Scratch Live 2 adds more decks, DJ FX and two way interaction with Ableton Live with new protocol called “The Bridge”. Inside Serato Scratch Live 2, we now bring four new Display Modes that allow you to choose a range of new screen layouts with 2, 3 or 4 deck control. Each Display Mode features with a clean design and your choice of ways to play with expanded Library Views that allow you to easily spot your favorite track to bring to the mix.

Serato Scratch Live 2.0

Additional tools can be activated in Scratch Live that give you an expanded view and instant control of a range of free plug-ins including the SP-6 Sample Player, brand new Serato DJ FX and direct access to Ableton Live via “The Bridge”.

You can also add the optional Serato Video-SL plug-in to bring exciting visuals into your performance.

New in Serato Scratch Live 2

Serato Scratch Live 2.0 will be available as a free of charge upgrade to existing users.

As NAMM rolls around once more, information starts cascading to us here at DJ Store on the new products we can expect to see in 2010. The first manufacturer out of the blocks is Numark (including Akai and Ion). We don’t have pricing for any of the following products and only have dates for some of them (which could change) but all the details we have are included below.

Numark V7 Motorized Turntable Software Controller

Borrowing some of the technology that has made the NS7 such a huge success, the Numark V7 is a direct drive, motorised turntable software controller with adjustable torque. Numark worked with Serato to design the included Serato Itch software which works seamlessly with the V7. Designed to work with any DJ mixer, the V7 features 24-bit audio, mouse free library navigation and complete, onboard FX controls.

Numark V7 Motorized Turntable Software Controller

The V7 is the first Numark unit to feature a dual deck USB function for seamless handoffs between two DJs. Using this feature, you can link V7s for up to four virtual decks between two DJs with laptops. The V7 is the future of software turntablism and should be in stock from March.
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Rumours of a new Traktor controller made by Native Instruments themselves have been circulating for some time. Yesterday Native Instruments confirmed those rumours with the announcement of the Traktor Kontrol X1.

The Kontrol X1 has been designed from the ground up to work with Traktor Pro. With the ability to control two decks at once, the interface fully mirrors what you see on your screen, completely removing the need to use a mouse or keyboard. All the functions are right there at your fingertips including loops, hotcues and sync.

Utilising a new high resolution protocol Native Instruments have created, the Kontrol X1 feels incredibly accurate and precise. It will also integrate perfectly with a Traktor Scratch setup as well as any other DJ software. The unit is built with quality in mind with robust knobs and firm buttons which are backlit to provide visual and tactile feedback.

Everything is laid out in an intuitive way so that any DJ familiar with Traktor should feel at home straight away. On top of this, the Kontrol X1 ships with Traktor LE, Kore Player and Kore Instrument software so everything is in the box to get you started. We are expecting the Kontrol X1 to be a massive hit when it arrives on the 1st February.

As a new DJ, one of the least obvious things you are just expected to know and understand is the difference between Line and Phono connections.

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The third BPM promised to be bigger and better this year with a move from Donnigton Park to the NEC in Birmingham, and they certainly delivered an impressive event. Sound and light shows tend to have a real atmosphere created by the noise, lights and smoke, add to it several thousand DJ’s having their chance to get their hands on the latest equipment makes for a great day; here are some of the highlights.
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Numark have just announced details of their new effects controller for the NS7: the NSFX. Designed to sit neatly at the rear of the NS7 on the built-in laptop stand, the controller is ideally positioned to allow quick, accurate control of Serato ITCH effects.

Numark have designed the NSFX in collaboration with Serato making this controller instantly compatible, simply plug in the USB cable into your computer. All parameter controls are intelligently pre-mapped and no software-driver installation is needed.

Release date and price for the NSFX is yet to be confirmed.

This is the first in a series of blogs looking to help beginners learn about DJ Equipment. We get a lot of similar questions every day here at DJ Store so it made sense to collate all the relevant information here on Connected.

In this particular article we’ll take a look at a traditional DJ set up, A good knowledge of how basic DJ equipment is used is essential in understanding what you’ll need to get started.

Firstly, lets take a look at the basic elements; two CD players or turntables and a mixer.

Basic DJ setup showing RCA connections

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Last night we attended the worldwide launch of the new Pioneer CDJ2000 at the Ministry of Sound in London: a product launch tagged “Dawn of a New Species”. Because Pioneer rule the world of DJ CD players, it was one of the most important events to happen in DJ equipment this year and they delivered with two products, the CDJ2000 and the CDJ900.

These products don’t replace the CDJ1000 and CDJ800 which are the currently the industry leading CD players and have been for years. Both the CDJ2000 and CDJ900 are additions to the range bringing digital media control to the existing range.

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Pioneer CDJ2000 Hands-On

We got our hands on the new CDJ2000 and CDJ900, plus the Rekordbox software at the launch party at the Ministry of Sound tonight.

It looks like Pioneer seriously raised it’s game. There is so much to say, it’s going take a little time to get everything down, so tune in tomorrow for more information – believe us, you won’t be disappointed.