Rane SL 3 for Scratch Live

Rane SL 3 for Scratch Live

ADVANCED 24-BIT USB 2.0 INTERFACE FOR PROFESSIONAL DJS

Like the world standard Rane SL 1, the SL 3 connects one or two standard vinyl or CD turntables to your computer and the mixer of your choice. Using regular turntables or CD players, you can scratch and mix files from your Mac or Windows computer’s CD or hard drive.

Enhanced by studio grade preamps and 24-bit audio processing, this compact new solution produces a warm punchy sound to heighten the senses. The Auxiliary Ouputs allow DJs and electronic musicians to intensify the mix with the Scratch Live SP-6 Sample Player. The Auxiliary Inputs provide a live input feed for creative sampling or recording your set. Use any combination of audio sources: control CD, control vinyl, MIDI or regular CDs and vinyl for more flexibility than ever.

The included 12" vinyl records and control CDs each have Serato’s exclusive and unique control signal which allows Scratch Live to track the motion of the record, simulating the same movement with digital audio. Due to Serato’s proprietary control scheme, the result is a feel and sound indistinguishable from playing vinyl.

SL 1 Features
# USB 1.1 full speed audio interface.
# 94 dB dynamic range on line out.
# Maximum audio output: 2 Vrms.
# 16-bit 44.1 kHz converters.
# Mic input for recording or LiveFeed.
# Independent thru connections.
# Select CD or Vinyl Control.
# Optional power supply.
# Read more about it here.

SL 3 Features
# USB 2.0 high speed audio interface.
# Improved dynamic range: 104 dB.
# Maximum audio output: 3 Vrms (hotter output).
# 24-bit 44.1 or 48 kHz converters.
# Aux Input for Live Mix Recording or LiveFeed.
# Aux Output allows use of the Sample Player as a Virtual Deck.
# Aux Output opens the door for future expansion and creative configurations.
# High-grade phono preamps upgrade the performance of most mixers.
# Software switchable Direct Thru connections: less cable required.
# Independent Line / Phono-level selection for each input for greater flexibility.
# Galvanic isolation prevents computer noise from interfering with audio path.
# Soft carry case included.
# Includes international power supply: best performance and easy transfer between DJs.

SL 3 FAQ

I've been a long time SL 1 user, do you offer an upgrade/discount program?
The SL 3 does not replace the SL 1 - both are viable and completely different designs. While there is no upgrade or discount program available, both pieces of hardware will continue to be supported with free software updates.

I just purchased an SL 1 and now I see the SL 3, can I exchange the SL 1?
There is no exchange program. Talk to the Rane dealer where you purchased your product for all returns, exchanges and refunds.

Why did you remove the mic input from the SL 3?
Making the SL 3 compact and adding Auxiliary channels was a high priority during the design of the unit. We hope the versatility you gain from these features makes up for the absence of the mic input.

How do I record my mic using an SL 3?
You'll need to feed an unbalanced (RCA) line-level mic audio feed from a spare mixer channel (mic insert or effects send works well).

Why can't I use the SL 3 with other programs as an ASIO or CoreAudio/Composite device?
Scratch Live and the SL 3 use a proprietary driver that has many performance and stability advantages over a CoreAudio or ASIO solution. We do however understand that a more open driver has advantages as well. CoreAudio Drivers are currently in development and will be implemented in a future firmware upgrade for the SL 3.

Where's the third virtual deck for the SL 3? When can we expect a third virtual deck for the SL 3?
In development. Multi deck control has always been on our road map and once our solution is solid, it will be added to a future version of Scratch Live.

Can I use an external power supply other than the one that shipped with the SL 3?
No, use the supply that shipped with the SL 3. It uses 7.5 volts DC, not 9 volts (like the SL 1 does). USA customers may order a replacement RS 6 power supply from the factory. International customers should contact their distributor for a replacement.

Why is there a small hole in the side of my SL 3 (Kensington lock)?
This is a Kensington security slot, which can be used to secure your SL 3 with a lock and cable.

What's the SL 3's AUX channels for?
All kinds of things - many undreamed of yet. The AUX Input allows you to either record your set (e.g., from a mixer's aux output) or feed a stereo signal to Scratch Live's LiveFeed feature. The AUX Output can also be used as a third virtual deck that can be fed from Scratch Live's SP-6 Sample Player. More features for this extra channel will be added over time. There's bound to be great scratchlive.net forum threads on other useful Aux channel tips and tricks.

Why is the SL 3's USB cable so hard to push in?
Customers requested a tighter, stronger USB jack to avoid it accidentally falling or being pulled out in the rat's nest of cables often encountered. Plus, some users often plug and unplug the I/O cables on tour, so an improved jack that can handle more insertions before failure is appreciated. It's a good thing, trust us!

Do I need to use the USB cable that came with my SL 3 package?
No, you can use any USB cable.

Can I get the cool new orange USB jack for my SL 1, TTM 57SL or MP 4?
No, the physical layout of the jack's package can only be placed in the SL 3.

Scratch Live supports all these file formats: Fixed and Variable Bit Rate MP3, AIFF, AAC, WAV, OGG Vorbis, CD Audio and direct from the mixer. Record from your mixer's Aux output and immediately scratch as if it was on vinyl. Record direct from vinyl or CD and save as a 24-bit 48 kHz stereo file.

Easily import your playlists and iTunes library. You can drag from Explorer (Windows) or the Finder (Mac) into the Scratch Live library. The crate and subcrate system helps organize your library and sets. Hot-swap external drives with fast automatic library merging and retention of crates. Browse your music collection by album, artist, BPM, or genre, with optional album art display. Intuitive search function can be applied to any field to find things quickly. Edit ID3 tags with full Unicode support.

Preprocessing of MP3 files is not required except to detect corrupt files or use the auto-BPM and auto-gain functions. Auto-BPM detects tempo information for tracks without it, saving it with each file. A tap tempo button allows you to enter your own. Auto-gain lets you set a target gain on any or all songs in your library. You can also manually adjust individual gain, remembered in each song file.

The Virtual Deck shows everything about the speed and position of a track. As the vinyl rotates, so does the line on the label. The circular progress bar around the edge is a visual representation of the position within the song. The time and remaining time are displayed in minutes and seconds. The turntable speed as a percentage of pitch shift is on the left, and the pitched BPM is on the right.

Different operating modes can be assigned to each Virtual Deck:
Absolute Mode — exact reproduction of record movement, needle drop through tracks – just like normal vinyl. The beginning of the track is mapped to the start of the record.
Relative Mode — skip-free scratching, jump to cue points, and pitch bend buttons combined with turntable control. This mode observes the relative forward and backward movement of the record, but does not regard the position within the record.
Internal Mode — mix with just your laptop using features modeled on DJ CD players. Rewind, Bend down, Play / pause reverse, Play / pause forward, Bend up, Fast forward.
Auto mode — play a sequence of tracks automatically.

With Key Lock on, the key or pitch of the song stays locked at what it would be if the track was playing at normal speed, regardless of the platter speed of the turntable or CD player. Key Lock has scratch detection, so it automatically turns off when scratching for a natural scratching sound.

Variable zoom waveforms centered around current position display horizontally or vertically. Waveforms are colored by frequency so you can distinguish instruments visually. Full track overview lets you quickly find where the beat drops, find breakdowns and choruses, and jump to any part of the song. The tempo display assists with rapid tempo matching of tracks. When the two tracks are matched to the same tempo, the peaks will line up. Beat display emphasizes the transients in tracks -- these are matched up when the two tracks are beat matched. Visual markers can be set for up to 5 cue points per song and triggered from the keyboard. Save up to 9 loops per track -- these loops are saved in the file, and will be present when you reload. Censor expletives on the fly with an instant quick-reverse and catch-up with no loss of timing or pitch.

MIDI control can interface USB controllers with Scratch Live. DJ controller support will vary. Check the release notes in the Downloads section at scratchlive.net for supported controllers.

Built-in help and tips in multiple languages are accessible anytime. There is even a low power warning when running off a laptop battery.

System Requirements

* A DJ mixer with at least 2 channels
* At least one turntable or CD player
* Computer with available USB 2.0 port
* Screen resolution 1024 x 768 or higher
* Hard drive space for storing music
* 1 GB RAM

PC

* Pentium 4 / 1.5 GHz (Intel processor)
* Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or higher, or Vista with Service Pack 1 or higher, or Windows 7.
* Note that we recommend Windows XP over Vista or 7 for performance reasons. By using XP, you can have a lower latency (for a better vinyl feel) and better performance in general. We also recommend Windows 7 over Vista.

Mac

* Mac OSX 10.4 or higher
* G4 / 1 GHz

Please note: this is the minimum requirement to run Scratch Live. We recommend you use a higher spec computer, and particularly if you have a large library or use optional plugins, you will benefit from having more RAM.

In the Box

Scratch Live Box Contents

The Rane SL 3 is only sold as part of a complete package. The display box includes:

* 1 SL 3 Interface
* 1 Soft Carry Case
* 1 Serato Scratch Live Software Install Disc.
* 1 External Universal Power Supply with Country Adaptors.
* 1 USB Cable
* 4 Stereo RCA Cables
* 2 Control CDs
* 2 Control Vinyl Records
* 4 Rubber Feet for the SL 3
* 1 Quick Start Guide
* 1 Operators Manual
* 1 Warranty Card

The SL 3 Aux output delivers the SP-6 Sample Player to your mixer's Aux input.
The SL 3 Aux input can record your entire set from your mixer's Aux output.

Control Vinyl Spares

black recordContinuous control signal on vinyl allows smooth accurate scratching. Scratch Live has the lowest latency vinyl emulation system on the market. It has advanced vinyl groove and stylus modeling algorithm for a sound indistinguishable from the real thing.

Innovative positioning system allows fast and accurate needle dropping. The record has thin marks every minute, and a thicker mark every 5 minutes (played at 33 RPM). These marks assist you when using needle dropping to move through the track.

The Vinyl Scroll track allows you use your turntable or CD to scroll through your crate and pick the next song without touching your laptop.

Two copies of black vinyl are included with the SL 3. Side A: 10 minutes plus Vinyl Scroll track. Side B: 15 minutes.

Control CD Download

Control CDTwo 15-minute control CDs are included with the SL 3. US customers can purchase a pair of new control CDs from your dealer, or at the Rane Online Store. People in other countries should ask their distributor.

You can burn your own control CD if you have a burner and the right software after downloading the big control file (132MB). Scratchlivecontrol.zip requires an unzip utility to open, and includes two files. Scratchlivecontrol.wav is a stereo 44.1 file that you can drop into any burner application -- however, the track select portion at the end of the audio file reqires a special start time on a second track to function correctly. If you have Sony CD Architect™, you can load the scratchlivecontrol.cdp file and it will incorporate the correct second track timing. When using any other application, do not adjust the levels, make sure no auto-levelling is turned on, don't downsample or try another format, or the control signal won't function.

The Scratch Live Control Tone, the audio pressed on Scratch Live Control Vinyl and the Control CDs, is copyright 2004-2008 Serato Audio Research. The Control CD download is licensed for personal use only. The creation of personal backups of the Control CD is allowed, however duplicating Control CDs for commercial benefit is strictly prohibited. For avoidance of doubt the duplication or creation of Control Vinyl for any use is strictly prohibited. Please respect our copyright. ©2004-2008 Serato Audio Research.

New Video-SL 1.2 and Scratch Live 2.0

Serato Video-SL is a software plug-in for Scratch Live which adds the ability to playback and mix video files. Manage a variety of video clips from within the Scratch Live library and load them onto a virtual deck for control with either vinyl or CD.

The controls allow you to mix clips with a variety of transitions, as well as apply exciting effects to each video clip. The mixed output can be sent to your computer's secondary display for connection to external monitors or projectors.

MIDI control enables you to use 3rd party controllers with Video-SL, highly recommended with an SL 3.

In the box, available from your Rane dealer:

* Installer CD with bonus music videos and loops
* Quick Start Guide
* Manual
* TTM 57SL Mixer Overlays
* Stickers

The Video-SL package includes stickers and video samples not included with the download version.

SL 3 Specifications
Parameter Specification
Computer interface USB 2.0 High Speed
USB Power Requirement 400 mA, 5.0 Volts
USB Audio Channels Six Record and Six Playback
External Power Supply 1060 mA, 7.5 Volts
Converters 24-bit / 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz sample rate
DAC Dynamic Range 104 dB, A-weighted
Line Thru Dynamic Range 101 dB, A-weighted
Phono Thru Dynamic Range 98 dB, A-weighted
THD+N 0.009% at 1 kHz at 2 Vrms
All Inputs Phono or Line Level Switchable
Line Input Unbalanced RCA
…...Gain Unity
…...Maximum Input / Output 3 Vrms
Phono Input Unbalanced RCA
……Sensitivity Adjustable 2.5 mV to 10 mV
SL 3 Unit: Size 6.8" x 5" x 1.3" (17.3 x 12.6 x 3.3 cm)
Shipping: Size 14" x 14" x 4" (36 x 36 x 10 cm)