A Guide To Connecting Your Turntable To Serato

By: Andrew
Date: April 27, 2022

This post contains affiliate links.

“File:Kaisei of MasonDJs using Serato SL2.jpg” by Kaisei-kun is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

Some years ago, people were confused about how vinyl and turntables still survive with their antique system. Some DJs began to spin vinyl and record their music through emulation software like Serato. It is one of the main reasons for the survival of vinyl records and turntables. What is Serato?

During the last decade, some DJs started to sell their music record creations that Play through Serato. Many rock music fans started buying their new vinyl records. The popularity of vinyl records and turntables raised gradually, thanks to Serato. Serato vinyl emulation software is an innovation for DJs who like to play music through turntables and mix it through a computer. (source)

Table of Contents

How Do I Connect My Turntable To Serato?

Serato helped the DJs to break the limits of technology and strengthen their love for vinyl records and turntables. Many famous DJs like A-Trak (Alain Macklovitch) started careers as turntablists. Are you interested in becoming a turntablist and starting your DJ career? How to connect your turntable to Serato? (source)

How To Set Up Your Turntables With Serato

You can connect your turntables with Serato by using a few simple steps. +Here are the steps you can follow to set up your turntables with Serato software:

1. Firstly, you need to buy and activate the Seato software DVS expansion pack.

2. But first, you have to buy the Seato software DVS expansion pack. Follow the following steps:

I. Open Serato DJ and enter your account details or create a new account.

II. After this, you will see the main screen of Serato. Go to the expansion pack tab and select DVS expansion pack.

III. After buying the DVS expansion pack, you will get a voucher code from Serato.

IV. Now, you have successfully bought the DVS expansion pack to connect your turntable with Serato.

V. Go to the main tab of Serato DJ and click on the top right corner to enter the voucher code.

VI. Now, enter the voucher code, and your DVS expansion pack is activated.

3. Now go to the setup screen of Serato software and click on the expansion packs tab.

4. Now select the CDJ/Vinyl control option from the given menu, and this option is available if the DVS expansion is active.

5. Then check that whether the CDJ/Vinyl control is enabled or not. You have to enable this feature to connect your turntables to Serato.

I. You have to re-enable it by ticking the CDJ/Vinyl control option.

6. Now, you are using the DVS mode having audio data of 16-bit depth.

7. Now, you can connect your turntables with Serato using the Pioneer DDJ-SX2 controller. (source)

How To Connect Analog And DJ Turntables With Serato

1. There are two types of turntables you can connect with Serato.

I. Analog turntables

II. DJ turntables (ADA digital turntables)

2. First, we will describe connecting an Analog turntable to Serato. Follow the following steps:

I. First, turn off the Pioneer DDJ-SX2 to connect your analog turntables to Serato DJ. Press the on switch button to turn off the power to Pioneer DDJ-SX2.

II. Now, connect the input terminals of Pioneer DDJ-SX2 and the output terminals of your analog turntables by using the RCA cable.

III. Then connect the grounding wires of your analog turntables to the Signal-GND terminal of Pioneer DDJ-SX2 to stabilize the control signal of the analog turntables. (source)

IV. Now, select the PC option from the input switches for channels 1 and 2.

V. Now, connect the Pioneer DDJ-SX2 to your laptop or computer using a USB cable.

VI. After connecting all the devices, press the switch on button again to turn on the Pioneer DDJ-SX2.

VII. In this way, you can connect your analog turntables to Serato.

3. Now, we will describe connecting a DJ turntable to Serato. Follow the following steps:

I. First, turn off the Pioneer DDJ-SX2 to connect your DJ turntables to Serato DJ. Press the on switch button to turn off the power to Pioneer DDJ-SX2.

II. Now connect the input terminals of Pioneer DDJ-SX2 and the output terminals of your DJ turntables by using the RCA cable. (source)

III. Now, connect the Pioneer DDJ-SX2 to your laptop or computer using a USB cable.

IV. Now, select the PC option from the input switches for channels 1 and 2.

V. After connecting all the devices, press the switch on button again to turn on the Pioneer DDJ-SX2.

VI. In this way, you can connect your DJ turntables to Serato.

4. You can not use an analog turntable with a DJ turntable. You can either use two analog turntables or two DJ turntables.

A Complete Guide On Serato And Its Turntable Setup

“technics + serato” by UnholyKnight is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

Serato software came in 2019, and people do not have enough information about Serato. We have guided you on how to connect your turntable to Serato, but now, we have to discuss Serato. You can connect your turntable easily if you have some knowledge about Serato. So, let us discuss some confusing questions about Serato, DVS, and the use of turntables.

What is Serato DJ software?
What is Digital Vinyl System (DVS)?
How to set up DVS mode?
How many DVS modes are there?
How Do Turntables Work On Serato?

1. What is Serato DJ software?

Serato DJ is a platform for Disk Jockey (DJs) developed by Serato software company in 2013. This music software allows you to mix audio files in a digital environment which symbolizes the traditional vinyl DJing. The Serato DJ connected to your turntable setup can incorporate up to four virtual decks. You can use the additional features and performance modes while using and connecting your turntables to Serato.

The Serato DJ also allows you to stream your music on various streaming platforms including, Soundcloud, Beatport Link, BeatSource, Tidal e.t.c. This DJing software brings a new development for the Digital Vinyl Solution (DVS). The Serato DJ gained a massive fan following in the US market and became extremely popular among the Hip Hop community. This DJing software also provides you the freedom to use any DJ hardware you prefer to use. (source)

Due to hardware freedom, many techno DJs, house DJs, freeform DJs, and turntablists use Serato DJ for mixing their music. You can connect your turntables to Serato by using the Serato DJ lite or Serato DJ Pro. Both versions of Serato Dj are exceptional, powerful, and provide excellent DJ tools. The Serato DJ Lite is a smaller free version of Serato DJ Pro but fulfills all the requirements of digital DJing and supports many third-party DJ hardware.

On the other hand, Serato DJ Pro is a paid version especially for professional DJs who wants more performance and advanced options. You can also buy expansion packs to use additional features of the Serato DJ Pro. You have to buy the DVS expansion pack to use DVS for connecting your turntables to Serato. Serato DJ is an excellent digital DJing platform for both beginners and professional DJs to progress in their profession. (source)

2. What is Digital Vinyl System (DVS)?

DVS or Digital Vinyl System is a playback method to control the Serato software by using the inputs from the turntables connected to Serato. DVS is the technology that allows you to connect and use your turntables with Serato. DVS can be complex for new users, but we will guide you about this playback method. Digital Vinyl System promotes DJing using Serato (or other DJ software), digital music files, and turntables.

The DVS brings the taste of using vinyl turntables in digital DJing. It means you do not have to replace your old turntables or other hardware, and you can use them for digital DJing. DJ controllers can make your DJ hardware work with your computer, and Serato, thanks to DVS. Many professional DJs still use the DVS system for mixing their music. You have to pick a DVS compatible with the Serato, like a DVS-enabled mixer, Soundcard, or DJ controller. (source)

You can also use Virtual DJ that works with any DJ hardware that supports DVS. You can use three setup options for DVS, including breakout boxes, DJ controllers, and mixers. Each setup option has its pros and cons for connecting your turntables to Serato.

3. How to set up DVS mode?

A DJ has to set up the DVS mode to connect his turntables to Serato. We use CDs or records on traditional turntables or DJ players in DVS mode. The sound card box or DJ controller with DVS routes the output of the timecode playing on your turntables. The Serato changes your song according to the given data including, its direction, position, and playback speed. (source)

You can jump, scratch, and spin a record by shifting the position of the needle. After this, the DJ controller, sound card, or mixer receives the output from Serato software. In this way, we use turntables in DVS mode to spin the digital audio play.

4. How many DVS modes are there?

There are four DVS modes for Digital Djing:

Absolute Mode
Relative Mode
Internal Mode
Thru Mode

Absolute Mode

The absolute DVS mode is for someone who likes the vinyl experience during DJing. In this DVS mode, the music starts with the timecode, and you can jump around it by placing the needle at different points of the vinyl record. When you shift the position on the vinyl, the music will not skip as if it is an actual record. This DVS mode was famous during the early years of digital DJing due to its comfort and ease. (source)

The absolute DVS mode is a traditional mode to use DVS and provides an excellent experience during DJing. This DVS mode is easy to use, but this easiness comes at a price. You can not use many good features in the absolute DVS mode. For example, you can not use the cue points and many other DJ features with this DVS mode.

If you connect your turntables to Serato in the absolute DVS mode, you can not use Serato software at its full potential. You can not access many Serato functions in this DVS mode, like hot cues and other loop functions.

Relative Mode

The relative DVS mode converts your record turntables connected to Serato into jog wheels. In this DVS mode, the position of your needle on the vinyl record does not change anything. It means the song will continue playing as usual even if you jump, scratch, or spin the vinyl record. This DVS mode is useful when you play music at a heavy bass, and your needle will move often. (source)

Moreover, you can use all the standard advanced features of Serato using the relative DVS mode. This DVS mode is for you if you like the tactile feel of vinyl and want to use all the features of Serato. You can connect your turntables to Serato in relative DVS mode to use Serato at its full potential.

Internal Mode

The Internal DVS mode ignores the timecode signal and permits you to use the Serato via a device (DJ controller). If you connect Serato DJ Pro to your turntable, you use the internal DVS mode by default. We also use this DVS mode with other media players like the Pioneer CDJs to access Human Interface Device mode (HID Mode). The Human Interface Device mode converts your music player into a controller for Digital DJing.

The music player sends MIDI (musical instrument digital interface) to your computer in Human Interface Device mode. In HID mode, you can not use MIDI to play the timecode from your USB.

Thru Mode

The Thru DVS mode allows you to play your songs directly from your vinyl, USB drive, or Cd and ignore the Serato DJ Pro. In this DVS mode, you can play your recorded music on the music player connected to your computer or laptop. You have to put your DJ deck into Thru DVS mode if you want to play an original vinyl record during a concert. (source)

This DVS mode informs the Serato DJ Pro to play music from an external device. But you have to keep your computer plugged in, or your music will stop.

How Do Turntables Work On Serato?

The setup method of connecting your turntables to Serato is as simple as it was before. Firstly you will need a Pioneer DDJ-SX2 mixer, a computer, two turntables, and two or more speakers for this setup. The Serato allows you to give a digital file to the vinyl spinning on your turntables. The records spinning on your turntables connected to Serato have a tone instead of music.

The tones of these records spinning on your turntables connected with Serato have a time code. Firstly, the turntables send these tones to the computer, and then the computer reads the time code of these tones. Then you can assign your selected songs to each turntable using your connected computer. If you do something on a record, the computer considers it as if it were an original record.

You can increase or decrease the pitch on the turntable connected to Serato, and the computer gets this data as input. For example, the computer receives a time code that informs it that music plays at plus 2%. Then the computer generates music according to the instructions given by the time code. When you move your records back and forth, you move the time code back and forth.

So, these time codes inform the computer where the vinyl record is going forward and backward. Then a scratch voice generates with the music you are playing while connecting your turntables to Serato. In this way, you can use turntables to edit your music with Serato.

The Bottom Line

So, here is a complete guide to connect your turntables to Serato software. The traditional vinyl DJing is still alive, thanks to Serato DJ Pro. It is an excellent way to use the new features of digital DJing, with the classical feel of vinyl records. You have to use a DVS mode to use your turntables with Serato DJ Pro.

We hope this guide will help you connect your turntables to Serato.

Sources

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