SL 3 FAQ

I've been a long time SL 1 user, do you offer an upgrade/discount program?
The SL 3 does not replace the SL 1 - both are viable and completely different designs. While there is no upgrade or discount program available, both pieces of hardware will continue to be supported with free software updates.

I just purchased an SL 1 and now I see the SL 3, can I exchange the SL 1?
There is no exchange program. Talk to the Rane dealer where you purchased your product for all returns, exchanges and refunds.

Why did you remove the mic input from the SL 3?
Making the SL 3 compact and adding Auxiliary channels was a high priority during the design of the unit. We hope the versatility you gain from these features makes up for the absence of the mic input.

How do I record my mic using an SL 3?
You'll need to feed an unbalanced (RCA) line-level mic audio feed from a spare mixer channel (mic insert or effects send works well).

Why can't I use the SL 3 with other programs as an ASIO or CoreAudio/Composite device?
Scratch Live and the SL 3 use a proprietary driver that has many performance and stability advantages over a CoreAudio or ASIO solution. We do however understand that a more open driver has advantages as well. CoreAudio Drivers are currently in development and will be implemented in a future firmware upgrade for the SL 3.

Where's the third virtual deck for the SL 3? When can we expect a third virtual deck for the SL 3?
In development. Multi deck control has always been on our road map and once our solution is solid, it will be added to a future version of Scratch Live.

Can I use an external power supply other than the one that shipped with the SL 3?
No, use the supply that shipped with the SL 3. It uses 7.5 volts DC, not 9 volts (like the SL 1 does). USA customers may order a replacement RS 6 power supply from the factory. International customers should contact their distributor for a replacement.

Why is there a small hole in the side of my SL 3 (Kensington lock)?
This is a Kensington security slot, which can be used to secure your SL 3 with a lock and cable.

What's the SL 3's AUX channels for?
All kinds of things - many undreamed of yet. The AUX Input allows you to either record your set (e.g., from a mixer's aux output) or feed a stereo signal to Scratch Live's LiveFeed feature. The AUX Output can also be used as a third virtual deck that can be fed from Scratch Live's SP-6 Sample Player. More features for this extra channel will be added over time. There's bound to be great scratchlive.net forum threads on other useful Aux channel tips and tricks.

Why is the SL 3's USB cable so hard to push in?
Customers requested a tighter, stronger USB jack to avoid it accidentally falling or being pulled out in the rat's nest of cables often encountered. Plus, some users often plug and unplug the I/O cables on tour, so an improved jack that can handle more insertions before failure is appreciated. It's a good thing, trust us!

Do I need to use the USB cable that came with my SL 3 package?
No, you can use any USB cable.

Scratch Live supports all these file formats: Fixed and Variable Bit Rate MP3, AIFF, AAC, WAV, OGG Vorbis, CD Audio and direct from the mixer. Record from your mixer's Aux output and immediately scratch as if it was on vinyl. Record direct from vinyl or CD and save as a 24-bit 48 kHz stereo file.

Easily import your playlists and iTunes library. You can drag from Explorer (Windows) or the Finder (Mac) into the Scratch Live library. The crate and subcrate system helps organize your library and sets. Hot-swap external drives with fast automatic library merging and retention of crates. Browse your music collection by album, artist, BPM, or genre, with optional album art display. Intuitive search function can be applied to any field to find things quickly. Edit ID3 tags with full Unicode support.

Preprocessing of MP3 files is not required except to detect corrupt files or use the auto-BPM and auto-gain functions. Auto-BPM detects tempo information for tracks without it, saving it with each file. A tap tempo button allows you to enter your own. Auto-gain lets you set a target gain on any or all songs in your library. You can also manually adjust individual gain, remembered in each song file.

The Virtual Deck shows everything about the speed and position of a track. As the vinyl rotates, so does the line on the label. The circular progress bar around the edge is a visual representation of the position within the song. The time and remaining time are displayed in minutes and seconds. The turntable speed as a percentage of pitch shift is on the left, and the pitched BPM is on the right.

Different operating modes can be assigned to each Virtual Deck:
Absolute Mode — exact reproduction of record movement, needle drop through tracks – just like normal vinyl. The beginning of the track is mapped to the start of the record.
Relative Mode — skip-free scratching, jump to cue points, and pitch bend buttons combined with turntable control. This mode observes the relative forward and backward movement of the record, but does not regard the position within the record.
Internal Mode — mix with just your laptop using features modeled on DJ CD players. Rewind, Bend down, Play / pause reverse, Play / pause forward, Bend up, Fast forward.
Auto mode — play a sequence of tracks automatically.

With Key Lock on, the key or pitch of the song stays locked at what it would be if the track was playing at normal speed, regardless of the platter speed of the turntable or CD player. Key Lock has scratch detection, so it automatically turns off when scratching for a natural scratching sound.

Variable zoom waveforms centered around current position display horizontally or vertically. Waveforms are colored by frequency so you can distinguish instruments visually. Full track overview lets you quickly find where the beat drops, find breakdowns and choruses, and jump to any part of the song. The tempo display assists with rapid tempo matching of tracks. When the two tracks are matched to the same tempo, the peaks will line up. Beat display emphasizes the transients in tracks -- these are matched up when the two tracks are beat matched. Visual markers can be set for up to 5 cue points per song and triggered from the keyboard. Save up to 9 loops per track -- these loops are saved in the file, and will be present when you reload. Censor expletives on the fly with an instant quick-reverse and catch-up with no loss of timing or pitch.

MIDI control can interface USB controllers with Scratch Live. DJ controller support will vary. Check the release notes in the Downloads section at scratchlive.net for supported controllers.

Built-in help and tips in multiple languages are accessible anytime. There is even a low power warning when running off a laptop battery.