itch (ich) noun. a persistent, uncontrollable desire.

Serato ITCH Version 1.0.3 is now available on our downloads page.

What is ITCH?

Serato ITCH is an integrated software and hardware system that provides complete control for music selectors and DJs.

The ITCH platform is powered by Serato's world renowned audio technology and has been adopted by other leading DJ brands to deliver future forms of control for DJing. Serato has chosen to work with select hardware partners to design and build a level of integration, ease of use, and reliability never before seen in the digital DJ realm.

Serato and ITCH partners have developed a professional standard that enables a simple, but serious performance DJ system that requires no CD players or turntables.

An ITCH system plays the music from your computer using a controller optimized for DJ mixing. Serato call this the ITCH hardware. The ITCH hardware provides all the real buttons, knobs and DJ platters that you need to control the music and sound from your computer.

Serato ITCH software is perfectly simple to operate - forget about your mouse or keyboard as you operate all functions on the ITCH hardware. An ITCH system gives you the professional sound and control you need to DJ. What’s best is you only need to connect your headphones and a single USB cable to your computer. The ITCH hardware has audio outputs so you can easily connect to it your sound system when you want to play to the crowds.

Only hardware products bearing the ITCH logo are certified by Serato. This means it is part of a system that has Serato ITCH software ready to use - out of the box. Serato ITCH software is only available for certified ITCH hardware and is not sold separately.

ITCH JUST WORKS

ITCH is more than just a MIDI Controller. MIDI is a widely used and accepted communication standard for musical instruments and USB controllers than has been adopted by other DJ applications. MIDI was never developed with the requirements of a DJ in mind.

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ITCH AUDIO

ITCH hardware provides a tactile mixing control surface and the audio input and output connections. It is the ITCH software that handles all audio mixing and routing for maximum quality and flexibility. This is done using Serato proven technology from beginning to end.

SERATO ITCH PARTNERS

Serato has agreements with respected manufacturers to deliver complete ITCH systems that are quality controlled to deliver the finest performance possible. ITCH partners work closely with Serato to build hardware from the ground up that is optimized for performance with ITCH.

ITCH is a project that has engineers from a variety of companies working together and striving for the same goals. The two way relationship in engineering has resulted in features of the Serato ITCH software being customized specifically to the ITCH hardware.

ITCH HARDWARE

Vestax and Numark have delivered two different design approaches.

The Vestax VCI-300 is a sleek portable controller and with an option to be USB powered from the computer. Its slim design makes it a great traveling companion for professionals and amateurs alike.

The Numark NS7 is an elegant desktop controller that features new motorized control platters for a more traditional feel. Numark and Serato co-developed accelerated communication to the ITCH software at 2-3 times the rate of other standard MIDI controllers.

Both units deliver a pristine audio via output connections built into the controller. You can use the ITCH hardware as a sound-card for other applications, so you can enjoy high quality sound from your computer all the time.

The first complete ITCH system to ship will be the Vestax VCI-300, hitting stores in Japan June 2008, other countries September 2008.

ITCH FEATURES

• High performance portable music system that allows internal mixing and platter style playback control.
• Integrated "one to one" hardware to software mapping for instant control and minimum setup time.
• Interoperable with Scratch LIVE crates, loops and cue points, and support for iTunes™.
• Audio processing and internal mixing via Serato ITCH software, Channel fading, EQ, cross fading and track trim are processed in software with audio and headphone monitoring on the ITCH hardware.
• Clean and simple software user interface with emphasis on hardware controller to display information.
• Auto Tempo Matching and Beat Sync.
• Optimal Gain and BPM Calculation.
• Serato's unique color waveforms for easy identification of sound.
• Set and store Cue-points.
• Manual and Auto Loop activation.
• Music Library management tools for backup and restore.
• Input and Mix recording capability.
• AIFF, WAV, MP3 and AAC audio file support