Lucid Beatgrids Just Dropped in the Serato DJ 5.0 Beta
The Serato DJ 5.0 Beta just dropped, and it’s a big one. Leading the charge is a much-anticipated update to your beatgrids.
Lucid Beatgrids bring a completely rebuilt analysis engine, with significantly improved downbeat detection, improved accuracy across the board, and for the first time, automatic tempo tracking. Plus new editing tools, analysis modes, and even more to dig into.
There’s more in the Beta too. Open Streaming lets you DJ with all your favorite streaming services at the same time. And with Cue Loops, trigger a Hot Cue and a Loop from the same marker, with just one button. Plus a handful of smaller updates and returning favorites.
Here’s the full breakdown of everything in the beta.
Lucid Beatgrids
Our most accurate, aware, and customizable beatgrids yet
Better beatgrids have been your most requested improvement, and we get why. That one track you love but never play, live recordings that drift, and hours of manual editing. Our new beatgrid analysis engine has been rebuilt from the ground up to change that.
Meet Lucid Beatgrids, powered by a new engine that moves with your music, not against it. Smarter, more accurate, and for the first time, aware of tempo changes as they happen. Getting it on a track is easy. Just re-analyze it. Right-click and select Analyze, or just drag the track onto “Analyze Files.” No need to redo your whole library. Just stick to the ones that need a little finessing and you’re good to go.
That’s not all. Everything the engine hears, you see, right in the waveform. Add new analysis modes and more ways to visualize and customize your grid, and your beatgrids just got a whole lot easier to manage. Here’s everything that’s new.
Flexible Beatgrid Analysis
The new default. It maps tempo changes across the full length of your track, placing markers wherever the beat actually falls. Works on fixed-tempo tracks too. Just drag a track in or right-click to analyze, and the grid is built for you. Fixed Beatgrid Analysis is still here, but with significantly improved downbeat detection.
See BPM Changes Coming
When the tempo changes, you’ll see it coming. BPM Labels appear directly on the main and overview waveforms at every tempo change, so you always know what’s ahead.
Beats or Bars, Your Call
Set Beatgrid BPM Changes to bar or beat resolution. Bars is the default and works well for most genres. Switch to beats for the highest sync accuracy on more complex music.
BPM Labels, on Your Terms
Control how many Waveform BPM Labels you see in the Setup menu. Show all changes, just the big ones, or none at all.
Edit the Grid, Beat by Beat
Two new editing controls give you manual precision to match the automated analysis. Set Grid Start lets you pin exactly where the grid begins. Set Beat lets you adjust individual beats within a bar without disrupting the rest of the grid.
How to DJ with Lucid Beatgrids
To use Lucid Beatgrids across your library, you’ll need to re-analyze your tracks. Your existing beatgrids won’t be overwritten. Just open your library in an older version of Serato DJ Pro or Lite, and everything will be exactly as you left it.
Open Streaming
Stream Everything, All at Once
Stream with no strings attached. Open Streaming lets you log in to every streaming service you use at the same time, and actually use them all at the same time. No more choosing which service to open. No more switching accounts mid-session.
Use Every Streaming Service at the Same Time
Each streaming service appears as its own crate in your library. Mix tracks from different streaming services in the same crate, alongside your local files, and move between services without breaking your flow.
One Search, Every Service
A new dropdown next to the search bar lets you switch between streaming services and search each one, right from your library.
Get Set Up in Seconds
To get started, head to the Library + Display tab in your Setup menu and enable the streaming services you want
to use.
Cue Loops
Loop on Cue
Cue Loops let you trigger a Hot Cue and a Loop from the same marker, at the same time, with just one button. Build the breakdown the way you hear it in your head. Hold the drop a little longer. Loop that vocal one more time.
Available in Serato DJ Pro only.
Cue the Loop
Hit the pad and two things happen at once: the playhead jumps to your cue point and a loop is triggered instantly at the length you set. One press, no juggling between cue and loop controls mid-session. You’ll see the loop icon on the cue point pad, so you always know what’s loaded.
How to Set Up Cue Loops
Turn on Cue Loops in the Setup menu. Then setting one up is easy: activate a loop, keep the playhead within the loop region, and tap any empty cue slot.
Also in the Serato DJ 5.0 Beta
A few smaller updates and fixes are included in the 5.0 release.
Protect Library Returns
Enable it in the Setup menu and Serato DJ won’t let tracks be removed from your library, crates, or computer within the app. A safety net for your collection.
M3U/M3U8 Playlist Import is Back
Drag a playlist file into Serato DJ and it automatically creates a crate with all your tracks mapped. Works with exports from other DJ software, Apple Music, Spotify, and more.
Key and BPM Now Display for Streamed Tracks
Key and BPM now show for streaming tracks as soon as you browse them, no need to load or analyze first.
*Available on select streaming partners. Currently supported: Beatport, Tidal, SoundCloud, and Spotify. Not yet available on Apple Music.
New Default Tidal DJ Playlists
Ready-made playlists from Tidal, loaded and ready to go inside Serato DJ Pro and Lite.
How to Download the Beta
- Head to the Serato DJ 5.0 Beta Forum Area
- Download the Serato DJ 5.0 Beta
- Install alongside your current version (Your library and settings carry over)
- Need a hand? Check out the full install guide here
A note on Beta builds: This is a Beta, which means it’s still in development. We recommend keeping your current version installed and not using the Beta for critical performances.
Join the Conversation in the Serato Forum
Drop your feedback, report anything unusual, and help us make 5.0 the best release yet.