Serato Scratch Live 2.0 – new functions: pictures and demonstration video

Serato Scratch Live reaches version 2.0. with lots of new features, from third deck to effects section and cover art support. Let’s look closely into new functions, photos and a demonstration video will help us in it.

Serato developers added to Scratch Live a lot of functions as compared with version 1.9, making it absolutely different from the software we used to know for years. Previously Scratch Live was known as software with timecode support only, few simple functions and an excellent reputation for reliability. Later native support for several players, MIDI support and sampler were added.

Version 2.0 features another great innovation, which is an introduction of 3 decks with soundcard SL3 and of 4 decks with mixer Rane Sixty-Eight. This is possible thanks to the fact that soundcard Rane SL3 has 3 stereo inputs/ outputs, while Rane Sixty-Eight has an integrated 4-channel soundcard.
The third deck is not active by default, it should be chosen on the control panel.

Now let’s turn back to the main screen of the software where apart from 3 display modes of a console with 2 decks there’s also another one, which allows to display the third deck too. You can use the third deck is the same way as the others, and it has the same functions: 5 cue points, manual and automatic loops, master tempo. The only limitation is that there is no MIDI control for the third deck. We should also keep in mind that Scratch Live doesn’t have autosync function, so beatmatching should be done manually.

The effects section is not activated by default either, it needs to be chosen on the control panel. When this operation is fulfilled, it is possible to enter the effects section by clicking on DJ-FX button.

The following effects are available: Crusher, Delay, Echo, Flanger, HPF (high pass filter), LPF (low pass filter), Phaser, Repeater, Reverb, Reverser and Tremolo. There are 2 effects panels with 3 effects slot each. Each effects panel can be applied to each of 3 available decks, thus it is possible to apply up to 6 different effects to one track at the same time.

On the standard effects panel there is only one knob which by default regulates the intensity of effects. In fact, when you open advanced functions in the effects section, you can see that every single effect has more than one parameter that can be regulated and that can be linked to the main knob (that is why it is called  "Super Knob”) in order to control several parameters at once of the effect that is used.

Actually it is possible to set variable parameters of separate knobs controlling every effect which then are linked to the Super Knob so that it enables you to decide in what way each effect can be modified via parameters which can be changed by rotation of the Super Knob. Besides, you can save these combinations of different parameters of each effect in a .xml file in edit mode and share them with other Scratch Live users.
The effects are of good quality and it is very convenient to use the Super Knob and control the effects according to your preferences.

Another function introduced in version 2.0 of Scratch Live is cover art support, they are displayed both in browser and next to each deck, this last function should be activated on the control panel. The browser of this version also has 4 different display modes for crates. Tracks displayed in this mode are very inviting to the eye, and all information important for a DiJ can be seen.

DEMONSTRATION VIDEO OF NEW FUNCTIONS OF SERATO SCRATCH LIVE 2.0
(in Italian language)

We will use the video in order to talk briefly about the sampler which is present in Scratch Live starting  from version 1.9.3 and about MIDI support. There are 6 sampler panels of available, and they allow to control volume, speed, routing of a sample to one of three output channels or directly to the output master, playback mode, application of master tempo. In my opinion, in this case autosync for samples would be a function to consider.

As far as the support for controllers is concerned, Scratch Live allows to use some of important CDJ players with MIDI and HID functions in native mode. It is also possible to map most part of functions on any MIDI controller, however there are no MIDI out, so LEDs of controllers cannot be switched on if they are not supported natively. We should also remember that controls of the third deck are not mappable via MIDI.

We can see another peculiarity in player mode (when the soundcard is disconnected), where you can analyze files present in playlists. Using multicore functions of modern processors, Scratch Live analyzes 2 tracks at the same time.

The metamorphosis of Scratch Live is impressive, from software where many things were to be done manually it turned into a multi-deck program with advanced systems of effects and of sampling. This is a very positive result, as it gives to the DiJ new instruments allowing to develop his creativity. The stability of software remained unchanged, and the interface is simple and clear. However there are more changes on the way; soon thanks to "The Bridge" the Serato software will be able to work together with Ableton Live Suite, turning into a more and more automated system. We will talk about this in the following review.
Finally I’d like to remind you that the manual of Scratch Live 2.0 in the Italian language will be available approximately at the end of May at the website http://www.audiodj.it

Review by CyberMix
(Translated and edited by Taissia Zubova)