subject: The Newest Edition To The Serato Scratch Live Family [print this page] The Rane SL3 is the newest edition to the Serato Scratch Live family and while it doesn't look like much on the surface, it a substantially superior product the the Rane SL1 interface for Scratch Live.
Some DJs have complained that the Rane SL3 is lacking as a soundcard and that certain competing products leave it outdated, but herein lies a fundamental misunderstanding about the Rane SL3 and the philosophy with which Serato Scratch Live was designed.
Serato Scratch Live was designed and has always been marketed to DJs who want to use MP3 with their existing turntables/CDJs. The real innovation of Serato Scratch has always been its rock solid stability and reliability, which is why it appealed to international superstars like DJ AM, DJ Jazzy Jeff and Z-trip, and accordingly appealed to their fans.
Although Serato Scratch Live now integrates with a variety of MIDI controllers and is fully midi mappable, it was never intended for the beginner DJ who didn't want to but turntables because it was just cheaper to get a Vestax VMX-100 controller. Although we are not denying the purpose of those kind of tools in the marketplace, we do not believe that the future of DJing is going to revolve around DJ-in-a-box solutions like that. While the Serato Itch NS-7 controller is great for what it is, we don't expect to see it installed in any world class clubs or championed by any world class DJs any time soon.
Often, upon hearing this explanation, new DJs get offended and defensive that the older generation is "closed minded," but assuredly, that is not the case. While there are many technologically remidial DJs amongst the older generation, their qualm is not with innovation or new technology. There qualms are several, but few are with regard to innovation as such.
1. Beat matching is not DJing - While digital tools have made beat matching somewhat easier, the act of DJing does not revolve around beat matching alone. There is much to be said about programming, transitions, other technical skills and performance. Suffice it to say that many newer DJs feel discriminated against because they are using new tools, and while that may ocassionally be the case, more often it is because they are not using the advantages of the new tools to cultivate greater skill and originality in the artform. Instead, many newer DJs do not respect the time and practice that previous generations put in to truly master their tools.
With that said Serato Scratch Live whether with the Rane SL1 or Rane SL3 interface does not have an "auto beatmatch" function and never will. It's purpose is not to DJ for you. Its purpose is merely give access to huge quantities of digital music not available on vinyl or CD, without sacrificing turntables or CDJs as the most reliable tools in in the market.
2. Digital is not as reliable as analog. This is a fact. BMW 7-series spend lots of time in the shop because they have a ton of electronic gadgets equipped, and frequently, when one does down, you have to give up the car for a few days to get it fixed. Likewise, vinyl does crash. It may skip. Records may get warped. Needles may break. But it doesn't crash. Add a computer into the mix and in addition to all of the possible issues that you may experience with a fully analog interface, you now have a whole range of digital problems such as USB dropouts, processor overload, and everyone's favorite - unexplainable crashes.
"Yeah, but what about CDJs?"
What about them? CDJs are generally simpler devices and more reliable than laptops, this is why some "oldschool" DJs don't appreciate the added risk of bringing a laptop into the mix of a live performance situation.
This is why the stability of the Rane SL3 swayed as many DJs as it did to make the leap from the most reliable tools on the market to Scratch Live. Also, with added USB 2.0 support, the SL3 brings latency to a near 0 while USB dropouts become a thing of the past.
3. DJs with too many toys get carried away and forget about the actual DJing. While effects units, samplers, etc. are powerful in the hands of an experienced DJ, in the hands of a novice, they are a recipe for disaster and tastelessness.
Does this apply to all new digital DJs? Certainly not. Many come from rich musical background and can appreciate subtleties, and the tactful use of effects, but many more do not. So, again, while a new digital DJ may get offended by someone discriminating against him for his tools, its more often the way he uses them that is a problem.
Serato Scratch Live has become increasingly more robust and integrates with more and more types of controllers and complimentary software, but the core of the program is still profoundly simple and doesn't stray far from the essentials of DJing.
SO DOES IT EASIER OR NOT?
For the typical mobile DJ, its probably safe to say that skills or artistry are not of a particularly high priority. If you have a catalog of top-40 hits going back to ~1960 (radio versions, mind you), you probably want the cheapest, smallest method of DJing possible. And if it can be done with a laptop alone and still sound good.... why not?
However, if you are pursuing the more artistic form of DJing, Rane SL3 won't make you a better artist. Just as a nicer set of knifes whill help a talented chef prepare his meal more gracefuly and tactfuly, and a new set of brushes may help a painter achieve greater definition in their masterpiece, Rane SL3 gives the DJ unprecedented control and stability to use digital audio files to create a memorable audio experience. Its a powerful tool, but it will not replace years of practice and devotion to your craft
