Scratch is a new module we’ve been building inside DJ.Studio Next. Lay scratch effects over your mixes, or build your own scratches in the scratch editor.
You can activate the Scratch module like this:
Download and open DJ.Studio Next
Scratch shows up automatically on your account
We would love to get your feedback on this beta feature.
This guide explains how you can add vinyl scratch effects to your Mixes and Mashups in DJ.Studio, as well as how to customize and save your own custom scratch presets. It will also explain how scratching can be used within Transition Windows.
Scratch Blocks
What is a Scratch Block?
Scratch Blocks are visual representations of the time, within a song or sample, during which you wish to apply some form of scratching effect. Scratch blocks can be made longer or shorter and moved around. You can switch between Scratch Presets, and can change how your scratch is performed.
Adding a Scratch Block
There are multiple methods which you may use to add one of DJ.Studios scratch presets, and each preset has its own unique sound.
Adding via the Right Click Menu:
First Click at the location you wish to scratch to put the scratch. Then Right Click and move your cursor over the option to Add Scratch Block. Now you may select from one of DJ.Studio's Scratch Presets.
OR Add via Effects Tab:
Open the Effects Tab in the bottom panel and click Scratch. You can then choose a preset from the dropdown, or open the Scratch Pattern Editor to design your own.
OR Add via Effect Automation Dropdown:
Click the Show/Hide Effect Automation Dropdown, then move your cursor down and over Effects > Scratch and finally click the + button to add your Scratch Block.
OR via the keyboard shortcut W
put the playhead in the location where you want the scratch block and press W on your keyboardTransition tab:
Scratching can also be applied during a transition between two tracks using the Echo Scratch transition type. This echoes out the outgoing track while scratching the incoming track in, creating a punchy, rhythmic switch between songs.
Open the Transition Tab for the transition you wish to edit, then select Echo Scratch from the list of transition types. The scratch will be applied automatically at the transition point.
Change Scratch Preset
Once a Scratch Block is created, the text displayed in the bar on top of the block becomes the name of the Scratch Preset that will be applied. Clicking the title bar will allow you to select from one of the Scratch Preset’s, or open the Scratch Pattern Editor and customise the current scratch.
Move and Change Scratch Duration
Scratch Block’s can be moved by clicking on the bar at the top of the block, and dragging left or right.
Scratch Block duration can be extended or shortened by moving the cursor towards the right hand side of the Scratch Block until a yellow line appears and the cursor changes to < >.
Clicking and dragging to the right will extend the length of the Scratch Block, and subsequently the Scratch Pattern that is applied.
Clicking and dragging to the left will shorten the length of the Scratch Block, and how much of the Scratch Pattern is applied.
Whilst zoomed out, the Scratch Block duration will snap to the nearest beat. Zooming in until the waveform turns white, the duration of the Scratch Block will snap to the nearest ⅛ note.
Scratch In vs Scratch
There are two main Scratch Effect categories, Scratch In and a Scratch, and they are visually differentiated by the direction of the triangle within the Scratch Block.
Scratch In: The triangle point is to the left and gets larger towards the right hand side of the Scratch Block ◀. When the Scratch Effect is applied, the audio that lines up with the right hand side of the Scratch Block (the largest part of the triangle), will be used as the audio scratched during the effect.
Example: scratching in the first beat of a song.
Scratch: The triangle point is to the right and gets larger towards the left hand side of the Scratch Block ▶. When the Scratch Effect is applied, the audio that lines up with the left hand side of the Scratch Block (the largest part of the triangle), will be used as the audio scratched during the effect.
Example: scratching a vocal or beat, during playback of a song.
For a Scratch Effect, clicking and dragging the duration to the left, past the start of the Scratch Block - the triangle visual within the Scratch Block will switch sides and the effect will change from a Scratch to a Scratch In.
For a Scratch In Effect clicking and dragging the duration to the right, past the end of the Scratch Block - the triangle visual within the Scratch Block will switch sides and the effect will change from a Scratch In to a Scratch.
Scratch Pattern Editor
After you have added a Scratch Block, you can access the Scratch Pattern Editor by clicking the title bar at the top of the block and then, in the context menu that appears, you can click to open the Scratch Editor.
1 - Scratch Pattern Graph:
The graph in the middle of the Scratch Pattern Editor window visualizes the current Scratch Preset and how it will be applied to the song or sample audio.
Left to right: represents time as the audio plays back.
Bottom to top: represents how the scratch is applied - as if a vinyl record was being moved back and forth.
2 - Pattern:
Displays the alphabetical sequence used to perform the current preset, as if a physical vinyl record was being moved back and forth to create the Scratch Effect. You can change this sequence to create custom presets.
UPPERCASE letters | Letters represent vinyl positions where A is the starting point, and further letters move the vinyl further away with Q being the farthest movement possible.
UPPERCASE letters are audible movements. |
lowercase letters | lowercase letters are silent movements - as if crossfader or volume was muted. |
R or r | R releases the vinyl and allows the audio to playback at normal speed. |
Dots (.) | Dots separate beats, which results in the vinyl motion moving slower.
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< | play the audio backwards at normal playback speed.
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3 - Use Track Audio:
When this toggle is enabled, the original song or sample audio will be used when previewing scratch patterns. Toggle this option off to use default ‘scratch’ audio.
4 - Easing:
Controls how smooth the movement of the Scratch Pattern is performed.
Slider all the way to the left: The Scratch Effect will playback exactly as defined by the Scratch Pattern (displayed in the Pattern Graph). If this precise movement sounds too synthetic, try gradually moving the slider to the right to smooth out the pattern performance.
Slider all the way to the right: The Scratch Effect playback will follow the movement of the pattern with a smooth motion, ramping and down in speed as the pattern moves back and forth. This speed ramped motion can make the performance feel more natural and change the audible tone of the Scratch Effect.
5 - Save Preset:
After editing a scratch pattern, click Save Preset and name it. The pattern will be added to the Your Presets list.
6 - Your Presets:
List of custom scratch pattern presets that you have saved. All of your presets will be viewable in the Add Scratch Block menu.
7 - Built-in Presets:
List of presets crafted by turntablists for DJ.Studio. Click the love heart ♥︎ symbol next to a preset to highlight and move that preset to the top of the list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the volume of the Scratch FX?
You cannot change the volume inside the Scratch FX itself. To make a scratch louder or quieter, adjust the volume of the track or sample the Scratch Block is applied to.
Select the track or sample.
Go to Studio > Effects Tab.
Move the Volume slider. This creates a volume automation line, which you can shape with points to fade the scratch in or out.
How can I keep the original track playing while using a scratch as an overlay?
If you want to hear the original song continue underneath while a short scratch plays on top, you can layer the scratch on a separate Sample lane:
Copy the section of the track you want to scratch onto a Sample lane.
Add a Scratch Block to that sample.
Adjust the Volume of the sample in Studio > Effects Tab to set how loud the scratch sits over the track.
Optionally, add volume automation points to fade the scratch in and out. The original track keeps playing untouched on its own lane, and the scratch acts as an overlay on top.