Traktor vs Serato: Libraries and files

Hi Guys,

New to the the forum and Traktor, which should be arriving in the post today. I have been DJing since the late 80s (no old jokes!), and I made the jump to CDJs about 10 years ago. I have a few friends who use Traktor and a few who use Serato, but none who use both. So, while I am making the jump to Traktor, I need to be able to still use Serato since both systems are used at events depending on the promotor.

Since the promoter often has the system available, I don't need to take a computer. I just need the song files, and since I've only used Serato a few times at events I haven't taken the time to set up cue or loop points. I'm just playing the files by using the timecode vinyl or CD.

With that in mind... is there any need to provide Traktor and Serato with separate libraries, either on the same hard drive or on separate hard drives. Or, will they happily and without issue, work off the same library? If I drop all of my files on a portable USB drive, will both programs access the files with complete functionality without doing anything to the files that would create a problem in the other program?

I see that NI has created a conversion program, but that seems more tailored to maintaining cue/loop points that have been created in Serato. If you do not have cue/loop points set up, is this conversion necessary?

Sorry, if this has been asked and answered, but I have searched for days without finding an answer.

Thanks,

-Lux

 

serato and traktor use different tags and libraries so there will be no issues if you use either program. but you should keep all data on the same computer.

 

Does this apply to AAC-files (.m4a) too?

 

AAC files should work the same as MP3s. You may need to install Quicktime to get them to play.

 

yes

 

Are you sure? Because I found several threads about this issue, for example this one: http://serato.com/forum/discussion/880709

I'm new to Traktor and haven't installed the software yet on my main laptop I use for gigs. Before I do this I wanna be sure that it doesn't **** up my library...
I have a lot of AAC files because of iTunes Match.

Maybe I'll test it with a backup HD and report the result here.

My goal is to use both, Serato and Traktor, and use mainly iTunes for the file managment.

 

I have a friend that uses both with no problems since the tags are different(when you analyze that is)

 

No probs here, but I don't use iTunes

 

After using the SSL Database Importer all the AAC-files (.m4a) cue-points and overviews in Serato are gone...

So everybody who has a lot of AAC-files: don't use the Importer app!