The Spank! Records Blog

Serato 1.7.4 released

A new version of Serato LIVE has been released, with the following fixes & improvements:

Critical Updates:

- Fixed problem introduced in Mac OSX 10.4.10, where unplugging the Scratch LIVE hardware would cause the Scratch LIVE software to lock up.

- Improved ID3 tag handling.

- Fixed the Numark iCDX not working on Mac OSX 10.4.9 or later.

Audio Quality Improvements:

- Added a new "Hi-Fi Resampler" option to the setup screen. This significantly reduces digital distortion at very slow or very fast record speeds. This enhancement increases the CPU load slightly. The option is off by default, in which case the old resampler is used. If you have a low spec machine and experience performance issues with the Hi-Fi resampler on, try switching it off again.

- Fixed audible glitches due to a bug in the vinyl tracking algorithm that would occasionally cause playback to jump back 20ms and then forward again.

- Fixed a bug in the vinyl tracking algorithm that was causing low level digital background noise during slow scratches.

- Fixed audio glitches on the right hand channel when playing mono files.

- Fixed an audio glitch that sometimes occurred on song load.

- Fixed bug where moving the vinyl could cause clicks in internal mode.

Overview Builder:

- The overview builder now uses multiple CPUs or processor cores, up to four files can be analysed on capable machines. This will significantly speed things up for those of you with more than one CPU or multi-core processors.

- Changed the overview builder so that it doesn't stop working when you are on the setup screen with the interface disconnected.

- Fixed the overview builder from trying to build files that are currently having their tags edited. There may still be a visual oddity where it appears to be stuck on a particular file, but it is actually just waiting for the rest of the tag edits to complete first.

- Fixed the overview builder to correctly display the number of tracks processing/processed when there are missing files in your library.

- Changed the batch analyser to have low priority so that you can still perform other computer tasks while using it.

- Auto-fill overviews now sets auto gain values if it has built the entire overview (if the overview builder only partially builds the overview, it won't set it).

- Fixed certain mp3s from incorrectly being marked as corrupt.

You can grab v1.7.4 from here:

http://www.scratchlive.net/forum/discussion/?discussion_id=54466

5,000 new digital tracks online now

We're very pleased to announce that this week we've added a ton of tracks from one of our new distributors. 5,000 tracks have been put online, with another 3,000 scheduled to go up in the next few days.

Labels added to our digital catalogue include:

• Get Physical Music
• Turbo Recordings
• Kling Klong
• Ministry Of Sound
• Peppermint Jam
• Superstar Recordings
• Moon Harbour

...just to name a few.

Lots more content to come, we'll let you know when the next lot are online.

Ableton Live demo video

Just came across this demo of the upcoming release of Live 7. The new additions to it look amazing. We finally get sidechaining, and the new drum racks and slicer features are a really inventive way to utilise the existing Simpler plugin to create some really powerful new instruments.

There's no release date for it yet, all we've heard is sometime this quarter. Rumours are that it will be in December sometime.

You can still buy Live 6 now and you'll get a free upgrade to version 7 when it's released.

Enjoy!

Korg KM-402 & KM-202 In Stock Now!

Last week we received the new Korg KM-402 and its little brother the KM-202 - two super affordable dj mixers with the Korg Mini-KP built-in! Yes that's right, four-channel or two-channel mixers with all the features of the Korg Mini-KP (Kaoss Pad, that is) right at your fingertips. The main features of the Mini-KP are 100 assignable effects, three programmable memories and the very useful hold button, which allows you to replay your last effect hands-free! It has a wet/dry dial and you can slide through multiple parameters with your fingertips on the touch screen! We sell the KM-202 (two-channel but with assignable phono/line switch) for $599.00 and the KM-402 (four-channel) for $799.00.