Convert Serato collections to Traktor
The Traktor team at NI has released a handy software tool that allows Serato users to convert their dj collections, including cue points and loops, into the Traktor format. For many djs, switching or even trying out other software has been impossible with so much time invested into cues and loops that would not transfer. I have previously written that the industry should adopt a universal system of storage so that tracks and collections can be freely transfered between users and systems. This type of a standard would stimulate competition between companies and encourage music creators to distribute feature rich tracks. While a universal standard is a long shot- this new program from NI at least solves a very common problem: Serato users that want to try out the Traktor scratch system.
This simple, but very helpful tool has been a long time coming. We have been talking about making one for years and just never got around to it. Luckily NI took a break from their hard work and built it themselves. Purely utilitarian, this simple software its not going to win any design awards but it does the job. I took a fresh MP3, tagged it in Serato with cue points and wave forms and then converted the file to Traktor’s format. Voila: check out the results bellow:
Its important to note that this program is just converting serato’s ID3 tags into tags that traktor can read. You will still need to import music and set up playlists seperately unless they were first created in Itunes. My test, which was limited to a few songs, worked perfectly but users moving over full collections may run into some ID3 problems. Curious what the wave forms above mean exactly- read our waveform guide.
Serato Converter Tool
Platforms: Mac and Win
Available : Download from the NI forums
From: Native Instruments Forum
Who: Everyone can download this free software
THE LAST HURDLE
Serato gained a huge market share early on due to the instability of the Final Scratch System. By the time Traktor Scratch showed up, Serato had a sizable chunk of the industry and most new djs chose Serato for a simple reason: that was what everyone else was using. These days the performance gap between the two is very close and Traktor Scratch boasts a number of important features that have been enticing some djs to make the switch. The major obstacle to trying out a new system, let alone switching, is the loss of countless hours in cue point and loop preparation. By removing that obstacle, its now much easier for new djs to try out Traktor’s offerings but we not-so-secretly wish for a unilateral tool that would open up the market even more.
January 7th, 2010 at 4:32 pm Quote
Wicked move. I vote for the unification of DJ_ID3 tags!
January 7th, 2010 at 4:36 pm Quote
Still can’t get Traktor Scratch to work well on CDJs, and of course, I’m no computer slacky.
I think Serato will still have a solid place with DJs that want the access to their full music library and the convenience of a product that just works.
It’s great that NI is making things like this more convenient. I’m also really satisfied with the reliability of Traktor Pro. I think once the reliability and ease of setup for Traktor Pro Scratch gets fixed, Traktor will come out on top.
January 7th, 2010 at 4:37 pm Quote
An industry standard for all things involved in the manipulation, storage, identification, and displaying of digital music would be a huge leap forward, and really all it would take is compliance with the current Id3 tagging standards, and a simple nod from all of the industry saying they will do it right without proprietary data inserted into the normal fields.
January 7th, 2010 at 5:36 pm Quote
Serato Scratch live and Tracktor Pro Scratch are 2 very good interfaces ! NI is making an awesome choice in improving user efficiency ! LETS GO !!!
January 7th, 2010 at 5:39 pm Quote
Nice… can we get a link to the converter tool please?
January 7th, 2010 at 6:36 pm Quote
serato does have better technical support..
ni almost always tells you to read the manual rather than help you..
but for tracks that i can beatgrid i use traktor..
:>)
January 7th, 2010 at 7:05 pm Quote
Amazing. Please keep us updated on when it releases. NI’s forum doesnt have info regarding this. DJTT on top of things!
January 7th, 2010 at 8:56 pm Quote
I like how sometimes your images have nothing to do with DJing but are awesomely nerdy and satisfying.
Two thumbs way up.
January 7th, 2010 at 9:12 pm Quote
@ B33SON
There is a new timecode download in the NI updates and a thread about it on the forum.
If you were experiencing, tracking and skipping issues, this new timecode download will fix it.
January 7th, 2010 at 10:52 pm Quote
it would be nice if I can use it the other way around, just in case I need to use Serato at a club that has no room for my vci, just sayin
January 7th, 2010 at 11:11 pm Quote
Aaaannnd the Lego makes a return!
:)
January 8th, 2010 at 1:52 am Quote
Maybe the new version 0.0.2 Timecode CD resolves your issue
You can get the update from Native
January 8th, 2010 at 4:40 am Quote
+1 +1 on those :D
Ean, who has all these legos? Man, I love your blog pictures!
And what do you suggest if we are planning to try different softwares before chose one? Keep all our playlists build on iTunes?
Right now my music collection is not organised nor tagged, I just want to start it the best way so I can try different softwares. Atm I’m using traktor, but later I can try something different.
January 8th, 2010 at 7:54 am Quote
That’s great news but as JesC says,
Does anyone know of a Traktor to Serato converter?
January 8th, 2010 at 9:34 am Quote
no!
January 8th, 2010 at 9:35 am Quote
let us know if you do find it.
January 8th, 2010 at 9:44 am Quote
B33SON I got traktor to work with CDJ, Denons, Midi & 1200s. Hit me up on gtalk (Google Talk) and I’ll walk you through it. Make sure your mic works. I don’t want to type everything out. MarvelousMixinMiguel@gmail.com
January 8th, 2010 at 9:49 am Quote
Tech support for Traktor in the U.S. is pathetic at best. Why even bother having tech support in the U.S. when these cock-suckers will just tell you to read the manual. For Traktor tech support I open SKYPE and call GERMANY. These cats in DUETCH LAND will do there jobs and help out a customers in need.
TWO THUMPS WAY DOWN IN THE GUTTER FOR TRAKTOR TECH SUPPORT U.S.A!!!
January 8th, 2010 at 9:55 am Quote
OOOOOPS, THUMBS!!!!
January 8th, 2010 at 11:19 am Quote
…
Cool movement!
…
January 8th, 2010 at 2:30 pm Quote
Hey Folks- just to let you know, I have updated the post with accurate info for the release of this product.
Platforms: Mac and Win
Available : Monday January 10 2010
From: Native Instruments Forum
Who: Everyone can download this free software
yes- the legos are back! They are just sooo cool :)
January 8th, 2010 at 7:00 pm Quote
Ah, now I can finally get my Serato friends to switch over!
Love the legos of course. Especially the mustache on #11.
January 8th, 2010 at 7:25 pm Quote
I think that’s a bit unfair… The CDJ-problem only appeared with Traktor v1.2.x (I’m not saying that it’s ok that they haven’t managed to fix it during the last three minor updates, though) – for what it’s worth, Serato has had their share of showstopper bugs during the product’s lifespan.
January 8th, 2010 at 7:30 pm Quote
Oh yes, and a nice thing you liked my legologo :) I think this is a second time my graphics have been used on DJTT article.
Ean… perhaps you could invent an article for my latest “too much time in my hands” -picture @ http://www.native-instruments.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=17200&d=1262948090
January 9th, 2010 at 3:13 am Quote
THUMBS up for this forum, me loves it a lot!!!
January 9th, 2010 at 11:23 am Quote
Hey, I’m new here and I made an account on the forum because I wanted to download some tsi’s but I never got an activation email, I know I shouldn’t write this here but I can’t post on the forum so idk what else to do. My username is dj711. And I did try making another account because I thought maybe it was my email but my other email didn’t work either.
January 9th, 2010 at 9:39 pm Quote
Theyvshould make one that can covert the torq .tqd files to the traktor format… I’m planning to make the switch from torq w/ Xponent to traktor scratch pro w/vinyl setup
January 10th, 2010 at 3:07 pm Quote
+1, though if it doesn’t support playlists/collections then i don’t see much advantage if you don’t care about cue points.
January 11th, 2010 at 5:39 am Quote
The tool is available now!
Link, http://www.native-instruments.com/forum/showthread.php?t=101674
January 12th, 2010 at 10:03 am Quote
hey guys i need some help
I have a vci-300 i’m a beginner DJ and i got called to play at a club. The club has pioneers mk3, i was wondering is it possible for me to connect my vci-300 with the djm800 like in one of the 4 chanels? Do you know if it works?
January 14th, 2010 at 3:17 am Quote
Tried it, converted my entire 70GB crates to Traktor Pro : no metadata on WAV files, subcrates seem ok (as TS playlists) but each parent crate has been duplicated. No import date, and a lot of missing info.
Well NI, I think I’ll continue using Scratch Live…
January 17th, 2010 at 11:43 am Quote
meta data cant be written to wav files so there is no way to convert a wav from serato to traktor.
January 20th, 2010 at 2:29 pm Quote
nice. sup ean!:) can u set TITLE tags for each page/post please? Would really help when adding to faves/etc.
January 20th, 2010 at 2:33 pm Quote
more or less gave up on serato in favor of traktor so would kinda be nice to do this the other way around also. :) Anything avail yet?
March 31st, 2010 at 3:00 pm Quote
Is there a way to do the contrary converting Traktor Collection to Serato?