Serato has finally released its much-anticipated ITCH 2.0 DJ controller software with a free download from its website and a launch video, after a short period of public beta testing. With a powerful sample player, a simplified sync engine, better display options and improved file handling, the software aims to be simpler to use yet more powerful than its predecessor.
The new display modes – including night/day and album art views plus Serato Scratch-esque vertical waveforms – improve the look of the software and make it easier to use.
It is now possible to drag and drop folders, playlists and sets, including to removable media, from within the program.
The sync engine uses a set of four bars, to represent beats, that move in sequence for each track, which are colour coded to show if sync is locked or just on tempo. In reality this does away with the idea of master/slave tempo making sync more intuitive, especially across four decks.
New architecture bodes well for the future
The sample player – similar to Traktor Pro 2’s sample decks – “plugs in” to the software, as does another device used to reveal your playlists to the world via Serato’s website.
This architecture indicated the arrival of a plugin engine, which means that new features in the future should be easier to develop and launch, maybe even by third parties. I’m thinking about the much-anticipated addition of video and Ableton Live integration (“The Bridge”) particularly.
Serato ITCH 2.0 is free, although as always to use it you need a compatible DJ controller like those made especially for Serato ITCH by Vestax, Numark, Allen & Heath, Pioneer and Novation. The update is available now from serato.com.
Have you tried ITCH 2.0 yet since the public beta was available? Does this release contain what you were hoping for? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Phil Morse
