Mixing and Playback

Previously we have covered finding, loading, and playing tracks. Once you have a track playing, the next step is to mix it into another track.

Finding the Next track

First, you’ll need to find the next track to mix in. Browse your library to find a suitable track. You can click the top of a column header to sort your library.

TIP: The library’s BPM column is useful for finding a track with a similar tempo to the current track. Loading it to the Deck

Load the next track to the desired virtual deck by using the mouse to drag and drop a file from the library, or use the keyboard shortcuts.

• Shift + left arrow to load onto the left deck (or the active left deck when using 4 decks)
• Shift + right arrow to load onto the right deck (or the active right deck when using 4 decks)
  (Alternatively, you can use the relevant track-load button(s) on your Serato DJ hardware.)

 

Eject

To eject a track from a loaded virtual deck you can either click the  button or use the following keyboard shortcuts:

• Alt + shift + left arrow to load onto the left deck (or the active left deck when using 4 decks)
• Alt + shift + right arrow to load onto the right deck (or the active right deck when using 4 decks)

Playback Controls
The playback controls can be clicked above each virtual deck.

Play: Plays track forward. Click again to pause. control + click to reverse play.

 

Load previous track: Loads the previous track in your active crate

The playback controls can also be used with keyboard shortcuts.

Adjusting a Track’s Tempo

The playback speed of the track is controlled by the Pitch Slider / Dial on the Serato DJ hardware. Moving the slider or knob will speed up or slow down the track.

You can adjust the pitch range for the pitch range controls using the relative PITCH RANGE buttons on the Serato DJ hardware.

Using a Serato DJ Controller

If you are using a Serato DJ Lite-compatible controller, the playback speed of the track can be controlled by the tempo slider/dial on the hardware. Moving the slider or knob will speed up or slow down the track at the tempo range that is currently set. You can adjust the tempo range using the relative buttons on your Serato DJ Lite- compatible controller. Available pitch range is hardware dependent, and therefore each pitch range may not be available across all hardware.

Getting the tracks in time

Moving the pitch adjust will slow the track down or speed the track up. This allows you to take two tracks that are of different tempos and mix them together in time. The pitched BPM and the pitch % are shown in the Track Display Area.

The simplest way to adjust the speed to match the other track is to move the pitch the BPM value is the same as the track that is already playing. By repeatedly playing from the temp Cue Point and fine-tuning the pitch slider you can get the tracks playing at exactly the same speed.

NOTE: Serato DJ Lite will play music at a range of speeds with or without key lock. SEE KEYLOCK FOR MORE INFORMATION

Track Gain Adjust

 

Gain can be adjusted for your individual track, which may be loaded to the Virtual Deck or Sampler Sample Slot. Adjustment ranges from -24dB to +24dB. To set the gain value to 0dB, control + click on the Track Gain Adjust. Serato DJ Lite will remember adjusted Track Gain value when the track is next loaded.

 

When Auto Gain is enabled, the Track Gain Adjust will appear grey.
Again, to set the gain value to 0 dB, control + click the Track Gain Adjust. To return the value to its original Auto Gain value, alt + click the Track Gain Adjust.

SEE USE AUTO GAIN FOR MORE INFORMATION

We recommend keeping your tracks gain set so that the deck output level is in the yellow segments for the loudest parts of your track. Keeping the level out of the red is recommended at all times.

TIP: For fine Track Gain Adjustment, hold shift while dragging the control Keylock

Enabling Keylock means the song will keep its key when the tempo of the song is changed. Key Lock has scratch detection so that it automatically turns off when scratching for a natural scratching sound.

TIP: F5 and F10 will turn Key Lock on and o for the left and right decks respectively.