BPM 2011: Serato DJ Intro

Written by Ean Golden on September 28th, 2011 86 Comments

In a move that expands their software line up to three levels and squarely targets the Traktor LE market, Serato has released “DJ Intro” – a two deck software mirrored after Itch/Scratch that is designed to ship with OEM controllers like the VCI-100MK2, Numark Mix Track and several others. Loaded with the the basic essentials, this entry-level software comes paired with a low cost controller that is perfect until your little bro is ready to graduate up into the big leagues!

We got our grubby mitts on the new software today and put it through its paces. The simple interface includes:

Two decks
Sync
Two effects banks with a basic suite of Serato FX
Two sample banks with four samples per deck.
Five cue points

..and a beat multiplier which I can’t for life of me figure out the purpose of.

Things it is missing:

Filters per deck
Loop roll
Extra serato effects
Deck C and D
Advanced sample decks (Intro won’t play or sync loops, just launches samples)

At the end of the day, this is a very basic controller version of Serato Scratch with internal mixing. Isn’t that just Itch? Well, yes, but now that Itch is competing head-on with Traktor’s feature list and the demands of modern digital DJing. This software steps in and provides the essentials without any fluff at all. I personally can see a lot of Serato Scratch Live DJs going this route for their basic mobile gigs when turntables are not available or too large to transport.

Controllers Serato has announced it will work with:

Numark MixTrack Pro
Numark MixDeck
Numark MixDeck Express
Numark N4 (Numark’s latest four-deck digital DJ controller and mixer)
Numark MixDeck Quad
Vestax Typhoon
Vestax VCI-100 Mk II

We downloaded the beta, plugged in a VCI-100MK2 and it worked right away. As long as you own one of these devices the software will run.

And why should you care?
Intro DJ, as best we can tell, will not be purchasable on its own or with a sound card. It comes with 2 deck controllers as an OEM software. This means a new piece of decent software will ship with entry level controllers that isn’t one of the two ubiquitous prepackaged two: Traktor LE or Virtual DJ LE. Most importantly, this new incursion into NI’s territory means we are one step close to the all out DJ company face-off we hope to one day host on pay-per-view! I personally would pay to see Sam Gribben Vs. Florian Plenge (the titans of DJ divisions!)

You can check out some of these controllers on Amazon.com: Vestax VCI100 MkII, Numark MIXTRACK PRO, Numark MIXDECK

To download a free demo and get more info, visit the official Serato DJ Intro site here

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Filed Under | DJ Software, DJ Software Tips
Tags | BPM 2011, bundle, dj, intro, News, oem, Release, serato, serato dj intro, Software

Anonymous

Hehehe….

“and a beat multiplier which I cant, for life of me, figure out the purpose of..”

Made me laugh. Nice, very personal comment and why I like DJTT.:) You all talk to the DJ community at their level and not down at them.

Edit/ Puh, and looking at that video….oh boy, what were the serato marketing people thinking?

scamo
Anonymous

Hehehe….

“and a beat multiplier which I cant, for life of me, figure out the purpose of..”

Made me laugh. Nice, very personal comment and why I like DJTT.:) You all talk to the DJ community at their level and not down at them.

Edit/ Puh, and looking at that video….oh boy, what were the serato marketing people thinking?

scamo
http://www.facebook.com/people/PaulHolland-DoubleDutchdj/100001027166218 PaulHolland DoubleDutchdj

Maybe the peeps responsible for that promo vid are angling for a job with Apples PR machine.

Nice to see the playing field level out some more, maybe a very very early sign that one day SSL and Itch will become one, I can dream any way!
No

beats multiplier is the length of your flanger or phaser.
what is so hard to understand about this?
No

beats multiplier is the length of your flanger or phaser.
what is so hard to understand about this?
http://twitter.com/DJJesC DJ JesC

whats a Numark N4?
http://twitter.com/DJJesC DJ JesC

whats a Numark N4?
Mr. Hint

Are you sure Serato DJ Intro will not be purchasable on its own? It doens’t say anything like that on the serato website plus if you look on the downloadpag it simply says “Download Serato DJ Intro 1.0.1″, and not that it’s a demo version.

To me this looks like serato is acutally giving this new piece of software away for free…
Jayman574

Nothing big
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=889370654 David De Garie-Lamanque

regarding their video…i’m osrry but hipster simply cannot be good DJs…unless they can magically scratch with a can of Pabst or their fixed gear’s pedals…:P
http://www.facebook.com/chrismjennings Chris Jennings

Sounds like this could be good for Traktor DJ’s who don’t have a Serato setup at home to prep tracks and get more comfortable with the software for the occasional Serato gig. I’m getting ready to DL the software now and see what happens without one of the listed controllers.
Anonymous

I don’t care about understanding it. I care that Ean was so honest to say, he couldn’t figure it out.

scamo
Anonymous

I don’t care about understanding it. I care that Ean was so honest to say, he couldn’t figure it out.

scamo
Anonymous

Always love it when the competition steps up as we, the consumers, will win. That hipster video is horrible though, trying to be uber cool makes it actually uncool.
DJ M.T.

it’s a shame its not working with my non-pro Mixtrack. the Mixtrack & Mixtrack Pro are basically the same sans the name and the audio interface, so i hope someone will come up with a solution soon enough
how bout fooling the software to think that the Mixtrack is the Mixtrack Pro? lol
No

It’s free but it won’t work without the hardware connected. try it
No

It’s free but it won’t work without the hardware connected. try it
No

It’s free but it won’t work without the hardware connected. try it
PBR can

you sound like a hipster.
PBR can

you sound like a hipster.
PBR can

you sound like a hipster.
PBR can

you sound like a hipster.
No

“The latest DJ software from Serato, for people who love music”
It does not say “The latest software for DJs”
Its for the people. Hipsters are people too. No one said you should use this in the club to earn your life.
No

“The latest DJ software from Serato, for people who love music”
It does not say “The latest software for DJs”
Its for the people. Hipsters are people too. No one said you should use this in the club to earn your life.
No

“The latest DJ software from Serato, for people who love music”
It does not say “The latest software for DJs”
Its for the people. Hipsters are people too. No one said you should use this in the club to earn your life.
No

“The latest DJ software from Serato, for people who love music”
It does not say “The latest software for DJs”
Its for the people. Hipsters are people too. No one said you should use this in the club to earn your life.
Sam

This promo video is… well… hmm…

Next ?
Mylestec

zzzzzzzzz this shit is putting me to sleep.
Superhemlig

One player works
jprime

Right on, good for serato.
jprime

Right on, good for serato.
jprime

Right on, good for serato.
jprime

Right on, good for serato.
jprime

Right on, good for serato.
devon leroux

I like that deck view, never noticed it in SSL before – gonna have to have a look tonight.
alpha_5_

I gave it a quick go with a Vestax typhoon. Pretty solid and everything works fine.

Pretty basic stuff, but as ‘intro’ software, I’m not expecting a lot. Infact, very similar to Itch, and if anything, I prefer the effect section here, as opposed to what is found in Itch, I like to be able to chain effects.

All the features that are included, work nicely, in particular, I’m able be much more precise with my jog wheels then I can in Traktor.

Pretty good for people just getting into digital DJing, hipsters, or anyone just wanting a solid set of standard mix tools.

One point, is the exclusion of the midi assign feature, à la scratch live. Very handy for extra control of the effects and sampler, but I realize this could be a lot to ask for from serato, and that user midi mapping isn’t their forte.
DJIZ

what vestax spin? it is just like typhoon?
DJIZ

correction~what about use with the vestax spin it is just like the vestax typhoon?
Louie V

tried it on both mac and pc… not working with mixtrack pro or typhoon…
alpha_5_

strange, my typhoon worked straight away, and with no issues.
Glaaze

what software is going to be dropped to make room for Serato at Numark???
Lew

“in particular, I’m able be much more precise with my jog wheels then I can in Traktor.”

I found exactly the same thing with my Mixtrack Pro. I’ve been trying for ages to map the jogs in Traktor and I think I’ve got them as good as they’re going to get, but Intro is just so responsive it’s ridiculous.
http://www.djtechtools.com/2011/09/29/ddj-ergo-v/ DJ TechTools | New Controller From Pioneer: DDJ-ERGO-V

[...] all of those fashionable young people in really cool places DJing for their peers! Just like with Serato’s DJ Intro, Pioneer is catering to a very specific, hip-minded group of [...]
SS714SS Aka DJ AJ

hold on let me pick up my jaw…….. WOW! getting goosebumps…. this is a big hit at traktor buy one of this controllers n get serato intro free…. AAAAAHHHHH! NICE….
SS714SS Aka DJ AJ

hold on let me pick up my jaw…….. WOW! getting goosebumps…. this is a big hit at traktor buy one of this controllers n get serato intro free…. AAAAAHHHHH! NICE….
SmiTTTen

They did a very nice job with the user interface.
Djcarnage23

yep, got the same problem with my mixdeck!!!
DJ M.T.

edit:

And in a simultaneous announcement, Numark – the biggest manufacturer
of DJ controllers in the world – has confirmed that it will now package
Serato DJ Intro with its lower-end controllers, meaning its complete
range – from the humble Mixtrack right up to the NS7FX – now comes with
Serato software.serato also puts on their websites that “more controllers support coming soon”
so, still some hope :D UMHO its just stupid of Serato if they support the Pro and left out the non pro lmao
DJ M.T.

edit:

And in a simultaneous announcement, Numark – the biggest manufacturer
of DJ controllers in the world – has confirmed that it will now package
Serato DJ Intro with its lower-end controllers, meaning its complete
range – from the humble Mixtrack right up to the NS7FX – now comes with
Serato software.serato also puts on their websites that “more controllers support coming soon”
so, still some hope :D UMHO its just stupid of Serato if they support the Pro and left out the non pro lmao
303bassline

sweet lord. its like legit DJ companies have suddenly realised that they can make more money out of flash in the pan fashionistas and its all about flat hats and cool haircuts. FFS.
303bassline

sweet lord. its like legit DJ companies have suddenly realised that they can make more money out of flash in the pan fashionistas and its all about flat hats and cool haircuts. FFS.
4real

Still no sync in itch right?

I love how Serato firmly/blatently/publicly bitch slaps sync into the Amatuer/Non DJ/Noob Category with this project. “intro” thats awesome. LOVIN it NZ!
http://ax11.myopenid.com/ Tom

Sync? SYNC?! Herecy! Blasphemy, I say!
http://ax11.myopenid.com/ Tom

Sync? SYNC?! Herecy! Blasphemy, I say!
http://ax11.myopenid.com/ Tom

Sync? SYNC?! Herecy! Blasphemy, I say!
Anonymous

Well, of the three product introduction videos that have been shown here the last few days, I think NI’s S2 video was the best. :) It’s the only one that actually shows some of the capabilities of the controller.

scamo
alpha_5_

yeah, i could spend all day adjusting the encoder sensitivity and acceleration in traktor, but it would only ever be good, not perfect. The immediateness of a great, solid set up from Intro is brilliant.

I’ve been looking at the Twitch for a while, and I haven’t been sure on turning in Traktor for Itch, but if anything will be the ultimate persuasion, it might just be Intro.
http://www.mncmakina.com/ssl-serato-scratch/ Ssl Serato Scratch | MNC Makina Music

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controllergeek

I wish it would work on the Spin!
controllergeek

I wish it would work on the Spin!
controllergeek

I wish it would work on the Spin!
crazigee

I tried today on my Spin, confirmed on my friends too and it doesn’t work. So many will be upset :(
crazigee

I tried today on my Spin, confirmed on my friends too and it doesn’t work. So many will be upset :(
crazigee

I tried today on my Spin, confirmed on my friends too and it doesn’t work. So many will be upset :(
http://twitter.com/serkankocak Serkan Koçak

wtf?
Sync was in ITCH all the time and just got updated with 2.0
And DJ Intro sports sync functionality too.
Audiomontana

“little bro” …. :)
Audiomontana

“little bro” …. :)
Audiomontana

“little bro” …. :)
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000965171819 Connor Gray

ive download and tried out this software and it is nearly completely useless, even for a beginner dj this would suck. If you spent $300 plus for a certain controller that would work with this software, u have wasted your money. Vdj is the best beginner software any1 could ever get and when your ready 2 step it up, move onto traktor or an actual full version of serato
Sebastian Gandine

Sync? WTF
DJMav

Stfu…I have used it with my vestax typhoon and it works pretty well. The jogs starting torque is much better than traktor and vdj. The only thing I don’t like is that you can’t assign buttons plus some buttons don’t work on the typhoon. These are “cup, filter, and the shift key transport functions”. But it’s a great start by serato
Lievenpeetersx

i have a full serato on my turntable system and bought a typhoon a while ago for the fun of it. WIth the traktor it never worked and with the VDJ LE it did (after months of mailing with the vestax support). It is however very fragile and stops working tooo frequently.

TOday i tried the serato dj intro, it worked directly but after playing for a few minits, the sound gets horrible … dont ask me why.

These cheap midi controlers are just for fun and no software is gone bring them up to where you want them to be, so if you expect decent stuff, spend decent money !
DJMaverick

Dunno where you bought your typhoon but I bought mine on Amazon 4 months ago and it works with traktor pro 2 flawlessly. The audio quality is fine. The only problem is latency and of course I had to fix the crossfader a couple of times. Did a miner modification to the crossfader and it works very good now. Never regretted my purchase. This is the way to go for intro djs.
DJMaverick

well those controllers have sync buttons so they had to include it in the software.
http://www.sexyplanet.com.ar/foro/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=8602 Everett Kuarez

abaxile…

good information, thanks for this share….
Molnarmilan10

how to download seatro dj software please?
Bastian Hertel

before the last 10 seconds i thought this is a vodafone commercial…omg
Lionkingdj

Hahahaha
Lionkingdj

Hahahaha
http://philipssonicare212.wordpress.com/2011/11/10/learn-how-to-get-affordable-dentistry-do-the-job/ Dale Roquemore

will smith cd big willie style…

[...]gentle Lennox soon after he heard 3 various and completely distinct statements from 3 [...]…
Psyclone1976

I’ve got this software with the Mixtrack Pro,

Pros – Very tight intergration with the platter contols to give very accurate pitch adjustments, easy to use.

Con’s – Very quiet heaphone output from Mixtrack pro when using this over Virtual DJ or traktor, very small graphical display to help with beatmatching, unable to record the mix (on the pc, without plugging the mixtrack pro analogue output back into the sounds card and recording that way – this makes the quality rubbish!)
Psyclone1976

VDJ is worse than Serato and beat grid calculations, tracks that match perfectly in Serato are always out in VDJ and it takes alot more effort to keep them in time with VDJ.

Serato is a good beginner piece of software but has some flaws
DJ Enemy

To Be Honest I Use Serato Scratch-Live and its great!! I’m an Ol skool DJ but its more fun than just pressing buttons….DJ’s these days don’t know half of it when they think its about one press of a button…I like to have fun and get into my mixes whiel I see other DJ’s walkaway from a set while thier autoplay is on…..NOW THAT”S WIKKITY WKKITY Wack….lol
dillinger23

you sir, are an arrogant dick.
Kevin

Whats The Difference Between The Intro And The Itch?
djtillydee

why is my serato dj intro software is dragging someone help me plz