ninjaty
5:07 AM - 29 January, 2007
What is Whitelabel.net?
The Serato Whitelabel Delivery Network, or Whitelabel.net for short, is a digital delivery service for promotional releases of new music. Record labels are looking for new ways to deliver new releases to DJs, and Serato has designed Whitelabel.net to cater for just this need. For you, the DJ, this means fresh new music delivered directly to you, in a format that is ready to play in Scratch LIVE!
Whitelabel.net is currently in beta, and will be officially launched in January 2007.
How do I get music?
When you sign in to Whitelabel.net, click on the "Download" tab and you will see a list of the new releases available for download. Click on a release to see more information, and to preview and download tracks. Many releases will contain several tracks, for example an album version, an instrumental version, and an a cappella version. Each new release will have a dedicated thread in the Release Feedback area, where you can talk about the release with other DJs.
What file format does Whitelabel.net use?
Whitelabel.net uses a custom file format: Whitelabel MP3s (file extension .wl.mp3). These files will play as a low quality preview in any MP3 player, and a high quality version within Serato Scratch LIVE (minimum version 1.6.3). The Whitelabel.net format files are specially prepared for use in Scratch LIVE - they have had their overviews built, they are tagged with song and artist info, BPM, and album art where possible. The file will be the equivalent in quality to a 320kbps MP3 when played in Scratch LIVE (again, minimum version 1.6.3).
What's all that stuff in the downloads page?
The downloads page is divided in two. Releases from the last week are at the top, and all other releases are down below. You can search through the releases by typing in the search boxes.
For any of the releases, if you click on the release name, artist name, label or genre, it will give you more info, including the buttons to preview (play icon) and download (down arrow). In the near future you will also be able to click on a download icon in the release header to download a zip file containing all the tracks in a release.
If you click on the i button next to the release name, you'll see a detailed view of the release.
What music will be available on Whitelabel.net?
That depends on the labels. Some labels will release some tracks to all Whitelabel.net users, while other labels may restrict a release to a small group of Whitelabel.net users, for example DJs who have hip hop mix shows on US radio, or DJs who have residencies in clubs. Some labels may stagger releases, so that in the first week, it goes to just DJs with radio shows, and in the second week it goes to all Whitelabel.net users.
Which labels will be releasing music through Whitelabel.net?
We expect that the first few releases will be from the "Major Labels", and will most likely be US hip hop, given our strength in that market. However, we are working with labels from other countries, other genres and smaller independent labels.
Why does my friend see different releases on Whitelabel.net?
Serato provides tools to record labels to allow them to send to a limited set of DJs, for example, the radio mix show DJs mentioned above. Serato will not be creating or maintaining these lists. If you want to get more new music, or if you want to get it sooner, you need to get on the label's VIP list! There many ways to do this - we will be working with existing promoters, digital delivery systems and record pools - being on their lists will get you more new music!
What is Serato's role in Whitelabel.net?
Whitelabel.net was designed, built and is wholely owned by Serato Audio Research. Whitelabel.net is represented in the USA by Jeff Diones.
To contact Serato Audio Research and Jeff please email: whitelabel@serato.com.
What web browser can I use?
We use lots of cool Web 2.0 technology, at the moment we support IE7, Safari and Firefox. There will be some limited support for IE6. You need to have javascript and cookies enabled on your browser.
How much does it cost?
Nothing. It's free for the DJ.
What version of Scratch LIVE do I need to play Whitelabel.net files?
You need at least version 1.6.3
What happens if I try to play a Whitelabel.net file in an old version of Scratch LIVE?
It will play, but you'll only hear the low quality preview version.
Can I use the files outside of Scratch LIVE?
Yes, but you'll only hear the low quality preview version.
Can I give it to my friend?
Nope. That would be illegal, just like giving an MP3 to your friend. For the full terms and conditions of using Whitelabel.net, click here: beta.whitelabel.net
What is Serato doing to protect my privacy?
Record labels will be able to see which tracks a DJ has previewed, and which tracks a DJ has downloaded, but they will only see the DJs forum display name. Your email address will not be given to anyone.
