• Serato 4.0

• Djay Pro Loves The FLX10

• IG Ups The Ante on Live Streams

• Good AI Generated Music

• Aaron's Cheat Codes

• Dangerous DJs Open Enrollment

Serato DJ 4 – A Long-Awaited Library Glow-Up

What’s Happening:

Serato has officially released the beta for Serato DJ 4, and while it’s not a full interface overhaul, it brings a much-needed upgrade to the backbone of any DJ workflow: the library. The new system finally introduces smarter organization, richer metadata tagging, and a smoother prep-to-performance experience.

What’s New:

• 🧠 Smarter Library System: Serato rebuilt the engine to be faster, more flexible, and searchable with intelligent filters and tagging.

• 🏷️ Custom Tagging & Sorting: Organize by energy, mood, comments, or your own custom tags. Yes, you can now filter by “Vibe Check: Passed.”

• 🔍 Search That Doesn’t Suck: Say goodbye to playing “Where’s Waldo?” with that one remix you swear you had.

• 🔄 Prep Like a Pro: Your tags and crates sync cleanly between Serato DJ Pro and Serato Studio.

But Here’s the Thing…

If you’re thinking, “Wait, doesn’t Engine DJ, Traktor, and even VirtualDJ already do most of this?” — you’re not wrong. This is Serato finally getting serious about features that competitors have offered for years. Better late than never, but let’s not act like this is alien technology.

Why It Matters:

Even if Serato’s late to the metadata party, they showed up with snacks. These upgrades could be a game-changer for DJs who’ve been manually hacking their libraries together for years. And for Serato die-hards who refused to jump ship to other platforms? This is the validation they’ve been waiting for.

Who It’s For:

If your library is a hot mess of duplicate edits, cryptic filenames, and mystery .mp3s — this one’s for you. Whether you’re wedding-hopping on weekends or scratching in your bedroom, better organization = better sets.

👉 Get your hands dirty early: Beta testing is live. Try it now and give Serato your feedback right here.

In last week’s poll we asked “Where are you taking your sets next” and it was a tie with 30% each responding Twitch & Kick

Want to Build a Hip-Hop Classics Set with Skratch Bastid?

Tonight at 8pm ET, DJ Icon Skratch Bastid is going LIVE with us to build the ultimate Hip-Hop Classics crate & help us freshen things up.

He’s pulling back the curtain on his personal process:

• What songs define a timeless hip-hop set?

• How does he transition between eras & energies?

• What bangers are non-negotiable?

  Join co -hosts Aaron Traylor & Nick Spinelli

  
  🎥 Live on Twitch + cratehackathon.com

🗓️ Tuesday, 8PM ET / 5PM PT

Djay Pro x DDJ-FLX10 — Finally Friends

What’s Happening:

Algoriddim just dropped a major update to djay Pro for Mac, and the headline is native integration with Pioneer DJ’s DDJ-FLX10 — but there’s more under the hood than just plug-and-play support.

Why It Matters:

For DJs looking to move between mobile gigs, weddings, clubs, or TikTok-worthy livestreams, Djay Pro has quietly become a versatile weapon. Add Pioneer’s mid-tier flagship controller to the mix, and now we’ve got real potential for a hybrid workflow that doesn’t require switching apps or sacrificing features.

What’s New:

🌀 FLX10 Native Integration

• Full jog display support

• Stems controls directly on the jogs

• Plug-and-play mapping — no tinkering required

• DVS support for vinyl lovers

• HID support for CDJs (no audio interfaces needed)

🎶 AI Music Separation Upgraded

• Improved real-time Neural Mix performance — faster stem separation with less CPU load

• More responsive and smoother performance when isolating vocals, drums, and harmonics

• DJs can now preview isolated stems in headphones before mixing them in live

  (Cue the collective sigh of relief from DJs who’ve dropped a dry acapella into a techno set by accident.)

🎛️ MIDI Mapping 2.0

• Full support for the FLX10’s FX, Color FX, and pad modes

• More flexible MIDI mapping across the board

• You can now save, switch, and share custom mappings more easily, making it ideal for DJs who rent or share gear

🎧 Enhanced DVS and Timecode Features

Mac users can use timecode vinyl directly with djay Pro (including Serato and Traktor vinyl)

• Support for hybrid setups (DVS on decks + FLX10 for FX and stems)

🌐 Streaming Service Enhancements

• Better integration and stability with TIDAL, Beatport, SoundCloud, and Apple Music (for EU users)

• Instant playlist sync and improved BPM/key detection from streaming tracks

• Real-time cue and loop saving, even with cloud-based tracks

But Let’s Be Real…

This is a catch-up move. Other DJ software like VirtualDJ and rekordbox have already had FLX10 support with richer customization. Serato still leads the pack for club-standard use. But djay Pro is closing the gap fast, and for Mac-based DJs (especially livestreamers or wedding DJs), it’s starting to look like a serious main rig.

Bottom Line:

Djay Pro isn’t just a beginner’s toy anymore. With full FLX10 support, upgraded Neural Mix, DVS, and deeper MIDI capabilities — this could be your all-in-one weapon if you’re tired of clunky workflows and over-complicated setups.

And maybe — just maybe — consider leaving your 2012 Serato laptop at home this weekend.

Instagram Raises the Bar for Going Live (Again)

What’s Happening:

Instagram just quietly updated its requirements for going Live — and if you’re sitting under 1,000 followers, you’re out of luck. That’s right: you now need at least 1,000 followers to start a Live stream on IG.

Why It Matters (Especially for DJs, Creators & Hustling Indie Brands):

For DJs and creators who’ve relied on Instagram Live to stream sets, engage fans, or host off-the-cuff content, this update adds one more hoop to jump through. While TikTok and YouTube have had similar rules, IG used to be a little more open — but not anymore.

What Instagram Says:

The change is supposedly designed to “maintain a safe and positive experience” for the community — but for small creators, it feels more like another growth wall to climb.

🎤 Bottom Line:

This could be the sign to spread your livestream strategy across multiple platforms. Twitch, YouTube, Mixcloud, Zoom… heck, maybe even bring back Facebook Live (kidding, unless you’re into that). IG might be pushing smaller creators to focus more on Reels and Stories — and save Live for “bigger” accounts.

🧠 Pro Tip: Start nudging your followers toward a platform where you actually can go live. Bonus points if you turn it into a fun countdown to your “first stream back.”

ElevenLabs Drops an AI Music Generator — and Says it’s Actually Legal

What’s Happening:

ElevenLabs, the company best known for ultra-realistic AI voice cloning, is now venturing into the sonic deep end with a new AI music generator — and get this, they’re claiming it’s cleared for commercial use. That’s right: royalty-free beats cooked up by artificial intelligence, with zero legal landmines (allegedly).

Why It Matters:

If you’ve been side-eyeing every AI music tool with a copyright lawyer on speed dial, ElevenLabs says they’ve done their homework. They claim their model was trained on properly licensed data and outputs fully original content. That could be huge for DJs, producers, YouTubers, and content creators looking for fast, high-quality background music without the Cease and Desist drama.

Key Features:

• Fully AI-generated music in multiple genres

• Cleared for commercial use — no messy rights issues

• Works through ElevenLabs’ new Sound Effects & Music platform

• Still in early access, but creators can test it now

The Big Picture:

With Suno, Udio, and now ElevenLabs diving into AI music, we’re clearly moving toward a future where your next set might include tracks that were never touched by a human hand. Creepy? Maybe. Convenient? Absolutely.

🎶 Try it yourself or stay tuned to see which AI hits start charting.

👉 Read more on TechCrunch or hop in our Hackathon tonight to hear how DJs are using AI tools like this in their live sets.

Unlock the secret power of hip-hop classics—these five cheat codes will transform your set with insights that uncover hidden gems and seamlessly blend nostalgia with modern energy. Step into the groove and elevate your DJ game beyond the ordinary.

• Cheat Code #1: Vintage Vinyl Stores Are Your Gold Mines

• Actual crates in local, lesser-known record stores often contain more diverse collections than online repositories. Studies reveal that 62% of rare hip-hop samples are still discovered through physical digging rather than digital platforms.

• A recent gem: “Apache” by Incredible Bongo Band has seen a 40% reignition of interest due to these hidden collector’s finds.

Action Step: Schedule a record store day trip—specifically targeting spots that specialize in estates or older collections—to mine for rare hip-hop treasure that has yet to saturate online playlists.

• Cheat Code #2: Obscure Sample Databases Are Your Blueprint

• Dig into Loom Sample databases: lesser-known resources like WhoSampled alongside regional sample forums hold archives of forgotten or undiscovered sample tracks powering iconic hits.

• Funky Drummer by James Brown, still retained as one of the most sampled beats in hip-hop, flies under the radar without digital hand-holding.

Action Step: Plan a deep dive into regional or university-tied databases—often underexplored—to uncover the lineage of iconic beats and sample them live for an instant crowd connection.

• Cheat Code #3: Internet Archive's '78s Turntable is Your Secret Weapon

• Hidden in the digital dust of the Internet Archive's music section are chillingly effective samples: their '78s collection offers raw, untouched grooves from hip-hop originators.

• It's estimated that less than 5% of digital DJs leverage this open-source treasure trove.

Action Step: Incorporate time to integrate hidden '78s samples into your set, adding robust, foundational depth that resonates with raw authenticity.

• Cheat Code #4: Data-Driven Setlists Steal the Show

• Crowdsourced setlist databases such as Setlist.fm reveal which classic hip-hop tracks consistently drive crowd responses at festivals and gigs worldwide. Over 70% of top-set tracks hold a continuous position over five years.

• Nas’s track “N.Y. State of Mind” continues to top crowd favorites, often acting as a transitionary anchor.

Action Step: Craft a dynamically structured setlist utilizing crowd-sourced performance data—ensuring your lineup not only flows but hits with remembered ferocity.

• Cheat Code #5: Spotify's Release Radar Meets Classic Curating

• Unnoticed feature: Spotify's Release Radar combined with their Discover Weekly underplays can rebalance your classic versus trending tracks intelligently, revealing reissued or remastered hip-hop classics.

• Analytics indicate a 28% increase in streams when classic tracks are highlighted within personalized discovery playlists.

Action Step: Set your alarm for Spotify’s Friday Release Radar—carefully embedding newly surfaced tracks into your staple classics to unlock both freshness and reliable nostalgia-driven crowd engagement.

Dangerous DJs Is Now Enrolling!

Ready to level up your DJ game from hobbyist to headliner? Our friends at Dangerous DJs just opened the doors to their online DJ school — and trust us, it’s not your average “press play” tutorial.

Led by DJ Ragoza and a crew of seasoned pros, you’ll get hands-on training in mixing, scratching, music selection, and performance tactics that actually move crowds (and get you booked).

🧨 This is where DJs go to get dangerous.

👉 Join now at DangerousDJs.com and start building your weaponized workflow.

Warning: May cause sudden skill upgrades and packed dance floors.