Serato Video General Discussion

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 Serato Video General Discussion
The dreaded MAC Vs PC question...
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The dreaded MAC Vs PC question...

DJ Ravien 1:19 AM - 14 March, 2015
Ok I have searched countless threads and all I seem to find is (Excuse the term) fanboys claiming that mac is the best hands down. With little to no explanation as to why other than "It just works" or "it dont get viruses" (As if PC's get viruses by just turning them on or downloading an MP3 from a reputable pool or itunes.) or that I am too poor/cheap to buy a mac (The windows PC I will speak about in a moment actually cost more than the MacBook I am comparing it too)

I am an ex IT analyst for the U.S. Army so have a fair amount of knowledge about running windows machines. So tweaking settings etc or the threat of viruses don't scare me in any way shape or form. If I have to make some changes to get the windows machine to notice a dedicated video card it will more than likely not be an issue.

As for Mac, I still have a bad taste in my mouth from when mac tried to bash PC with their "Im a mac" campaign (Before it had a huge fanbase). Most of the commercials were false as if to state you can only do "office tasks" with a PC. Anyone knows at the time the commercials started gaming was near obsolete on a Mac. Not to mention that everything Mac claimed it could do PC was able to do as well. So overall I would prefer to not purchase a mac if at all possible but the most important factor is I want a machine that will run Serato Video as BEST as it can and still be able to get the most from my machine.

I have boiled my new PC purchases down to one of two. Either the Macbook Pro 15 with dedicated NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M with 2GB of GDDR5 or a windows machine with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M with 4GB GDDR5.

Everything else is pretty much identical

Both have 16GB of 1600MHz DDR3L RAM,

Both have 512GB hard drive (The windows machine has an SSD + a 1TB 5400RPM)

The windows machine has a Intel® Core™ i7-4710HQ 2.5 GHz Processor (Quad-Core, 6MB Cache, up to 3.5GHz w/ Turbo Boost)

Not sure which processor the Macbook has as it only states 2.5GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.7GHz) with 6MB shared L3 cache) on the site.

Both have 15 inch displays, Though the windows machine has a touch screen. (Not that I really use the touch screen that I have but the option is always nice)

The windows machine has 3 USB 3.0 ports compared to the Mac's 2.

The only thing I see being better with the Mac is the core audio vs asio, and that it is a few lbs lighter.

Overall the windows based machine seems better even with it's larger price tag... However I would still like to hear users who have actually used Serato video running on a similar windows based machine's and Macbook opinion on the matter before dropping nearly 3,000 grand on a machine. I figure with the proper windows PC serato video should run fine or else it wouldn't be supported by Serato at all... or am I wrong!?

I am currently running serato DJ withPitch N Time on a very old windows based PC with only 2GB Ram, 2.5 Ghz intel processsor that I dont think it is even a dual core and it runs pretty smooth albeit it has froze on me and create bleeps and chirps on occasion. Serato video wont run at least not in any usable way which is why I would like to upgrade.


Anyhow any real advice is truly welcome.
popnwave 1:24 AM - 14 March, 2015
Honestly man, it really is this cost vs the value of your time.. you're going to do a hell of a lot less tweaking and scratching your head messing with the MacBook Pro and Serato stuff.

If I was into gaming on a PC I'd go Windows 1000000%, but for stable, video mixing it's hard to pass on OS X running your stuff.
DJ Ravien 1:36 AM - 14 March, 2015
Thanks, I've honestly been leaning toward the MBP since I already have a decent PC (Albeit an AMD processor so serato doesn't work) So I would kind of have best of both worlds. When I seen the the stats on the windows based machine concerning the graphics card I thought perhaps it would perform better than the MBP.

I have just had this *UGH* feeling toward Mac for the longest time and if I am honest it's truly hard to shake. I guess I should just get over my pride buy the Mac, then if it doesn't perform the way it ought to I will have even more reason to despise their marketing gimmicks.
popnwave 1:46 AM - 14 March, 2015
It's more about software and driver optimization in the OS X environment when it comes to this setup before PURE hardware umph, unfortunately. And when it comes to down to being able to use Mix Emergency vs just Serato Video for the video side of things, it's a no brainer. You can get by with Serato Video but ME is some next level stuff.
DJ Ravien 1:53 AM - 14 March, 2015
Yea, I have read about ME as of late since I been wanting to transition to video DJ'ing. Haven't really looked to much into it. Perhaps I will now, maybe it will be that extra little push to help justify the purchase of a mac product. I appreciate your response. Thanks, and I will certainly give ME a better look.
Code:E 5:48 AM - 14 March, 2015
Quote:
Ok I have searched countless threads and all I seem to find is (Excuse the term) fanboys claiming that mac is the best hands down.

I haven't even bother to read the rest of your thread yet. And I can already tell you that you didn't look hard enough. Especially on this forum.

Mac's are not "better" they are the right tool for the job. You can use an adjustable wrench (PC) to take off the lug nuts on your car. Or you could use the Air Impact (mac software) with impact grade sockets (mac hardware).

There is really a small list of real reason on why mac's are better for Video DJing:
Stability, when using proper (none hacked software) and good quality content, a force greater than anything known to man is required to cause a crash (there's a little bit of embellishment there, but not as much as you would think).
Software available, MixEmergency alone should be this discussion. But some people like using the "simple" man's software. Also some people don't want advanced features, and those people don't want to push any boundaries. I kinda have the feeling why are you doing video if you not pushing boundaries.
Also to note about software. Serato Video is more stable and has more features on the mac version.
Syphon & Quartz support. Again this leads to more advanced features realm. If you don't know what Syphon is you should do a whole heck of a lot more reading. Same goes for quartz composer. Quartz fills in the VJ's need for audio reactive visuals along with MANY other advantages like Twitter/instagram/facebook to screen, or setups like this. Watchwww.youtube.com
Really those 3 are the all you need to know there's 100's of other details that can be gone into but they have been discussed to death. You will have a hard time finding anyone who has ever who has made the switch and regretted it. You will also on this forum find tons and tons of users (I am one of them, find my old, old posts) who were die hard PC guys to the end, one step away from a PC 4 LYFE tattoo (again embellishment), who then tried a mac and took all of a couple of weeks with one to see the light!
Now you may try and say, but the specs, the specs on PC's are higher for cheaper, I know I said the same. IT DOESN'T MATTER. Specs mean shit when your shit is not stable. $2000 PC's and $2000 mac's perform very similarly. And if you're trying to be cheap and do it with a $700 PC get out of video now, it's not your game.

And lastly, it's not really about the hardware, but apple hardware is is just as good as any top end PC laptop (with a better flair for useable design), that being said they do lack expandability, port options, and cheap upgrades. But the real winner for Mac's is the OS.

Anyway I'm sure you will have disagreements with what i said, that's fine. Disagree, but buy a mac use it for a month (29 days so you can return it to bestbuy if you really hate it) and then tell me there are not better. You're Welcome :) Good luck.
Code:E 5:59 AM - 14 March, 2015
So I read you post and just want to point out a couple of small things.
Quote:
the most important factor is I want a machine that will run Serato Video as BEST as it can and still be able to get the most from my machine.

So you need a mac, end of discussion.

But lets continue

Quote:
The windows machine has 3 USB 3.0 ports compared to the Mac's 2.

As an IT guy you should know that 2 of those port will share a host controller meaning that really you only have 2 ports with a hub built into your computer giving you an extra physical port without any higher bandwidth, So you really only get 2 ports still. And loose the thunderbolt for the super fast HD option.

Quote:
I figure with the proper windows PC serato video should run fine or else it wouldn't be supported by Serato at all... or am I wrong!?

Ya you're wrong. Your theory is sound, but I'm not here to bash Serato or MixEmergency lack of PC support. I'm here giving you advices based on how the world looks as this point in time not would could be.

Quote:
I am currently running serato DJ withPitch N Time on a very old windows based PC with only 2GB Ram, 2.5 Ghz intel processsor that I dont think it is even a dual core and it runs pretty smooth albeit it has froze on me and create bleeps and chirps on occasion.

Oh dude Serato on the audio is stable as hell on a PC. and if you didn't want to do video, go hard with a PC. It would be better. I used to run 3 CDJ2000's in HID more with 2 extra MIDI controllers over USB, along with a massive ableton bridge set. It was stable as hell on a PC. never an issue. Add video to the mix, fuck it all, bring on the blue screens of death, random crashes, hangup's and freezing.

I know I'm cynical, and come across as an ass in parts. But one thing I NEVER do is lie, mislead or intentionally give bad advice. Ask anyone.
DJ Ravien 10:31 AM - 14 March, 2015
Quote:
Now you may try and say, but the specs, the specs on PC's are higher for cheaper, I know I said the same. IT DOESN'T MATTER. Specs mean shit when your shit is not stable. $2000 PC's and $2000 mac's perform very similarly. And if you're trying to be cheap and do it with a $700 PC get out of video now, it's not your game.


lmao. That was my dilemma. I wasn't comparing a low-end PC with a mac.

Anyhow thanks for the advice, Cant say I agree with everything (Mainly the hardware bit) but you make some great points especially concerning the software ME, Syphon (Which I did just look into and seems amazing) etc..

What you really sold me with was this
Quote:
Oh dude Serato on the audio is stable as hell on a PC. and if you didn't want to do video, go hard with a PC. It would be better.


That is the first time I have heard any mac user actually state that a PC would be better with the exception of the application I tend to use it for. As I stated in my earlier response I already have a decent PC and am looking for something primarily for the Video DJ aspect so it only seems to make sense to go with the mac.
Code:E 3:28 PM - 14 March, 2015
I still wish I could be on a PC today. I still have a PC at home. And many of the video editors edit on Sony Vegas on a PC, but we all play out live on macs.
skinnyguy 6:28 PM - 14 March, 2015
As stated before, it's not the hardware, it's the os. When tested on a mbp on the Mac side and running windows via bootcamp, and on a PC as a hackintosh and as windows, the Mac side always ran smoother for video.
Code:E 6:34 PM - 14 March, 2015
Quote:
As stated before, it's not the hardware, it's the os. When tested on a mbp on the Mac side and running windows via bootcamp, and on a PC as a hackintosh and as windows, the Mac side always ran smoother for video.

+1
DJMark 12:51 AM - 15 March, 2015
Quote:
As for Mac, I still have a bad taste in my mouth from when mac tried to bash PC with their "Im a mac" campaign (Before it had a huge fanbase). Most of the commercials were false as if to state you can only do "office tasks" with a PC. Anyone knows at the time the commercials started gaming was near obsolete on a Mac. Not to mention that everything Mac claimed it could do PC was able to do as well. So overall I would prefer to not purchase a mac if at all possible


Seems like an incredible amount of emotional baggage to be carrying over one ten-year-old ad campaign.

Honestly I found the fat sweaty pig named Steve Ballmer much more bothersome, not that it would prevent me from using Windows when needed.
DJ Ravien 2:49 AM - 16 March, 2015
Quote:
Seems like an incredible amount of emotional baggage to be carrying over one ten-year-old ad campaign.

Honestly I found the fat sweaty pig named Steve Ballmer much more bothersome, not that it would prevent me from using Windows when needed.



You are correct, it isn't the only issue I have with mac just where it all began. I am sucking it up and buying a mac as soon as possible.

As for the OS, I never really had a problem with it, it has always reminded me linux (albeit with a giant price tag attached to it), which I have always preferred over Windows OS minus the lack of software and support.

Thanks guys for helping. Looking forward to using serato on a mac. It better work as great as everyone claims *shakes fist* Thanks again.
DJMark 8:59 PM - 16 March, 2015
Quote:
You are correct, it isn't the only issue I have with mac just where it all began. I am sucking it up and buying a mac as soon as possible.

As for the OS, I never really had a problem with it, it has always reminded me linux (albeit with a giant price tag attached to it), which I have always preferred over Windows OS minus the lack of software and support.

Thanks guys for helping. Looking forward to using serato on a mac. It better work as great as everyone claims *shakes fist* Thanks again.


This certainly puts you one up over a lot of people who have posted here in the past on this subject...some of whom returned at some point later on after dealing with futile attempts to get a Windows laptop working acceptably with VSL or SV.

All I have to add is that the "Mac Tax", as some people refer to it, is generally less than a lot of people assume. Yes one can obviously buy Windows laptops that are way way cheaper than any Mac laptop. When you compare Windows laptops that have equivalent internal hardware, the price differences become a lot narrower. And...

I still have yet to see any Windows laptop at **any** price that offers the mechanical design and build quality of Apple's laptops. Some of the Windows laptops have mimicked the design language (HP for one blatant example), but upon close inspection it's invariably a cheap facade.

The design/mechanical integrity is pretty important for a laptop you're going to be carrying around a lot and expect to stay reliable and decent-looking for a couple years or more.
Dj ListenDat 9:34 AM - 20 March, 2015
I don't want to read everything lol but i think people here will be able to confirm.

I spent 2 years struggling with PC and Serato Video. Make a search on this forum for my username you'll see. It was a lot of arguing with many people here to defend my ideas etc.....I contacted engineers from Intel, devs of CoreAVC, LavFilters, SmoothVideoProject,etc...to have help and solutions.....really spent so much hours on that......

I can assure you that when we are telling you here that it's not about hardware but about optimization it's 100% the truth.

It's really about how the software is optimized to use the hardware. Even if you get a Geforce GTX TITAN 2 you won't be able to take benefit of it on a PC with Serato. The way the PC versions of the Serato softwares work make them don't take benefit let's say "at all" of the GPU. So a geforce gt 630m or a geforce gtx titan 2 will give almost the same result because of the lack of optimization.
You also have things about latency. Some pcs have sometimes bad chipsets architecture that can lead to latency because the wifi will be turned on or because of a webcam or whatever (yes it seems like shit but trust me man i'm old in that game and have seen that happening)
The Serato soft is so well optimized for MAC so it will be kind of plug and play. I also advise you to go for Mix Emergency if you want to do video cause it's well optimized as well and will work straight out the box.
I don't know if you have faith in my experience but i hope so. Trust what people are telling you here cause they have experience. Even if sometimes some don't have the good words or explanations the result of what they are saying regarding the "go for MAC" sentence is truly true and wise !
Dj ListenDat 5:13 PM - 21 March, 2015
i meant GTX TITAN X (not 2)
DjGicomeng 5:23 PM - 12 July, 2015
I scraped $2,800 together from every end of my wallet just to buy someone's used Macbook Pro that was advertised on Craigslist. I can't even begin to imagine buying a used PC notebook running Windows 7, even if it was only $500, but all I kept hearing from Mac experts was that if I wanted to go pro with Serato DJ, I had better start using the right tools. Well, I conducted a rather superficial investigation -- you know, the kind when someone already made up your mind for you and all you are doing is a confirmatory procedure, like pressing a button that you agree. I had not used a Mac in awhile but as a former systems design engineer I already knew everything that would impress me. What didn't impress me was the OS, X 10.10.x for too many reasons to include here. I kept telling myself: "If this is the tool that I need to get the job done, then it must be." But today, I find that anyone who raves about Apple is either too lazy to give Windows a chance or has that much money that they can afford to buy a customized Apple for every project they perform.

It has been only four months since I made the second hand purchase of the 13-inich MacBook Pro Retina with 4 2.6GHz Core i7 Processors, 16GB Memory and a half a TB of SDD storage... and believe me, not much more than that. It has become the precious figurine that crashes more than any PC notebook I have ever had and it is beyond me how you can call it virus-free. All it took was an installation of Audacity when I began noticing just how much 3rd Party vendors loathe Macs, and just how arrogant Apple can be.

I still have no problem using Virtual DJ or other SW to do my mashups on my PC, but when I'm ready to record using Audacity over Serato DJ ion my Macbook Pro, no one can cough, sneeze, whisper or make any sudden movement because recording with the Mac OS X is real time "in air" quality with no latency, but because there is no line input, the only way to record is through the "built-in" microphone. To me, that tells you something about the brains behind the Mac. I just could not believe that two certified Apple technicians told me that was acceptable. Talk about wireless technology, can we?

I don't need a vision of the future to tell me that the only part of the pie that Apple has today is with video and imagery. So what does that make Apple tomorrow... a great 3rd Party vendor?

What I don't like is having to buy two copies of Serato DJ: one for my Mac and one for my PC running Windows. Knowing what I know today, I would have spent a lot less investing in a brand new PC that would be versatile enough to do everything I need today. If I have to record from a built-in microphone or take up real estate on a USB port I do not have, then why did I ever migrate from vinyl because the state of digital audio technology is still experimental... at least for Apple it is.
SeriousCyrus 5:35 PM - 12 July, 2015
Quote:
What I don't like is having to buy two copies of Serato DJ: one for my Mac and one for my PC running Windows. Knowing what I know today, I would have spent a lot less investing in a brand new PC that would be versatile enough to do everything I need today. If I have to record from a built-in microphone or take up real estate on a USB port I do not have, then why did I ever migrate from vinyl because the state of digital audio technology is still experimental... at least for Apple it is.


?? Serato is tied to the hardware, you have compatible hardware, serato is free.
djnak 6:44 PM - 12 July, 2015
Quote:
I still have no problem using Virtual DJ or other SW to do my mashups on my PC, but when I'm ready to record using Audacity over Serato DJ ion my Macbook Pro, no one can cough, sneeze, whisper or make any sudden movement because recording with the Mac OS X is real time "in air" quality with no latency, but because there is no line input, the only way to record is through the "built-in" microphone. To me, that tells you something about the brains behind the Mac. I just could not believe that two certified Apple technicians told me that was acceptable. Talk about wireless technology, can we?


What are you recording? You know serato can record internally right?? No need for audacity, but there is also other ways of recording...(not using the built in mic lol) ....If you have the "PROPER" 3 ring 1/8th plug you should be-able to choice the port as a line in/mic input....also Usb soundcards are also very efficient....


Most of the issues you listed sound more USER related rather than apple porblems....
SeriousCyrus 6:52 PM - 12 July, 2015
PEBCAK
DjGicomeng 7:13 PM - 12 July, 2015
SeriousCyrus-- 1) Serato Intro is free but not Serato DJ; 2) Serato is tied to controller hardware it should not make a difference if someone is using OS X one day and "Windows 7 the next, but it does. As soon as Serato activated their program on my Mac, I was not able to use the PC version. I don't understand why but that's the way they do it.

What is PEBCAK?

djnak -- Serato can record internally, but I cannot edit the results, use key finder type SW if I wanted, or get an accurate BPM unless I transfer it to an MP3 recording. Ive tried it several times but without optimal results. Audacity is by no means my favorite SW program, but people have put a lot of hard work into it and it is a program that keeps improvintg. It is free. The people who wrote the manual are NOT fans of Mac, you can tell just by reading it... Yes, on some Macs there is a way to convert the headphones into an audio-in line, however, not on the 13" Retinas for some reason. I don't get it. If they have the technology, just delivery every machine with the same configuration After all, the customer is paying for a Macbook Pro, then it should be standard. Right?
Now, my MC2000 has a built in sound care and should show two lines in and two lines out. At one time, it did. Then I bought a set of Alto TX 8s because the six-inch Bose speakers I have are for computers. Computer speakers have a sharp roll off after 10 feet and it is nearly impossible to hear beyond that.

GREAT Questions! Thank you!
SeriousCyrus 7:25 PM - 12 July, 2015
Quote:
SeriousCyrus-- 1) Serato Intro is free but not Serato DJ; 2) Serato is tied to controller hardware it should not make a difference if someone is using OS X one day and "Windows 7 the next, but it does. As soon as Serato activated their program on my Mac, I was not able to use the PC version. I don't understand why but that's the way they do it.


Serato has no registration, it is authorised only through a key that exists in the hardware that you bought, you have a sixty two, a twitch or whatever kit you bought, you can download the software for free and it will work for the hardware you bought. There is nothing about it that will stop it being authorised on one computer or another. I know If I turn to someone else's gig, and they have serato compatible hardware, I can use my laptop with it.

Serato Video is tied to your laptop as far as I know, but even then, you can still use DJ with anything, just not video functions. So I'm having a hard time understanding what your rant is about.

The internal recording for serato is on point, low latency and little CPU overhead, audacity offers no advantages while recording. Done recording, then yeah, but while recording, Serato offers full quality hifi direct through a usually high quality soundcard, you literally could not do better.
SeriousCyrus 7:40 PM - 12 July, 2015
support.serato.com
DJMark 11:02 PM - 12 July, 2015
Quote:
I scraped $2,800 together from every end of my wallet just to buy someone's used Macbook Pro that was advertised on Craigslist


(edit)

Quote:
It has been only four months since I made the second hand purchase of the 13-inich MacBook Pro Retina with 4 2.6GHz Core i7 Processors, 16GB Memory and a half a TB of SDD storage...


$2800 for a used 13-inch MBP?!

Even if you made a typo and the MBP is 15 inches, that would be a very high price for a second-hand MBP with the specs you describe.

Maybe a little more research, and a little less misinformed gabbling.
DjGicomeng 11:46 PM - 12 July, 2015
Thank you for addressing this because it fueled my interest in trying it again, thinking there might be a shred of hope that I was delusional when they told me that I would not be able to use my PC with Serato DJ again unless I bought another license for it because I had transferred my license from my PC to the MAC. It would make a great deal great of sense if I could use my notebooks interchangeably. Then I would never need to worry about wondering if my what happened to my music. Oh what a marvelous thing it is not to have a single point of failure, and even you agree with me Perhaps the problem was misunderstanding me. After all, you say that you can plug your PC notebook into someone else's Serato controller at a gig. Why not? But what happens when you get another computer? I feel the purchase of a license should include a second (backup) computer. The operating systems should not have to be the same. This way, it is possible for everyone to have a Mac and a Windows PC so there wouldn't have to be posts like this one, in which the goal is to determine the best OS.

Now I shoiuld not have experienced a problem whe when I disconnected my Denon MC 2000 from my Macbook Pro and reconnected it to my Lenova Think Pad then rebooted. Not only could I not get out of the offline player even though the MC 2000 was properly connected and all the lights flashed during the startup diagnostics sequence, but the key locks on both sides of the jog wheels did not remain lit.

After a few minutes, the screen on my notebook refreshed, producing a side panel that told the whole story of my rant by offering me a free 14-day trial as it could not detect my account.

So I am right. But being right is not always the best thing. How many free 14-day trials does Serato give its customers. From my perspective: Not nearly enough. Furthermore,, if my Mac or PC fails, I don't want Serato to consider me as another new customer, but rather as a disgruntled user who keeps on experiencing new problems that are being handled to make Serato look good. The last thing I want is for the folks at Serato to pat themselves on the back when they should be sweating through these problems with all of us..
DjGicomeng 11:56 PM - 12 July, 2015
Can someone please tell me how I can post the receipt here?
Uh- maybe what you're ineffectively saying, DJ-Mark is that I should have done the research before I purchased the MBP??? Gee, I thought I had. Of course I realize now that this was no $5,000 purchase made by the seller. But it's Craigslist, for Pete's Sake. Give me a break!
DjGicomeng 5:38 AM - 13 July, 2015
I don't think anyone here really gets what's going on. Audacity -- one of the most respected shareware programs ion audio editing is offered to the public for free. Windows 3rd party vendors like Audacity and many of them volunteer to help it along. As such, it has be used i by the commercial industry for many diverse applications. Microsoft welcomes the opportunity to work with a program that is being used by students and award-winning producers. And then along comes Apple that rarely supports freeware and Audacity is no exception.

Then there is Serato -- arguably the leader in digital DJ software -- a c company that goes out of its way to ensure their users don't have more than one computer operational with their SW.. Now, because I took my MC 2000 off of the Macbook Pro and took it to the Edge, I cannot access either of them. This has nothing to do with built in limitations to the SW that makes it act this way, This is part of the program that we -- as clients of Serato -- are paying to have installed in Serato DJ so that anyone who breaks the rules will suffer the consequences. As a design engineer, I know it is easier for a SW program to be developed that accommodates both the MAC and the PC with an easy handoff to each without rebooting. What my rant is why are we -- the customers -- allowing Serato to get away with this at our inconvenience and expense when it is possible to have a more robust program that accommodates OS X., Windows, Linex, and whatever OS comes along. Senato is not starving. Their people will be eating whether you have two machines or dual boot.. This would fix our nightmares with Apple and Windows and spark some healthy competition and the chance to get an even larger share of the digital dj market.

And as you can see, I -- for one -- will pay anything for this if I am working, but if I'm a 12 year old -- a 24 year old -- a 36 year old... or 110 year who's is not working and wants access to both a PC and Mac, well, why stop it!
DJMark 8:58 AM - 13 July, 2015
Quote:
Maybe a little more research, and a little less misinformed gabbling.
the SOUNDINSURGENT 4:28 PM - 13 July, 2015
Bro your doing something wrong!! I can use my DDJ SB, SL3 or Pioneer DJM 850 with Pioneer CDJ's 850 on either of my machines.

1 being a MacBook Pro and the other an Asus PC.

Serato allows you to use use 2 machines, 1 as your main and the other as your backup. So where you get they aren't allowing this from is just plain old BS.....

Now depending on WHAT hardware your using you may have to sign in and unlock it so the software opens but then you can only do this on 2 machines at any given point in time.

Now with my SL3 I can just plug into any machine with SDJ and play without logging into my account.

Now as for Audicity who knows what's going on there but what I've learned about Serato over the years is that they could give a shit less about other software unless it's making them a buck as well........ Your best bet is to get in touch with Support and see if maybe there's a conflict going on because I have seen some teamers recommend Audicity to people for recording.......
Code:E 9:25 PM - 13 July, 2015
DjGicomeng You are still doing things the "amature" way. You havea mac. We can and are williung to show you the correct way for doing things. Stop thinking you need Freeware programs you not in the PC world anymore. And $2800 is way too much for a used mac laptop. Hell the most expensive mac you would ever need is that much new fromt he apple store.


DjGicomeng I'm not trying to be rude. But your posts jump around more than mine do.

We are nice guys (for the most part) and will help you out. But you need to slow down step back and let us address one issues at a time per thread. Start your own thread with each thing you are trying todo. You will get help, but a massive thread like this one with some many things going on in it is not the right place for it.
DJ Ravien 10:21 PM - 15 July, 2015
I haven't had any issues using serato on any laptop my ddj-sz is connected too so far no issues. As for serato video I believe I read that you need to deactivate it on one laptop before using it on another. Haven't tried yet but will be doing just that soon.

I purchased my MBP 15 inch 2.5 ghz dealy with the dedicated graphics card. $2,200 on Ebay. *Crosses fingers* Hopefully everything works right but the sellers feedback made me confident and claims to still be under a 1 year warranty. With any luck will be here before the weekend.
Joshua Carl 6:33 PM - 16 July, 2015
As a lifer on the PC side it wasn't until Mix Emergency I decided to jump ship to mac

That was almost 5 years ago.

Sl and SVideo ran excellent on my PC (as robust and as expensive as any mac at that time)

What's funny, is with the direction of mac, it seems like every release we are like WTF Mac!
Feel like any given release its less about pro-users and more about pro-sumers

But as long as I can run ME, I'm happy
(And scratch live of course)
DJ Ravien 2:59 AM - 18 July, 2015
Got my MBP today. Everything runs smooth now with the exception of me clunking around in a unfamiliar os.

Everything seems to be backward the biggest issue being the windows close buttons... on the "wrong" side. That and the non closing red x on some apps >.< Shouldn't be difficult to get use too. It's pretty much identical to running linux on a PC.

Anyways looks like I have a ton of work cut out for me! Should be fun :)
pdidy 8:42 PM - 30 July, 2015
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Maybe a little more research, and a little less misinformed gabbling.

well considering he has not returned im guessing someone slowly and patiently informed him of all his rant misinformation........lol
DjGicomeng 12:21 AM - 12 August, 2015
Sorry, but this is my first time back on this forum since my prior posting. My partner had been hospitalized recently and cannot walk, leaving me to take on household and other responsibilities that I had not bargained for. I want you all to know that I really appreciate your criticisms. They have been very helpful. I realize that I spent way too much on the MacBook Pro and I spoke to the owner about it who promised to write a detailed receipt for everything that came with it included extended Apple Service that I need to use this week. I agree that this particular forum has gone all over the place but I am not the only one taking it there. What I was planning to do initially is make a point about Apple. As long as there are flaws with Macs, PCs will be welcome competition. But there are too many Mac owners here who take themselves too seriously. CHILL OUT! Life is too short at any age. I'm here to make a statement and I feel very content that some of you practically want to adopt me because I guess it shows that I've been around for many years. I apologize if I have ranted but while you think I'm misinformed, that can only happen if someone is passing false information on to me. What I am writing about is my experience and I find it disturbing that you would pass judgment on me. The one thing I miss most about the years gone by is the respect that DJs and everyone had for one another. Don't get me wrong, I am fascinated by the change. Back then equality was important, today everyone wants either to lead or follow a leader; back then, we had one rule as I mentioned it before respect: If you can't add to the party show respect and don't go to the party. Today, there are all sorts of rules. I accept it as today and tomorrow a new generation will take it to the next level whatever that may be and you just might find yourself on the outside looking in. Trust me, you will remember this just the same as I remember what someone once said to me. If only I knew then what I know today.

A special thanks to those of you who are still reading this. Please don't be stupid and respond. It will only show that you have no respect.
pdidy 5:32 AM - 12 August, 2015
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A special thanks to those of you who are still reading this. Please don't be stupid and respond. It will only show that you have no respect.

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