Welcome to the Latest Edition of The Future DJ!

Greetings, fellow innovators and forward-thinkers! As we explore another cutting-edge edition of The Future DJ, we're excited to delve into the intersection of DJing, innovation, AI, and technology. This newsletter is your go-to source for the latest advancements that are shaping the future of DJing and music production.

In This Edition:

1. Serato DJ Pro 3.1 Unveiled: Learn about the groundbreaking updates in Serato DJ Pro 3.1, enhancing your mixing experience with new features and compatibility.

2. AI's Role in Music: A Creative and Controversial Journey: Dive into the fascinating world of AI in music. Explore how it's fueling creativity and sparking debate within the industry.

3. Spotify Wrapped 2023 – Your Personalized Music Journey: Get the lowdown on Spotify’s annual feature and how it reflects changing listening trends and technology in music.

4. Update on Rekordbox Cloud Storage: Important insights for users of Pioneer DJ's Rekordbox Professional plan regarding the latest changes in cloud storage.

Plus: Important Crate Hacker Updates on the Banger Button, upcoming version 4.0, The Future of Hackathons

We are here to keep you at the forefront of technological innovation and industry trends. So, gear up, embrace the future, and let's dive into the exciting world of modern DJing with The Future DJ!

Serato DJ Pro 3.1 Arrives with Groundbreaking Updates

Great news for the DJ community! Serato DJ Pro 3.1 is now available, bringing exciting features that are sure to enhance your mixing and performance experience.

What's New?

- Stems Support: Say hello to Stems support for 17 Official Serato Accessories (OSAs), including popular devices from AKAI, Denon DJ, Pioneer DJ, Rane, and Reloop. This means easier access to your tracks' components, offering new creative possibilities.

- Supported Devices: The update brings native support to a wide range of devices. Some of the highlighted OSAs include AKAI Pro AFX, Denon DJ's LC6000 PRIME, Pioneer DJ CDJ-3000, Rane TWELVE MKII, and more.

- Easy Activation: Activating the ‘Replace Pad Mode with Stems’ feature is simple: Connect your device, launch DJ Pro 3.1, and select the feature in the settings.

- macOS 14 Sonoma Compatibility: A significant addition is the full support for macOS 14 Sonoma, ensuring top-notch performance and stability for Mac users.

This update is a big leap forward, removing technical barriers and enhancing the overall DJing experience. Whether you're mixing at home or performing live, Serato DJ Pro 3.1 is set to transform how you interact with your music.

Explore these new features and take your DJing to the next level!

Spotify Wrapped 2023: A Deep Dive into Your Musical Year

Spotify Wrapped, the annual musical recap, has become a social media sensation, giving Spotify users a personalized summary of their year in music. Let's unwrap what makes Spotify Wrapped 2023 special and how it has evolved into such a popular feature.

Spotify Wrapped's Evolution:

- Origins: Starting in 2016, Spotify Wrapped has transformed from a simple year-end review to an interactive experience with jazzy graphics ideal for sharing on social media.

- Popularity Surge: The feature's popularity has skyrocketed, with millions engaging each year. In 2022, over 156 million users interacted with Wrapped, and the trend continues in 2023.

Accessing Spotify Wrapped:

- How to Find It: Available to Spotify subscribers, you can easily access Wrapped by searching "Wrapped" in the app or finding it on the home page.

The Science Behind Wrapped:

- Data Collection: Spotify gathers data throughout the year, cutting off a few weeks before launch to create a personalized summary.

- Criteria: Stream counts determine the top albums, songs, and artists, while podcasts are ranked by unique listeners. Private sessions contribute to total minutes but not to specific lists.

2023's Top Hits:

- Artists and Albums: Taylor Swift has dethroned Bad Bunny as the most-streamed artist globally in 2023. Bad Bunny's album "Un Verano Sin Ti" remains the most-streamed album, with Swift's "Midnights" following.

- Top Tracks: Miley Cyrus's "Flowers" leads as the most-streamed song globally, followed by SZA’s “Kill Bill” and Harry Styles’ “As It Was”.

Wrapped's Unique Features:

- Creative Data Presentation: Each year, Spotify introduces quirky features like "audio auras" or "listening personality types." This year, features like “Me in 2033” and “Sound Town” offer innovative ways to view your musical journey.

- Artist Interaction: Artists and celebrities often join the Wrapped buzz, sharing special messages and engaging with the campaign.

The Secret to Its Success:

- Beyond Marketing: Originally conceived as a loyalty feature, Wrapped's immense shareability and user engagement have made it a marketing triumph, exceeding Spotify's initial expectations.

In summary, Spotify Wrapped 2023 continues to be a reflection of users' musical journeys, offering a fun, engaging way to look back at the year's soundtrack. Whether you're a die-hard Swiftie or a Bad Bunny fan, Wrapped has something for everyone to enjoy and share.

AI's Unstoppable March into Music: Excitement and Controversy

The music industry is facing a revolution, and it's not just about new genres or styles. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping how music is created, shared, and experienced. From AI-generated songs mimicking megastars like Bad Bunny and Justin Bieber to AI tools suggesting musical loops for creators, the impact is undeniable.

AI's Double-Edged Sword in Music:

- AI-generated Tracks: An AI-created song featuring the voices of Bad Bunny, Justin Bieber, and Daddy Yankee recently stirred up the internet. Although Bad Bunny disapproved of this AI rendition, it highlighted the technology's capability to replicate iconic voices.

- Mimicking the Greats: AI isn't just replicating voices. Tools are now able to mimic artists like Drake, The Weeknd, and even Frank Sinatra, creating new tracks or blending distinct styles in surprising ways.

- Empowering Creators: For aspiring musicians, AI offers a democratizing force, allowing bedroom artists to craft songs with prompts, similar to how DALL-E generates images from text.

AI in the Studio:

- AI isn't just for creating new music. It's becoming a staple in music production, assisting in tasks like vocal pitch correction and efficient mixing and mastering. The Beatles, for example, used AI to isolate John Lennon’s voice from an old demo, crafting a new song with pristine quality.

Raising Questions:

- Legal and Ethical Concerns: As AI begins to create music that resembles existing artists' work, questions about copyrights and the ethical use of AI to replicate voices arise.

- The Future of Music Creation: AI's role in music has sparked debates about the essence of creativity and the future of the music industry. How will AI change our perception of artistry, memory, and legacy?

Artists' Response:

- Some artists are embracing AI proactively. Holly Herndon, for instance, created a vocal deepfake of her voice, aiming to maintain autonomy in a rapidly evolving industry. Others, like Dolly Parton, have expressed strong reservations about AI vocal clones.

Looking Ahead:

The music industry is at a crossroads with AI. While it offers unprecedented creative possibilities, it also challenges traditional notions of artistry and ownership. As AI continues to evolve, its role in music will undoubtedly be a topic of intense discussion and innovation.

Important Update for Rekordbox Pro Users: Cloud Storage Capacity Adjustments

Attention DJs! Pioneer DJ has recently announced an update that impacts users of the Rekordbox Professional plan. Due to changes in Dropbox's policy, the cloud storage capacity for these users is now limited.

Key Points:

- Storage Limitation: If you're using the Rekordbox Professional plan, your cloud storage via Dropbox is now capped at 5TB.

- Action Required: Those exceeding 5TB must reduce their usage by the end of January 2024. Failure to comply may lead to account deletion by February 2024.

- No Impact on Creative Plan Users: This change doesn't affect Rekordbox Creative plan users, who manage their cloud storage with Dropbox or Google Drive.

- How to Check Your Usage: On Mac, click the Dropbox icon, navigate to the Professional DJ Team folder, and press Command + I. For Windows, right-click in the same folder and select 'Properties' to view your storage use.

What Does This Mean?

Most users are unlikely to be affected, as 5TB offers substantial space. However, if you're among the few using over 5TB, consider this a heads-up to manage your storage needs effectively. While this change might seem significant, it's important to note that Pioneer DJ's decision stems from Dropbox's policy updates. Despite this new limit, the Rekordbox Pro plan continues to offer great value, especially for serious DJs with extensive music collections.

Stay tuned for more updates and tips to optimize your DJing experience!

Crate Hackers 4.0 Is Coming!

In this video, Aaron Traylor discusses the future of Hackathons and how they are evolving and getting bigger, focusing on playlists and DJ culture on a larger platform. The DJ playlist group on Facebook, with 56,000 members, has become the proud sponsor of Crate Hackers. The Banger Button, a new update, is now available for Serato users, providing song recommendations on the fly. Check out the video here

Crate of The Week:
Girls Night Out 6

Girls night out is one of my personal favorite series of crates. When the girls are dancing and having fun, it’s a good night for everyone right? Aaron Traylor delivers with Episode 6 of this series with some newer hip hop party tunes mixed with some oldies but goodies that the girls will always love. Shake that Laffy Taffy!

Members can access this crate here.
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