DJ 101 - What is Serato?

There are some peeps out there who want to get into DJing but they don't know the basics. Even something as elementary as, What is Serato? Let these DJ 101 posts help you rookies get on your way to being a mix-master!
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Serato software, which is used alongside Rane hardware, has changed the way DJs of today practice their craft. The basic idea behind Serato is that it allows one to play mp3s, and other audio files, using turntables. One can imagine the power of such technology, enabling DJs to keep the tools of their trade intact but at the same time access to the modern world of digital music.

The way Serato works is basically as follows: One connects the two turntables to a Serato "audio interface", something about the size of an old VHS cassette. One then connects this interface into the DJ's mixer as well as a laptop running the Serato software. Instead of playing different vinyl records, the DJ has only two special Serato vinyls. When one plays these Serato vinyls, as one would play normal records, they sync up to the Serato software, via the interface, and one is able to control and play back the mp3s and audio files the way one would control and play back actual vinyl records.

So in essence one has the power of using turntables, the DJs most crucial tool, but have access to the modern world of music. The benefits of this are unprecedented. Instead of having to purchase all one's music on vinyl, a very particular and rather expensive format only available in specific stores, one can acquire the music from online stores such as iTunes and Beatport which is a far cheaper, easier and more versatile way of buying songs.

Serato also allows for a lot more flexibility. For one thing it is much easier to find specific songs using the Serato software search engine, than scrambling through large records bags. The DJ can also carry much more music to a gig, thousands of mp3s on a laptop hard-drive, as opposed to record bags which can only carry at most a couple of hundred records.

In terms of Red Bull Thre3Style, Serato is a vital tool. It allows DJs to very quickly source different genres of music and mix them together on the fly. It is technology that has ultimately not only changed the way DJs play today, but has also empowered them when it comes to DJ battles and competitions.

(Serato is just one of the digital DJing options on the market. Other packages such as Traktor by Native Instruments is considered to be equally powerful and offers the same functionality.)