Honoring the Past, Welcoming the Future
Serato is celebrating a major milestone—25 years of innovation, creativity, and community. Over the past quarter-century, alongside you, we’ve been at the forefront of shaping the sound and culture of DJing and music production. To mark this milestone, we’re taking a moment to honor the journey we’ve shared and to bring something truly special out of the vault. Read on to find out more.
Honoring the Past
For 25 years, you helped us change the face of music. Take a trip with us down memory lane on the @serato Instagram channel to celebrate the different eras, innovations and iconic moments we’ve shared together.
From where it all began with our time-stretching and pitch-shifting technology, Pitch ’n Time, to the groundbreaking Scratch Live, SL Box, and Control Vinyl that revolutionized the industry. Reminisce on the move from analog to digital, the cultural shifts of how and what we DJ, and the seminal hardware we’ve DJ’d on. Then, delve into how Serato Stems heralded a new era in DJing and music production.
Return of the OG
Guess who’s back? To celebrate 25 years we’re bringing the Serato Scratch Live Control Vinyl back in a special limited edition reissue—only 1,500 units worldwide.
We’ve revived five classic colors: Black, Transparent Red, Transparent Blue, Orange, and Grey Marble—the crowd favorites from back in the day. The catch? You won’t know which color you’re getting until you open it. Don’t miss your chance to get your set.
But before that, let’s go back to how it all started…
The Rise of Serato NoiseMap™ and Scratch Live
In the early 2000s, Steve West and AJ Bertenshaw were working on something that would flip the DJ world upside down. AJ had this wild prototype: scratching audio off a CD with a mouse. That experiment turned into Serato NoiseMap™—a control tone pressed into vinyl that allowed DJs to manipulate digital audio as if they were spinning real records. No CDs, no laptops—just raw scratching power.
“There was a video of me scratching on Serato Scratch Live that a lot of the other DJs saw, and that became a catalyst for other people adopting it.”
A-Trak
By 2004, Serato teamed up with Rane to launch Serato Scratch Live, officially changing the game. The key was the Serato Scratch Live Control Vinyl, a timecoded vinyl that made digital tracks behave like traditional records. DJs could now scratch, cue, and mix digital files with the same precision as analog vinyl. Though initially a hard sell, pioneers like A-Trak recognized its potential, and soon, DJs everywhere embraced this innovation. What started as a wild idea became the tool that shook DJ culture to its core. Everyone knew this was about to change everything. And it did.
On the A-side you’ll find the words “Scratch Live Forever” etched into the record. This isn’t just a throwback to the good old days, this has a special meaning.
Take a close look at the A-side label and you’ll discover a mission: “Find the groove. Unlock the past. Bring it into the future.” Serato Audio Research Labs have re-engineered our iconic NoiseMap™ control tone on this CV so when a DJ plays a certain part of the record on the A side, it will activate a Scratch Live theme in Serato DJ Pro. While Serato DJ Pro functionality will stay the same, enjoy a trip back to the future.
On the A-side you’ll find the words “Scratch Live Forever” etched into the record. This isn’t just a throwback to the good old days, this has a special meaning.
Take a close look at the A-side label and you’ll discover a mission: “Find the groove. Unlock the past. Bring it into the future.” Serato Audio Research Labs have re-engineered our iconic NoiseMap™ control tone on this CV so when a DJ plays a certain part of the record on the A side, it will activate a Scratch Live theme in Serato DJ Pro. While Serato DJ Pro functionality will stay the same, enjoy a trip back to the future.
Where to buy:
To get your hands on these records, please contact one of the retailers listed below. Availability may vary, so reach out to your closest retailer directly to find out when stock will be ready for you.
USA
GERMANY
JAPAN
UK
FRANCE
Czech Republic
New Zealand
Serato has been on an incredible journey, and now, it’s time to celebrate 25 years of leveling up.
For over 25 years, we’ve pushed the boundaries of sound, creativity, and community together, leaving a mark on the music game. From innovation in DJing to reshaping music production, we’ve always had one goal in mind: to help artists level up their craft.
As we continue celebrating Serato’s 25th Anniversary, we’re shifting focus to the future with the Level Up campaign. Starring Grammy-Winning Producer Dahi, TRAKGIRL, Quiana Parks, Hollywood Cole, and DJ Craze, we’re exploring what it takes to reach that next level. Along our journey, we’ve heard countless stories from artists about what it truly takes to elevate your craft. By sharing their journeys, they inspire us—and the entire community—to keep pushing, creating, and innovating. So, as we celebrate this moment, remember: the journey to level up never stops, and we’re is right here with you every step of the way.
Thanks for a Great 25 Years
As we celebrate 25 years, we’re excited to reflect on where we’ve been, and we look forward to continuing this journey with you—our incredible community of artists, creators, and fans. Thank you for being a part of Serato’s story. The next 25 are going to be epic.
Back to the top.