Serato has announced the public beta for Serato DJ 1.7.4 This update includes support for the Pioneer DJM-900NXS, DJM-850, and Allen & Heath Xone:DB4 and DB2 mixers via the Club Kit bundle that is essentially a Serato DJ licence paired with the Serato DVS add-on (see our original report here). This lets you use these mixers as the heart of a DVS, letting you control Serato DJ with turntables or CDJs using timecode vinyl and CDs. You can still use these mixers as Serato-enabled hardware without the Serato DVS add-on, meaning it unlocks Serato DJ for standard digital DJ use.
Serato DVS is an interesting add-on because it ushers in a new era of affordable timecode solutions (remember those Serato Scratch Live boxes by Rane?). At just US$99, all you need is to purchase a cheap Serato DVS-ready device like the new Akai AMX or the forthcoming Denon DS-1, and you’ve got the beginnings of an inexpensive DVS set-up (the latter doesn’t even require the purchase of the DVS add-on pack to work).
What pleasantly surprised us back at NAMM when we first were told this, though, was Serato’s decision to include older professional mixers like the Pioneer DJM-900NXS and Allen & Heath Xone:DB4, both of which are high quality, industry-grade performance devices that are installed in a lot of DJ booths in clubs and bars around the world. With the Serato Club Kit, DJs can now turn up to a gig without the need for an external audio interface, provided the venue has one of the aforementioned compatible mixers. We can only speculate that this list of back catalogue mixers will continue to grow in the years to come.
It seems like Serato, once a pricey and relatively hardware-exclusive eco-system, is now keen on getting everyone onboard its rapidly expanding bandwagon of digital jocks, regardless of whether you’re a turntable / CDJ digital purist or a controllerist.
• The Serato Club Kit will retail for US$169. Sign up for the beta programme at the Serato website.
Are you keen on using Serato DVS with your older gear? What has been your experience signing up for Serato’s public betas? Let us know your thoughts below.
Joey Santos
