Serato DJ, Traktor Scratch Pro, & Rekordbox UNITED in One Setup

One of the things that I always wanted since the birth of the CDJ-2000 and the DJM-900Nexus mixer was to have a unified setup that gave you the OPTIONS to be able to switch between Serato Scratch Live, Traktor, and Rekordbox without the additional need for an external interface. The current way to achieve will always require the need for a Serato Interface such us the SL1, 2, 3, or 4.

After doing some research on the new Serato DJ enabled DJM-900SRT, I realized that the need for any external interface is no longer required. With Serato DJ being DVS enabled, it opens up the possibilities of a multi-application setup, on a setup that is simply 2 CDJ's and a mixer. The setup will also be possible on the DDJ-SX controller, if the 4 inputs, as predicted, will be utilizable via the DVS system.

Below are two ways to achieve the multi-application setup as to how to do it and the advantages and disadvantages. Please remember these setups have not been tested since the DJM-900SRT mixer has not been released yet. However, these configurations are based on the specifications made available by Pioneer, as well as existing information on the CDJ-2000Nexus. HID mode maybe a development that will also come some time later, and the setup may be limited to only timecode CD configuration in Serato DJ.


Configuration 1:
Ultimate Serato/Traktor/Rekord Box with HID mode

Requirements:
(2) Pioneer CDJ-2000Nexus
(1) Pioneer DJM-900SRT
(1) Ethernet Switcher Hub (for Rekordbox option along with 4 Ethernet Cables)
(1) Laptop (Mac or PC fitting minimum requirements)
(1) Powered USB Hub (with 3 or more inputs and 4 USB Cables)
(1) Serato DJ Application with DVS enabled versions
(1) Traktor Scratch Duo OR Traktor Scratch Pro
(1) Rekordbox

(2) Technics SL-1200MK2 or higher turntables (optional)


Setup:
-Plug CDJ-2000Nexus (and turntables) to the desired inputs on the DJM-900SRT

-Plug the 3 USB Cables to from the CDJ-2000Nexuses and the DJM-900SRT to the Powered USB Hub, and one USB Cable from the hub to the Laptop

-Plug 3 Ethernet Cables from CDJ-2000Nexuses and the DJM-900SRT to the Ethernet Switcher Hub, and one Ethernet Cable from the hub to the Laptop

-Plug RCA or Digital audio cables from CDJ-2000Nexuses to desired inputs on the mixer (also plug the RCA of the SL-1200 turntable to desired inputs in the mixer)


Serato DJ Use:
When you open Serato DJ, you can use both the CDJ-2000Nexuses AND the optional SL-1200 turntables in a 2 to 4 deck setup. For added control, you can LINK the CDJ-2000Nexuses in HID mode for maximum playback and performance control and playlist display on the CDJ screen.

Traktor Use:
Open your purchased version of Traktor. In the setup, follow the steps to link the soundcards of the CDJ-2000Nexuses to the corresponding left and right deck outputs of Traktor as well as HID control link of the CDJ-2000Nexuses to to the corresponding left and right decks in Traktor.

Rekordbox Use:
Open Rekordbox and follow the steps to link the CDJ-2000Nexuses, Laptop, and it's data sources together. You can link up to two laptops in Rekordbox configuration by switching the Ethernet Hub to a second plugged laptop.


Pros:
-This one setup will allow you to have the options to choose your application platforms between Serato DJ, Traktor, and Rekordbox, whether it's on one Laptop or switching to another.

-Serato DJ will give you the best of THREE worlds: Timecode Vinyl, Timecode CD, and HID on the CDJ-2000Nexus.

Cons:
-Traktor will be limited to CDJ-2000Nexus HID controls only. Timecode control from the SL-1200's will require using a Traktor interface like an Audio 8 instead of using the CDJ-2000Nexus.

-The only application that you can switch from one computer to another seamlessly is Rekordbox using the Ethernet Switcher Hub.

-Applications must be closed in order to start another application. It may be possible to run applications back to back however it is highly not recommended because data confusion between the applications may occur.

Comments:
-HID mode may not be available for Serato DJ right away, and may require the use of Serato Timecode CD's until the update is released. (It took a very long time to get HID support for Scratch Live).

-The Loop Roll effect on the DJM-900SRT can be used as a transition when switching applications or switching Laptops.

-Native MIDI control from DJM-900SRT to Traktor will not be available like the DJM-900Nexus. However, with an extra MIDI interface, you can assign a MIDI map in Traktor to get MIDI control from the DJM-900SRT.

-DJM-900SRT cannot be used as a Traktor soundcard output like the DJM-900Nexus.

-I wish the DJM-900SRT had TWO USB ports like the Rane 62, Rane 64, and Rane 68.




Configuration 2:
Compact Serato/Traktor/Rekord Box with HID mode

Requirements:
(2) Pioneer CDJ-2000Nexus
(1) Pioneer DDJ-SX
(1) Ethernet Switcher Hub (for Rekordbox option along with 3 Ethernet Cables)
(1) Laptop (Mac or PC fitting minimum requirements)
(1) Powered USB Hub (with 3 or more inputs and 4 USB Cables)
(1) Serato DJ Application with DVS enabled versions
(1) Traktor Scratch Duo OR Traktor Scratch Pro
(1) Rekordbox

(2) Technics SL-1200MK2 or higher turntables (optional)


Setup:
-Plug CDJ-2000Nexus (and turntables) to the desired inputs on the DDJ-SX

-Plug the 3 USB Cables to from the CDJ-2000Nexuses and the DDJ-SX to the Powered USB Hub, and one USB Cable from the hub to the Laptop

-Plug the Ethernet Cable from CDJ-2000Nexuses and the DJM-900SRT to the Ethernet Switcher Hub, and one Ethernet Cable from the hub to the Laptop

-Plug RCA cables from CDJ-2000Nexuses to desired inputs on the mixer (also plug the RCA of the SL-1200 turntable to desired inputs in the mixer)


Serato DJ Use:
When you open Serato DJ, you can use both the CDJ-2000Nexuses AND the optional SL-1200 turntables in a 2 to 4 deck setup. For added control, you can LINK the CDJ-2000Nexuses in HID mode for maximum playback and performance control and playlist display on the CDJ screen. (Note that the DDJ-SX is already a controller for Serato DJ. HID support may be delayed and is also possible may be negated when used with the DDJ-SX).

Traktor Use:
Open your purchased version of Traktor. In the setup, follow the steps to link the soundcards of the CDJ-2000Nexuses to the corresponding left and right deck outputs of Traktor as well as HID control link of the CDJ-2000Nexuses to to the corresponding left and right decks in Traktor.

Rekordbox Use:
Open Rekordbox and follow the steps to link the CDJ-2000Nexuses, Laptop, and it's data sources together. You can link up to two laptops in Rekordbox configuration by switching the Ethernet Hub to a second plugged laptop.


Pros:
-This one setup will allow you to have the options to choose your application platforms between Serato DJ, Traktor, and Rekordbox, whether it's on one Laptop or switching to another.

-Serato DJ will give you the best of THREE worlds: Timecode Vinyl, Timecode CD, and possibly HID on the CDJ-2000Nexus.

Cons:
-Traktor will be limited to CDJ-2000Nexus HID controls only. Timecode control from the SL-1200's will require using a Traktor interface like an Audio 8 instead of using the CDJ-2000Nexus.

-The only application that you can switch from one computer to another seamlessly is Rekordbox using the Ethernet Switcher Hub.

-Applications must be closed in order to start another application which means music will have to stop. It may be possible to run applications back to back however it is highly not recommended because data confusion between the applications may occur.

Comments:
-HID mode may not be available for Serato DJ right away, and may require the use of Serato Timecode CD's until the update is released. (It took a very long time to get HID support for Scratch Live). Also note that HID support for use with the DDJ-SX may possible not be released because the device itself is already a controller for HID.

-The DDJ-SX will be nothing more than a mixer when used with Traktor and all special functions will be negated. However it may be possible to MIDI map the controls of the DDJ-SX to Traktor.


Also check out the Pri yon Joni Configuration
This setup allows you to use Serato Scratch Live (and soon Serato DJ) with 2 CDJ-2000Nexuses in HID mode with a Rane 62 mixer with the option to quickly switch to timecode ABS/REL mode using turntables.

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