Serato DJ: Notes, Takeaways, and Ideas

Transition Ideas

For all of the following, perform these effects first to silence the prev. song.

Only after you have done so, then flip the crossfader over.

1. 1. For song that is currently playing: slowly raise LPF effect on the last 3 measures, full LPF effect on last measure, then quick flip to new song
   2. Set echo to 1/2 beat, set slow break (when hitting stop) to 1 measure
      • During last 1 whole measure: Turn echo on 1 whole measure (1/2 or 1 measure works well depending on circumstance) before transitioning in, and press stop (creating slow break) at 1/4 measure remaining
   3. During last 1 whole measure: Backspin on 1 whole measure before and turn echo at 1/4 measure remaining
   4. During last 1 whole measure: 1 whole measure loop, then 1/2 measure loop, then 1/4 measure
      • While slowly raising HPF filter
      • Stop (creating slow break) at 1/4 measure remaining
   5. Preset patterned cue point hitting during new song transition + 1/4 beat echo effect during the last 1 full measure
   6. Scratching
      1. Maintain same scratch every time: forward, back, forward, back
         1. Make sure this returns the song to its original place by the end of your scratching
      2. Make sure you scratch ON BEAT

Huge BPM Jump Notes

Source

• • 1. Use the intro/outro
  • 2. 1 measure loop on a vocal section
    • One hand: Alternate increasing Echo and HPF for the current song
    • Other hand: Sync on, gradually speed up/slow down tempo to match second song’s BPM

Serato Effects Notes

• • Echo:
    • 1. Same as regular double transition in
    • 2. Leave crossfader in the middle
    • 3. Don’t move crossfader, just turn Echo all the way up on the 1st song on the last 1/4 measure and it will auto fade out
  • Gradual Controllable Transitions
    • Combo Filter: Middle is normal, Left is LPF, Right is HPF
    • LPF: Slowly increase if the prev song has alot of bass/drums
    • HPF: Slowly increase if the prev song has alot of vocals
      • HPF has lingering sound even if turned up all the way. Make sure to crossfade over or immediately turn FX Off afterwards.
    • LFO filter
    • Delay
    • Echo
    • Clean Echo out
    • Echo out
    • Version Echo
    • Epic Verb Drop
    • Epic Reverb
    • Pan Delay
    • Reverb
  • Transitions that require sophistication/work
    • Repeater
  • One Time Full Stop
    • Brake Echo
    • Combo Fade Echo
  • For sound distortion only
    • Shredder
    • Phaser
    • Flanger
    • Transform
    • Tremolo
    • Bit Crush
    • Distortion
    • Turn off key lock and go up and down on the Tempo
  • Useless
    • Braker

BPM Guide

• • 90: Rap
  • 100, 110: Rachet/Twerk, Moombahton
  • 111-125: Dead Zone
  • 128: House, Trance
  • 135, 140, 150, 160: Trap, Dubstep, Hardstyle
  • 161-179 (89): Mostly Rap

Serato Keyboard Shortcuts

Source

• • Q: Play track forwards
  • A: Play track backwards
  • Zoom main waveform display + or –
    Zoom library text size control and + or –
  • Load the highlighted song to a deck
    • Ctrl + left/right arrow for left/right deck
  • Enter Beatgrid Edit Mode
    • Alt + Spacebar (repeat to toggle between decks)
  • Ctrl + Z will load the previous track and continue to play it from its original position when you accidentally ejected.
    • This has saved a couple of lives for sure.
  • (While editing BPM) Double/Halve BPM
    • alt + up/down arrow
  • Delete track/crate control + delete
    Send file to trash control + shift + delete
  • Move cursor to search control + F
    Reveal track in Explorer (PC) or Finder (Mac) control + R
    Locate last loaded track (press again for other deck) control + L
  • Add track(s) to prepare panel control + P