashboard that I have connected along with the Prime 4 and I can have full moving waveforms, but I really hoped to have that without using anything else, and in fact I also believed that Serato Video could show video preview in the main screen, the same way that the Reloop Touch controller does with Virtual DJ. At least the DVS integration seems to work tight, so DVS for scratching will be the real use I will give to this integration.
Anyway we have the hope that Virtual DJ, that it’s algo working in a official integration of the Prime 4, will give us the video preview in the main screen, that will be very useful and give to the Prime 4 a real extra. Anythign else is adding a computer to a thing that in fact is a “DJ computer” inside a controller.
What it allows them to do is stick a prime 4 in a club between a pair of decks and satisfy all users. The tt guys can use it, the bring my usb guys can use it, the rekordbox guys can use it. It’s all purpose.
Serato had the option to embed old SSL inside a hardware platform but it never happened. Also with iOS but it never happened neither.
They could even try to hire Djplayer developer (since it’s like Serato on iOS) but who knows if he was never reached… (well in fact someone knows it) so… we are in late 2019 and still needing to carry a laptop? Seriously Serato?
Pioneer could drop an standalone embed device with it’s rekordbox software (just port it from Tour Line if it’s not ARM based) and game over. Just imaging something like Numark Dashboard with full dvs/controller support and Rekordbox enabled… but probably not going to happen neither due Pioneer will prefer sell more units fitting that concept inside standalone units (one inside a controller, one inside a cdj, one inside
anything buta turntable… and meanwhile someone somewhere coding an AI to delete djs from Earth… xDI assume Pioneer DJ (and others) are just too consumed with releasing products that will actually sell and are catering to what people ACTUALLY want and not just say they want LOL. Not sure what this “had the option” thing is. Everyone ALWAYS has the option. They just also had the foresight to NOT do it. While reading the community and getting a (relative) direction from said community can be fruitful it can also be very dangerous and is often times a quick way to expedite one’s demise. From the SC5000M mentioned above, the Prime units themselves and all the way to N.I.s platters “innovation” the only positive to this is we can learn from it and try not to make the same mistakes again. While a select few think they want standalone the reality is there have been plenty of attempts and none are ever good enough. The actual reason for this is simple. It will NEVER be good enough because the second you remove the laptop you are limiting yourself. I won’t get into it anymore than I have but I could fill a book with the capabilities you have with a laptop over ANY given standalone solution. Honestly I feel bad for anyone who does actually go down this road as it is a very expensive and unforgiving mistake to make. SO you are carrying your controller to every gig now (instead of using house gear?!?!? LOL btw) and when ANY single item breaks your entire setup is compromised? NOW lets also not forget about three months from now when new features are rolling out elsewhere and everyone ELSE gets to take advantage of it but you as you are stuck on your one way road with everyone else going the other way. One more thing (but certainly not the last) that is HUGE with me is having full option to use whatever I please. I would go further into this but a.) I am assuming you can guess the point here as it is pretty obvious and b.) I am sure nobody wants to read anymore on this LOL. Take it with a grain of salt though as I understand this is all based on opinions……..
I edited to it to make it simpler (and don’t go on circles myself neither)
It could be done Dave and it could be modular and upgradeable but as your paragraph described “they have strategies” (more than hearing users needs… they work for clubs, djs are the painful part for them lol) so maybe we will see some true innovation someday but I didn’t expect miracles from brands (new economic crisis flying over us at this moment) but maybe more from diy or indie hardware developers (embed systems emerging from Arduino/raspberry wave…)
Let’s time tell us.
You said it dave, standalone was a great idea when it was conceived, but that was years ago.
What other industry says “yeah 2019, let’s not use a computer” christ I can even bluetooth my combi drill these days.
Nothing wrong with carrying a laptop. Mine weighs 2.3 lbs. The screen real-estate, being able to use a mouse and a full-size keyboard is enough for me to not really mind using it. The All-in-ones aren’t there yet. They have small screens, no keyboard (unless you want to take up space on the small screen), and the input method of using knobs and clicks to interact with the screen is a joke compared to a mouse. You have to sequentially access everything and scroll all the time instead of direct access with a pointer. I never understood the disdain for laptops and Dejaying. Using a controller’s interface to navigate through songs and as a workflow is light years behind a laptop.
full circle