How can I use my turntable with my laptop and alter mixes and songs?

Answer 1

Rane produces a software/hardware package called "Serato Scratch Live" which will allow you to link your turntables directly to a laptop and manipulate MP3's or other audio files as if they were real records. In other words, every move that you make on the turntable, the corresponding audio from the computer will match exactly. There are other similar types of programs on the market, but Scratch Live is the most advanced and reliable. A demo version is available on the Scratch Live website, so you can get a feel for how the software interface works. You won't be able to use the full version, however, without purchasing the full package, which includes 2 "control records", a hardware interface, and the software itself. If you plan on playing live at all, it's definitely worth looking into this software as it will save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on vinyl, as well as eliminate the need to carry huge boxes of records with you.