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I've been DJing for around 6 months now, and I think I'm at a mediocre level (even though I've had a month off due to broken tone arm, moving house and a terrible supplier who still hasn't dispatched my tone arms that I've paid for after 4 weeks).

Anyways, I currently use Technics 1210 mk2 x2, and I wish to expand on the fact that I'm playing vinyl. I usually play Drum and Bass, however will sometimes throw in a bit of Breakbeats/Hip-hop and maybe dub step. I am fairly good at beatmatching, can get in some double drops etc, and over all fairly well educated in what to do and how to DJ. However I'm really interested in turntablism, especially after seeing various DJs like Captain Crunch and Krafty Kuts. I know a lot of Turntablists don't use either Serato or Traktor, but many do (Eg Jag Skillz, DJ Craze etc) and I've heard that it can in fact improve performance and efficiency, and make me learn quicker.

So which one do I go for, Serato Scratch Live or Traktor Scratch Pro? I've heard both are good, some people have suggested Serato is better, and some have suggested Traktor. Others have said no point spending the money on the software and hardware (each are around £500), however I wouldn't mind spending it.

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The tags didn't exist because no one had created them yet :) – Matthew Read♦ Sep 16 '11 at 18:41
Voted to close as a shopping recommendation. Question would be ok as "What should I look for in DJ software" but not as a comparison of two specific pieces of software. – yossarian Sep 16 '11 at 22:46
voted to close as offtopic - shopping – Dr Mayhem♦ Oct 31 '11 at 14:35
I wouldn't say it was shopping, just wondering which one would improve my skills, performance and proficiency out of the two market leaders? – rickyduck Oct 31 '11 at 16:49

2 Answers

up vote 3 down vote accepted

Serato Scratch Live is Industry standard. Most clubs in Hollywood will provide the turntables or cdjs, and a serato box. If not, then the people you DJ with probably use Serato. How do I know this? I DJ in Hollywood and I usually do sets with other DJs.

They both have their disadvantages and advantages:

Traktor Scratch Pro

Advantages:

  • Build for scratching
  • More DJs in Europe use Traktor
  • More Effects

Serato

Advantages:

  • More DJs use this in the U.S.A.
  • Works really well with Macs
  • More popular with the industry
  • Works well with Rane Mixers (Rane 56, 57, etc)

Disadvantage:

  • The sound is a little bit digitized

Check this out: Qbert on Traktor and Scratch

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Thanks for your answer, however there's no disadvantages listed for Traktor and the advantages seem better? However after seeing a local dj using serato sl I think it made up my mind. The features are much better (including a funky trick which allows you to mix with just one deck, perfect if a needle breaks) – rickyduck Oct 31 '11 at 16:47
Hey! Sorry, I never used traktor so I don't really know the disadvantages. I seen it in action and it works pretty well (it depends on the DJ). I have the Rane57SL and it works well with Scratch Live. I use it to record my mixes and I love the sampler in their software. Good luck and mix well =) – DJ DMK Oct 31 '11 at 23:57
Traktor is actually more mature product and many DJs including guys from US and EU as well use it. The features are just so much better than Serato (4 decks, effects, many controller support, etc.) Actually there is no real advantage listed on the Serato side since Traktor works well with macs as well and I am not quite sure how the comment writer got the info that Serato is more popular in the industry. – Istvan Sep 20 '12 at 17:57
up vote 2 down vote

Traktor Pro is more for the advanced user from what I heard. There are more ways to MIDI map extra MIDI controllers into the software, like a grid controller Monome or something like percussa audiocubes . Also, Traktor comes with more effects and integrates with Maschine by Native Instruments. Serato is more for casual DJing from what I've seen and is less used by the advanced technical DJ crowd (which is all over europe).

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