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Dec 20, 07
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Serato/Ableton? Looking for laptop DJ ability w/ good MP3 sorting
Looking for some software to get on the laptop for a few main reasons. I want to sort my MP3's better then I have (at the moment its all folder sorted), tagging would be nice. All my music is on a network HD and it would be cool if I could share my sorted music with another copy of the software on another laptop also connected to the network. Plus the ability to tinker and possibly mix live with the software (and perhaps a mixer) would be neato. Anyone recommend one of these two applications, pros/cons or offer something else of quality. Thanks!
Leaning towards Abbleton or Serato....any other suggestions? 
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Dec 20, 07
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i use itunes for sorting my music collection. great for tagging and the smart playlists feature is what really stands out. You can basically utilize about 30 metadata tags to sort your collection automatically. You can stream over your network from itunes too.
If you're PC based, I've heard good things about Media Monkey, but i've never had experience with it. Ableton or Serato is not going to sort your files for you. These programs are more geared towards production/live pa and dj emulation respectively. You can manage tags and create playlists/crates with serato however... All Ableton does is gives you a window explorer to your present file structure. If you want to see Serato's sorting ability, the software is free to download - ScratchLIVE.net you just can't use the vinyl emulation/mixing ability without the box connected. Last edited by dj_soo; Dec 20, 07 at 01:41 PM.
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Dec 20, 07
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Serato Scratch Live
I'd also love to hear any feedback. I'm leaning towards serato and want to know any pros/cons about the software. I'm running Vista and I think that may cause some problems, but who knows. Also, does anyone know where I could get Scratch Live at a good deal other than Ebay? I know Tom Lee has it for $650, anywhere else?
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Dec 20, 07
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I haven't tried serato yet, but that seems like the best digi-vinyl solution.
the straightup software guys you got Ableton or Traktor. Each have pro's n cons, I prefer Traktor myself. there isn't anywhere near as much pre-programming with a Traktor set as an Ableton set, and this forces the DJ to be more involved which creates a DJ experience that to me feels more authentic. abletons power seems to lie in it's ability for near unlimited tracks at once, plug-ins and vsti support, but I just don't have fun mixing with the thing.
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Dec 20, 07
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if you want to DJ - go serato. It's geared towards dj emulation first and foremost and it does it well and it's the most stable out of all the programs (less chance of a crash in a live situation).
If you're looking for a computer-based solution, there's traktor, torq, virtual dj, etc. I only really have experience with Torq and that was more the vinyl emulation side of it which can't hold a candle to Serato. The internal mixing mode seems interesting. If you get a mixer-type midi-controller like the x-session pro, you can basically dj w/o turntables. None of these programs has the rock-solid stability reputation of serato tho... Ableton is more geared towards production and live pa use, although you can "DJ" with it (if your definition of djing is pressing buttons on a pre-determined set). Bt honestly, djing on ableton seems like such a waste of the program...
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Dec 20, 07
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The beauty with serato is that you can sort out your tracks by "key", therefore any of the tracks that you plan on playing will be mixable in a sense of harmonics (harmonic mixing).
There are some other third party programs out there where you can find the keys of tracks as well. Ableton however does not have this feature.
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Dec 20, 07
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^^ Yep... I will be purchasing this after all the Christmas sheat is done.
MixedInKey.com - Harmonic Mixing Software
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Dec 20, 07
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^maybe i'm missing something, and i'm not trying to start something, just rather confused by this.
i always assumed that when people mixed, they took this into consideration (somewhat)... hence eventually knowing what songs mix well together, or hearing a song and being like "oh damn, this would sound sic with this" etc.
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Dec 20, 07
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Quote:
woah didn't know about that, that's fucking sick! I really gotta give that thing a test run one of these days.
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Dec 20, 07
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itunes runs like poo on the windows computer. it's un-usable with the amount of music i have on my machine+network. downloading serato live right now, i had no idea it was free.
Been using foobar2000, but it's too much work to get it to work like i want it to work. Will take a look at media monkey
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Dec 20, 07
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umm wait a sec.. serato does not key your tracks..... mixed in key works great for that though
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Dec 20, 07
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Quote:
MixedInKey.com - How To Use Harmonic Mixing
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Dec 20, 07
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Quote:
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Dec 20, 07
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yes i am sure... your friend probably used mixed in key....
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Dec 20, 07
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Quote:
iono, i'd rather decide for myself what sounds good together. maybe once you buy it, i'll come through and check it out =)
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Dec 20, 07
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Quote:
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Dec 20, 07
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Quote:
Honestly, it's not that difficult to organize yer mp3s for use in any system. It's just a matter of tagging them properly. If you use directories and filenames to sort it like me, it's not too difficult to find a random free id3 editor that will fill in values based on the file name and directory. I use easytag but that's for *nix.
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Dec 20, 07
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Quote:
exactly. and the main use of a feature like this only as another reference. e.g bpm, genre, artist name etc. We all know that just because two songs technically or categorically match rarely means they should be used together for a mix. Where's the heart in that, right?
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Dec 20, 07
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lol taste can't be taught. digitally or not
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Dec 20, 07
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i didnt say that?
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Dec 20, 07
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I use Torq, you can use ableton while you're djing in conjunction with Torq as Torq has rewire and you can hook both of them together nicely. When you say software do you mean stand alone software or DVS software? I just use itunes for sorting and tagging, Torq plugs straight into your itunes library. If your just doing this as a hobby then the price tag of Torq really does make more sense then Serato.
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Dec 20, 07
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Thanks for the help! Mostly for music organization (away from iTunes) but I want to be able to toy around with mixing within the application as well. I have used Traktor before but didn't really commit to it. So I will test it against the others recommend and comment on what suits me.
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