Serato has updated its flagship software to 3.1, adding the usual ream of bug fixes as well as expanding Stems Performance Pad mode. The update allows users to isolate stems like vocals, drums, bass, etc from a mixed track using pads on an official Serato controller.
Previously, it was only possible to replace an unused Pad Mode with stems on your dedicated controller, such as the Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX4 or RANE ONE. With Serato DJ Pro 3.1 beta, you can enter Stems Performance Pad Mode via popular Serato controllers like Pioneer DJ’s SP1, Denon DJ S6000 and the CDJ-2000nxs2 and 3000 models. This means you could have a dedicated controller for stems while you use traditional HID mode for mixing.
Stem separation first came to DJ software via VirtualDJ 2020, and has grown to become a key part of new updates, including in rekordbox and Algoriddim djay. It allows anyone to create acapellas and instrumentals from fully-mixed stereo tracks, even if the official stems aren’t available. For turntablists and open-format DJs, it’s a game-changer, making it easy to create mash-ups on the fly or avoid vocal clashes when mixing shorter pop records.
Serato DJ Pro 3.1 beta also introduces stability and performance improvements, minor GUI updates, as well as updated keylock detection algorithms for Pitch ’n’ Time when scratching on a motorised platter.