I’ve had Serato going on 5 years now (the same ole box), its pretty incredible where they have arrived with the more recent software. I had to take a picture of my kitchen table setup as I was learning how to use the new improvements including built in FX, additional sample channels, etc.. as you can see, the entire set up can be controlled through a midi console, which is one of the coolest of new additions! Generally I hate the idea of computer DJing, but expanding possibilities to midi controllers and beyond makes things a bit more lively through such an interactive medium.
On DJing, generally you will find me using serato for my gigs accompanied by a stack vinyl trying to place (or hide) my laptop as discreetly as possible. However, something that also makes the hardware great is the option to skip songs by physically flipping the control record, a great way to stay closer to the purist vibe.. though its a far cry from the above image– there is nothing more frustrating to me than to see a DJ’s face under the glow of a macbook as they lifelessly go through the evening.
If you have no idea what I am talking about read up on it here.
A couple of times in March I had the privilege of hanging out with a new friend called Nicky. Aside from being a musician and producer, he collects rare equipment. Located behind his Los Feliz (Los Angeles) home, he built a studio in an old shed and filled it with his fantastic gear– beautiful pianos and vintage synthesizers, a number of solid state amps (his preference– no tube amps!), as well as guitars, reel to reels, even a staggering mixing board from the 70s. The collection and space is so beautiful, it was selected to be shot for L’Uomo Vogue as part of a feature on collectors of rare and beautiful things. I’ve been meaning to post this forever– really amazing stuff.. I can’t wait to return and see the studio completed.
In the last two weeks, I’ve seen one friend (Creativetime’s graphic designer) have two laptops stolen, and another (a record label exec) watch his computer crash and data overwritten or entirely depleted. The latter victim called in his IT on-call guy who suggested a solid solution for backing up data:
