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which is better serato scratch live or Trakor 2 Scratch Pro 2 native instruments 2011 DJ software review testing

DJ Software Scratch Live vs versus Traktor 2 imixmag


updated: 09/27/2011

DJ software problem warning imixmag Scratch Live 2.3.1 problems. See flag warning below.

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Tale of the tape:
Laptop:
13” Macbook Pro 2.4Ghz Intel Core Duo, 4GB Ram, video Nvidia GeForce 320M (mid 2010 model).

Software & hardware:
Traktor Scratch Pro 2.1.1 and the Audio 10 interface.
Scratch Live 2.3.1 and the Rane SL3.


Software installation
Traktor 2 software installation is a bit more complicated than Scratch Live. It comes in three versions: Traktor LE 2, Traktor Duo 2, and Traktor Pro 2, with Traktor Pro 2 being the most powerful. The lesser versions are limited in what they can do. You are only allowed to install the software on two computers which can be quite restrictive.

Scratch Live software installation is not only a breeze, it’s free, so you can install it to as many computers as you want. There is only one version available which offers you the full strength of the program.

While Scratch Live makes it easy to save or go back to a previous version, Traktor does not, so if you upgrade to a Traktor Version that isn't stable, reverting to an earlier version is quite difficult.

Software installation winner, Serato Scratch Live.


Music Library / Music browser
Importing, analyzing, and searching for music in Scratch live is a breeze. Its integration with iTunes is easy and quick. Depending on the processor, analyzing music files goes rather quickly.

When it comes to analyzing music files and working within its Music Browser, Traktor is just a bit more complicated.

When you work with music folders from an external hard drive Traktor’s browser will not analyze subfolders. You will need to open up each folder one by one, very tedious indeed. Analyzing music files goes extremely slow, one music file at a time.

Music folders and files must be analyzed or dragged into Traktor's "Music Browser Track Collection" to be found in an "All Search", this even holds true for itunes fodlers and music files. If songs are not listed in Traktor's Track Collection, you will have to select the folder in order for the Music Browser to list its music in a Search.

Traktor does work with itunes however each and every time Traktor is opened, the itunes music folders and its music is not loaded. One has to wait until other music files have loaded to only then select the itunes icon in the browser, for the playlist and music to be loaded.

Music Library winner, hands down, Scratch Live.


Layout and design
Layout can easily all come down to a matter of getting used to, however, Traktor does seem to be over boxed. Sample Decks and even the decks themselves seem to take up too much real-estate; this leaves less available space for the music library and browser. Yes, you can select different views however none of them seem to strike the right balance.

The Scratch Live layout design can be described as extremely boring. Yes boring but very easy to navigate. The different view choices seem to have been designed perfectly for the specific needs of varying DJs. Version 2.3.1 has refined the color and richness of the waveforms. It may seem ridiculous that such a detail can vastly improve the overall experience of Scratch Live, but it does.

Its SP6 sampler and effects can easily be opened or closed. And when they’re open they don’t take away from being able to easily navigate and function within the graphical user interface (GUI).

Layout and design winner, none. This area is a matter of extreme subjectivity, you decide.


Hardware and software integration and functionality
The Scratch Live software and the Rane SL3 hardware complement each other very well. The software to hardware integration and stability is very solid. Midi mapping is also one of its strong points.

Every time you start up Traktor, decks are in internal mode; one has to go to each deck and enable it in order to get it to work with the decks. You also have to calibrate your turntables or CD decks each time. However, once done things run very smooth; a big improvement over previous versions of Traktor 2.

It would be a great disservice not to mention the Traktor Kontrol X1, it’s an incredible tool for both Scratch Live and Traktor. Since it’s a Native Instruments product, it works beautifully with Traktor. This clean integration gives Traktor 2 a bit of an advantage over Scratch Live.

Scratch Live has always been the clear winner in this category, not anymore; they are now both neck and neck - tie.


Timecode CDs
Traktor does a better job with Timecode CDs. You put it on the 2nd track and the playtime is of good length. Scratch Live Timecode CDs don’t have a long playtime. Because of this you’ll find yourself in internal mode quickly and will need to set the Timecode CD again to go back into one of the other modes where your decks have function. To be quite honest it’s a pain in the backside.

Timecode CD winner, Traktor 2


Cue, Effects, Sampler, and the amazing Loop Recorder
DJ software problem warning imixmag imixmag warning sign
Scratch Live 2.3.1 has some problems, but one of its biggest is with cue points and looping. And since this plays such a major role in one’s set, it would be best to go back to an earlier version and wait for an update to see if it resolves the issue.

(This was for a previous versions) Scratch Live has a SP6 Sampler which is a simple and straight forward. The same can be said about the FX options. They both function easily and flawlessly. On the other hand Traktor 2 takes its effects and sampling capabilities to a whole new dimension; this is where Traktor 2 really shines.

The latest version of Traktor, 2.1.1, also seems to have some quirky issues when it comes to setting cue and loop points; wasn’t the case in the previous version.

Forget all your perceptions of what DJ software effects have to offer, this is something different, something new, something revolutionary. The combination of the Sample Decks, Loop Recorder, and the incredible array of effects turns Traktor 2 into a remixing studio.

One of the most annoying parts about Traktor’s Sample player is that after you place all your samples in the banks, and set all the volumes, they aren’t saved at all. Each and every single time you start Traktor you will have to place all the samples in and go through the process all over. Why Traktor doesn’t offer an option to save the sample bank setup is not only a great mystery, but simply an unforgiveable flaw.

With each update Traktor 2 has less and less issues with the loop recorder working in conjunction with the sampler; it gets quirky at times. Yet regardless of those issues, when it comes to sampling and effects, Traktor 2 blows away the competition.

Sampler and FX winner, Traktor 2 for creativity and Scratch Live for simplicity - A tie.


There can only be one
When Traktor 2 was first released it had some serious problems, but with version 2.0.3 the promise of what Traktor 2 was to bring is finally coming to fruition. However, Traktor 2.1.1 seems to bring some new issues to the plate. At least with Scratch Live, reverting to an earlier version is easy;

We found Scratch Live version 2.0.0 to be quite solid.

Stability has always been what separated Scratch Live from the competition, unfortunately version 2.3.1 has done more harm than good. But if history serves us well Serato will soon release an update to fix the issues; it’s what they’ve done in the past.

For now things remain the same. The overall winner and reigning king of Professional DJ software is Serato Scratch Live, but not by much.


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