On the differences between Serato and Traktor
It seems to me like I see alot of Serato users out there, but as far as I can tell traktor is more feature laden and still turntabley (for lack of a better word) enough for the “real” djs…so what/why do people use serato, basically could someone explain the differences and reasons why people use serato when Traktor Scratch is a pretty nice program as far as I can tell. Thanks in advance
Serato Scratch Live software is FREE! All you need is the box or a 57/68 mixer to get the software to work. Plus the software works and it goes perfect with 2 turnables and a mixer…its pretty much plug and play.
People use serato because it has side by side waveforms. This makes it easier to beatmatch 'cause you can see it on the screen.
However it also causes dj’s to constantly stare at the screen.
serato appears so basic that if I were to use it I’d just go back to turntables (if I had unending piles of money that is) the effects aren’t near as nice as traktors and the looping/hotcue/cues in traktor is so nice…It’s just curious that more people don’t use traktor seeing as how powerful it is.
More people use traktor world wide. Serato gets more use in the states thanks to Rane’s brilliant marketing.
ahh I see…that makes alot of sense…
they are both easy to mix on, beatmatching is not hard, one provides a tun of fx, the other provides video mixing capabilities…
The waveforms are a huge tool. Amoungst Hip Hop DJ’s I can see why SSL is the winner. If you think about beat juggling with turntables, it’s a huge advantage to look at the screen and have the colors in the waveforms tell you exactly when the vocal starts as opposed to Traktor where it’s all gray. Those waveforms are a powerful tool.
More effects or more features does not always equal better, it just equals MORE.
Serato is a solid product and folks dig it because it’s streamlined (not as much anymore with recent updates). In the U.S., Serato has gone mainstream as the software of choice, but at clubs like Space in Miami that are gear towards House/EDM and have guest DJ’s from around the world, many guest DJ’s (including the owner of space) rock Traktor.
“all you need is the box”
isnt that like 700? and the mixers are even more. right?
SSL is more straightforward and has a better UI. Period.
Traktor is fugly by comparison, and it’s harder to do anything in Traktor. The difference is that–yes–more is possible in Traktor.
For me, the difference was wanting to mix in internal…Traktor’s internal is better than SSL’s IMHO. If I were actually using a DVS, I’d go back to SSL in a heartbeat.
I got a question that relates to Serato and Traktor - when using vinyl control mode, does the beat griding still work? I mean - do beat sync’d effects still work in time with the control vinyl?
Yes, but you have to make sure your beatgrids are properly set up.
what? Seratos graphical user interface is way uglier than traktors. Serato looks like it was designed in the mid 90s for windows 98.
You think if NI made and new side by side waveform layout for Traktor, if that would convert some Serato’ers? Beatmatching seems to be the biggest reason for using Serato.
they would probably only do it for TSP or make it an alternative layout setting since now there would be no room for the EQ
I dont think they will ever do it.
Its just not the Traktor way and why should it be.
Traktor has the Phase Meter which is the exact tool that negates the need for side by side waveforms.
Serato users, if they want to use Traktor will just have to learn how to use it and quit belly aching.
This is a well worn subject and its gets very little love from Traktor users. Its mainly Serato users that have started to use Traktor and ‘believe’ they cant do without it.
Makes my eyes go funny trying to watch 2 waveforms.
This is the problem when you try to make something that is an aural skill into
something that you can learn visually.
Basically (real basically) - if you can beat match, it doesn’t matter where the waveforms are, or if a phase meter even exists. We all learned how to do it before side-by-side waveforms/phase meters - you youngsters should as well!!! (Goddamn it!!!)
Beat gridding/Warping/Phase metering (Phase metering?!?) IS NOT BEAT MATCHING!!! If you can’t beat match with your eyes closed YOU CAN’T BEAT MATCH!!! 
[Oh God - what have I started…]
Dude you are just going to have to accept that many many many younger DJs could not give a rats ass about beatmatching by ear. Period.
The neither care that its a great skill nor have any inclination to learn it.
Tell someone “you cant beatmatch” and they might just say “who gives a fuck my beatgrids are tight so my mix is tight”…
Many people come to realise after time that they wish they had learnt and work backwards from controllers to decks but a lot simply dont bother.
Beatmatching by ear is a skill but it aint the be all and end all… and pretty much any fool can learn to stick 2 records together.
Picking great tunes is far more important.
Unfortunately a lot of people that dont take the time to learn to beatmatch dont take the time to learn how to program a good set and select good tunes either.
Meh, da ja vu here..
I love it.. Awesome.. +1000000
What about looking at the pitch fader? 