A free version of Serato Studio DAW is available now

Primarily known for its popular DJ and music production software, Serato has updated its DAW, Serato Studio, to now offer a free version, among other general improvements in 1.4.4.

Serato Studio isn’t all that comprehensive when compared with Pro Tools, Logic Pro or Ableton Live. Instead, it places a focus on creating quick edits, mashups and beats that DJs and live performers can take advantage of onstage. The DAW features channel mixing strips found on DJ mixers, and supports Serato DJ-compatible controllers, offering a comfortable environment for DJs creating tracks.

The free edition has its restrictions, but still allows saving and exporting of tracks you create. You won’t be able to work with an unlimited number of audio sources, and you can only export tracks as a single MP3 file. Automation is disabled too, so no filter sweeps or big reverb drops. For these reasons, it feels geared toward users who are wanting to create quick changes and edits on-the-fly. Serato’s Chief Strategy Officer, Nick Maclaren says: “We wanted to offer the best tool for people to start making beats and DJ edits. Just load up an acapella or full track to chop up, make a mashup, or create a quick intro edit so it’s ready for your DJ sets.”

Meanwhile, in the full version of Serato Studio, users can enjoy a new auto chord mode that triggers chords with a single note, and a Feel parameter, that can offset timing and velocity of chords and notes, giving an element of humanisation, essentially a swing knob. A few other general improvements to layout and workflow have been made in the new version.

This free version comes along many others in the wake of COVID-19. To see what other free DAWs you can make use of whilst you’re at home, check out this guide.

Serato Studio’s free edition is available as an instant download, and the full version is available for $199 upfront, or $10 per month. Find out more at serato.com

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