Serato Itch

A viable alternative to the traditional DJ setup of turntables/mixer or cdj/mixer is the midi controller. While you can use a midi controller in conjunction with your existing setup, such as the Novation launch pad or Native Instruments X1(very popular among both Traktor & Scratchlive users), there are hardware systems out there that combine all the essential components into one neat package.

Enter the Serato Itch platform. These midi controllers provide an outlet to manipulate mp3s, song library management, in addition to mixing and equalizer controls. It's pretty much a seamless integration of the Serato Scratchlive platform many of you are familiar with and a midi controller. The Itch system is plug and play, eliminating the need to setup several components such as your 30 pound a piece turntables.

Perhaps some video examples can clarify what these are capable of:

Allen & Heath Xone: Dx (mentioned in an earlier post, I believe), around $1200


Vestax VCi 300, $800


Native Instruments Kontrol X1, $200 (using Traktor, but I'm trying to showcase this technology!)


Listening to: Dead Presidents Mix Pt.1 (i forgot who the dj was that put it together)

Record Pools and other legal sources of MP3s

If you're using a vinyl emulator such as Serato Scratchlive, Traktor, or Torq and the like, 
you're going to need a reliable source of high quality MP3's to keep your mixes fresh and up to date. True, you can use file sharing software like Limewire or source your music from torrent packs, and you might get by for awhile. Files downloaded from random sources on the internet usually have funky (completely and utterly wrong) tags, too corrupted for the vinyl emulator to read (risk crashing the program during a gig if you play it), have hisses & pops, or just plain ol' shit quality. You'll find that the convenience of a record pool outweighs the costs associated with membership. Files from record pools are always of good quality, and have no hidden surprises.

Once upon a time when DJ's frequented record stores to pick up new tunes, they would browse through the aisles and preview records on the shop's turntables. A single would be about 6 bucks, and most DJ's vinyl collections would be worth many more times the setup they spin on. Back in the day when I got my start I would be lugging around crates of records to gigs, which are a lot heavier than a hard drive I might add.

Enter the digital record pool. A record pool basically has all those records, new and older tracks alike, in mp3 format to be downloaded at your convenience. So instead of dropping a couple bucks on a new record, the cost  to download a song from the record pool is usually less than the cost of a pack of gum. An added convenience of the record pool is that their files are correctly tagged, have some cue points set, and have all of the file information preloaded into the track. This means that your vinyl emulation software doesn't have to waste time building up the overview for the track as soon as you load it. As you know, this can be very time consuming and draws a good amount of resources from your CPU and ram as your computer is busy trying analyze the mp3. Since the nice folks at the record pool have done this for you already, you can spend more time programming your mixes rather than watching your computer do work. 

downloading a song from djcity.com

previewing a song on i12inch.com

Try djcity or breakthecrates to try out some entry level pools. If you don't want to subscribe to a monthly service such as the latter, try i12inch. Pay as you go, better value if you purchase song credits in bulk. Scratchlive users should also check out whitelabel.net. It's free! If you're planning on taking DJ'ing seriously, finding a record pool(s) that suits your musical tastes is essential.  


+ use mixedinkey with your new music, and start mixing harmonically. Saves you a lot of time with the trial and error of what songs will play nicely with each other. I'll explain the benefits of programs such as mixedinkey and the value of harmonic mixing in another post. Check out their website, I'll write an article on how harmonics can guide your mixes soon!