Credits: Deckmatics
Deckmatics
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Serato DJ Pro: Guide to Crates, Smart Crates, Stems and Mapping
Optimise Serato DJ Pro with dynamic crates, real-time Stem separation, the Pitch 'n Time DJ expansion and Scratch Bank.
Serato DJ Pro: Guide to Crates, Smart Crates, Stems and Mapping
Serato DJ Pro is one of the world’s most popular DJ applications, particularly recognised for reliability in open-format, turntablism, DVS (Digital Vinyl System) and live club sessions.
1. Organisation with Crates and Smart Crates
Unlike programs using conventional folders, Serato organises music in Crates, digital boxes.
- Static Crates: Manual lists where you drag and order songs as you prefer.
- Smart Crates: Dynamic boxes identified by a blue icon. They fill automatically by evaluating logical rules based on ID3 metadata.
2. Real-Time Stem Separation
With Serato Stems, the software can instantly isolate or remove four fundamental parts of any stereo audio file:
- Vocals (Voice)
- Melody (Instrumental / Synthesiser)
- Bass
- Drums (Drums / Percussion)
Computer Performance for Stems
Because AI audio separation happens in real time, Serato Stems requires powerful multicore processors—Intel Core i7/i9, AMD Ryzen 7 or Apple Silicon M1/M2/M3—and at least 16 GB of RAM.
3. Key Features: Pitch ‘n Time DJ and Scratch Bank
- Pitch ‘n Time DJ: Enables advanced harmonic mixing with automatic Key Sync without degrading sound quality.
- Scratch Bank: Lets turntablists and scratch DJs instantly load vocal samples, effects or rhythms from a performance pad into any active deck.
Illustration of an audio signal chain — Serato DJ Pro: Guide to Crates, Smart Crates, Stems and Mapping
Credits: Deckmatics
Deckmatics
Deckmatics vector SVG generated on this page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Serato DJ Lite and Serato DJ Pro?
Serato DJ Lite is a simplified 2-channel version with limited recording and Stems features. Serato DJ Pro unlocks 4 decks, audio recording, advanced MIDI mapping, Smart Crates and full expansion support.
How does Serato DJ Pro process live Stem separation?
It uses a deep-learning algorithm (AI) to isolate a track in real time into 4 elements: Vocal, Melody, Bass and Drums, allowing instruments to be muted or isolated with pads.
Why is the Pitch 'n Time DJ expansion essential in Serato?
Pitch 'n Time DJ is Serato's patented time-stretching and pitch-shifting algorithm. It changes a song's key (Key Shift / Key Sync) or speeds it up dramatically without introducing robotic artefacts or phase distortion.
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Sources
Review pending · software-version review · last technical review: 29/09/2026.