Serato DJ or Traktor Pro 2? It’s a common question that comes up a lot in the DJ community. Both programs have several unique features that sets them apart such as video mixing in Serato DJ or Traktor’s deep midi mapping capabilities. What about FX? Is one truly better than the other? Today we’re going to take an indepth look at the similarities and differences of the FX and FX units in Traktor Pro 2 and Serato DJ.
FX Control & Modes
Serato DJ and Traktor Pro 2 have a very similar FX setup and workflow. In Traktor Pro 2 all effects (with the exception of Macro fx) can be toggled between “Single” or “Group”. Single mode lets DJs choose one effect with 3 adjustable knob parameters and buttons – filter, feedback, and rate in the case of the Delay effect. The parameters vary slightly from effect to effect. Group mode allows DJs to load up to 3 FX in a chain with one adjustable parameter for each effect. Each effect feeds into the next, allowing for unique combinations. The FX parameter changes depending on which effect is loaded.
One issue with Traktor is that not all FX in group mode indicate the parameter that is being controlled. For example Delay will display the delay rate in fractions of bars (1/2, 1/4, 1/8 etc.) but the Reverb will only display a percentage value. The only way to find out what each knob is controlling is to read about the FX parameters in the Traktor manual. Lastly all the effect units have a dedicated dry/wet knob for controlling the overall FX signal/mix both in single and group mode.
Serato DJ has a similar FX setup to Traktor. DJ-FX can be controlled in Single FX or Multi FX mode. These modes are similar to Traktor’s “Single” and “Group” modes. A major difference in Serato DJ is that all the effects aren’t switchable between Single and Multi FX mode. Some FX are only available in one mode or the other. Single and Multi FX also appear as 2 separate effects, for example there is a Single effect for Echo and Multi effect for Echo. This makes it look like there are more effects in Serato DJ when really some effects appear twice for the different FX modes.
The FX controls are slightly different in Serato DJ. In Single mode the first knob always acts as a dry/wet, with 2 more knobs and buttons for FX parameter control. Multi FX mode has no dry/wet control for the overall effect unit. Rather the knobs for each effect loaded in Multi FX mode controls the FX Depth. Similar to Traktor there’s no parameter indication for knobs in Multi FX mode.
Both Single and Multi FX mode include a beat multiplier so DJs can adjust the timing and rhythm of the effect. It’s also possible to have dotted and triplet counts to get some swung variations. By default the effects will sync to the track BPM. The BPM for the effect unit can also be tapped in manually, this makes it a great tool for BPM transitions.
The effects units in Serato DJ can be assigned to the Master channel. So any track coming out of the master output will be effected. This is also possible in Traktor Pro 2 by assigning all the decks to the same FX unit but it’s nice having a dedicated master option.
One last note is that many Serato DJ effects seemed to have a nice FX trail after turning off the effect. They fade away perfectly where some of Traktor’s effects can end abruptly.
Combo & Macro FX
Traktor and Serato DJ both have a collection of FX that are essentially super FX knobs. In Traktor they’re known as Macro FX (launched alongside the Kontrol Z2) and in Serato DJ they’re called Combo FX. These FX are actually several FX layered together to create a really powerful and dynamic effect. The behaviour of these FX is different compared to other effects, rather then the effect being completely off when a knob is all turned all the way to the left, Combo/Macro FX are “Off” when the knob is at the centre (or 12 o’clock) position. In Traktor the Macro FX are labelled with an “M” icon while in Serato DJ Combo FX are labelled as “Combo” (Combo AutoFilter).
The effect is activated by turning the knob left or right from the centre position. Turning the knob to the left or right will result in different FX variations per side, giving DJs powerful FX with one simple control.
FX Expansions
Since the release of Serato DJ, Serato has partnered with iZotope (creators of popular effects plug ins like Stutter Edit) to release FX expansion packs. At the time of writing there are a total of 4 expansion packs available through Serato DJs in app purchasing. The Wolf Pack is available as a free expansion. There are 3 other expansion packs:
- Back Pack: A dub pack of analog & old school effects
- Chip Pack: A techy, 8-bit, extreme audio-bending pack of FX
- Jet Pack: A trippy, spacey, & rave infused pack of FX.
These expansions are available to purchase individually for $19 each or $49 for all 3. It’s been a while since there’s been an FX expansion released but it’s hard to complain considering that the expansions bring Serato DJs total effect count to 86 effects. It’d be cool if Serato DJ had the ability to demo the FX expansions before purchasing. There are other expansions besides FX such as the Flip expansion, for cue point automation.
Traktor Pro 2 doesn’t have FX expansion packs but Traktor has added new FX such as the “AutoBouncer”, “Peak Filter”, and Macro FX alongside software updates. Native Instruments has experimented with in app purchasing in Traktor DJ on iOS, so it’s possible that they are doing this to test the waters before bringing it over to Traktor Pro. Maybe we’ll see in app purchasing in a major software update like Traktor Pro 3.
FX For Days
Both programs have a great collection of FX and with the ability to group up to 3 FX in a chain DJs have a lot of creative freedom in making their own unique FX combinations. There are several build and breakdown style effects, rhythmic effects, tempo synced delays. Some people still see Traktor as being more suited for electronic music and Serato DJ more suited for hip-hop. Really there are no limits to genres where effects can be used, it’s simply a matter of experimenting to find out where are FX suitable in your set. So which software has the most FX?
Serato DJ
- Base FX – 12 Multi FX, 10 Single FX
- Wolf Pack (Free expansion) – 11 Multi FX, 6 Single FX
- Backpack ($19) – 13 Mutli FX, 5 Single FX
- Chip Pack ($19) – 10 Multi FX, 5 Single FX
- Jet Pack ($19) – 10 Multi FX, 5 Single FX
- 86 FX in total (with all expansions)
Traktor Pro 2
- 32 Switchable Single/Group FX
- 11 Macro FX
- 43 FX in total
An important thing to note is that lots of the effects in both programs are not completely unique, they’re variations or modulations of popular effects such as delays, reverbs, filters, and echoes. For example Traktor Pro 2 has 8 different Filter based effects (Filter 92, Filter LFO, Filter Pulse etc.) and Serato DJ has 7 different “Echo” effects and that’s just between the Base FX and Wolf Pack add on. Not that this is a bad thing, but something to keep in mind that each effect is not a one of a kind effect. Due to the large number of FX both Traktor Pro 2 and Serato DJ allow DJs to customize which FX are displayed, so DJs can remove FX that they don’t use from the FX list.
What Are The Major Differences?
There are a few major differences between Traktor Pro 2 and Serato DJ besides the FX expansions packs. First is the number of FX units. Traktor Pro 2 has 4 FX units that can be assigned to all 4 decks. DJs can pair a couple of single FX units to a track deck or dedicate one FX unit to each track. In Serato DJ there are only two FX units but they can be assigned to any of the 4 decks or the overall master output.
Traktor Pro 2 has FX snapshot, which lets DJs save their favourite parameter settings for each effect. So if a DJ finds themselves repeatedly using the same effect with specific settings, they can save those settings so that they’re instantly recalled each time the effect is loaded, rather than adjusting the parameters to the desired settings everytime the effect is loaded.
Both programs support mapping controllers to the FX units, however Traktor has the advantage since Traktors midi mapping supports more fine tuned control over knobs and buttons, which allows for unique FX mappings like Instant Gratification style mappings (made popular by the Midi Fighter). For example it’s possible to map a single button in Traktor to load a specific effect, turn it on, set all the FX knobs and buttons to a specific value, then turn off the effect after the button on the controller is released. This kind of dynamic mapping isn’t possible in Serato DJ at this time.
Hear The FX In Action
There are so many FX to compare that to go into detail on each of one would be enough for a small book. Instead we want you to hear what some of these FX sound like and let your ears decide. In this video we compare 14 similar FX in Serato DJ and Traktor. All the FX were loaded in Group/Multi FX mode (with the exception of Noise Sweep vs. Gater), so a future video comparing the FX in single mode could be in order and looking at FX that are unique to each software.
Which DJ software has the best FX? What are your favourite FX?
Let us know in the comments below!
[…] (and gear, since N.I.’s controllers are only fully usable with their software) is the Traktor Pro vs. Serato DJ debate. It may very well come down to personal preference, but for us and honestly for the sake of […]
[…] the playing field has truly leveled – with Serato DJ stepping up their game in terms of effects (read our Serato/Traktor FX comparison), key detection/syncing in the just-launched 1.8 Public Beta and opening up to a diverse array of […]
[…] playing field has truly leveled – with Serato DJ stepping up their game in terms of effects (read our Serato/Traktor FX comparison), key detection/syncing in the just-launched 1.8 Public Beta and opening up to a diverse array of […]
traktor is the best ^^
[…] Traktor vs. Serato DJ: Comparing FX – DJ … – Serato DJ and Traktor Pro 2 have a very similar FX setup and workflow. In Traktor Pro 2 all effects (with the exception of Macro fx) can be toggled between … […]
[…] Traktor vs. Serato DJ: Comparing FX – DJ … – Serato DJ and Traktor Pro 2 have a very similar FX setup and workflow. In Traktor Pro 2 all effects (with the exception of Macro fx) can be toggled between … […]
[…] Traktor vs. Serato DJ: Comparing FX – … – Serato DJ and Traktor Pro 2 have a very similar FX setup and workflow. In Traktor Pro 2 all effects (with the exception of Macro fx) can be toggled between … […]
[…] Traktor vs. Serato DJ: Comparing FX – DJ … – Serato DJ and Traktor Pro 2 have a very similar FX setup and workflow. In Traktor Pro 2 all effects (with the exception of Macro fx) can be toggled between … […]
[…] Traktor vs. Serato DJ: Comparing FX – … – Serato DJ and Traktor Pro 2 have a very similar FX setup and workflow. In Traktor Pro 2 all effects (with the exception of Macro fx) can be toggled between … […]
i have both systems….it all depends on how you perform,thats the bottom line….yes,Serato is cool and works and you can play songs and kutt and video.yes. .But Traktor does that too but with the edition of a 64 cue-point arsenal for turntablsim with the F-1…kinda re-wrote the game with that one…also,you can chop breaks and stack 64 different combinations for just beats on the F1…plus import live feeds from the loop recorder…so n emcee can say what he wants and we can make the hook in 3 seconds,and kutt it live…onna last note,if you turn off your wi-fi and apps /internet or live updates from programs like spotify etc…Traktor has yet to jamm up live…wanna check your email during a set?…remember people paid to come see you.
Have look at the effects on Allen & Heath db2& db4 combined with traktor are great
Maybe it’s just me, but I think everyone would be served better by having DJ programs host VST effects, and then companies like Native Instruments and iZotope could write these effects once and ported to any DJ app. We’d never have to have this debate again.
Very important thing about FX snapshot in Traktor. It works only for single mode. When you use the same plugin in combo mode, the default values are used for each effect. 🙁
It would be great if the snapshot will be used in combo as well.
I dunno, they all sound pretty cheesy to me. I don’t think I would use any of them
Folks still use Traktor?
Major differences: serato fx sounds like sh*t.
I wasted money on the expansion packs and they sound like crap too.
The worst thing for me about serato fx:
1) Sound. I don’t like it. FX built in most of the pioneer djm mixers sounds much better.
2) You can’t move into small steps about timing, only like 1/2 , 1/4, 1/32 and so on. So you can’t do like “riser” effect with delay or something
So i bought boss delay dd-7 in addition to my ddj-sr and happy with it
Mulholland Drive in Traktor is just so much fun. I feel weird raving about a distortion but it’s the first thing I tell people about when I’m hounding them to switch to Traktor. Generally, Traktor’s effects are really live & “playable” and have quite a bit of personality – they actually inspire me.
What I love about Mulholland Drive in particular is how it feeds back, like a huge guitar amp (ROCK N ROLL!), and how it reacts to the input – if you play a sparse beat through it you can really play with the bounce of the feedback around the hits.
I love Traktor’s effects so much I even went as far as using them for a track ( Blood Orange – https://play.spotify.com/track/7t0xMvzlJd7JWcQPYFcoPT ), by performing the automation live on stems in Traktor, then mixing the effected stems.
Personally I think they need a more intense loop to test it on.
Hey Steven,
This was a tricky choice. I decided to use a more minimal track to make the effect standout and be more prominent. There are a ton of variables to consider with this kind of comparison. What genre would you have preferred?
I use Serato only for video plugin, Traktor is far better in sound quality, Give traktor a video plugin and see how every one changes
Serato can’t even get a Basic Echo Out. They claimed to fix it in 1.7.2 but unfortunately, it still has the dumb distortion. Is it so hard to get an Echo Out with a infinite loop at 100%?
In Scratch Live, you could have up to 6 effects all with 3 levels of parameter adjustments. It wasn’t iZotope but you could get precisely what you wanted. Plus you could tie it with a Super Knob!
This is kind of an Apple to Oranges comparison.
I say this because Traktor has a lot more options for triggering the effects with it’s ability to map almost anything to one MIDI button.
Serato has some good effects but, they can’t be program to MIDI and have to be purchased.
Traktor gets the W here but, it doesn’t feel like a win because you still have to use Traktor with them. ha ha ha.
Hey bkbikenerd,
Yes this was a bit of a tricky comparison to do. For the FX comparison it’s really looking at effects that are similar to each program, in terms of control and things like midi mappings there are definitely differences. Another article focusing on effects that are unique to each program would be beneficial.
[…] nicht vom Sound der Effekte abhängig machen. Aber interessant ist das natürlich allemal. Der DJTechtools-Artikel behandelt die Unterschiede der Effektsektionen der Programme sehr detailliert, kann ich nur […]
This is the venerable “comparing apples to oranges”, because both companies approach effects in very different manners.
Traktor Unit 1 / 2 / 3 = T3 Delay ( 20% wet) and unit 4 a little bit Reverb – Drop it in and disable it fast while you jumping via hotcue to a big bassline or EQ the low in … that’s it! Easy and effective. I like to use a Footswitch to kill the low’s via Filter and cut out the effects.
honestly, i know too many people who spend too much time playing with effects to realize they’re mixing like crap.
i run a traktor s4 gen. 1 because i bought it when i wanted a more serious controller a few years ago.
i would honestly prefer to use serato now. traktor is just too buggy and unreliable compared to serato. serato just works. thats all.
“traktor is just too buggy and unreliable compared to serato. serato just works. thats all”
Tell that to all the people in my local DJ group using Serato DJ that complain about all the bugs and things it can’t do on a regular basis.
Likely still using SSL with Rane hardware that’s been beat up for 10 years.. that’s all the guys in my area who complain about Serato.. once they step up and make an upgrade, like I’m sure you have, they’ve got no complaints.
Nope. I said Serato DJ, not SSL.
And directly contrary to what you are saying they wish they could go back to SSL because it didn’t wasn’t buggy.
Crazy because all my questionable reliability problems disappeared when I made the move.. nothing hangs or stalls out even on a 6+ year old computer.
I agree with you – I’ve moved back to Serato and couldn’t be happier.
I know it’s trivial but if you’ve ever not clicked the search bar in Traktor and started to type you can cause havoc on the program and jeopardize an event. For all the “Serato plain-ness” comments no one talks about how simple it is to just play music.
I sure would like to get my hands of an s8 style controller for SDJ….like a Twitch on steroids.
Up until Traktor 2.7 the software had become quite solid (at least with 2.6.8). The 2.7 release has definitely been super buggy but I trust they’ll come around.
yeah tracktor got buggyer…. It somehow keeps playing a song on deck 2 or 1 when I load a new track, so I cant cue the new song that apparently is playing but in fact it’s not…. I have to shut down tracktor and open it again to fix it…. thank god I play with a 4 chanel mixer with 8 line inputs, so i can have a phone and the pc with itunes as a backup and do changes with an echo or delay, until i get the thing working again… happens almost once a gig…
If your using a mac try repairing your permissions. On the newer macs you hold cmd+r during boot. Older macs with a cd drive is put the install cd in and hold down cmd+c i think. Then select disk utility and select your drive and hit repair permissions. Crashing and freezing in my experience can be fixed with this.
If you look at Serato as a company you realize that you will get quality effects as the foundation of the company itself is iZotope. NI has just as much experience and has some really nice macros like DarkMatter, EventHorizon, PolarWind and WormHole.
Lately I am just using hardware effects off my mixer, they tend to have a bit more fullness to them, but I’ve been contemplating on running the send/receive from my mixer to the Guitar Rig Kontrol that I have and running it off my backup laptop with Guitar Rig. For the last little while I been running The Mouth in the background for my Mic line.
Either way it doesn’t matter, you will find what you enjoy. Every DJ or producer is an individual and has their own sound, different effects choices is part of what defines that.
Serato sounds more clean but Traktor have some unique and awesome FX … hard to say which one is the best it really depend how you mix , and what kind of music you play . Minimalist music style , FX is maybe more important compare to EDM rich sonf ( already full of FX ) . 😀
I don’t agree. Serato Echo Out and Combo Fade Echo are terribly distorted. This is due to a “tape delay” they have put on it. In SSL, it sounded fine. This is a documented issue that hopefully will be fixed some day. Even though I LOVE Serato (moved to it years ago from Traktor) I still think Traktor effects are quite a bit better sounding than Serato DJ’s. On-board mixer effects are the best option imo.