If you were to buy a DVS system, would you get Traktor A10 or Serato SL4?
Just remember, they both control four decks but Traktor is 2/3 the price of Serato. (Approx $800 for SL4 and $470 for the A10).
I’ve heard that Serato’s customer service is awesome and they also have free software updates, whereas Traktor and NI make you pay to upgrade and their customer service is sometime dubious to say the least.
What would you do? (Help me! 
slight_smile:
Traktor v Serato you say?
Not really ‘vs’ but what would you choose and why. There are enough Youtube videos comparing them 
I mean, the point that NI charges for upgrades is often overstated.
The last non-free upgrade was for TSP 2, which came out in April '11. The cost of upgrading from a previous scratch version (at the time, there existed a number of different flavors of Scratch such as Scratch Duo and Scratch Pro) to TSP2 was $79/EUR 69.
The non-free upgrade before that, from Traktor 3 to TSP/TSD, was back in '08.
And today, both Serato and NI give you their software for free with any interface/certified hardware purchase. Now here comes the punchline. Considering that nobody really uses an interface for longer than 4-5 years, you will have no more than one or - at most - two paid upgrades over the interface lifetime. Say, the cost of paid upgrades is like $100 on average. Factoring that in, Traktor is still a lot cheaper than SSL.
As for NI’s customer support-I never had any problems personally. However, I’ve read the stories of people with bad customer service experiences, too. YMMV.
dont forget traktor’s free key detection - worth $58 USD! and it comes for… FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
heh Im confused… was that suppose to be a joke? Because Traktors new Key Detection system is.. just that.. a Joke heh
Ive never used Serato, and dont use these systems as DVS systems so I wont be of much help. I do know my buddies out here who spin and use CDJs often prefer to the control of Serato for those types of activities (scratching etc)
I made the switch from SL3 to Audio 8 and now have an Audio 10. I love the sound, feel, using midi out to match with my LIVE PA hardware, and easy expandability of traktor over SSL.
Depends almost entirely on which software you prefer as the interfaces are essentially the same.
MIDI and headphone socket are nice features of the A10, and the dual USBs are a nice feature of the SL4
This. I had an Audio 8, now I have an SL3 and never looked back. I prefer SSL over Traktor software…
…speaking strickly soundcards, the SL4’s biggest advantage is the dual USB’s.
I’m so used to Traktor I’d probably just stay with NI.
just saying, but if I wanted DVS and just mixed 2 decks I would go with Mixvibes. £100 software and soundcard, not to be sniffed at.
A used Audio4/6 along with a new Scratch software kit won’t run you much more than that.
Really just depends on what software you like and how much you want to spend.
I personally use an Audio 8 with latest TSP2 and does great for me. I like Traktor’s layout better and personally think Traktor is more flexible than Serato is. Plus not all updates are paid for, lot are free. When I first bought Traktor, I got it cheaper than I could ever get Serato as well.
I’ve given this question much though as I may switch back to turntables in the next couple of years.
I like SSL’s simplicity, but since It took almost two weeks to initially grid, cue and set loops when I first switch to TP, I can’t see myself switching again.
So A10 for me.
I don’t ever want to be bothered with gridding tracks.
That being said, I really enjoy SSL’s interface. I’ve actually been debating selling my SL1 for an SL4 box for awhile now, because it would just make life so much easier for transitioning between DJ’s using SSL. That dual USB feature is something amazing if you’re working with others using SSL often.
Traktor obviously, Serato is a joke lol.
Great input, mate! I’m looking for an SL4 or A10 as I want 4 deck control and I have a DB4, so I love the idea of having one set of RCAs for each channel to control MP3 or Vinyl (no need to switch).
I’m running an SL1 at the moment and have had 0 issues with Serato software. It is bare bones, but does everything I want it to do. The dual USB is awesome for gigs, too. The price difference is the only thing making think of going for the A10 instead.
Do you think Traktor will ever let you change the wav forms from horizontal to vertical? Serato lets you have it anyway you like.
Serato’s a joke? Any reasons behind that view or is it just fanboy loyalty?
Well I got a free copy of Serato DJ (full, not Intro) with my Terminal Mix 4, and it’s just… wank. Utterly, utterly wank in comparison to Traktor. The FX are a joke, the EQing sounds shite, etc etc. The ONLY good thing about it is that it has parallel waveforms; if NI add that in TP3, then I highly doubt anyone will use Serato after that.
What’s your experience with SSL (Scratch Live), since this conversation is discussing soundcards and the SL4 uses SSL.