Traktor Scratch or Serato scratch?

[keeb]

Traktor. Serato's advantages, in my eyes, are plug-and-play setup, consistency between DJ setups (it's easy to jump on someone else's Serato setup and know what you're doing), and vertical waveforms for easier/visual beatmatching.

Traktor, on the other hand, has 4 deck mixing (without shelling out for an SL4/Rane 68), more robust/plentiful effects, sync for when you want it, internal mixing and in-depth midi capabilities, soundcard flexibility (when not using DVS), 8 cue points per deck instead of 5... The list goes on. Oh, and Traktor's substantially cheaper for comparable setups.

[Nicadraus]

If you want simplicity, then go for SSL 2, 3 or 4. The original SSL sucks in sound quality and isn't anywhere near as Traktor.

If you want lots of options and features, go for Traktor. Just make sure to ignore the beat sync/auto sync 100%.

[Deinfamous]

Honestly, both work pretty well. I guess if you want to go the awesome controller route, Traktor is the way to go. If you want to go w/ control vinyl and or CDs, Serato.

I'm kinda on the fence right now on what to get because the dj I play out a lot with uses Serato and it would be easy to just plug in my SL4 box(if I got Serato) if we were playing out, VS me having Traktor and trying to connect both scratch amps.

I like Traktor and how the S4 works. I could see myself eventually picking up the S4 for home use(I do a radio show) and using control vinyl and CDs for gigs(not a fan of taking out equipment to gigs other than vinyl and CDs).

I like Serato as well though. Especially since now you can control 4 decks with it. Most clubs in my area have two CDJs and two TTs set up. I normally play off of 3-4 decks at gigs.

ANYWAYS, yeah both work perfectly. It just depends on what YOU want to do. Or whatever that is cheaper. Haha

[herlsy]

serato

[Shatzen]

Traktor. I have both and love traktor. Ive tried to switch to serato twice and can't do it lol

[Bassline Brine]

You know, this was the toughest decision for me when it came to getting a setup. I was pretty diehard on getting turntables, and then after that... it was really 50/50.

I ended up getting SSL because I got a great deal on it from a friend. For learning, I also think it's a really nice simple layout. The visuals are also nice for getting into the groove of it, and I like it better than Traktor just from a vanity perspective.

I've been thinking that once you're solid about beat-matching completely by ear though, Traktor may take the cake a bit. Just being able to have use of any midi controller to basically use the same software is also wicked handy, as opposed to SSL which is pure DVS only really.

I'd say just go with what you're comfortable with, and what you can find a deal on $$ wise. I use SSL, I have a couple buddies whom are most comfortable on SSL, but then I have a few friends whom are pretty strong Traktor supporters as well.

There's no real perfect answer to this question. It's just a muddled bunch of confusion that all ends in making the perfect sound.

[vik]

i love my sl3

[Frank112916]

I thought of switching from traktor to SSL for a while. Mainly because I like the side by side wave forms. But the cost wasn't justified and I've just gotten used to beatmatching completely by ear and every now and then utilizing the phase meters to get a tighter mix. I mix open format - hip hop, r&b, top 40, and "EDM" (Mostly some lighter electro and dutch house) and I'm starting to get into moombahton as well. Traktor has been fine for me.

I don't ever really use FX, so that was a non-issue for me, but when I start to use them (and once I have enough scratch to buy an X1) traktor's FX are certainly superior to Serato, so I'm excited for that. I think Serato is just the "club standard", just like pioneer mixers, CDJ's, and technics 1200's are the club standard, so everyone uses it because the people they knew used it and it's familiar etc...

Both are great programs, and you can't go wrong with either, but I will say this - for the past event I did, I didn't have technics or CDJ's available to me and thus couldn't use timecode. My friend brought his S4 and I just plugged it in and played, no problem, no hiccup and mixed just fine. I would have had to lug two 30 lb technics across Boston to be able to play if I had serato. Traktor does offer flexibility if you ever encounter a situation where gear isn't available. Not saying that should sway your decision, but it is something to think about.

[JesC]

I say Serato, I was on Traktor for the better part of a decade and well. I found myself right at home with two turntables & a 57. TBH i have yet to see any dj rock a 4 deck mix. Ive seen better routines with 2 decks.