I am primarily an Ableton Dj. I djed with traktor up until Live version 7 where warping highly outperformed the "track markers" in traktor. I have played with serato here and there but I have always stuck with ableton. Now with bridge I'm very interested in integrating Scratch. I would really like to use the bridge where I bring ableton clips into the serato environment thus expanding the spontaneity of my djing and allowing for insane looping potential.
I have been very excited about this and the main problem in my way is having to buy a piece of serato hardware. As far as I can tell and someone please set me straight, but the cheapest thing I can find to buy is either the sl1 or sl3 which both fluctuate around $500. I already have a sound card and i have controllers I use as well, So I have figured out how i want to use serato but im setback by the amount of cheese i gotta squeeze to get this plan into action...

so i figure the serato forum is the best place to start. I looked through the common suggestions list and I saw nothing about a more affordable option for strictly "laptop djs" and I was wondering if it would even be a conceivable notion to just have a dongle?

anyway, im looking forward to a reply on this as the price of the hardware has always been the main setback for me when it came to becoming a serato user. Now with the bridge though, im excited about having access to the library control in serato and it seems like this new version has a bunch of new features. i am really itching to get scratchin...

thanks and regards..

Since "The Bridge" will be free, the logical explanation is that people would have to buy Ableton 8 & Serato or either one depending which one you already own. So either way people are going to spend $500 for Ableton or a little more for the SL1 or SL3. Keep in mind that the "Mixtape" feature only works with the 57SL or 68 mixer.

good point. i still think it would be a good move to sell an device that was cheaper for people who want serato just for the software.

i have had the full ableton since version 5. paid for every upgrade, and i also have a 600 dollar motu soundcard...

+1 for dongle, then we can also use with new cdjs!!!!

DJ Dannyd I found this about the mix tape and it available for all devices

Hardware Records these functions...
Rane SL 1 A and B pre-fader audio, and sample player audio, as separate tracks.
Rane SL 3 A, B and C pre-fader audio, and sample player audio, as separate tracks.
Rane SIXTY-EIGHT A, B, C and D pre-fader audio, Aux input and sample player audio, as separate tracks. Gain, EQ, pan and fader automation.
Rane MP 4 A and B pre-fader audio, and sample player audio, as separate tracks.
Rane TTM 57SL A and B pre-fader audio, Aux input and sample player audio, as separate tracks. Gain, EQ, pan and fader automation.
Vestax VCI-300 A and B pre-fader audio and Aux input audio, as separate tracks. Gain, EQ, pan and fader automation.
Numark V7 A and B pre-fader audio, as separate tracks.
Numark NS7 A and B pre-fader audio and Aux input audio, as separate tracks. Gain, EQ, pan and fader automation.
Denon DJ DN-HC5000 A and B pre-fader audio, as separate tracks
Allen & Heath Xone DX A, B C and D pre-fader audio, as separate tracks. Gain, EQ, pan and fader automation.

Danny was commenting on the fact that without an integrated mixer (TTM 57SL, SIXTY-EIGHT or Itch devices with an integrated mixer device) you can only record pre-fader audio without any Gain, EQ, Pan, Fader automation ... which doesn't make the mixtape recording function very useful.

again. more reason to give ppl who want an affordable option to JUST get the software. I WANT to pay for serato.. but why would i buy a soundcard when i have a great one? why would i buy a huge mixer when i use the clubs? all i want is a dongle or small device that allows me to use scratch or itch in its full state, with all the options for the bridge.

The problem with a cheaper dongle (which is requested for the crappy Pioneer players too) is, that those would make it possible to use SL with other soundcards. So people would go with an $100-200 audio interface rather than getting an SL-Box by Rane.
There is a reason why the only avaible and pretty expensive boxes are from Rane: You're not only paying the manufacturer of the interface, you also pay for the software.

So: Dongle for less the price of an SL-1:
Not as long as SL is a shared product of Rane and Serato.

yea well i have a motu ultralite which is hardly crappy. again i know this is a loaded issue but i just want serato, not another device. i just want serato the bridge and ableton. the only peice of hardware i would consider buying is the 68 or 57SL which defeats the purpose of wanting a CHEAPER option. again im not trying to suggest that people change their needs. im suggesting a change by serato to fit the needs of those who want to use it but dont need the hardware...

Just pretend in your head that the Serato software costs $500-$700 (sl1-sl3) and let thy Rane hardware be thy dongle.

and use my motu as a laptop stand.... good idea

Not sure what other physical players you use?

As you know, the point of ScratchLive/Itch is turntable control. I don't think we'll see SSL audio support for non Rane hardware anytime soon, for the reasons already stated. Then again, you might be alright adding a Numark V7 to your setup, using that for turntable control & Audio output. (We'll still have to wait and see when/if ITCH actually will support the Bridge...)

If not, yeah, like everyone else is saying, you need to get SL1/SL3/TTM57/68/MP4, yeah it costs, but the software is free... And honestly, carrying a SL sound card to your gig isn't really any bulk at all...

And the up-side: you won't have to move disconnect/reconnect the motu from your home setup...

turntables are ultimately just controllers when using serato and/or traktor. Im not having any issues understanding what i currently would have to do in order to use serato.... this is more of a "wish list" item. i actually began digital djing with traktor before serato was even a product on the market. i have ALWAYS known what i would have to buy in order to use serato. but i was just hoping with the release of the bridge that there would be a lower cost solution for ppl who like using USB/Midi controllers and ableton. I chose to stop using turntables along time ago when i realized they were just glorified controllers. now setting up a hifi tube amped listening station at my house to listen to my wax collection is another story altogether... but i know for a fact because i have done it, that once hooked up to the hardware serato can be controlled not only with turntables but via the computer keyboard, or midi controllers etc..

I simply just think it would not only be an affordable option for other latptop djs in my position and i think it would turn more ppl on to using serato. I conclusively will prolly buy a dedicated piece of hardware for serato.. then im sure without fail a dongle will be released shortly afterwards.. :P

So there you go, I'm betting Serato will continue sell plug'n play systems both when it comes SSL & Itch, glorified controllers sure, with built-in sound cards. And most Serato DJ's seem to like the notion of large advanced platters I guess.

Just a different business model from NI.

Sure, Id love a dongle solution myself, but I just don't think they'll make one any time soon.

welp, there ya go. :) looks like i exhausted my last resource of getting what i want...

anyone know where to get cheap serato hardware ? ;)

Ebay ;)

www.guitarcenter.com

yea, been there done that...

Dude...seriously... just get Ms. Pinky and you can use your sound card, in Ableton, with scratch control. No dongle, no more grief.

hrm.. not looking for a work around Id rather have a stable cross platform solution that is less expensive than the current solutions. i have found my answer. thanks for all the suggestions..

I think ableton should do the same thing! but i have to buy live 8 full version to benefit right?

just like you said with ableton you PAID for all upgrades and now you a whole new DVS for discount...both companies make great products and the bridge is targeted at people who OWN full working versions of both. And the way serato works is that the sl1, 3, 57, vci etc...is the ACTUAL dongle

sorry typo - now you want a whole new DVS for a discount

I think ableton should do the same thing! but i have to buy live 8 full version to benefit right?

just like you said with ableton you PAID for all upgrades and now you a whole new DVS for discount...both companies make great products and the bridge is targeted at people who OWN full working versions of both. And the way serato works is that the sl1, 3, 57, vci etc...is the ACTUAL dongle

unless the CEO of Rane flips his lid and goes insane, you won't have to worry about them ever releasing a dongle. they won't do it.