Applies to: Dicers
WARNING!! Read this before connecting your Dicers…
Do not hot-plug your Dicers!!
Always ensure your Dicers are connected via the 1/8 inch mini jack cable before connecting via USB to your computer.
If you do not connect in this way you could risk damaging your Dicers.
I've not used these before, how can I get up and running with my Dicers in Serato Scratch Live 2.1?
Please make sure you've downloaded the necessary software:
The Scratch Live 2.1 Official Release, (required for 'plug and play' integration of Dicer), is now available via the Serato.com website.
To download the software, you must already be registered, with a username, password, and profile.
If you are not yet registered with Serato, you will need to create a username and password. You will then receive (can take up to 20 minutes), and be required to enter a verification code.
With this completed, you can now go directly to the forum post, where you will be required to create a profile.
With the profile completed, you will now have access to the public release thread and associated software and information.
Please plug the Dicers into the USB port of your computer and ensure they are connected by the Mini Jack cable
Finally, we recommend that all users intending to take advantage of the Scratch Live 2.1 Official Release, read all the additional information Serato provide.
Please note: You will need to purchase the necessary Rane hardware to use Serato such as the SL1, SL3 or Rane 68.
If you have any further queries or problems, please contact Novation Support
Where do I find the drivers for the Dicers?
Dicer is a class-compliant MIDI device. This means that it uses the computer's built-in drivers on both Mac and PC. No additional drivers are required.
I'm not getting LED Feedback from my Dicers in Serato
Please ensure you have downloaded the Official Release of Serato Scratch Live 2.1.
To download the software, you must already be registered, with a username, password, and profile.
If you are not yet registered with Serato, you will need to create a username and password. You will then receive (can take up to 20 minutes), and be required to enter a verification code.
With this completed, you can now go directly to the forum post, where you will be required to create a profile.
With the profile completed, you will now have access to the public release thread and associated software and information.
Finally, we recommend that all users intending to take advantage of the Scratch Live 2.1 Official Release, read all the additional information Serato provide.
My Dicers aren't working as they should be in Serato Scratch Live. I've checked the videos and nothing is mapped as advertised.
Please ensure you have downloaded the Official Release of Serato Scratch Live 2.1.
To download the software, you must already be registered, with a username, password, and profile.
If you are not yet registered with Serato, you will need to create a username and password. You will then receive (can take up to 20 minutes), and be required to enter a verification code.
With this completed, you can now go directly to the forum post, where you will be required to create a profile.
With the profile completed, you will now have access to the public release thread and associated software and information.
Finally, we recommend that all users intending to take advantage of the Scratch Live 2.1 Official Release, read all the additional information Serato provide.
One Dicer is lit and working, but the other one isn't
We recommend using some MIDI monitoring software to check the MIDI messages that are being sent by the Dicers.
I use the following free applications:
For Windows - http://www.midiox.com/
For macOS - http://www.snoize.com/MIDIMonitor/
You can then use one of these programs to check the MIDI data being sent by the DICER units.
If the Dicers are working correctly, they should send out the MIDI data as described in the Dicer programmer's reference guide available from our website here:
When pressed, the buttons will send out note messages with note numbers 60 - 64 on different channels depending on the mode they are in and whether they are the 1st or second dicer.
The first dicer will send messages on Channel 11 for ‘Hot Cue’ (red) mode, Channel 12 for ‘Loop Roll’ (Green) mode and Channel 13 for ‘Auto Loop’ (Green) mode. The slave Dicer will send the same note messages but on MIDI channels 14 - 16 respectively.
If the dicers are sending the correct messages when connected individually, then the fault is likely to be with the 1/8” cable.
My Dicers aren't lighting up when I plug them in
If you are connecting them directly but are not lighting up in Serato Scratch Live 2.1, we recommend using some MIDI monitoring software to check the MIDI messages that are being sent by the Dicers.
I use the following free applications:
For Windows - http://www.midiox.com/
For macOS - http://www.snoize.com/MIDIMonitor/
You can then use one of these programs to check the MIDI data being sent by the DICER units.
If the Dicers are working correctly, they should send out the MIDI data as described in the Dicer programmer's reference guide available on our website here:
When pressed, the buttons will send out note messages with note numbers 60 - 64 on different channels depending on the mode they are in and whether they are the 1st or second dicer.
The first dicer will send messages on Channel 11 for ‘Hot Cue’ (red) mode, Channel 12 for ‘Loop Roll’ (Green) mode and Channel 13 for ‘Auto Loop’ (Green) mode. The slave Dicer will send the same note messages but on MIDI channels 14 - 16 respectively.
If the dicers are sending the correct messages when connected individually, then the fault is likely to be with the 1/8” cable.
What version of Serato Scratch Live do I need to use the Dicers?
The Dicer controllers are compatible with Serato Scratch Live 2.1.0 and above.
How do I manually set a BPM for a single track in Serato Scratch Live?
To manually set BPM for a single track during normal use in Scratch Live, click on the TAP button on the deck section and tap out the tempo of the track. You can do this with or without the Rane SL-3 connected.
Once a BPM number appears, press the Enter key on your QWERTY keyboard, and the BPM will then be set for the track.
What is DJ Putty?
DJ Putty allows you to attach your Dicers wherever you would like in your mixing environment. If you are not using the Technics 1200 / 1210 connectors on the back of the Dicers, simply unscrew them with a flathead screwdriver and place some DJ Putty on the 3 rubber feet.
You can now stick your Dicers to your laptop, on a vertical surface, or elsewhere on your decks.
Is Dicer compatible with Serato ITCH?
Serato has two different software packages - "Scratch Live" and "ITCH". Dicer is designed for Scratch Live, but not for ITCH.
Dicer cannot be used with Serato ITCH, because ITCH does not support any standard MIDI devices other than the official Serato ITCH controllers (eg, VCI-300, NS7, XONE DX).
Does the Dicer work with NI Traktor scratch?
Novation has created mappings for Traktor Pro and Traktor Scratch which is available to download from the Novation website to allow Dicer to be used to control cue points and loops.
Hot Cue, Loop Roll and Auto Loop Modes control Traktor Scratch, but not in the same way that they control Serato. You will find that the default User Mode buttons edit the size and location of the loops and master volume control.
These User Mode 1/2 buttons can all be assigned in Traktor with its MIDI learn function.
A full explanation of the mappings is included in the download.
How to get started with Dicer and Serato Scratch Live 2.1
The Scratch Live 2.1 Official Release, (required for 'plug and play' integration of Dicer), is now available via the Serato.com website.
In order to download the software, you must already be registered, with a username, password and profile.
If you are not yet registered with Serato, you will need to create a username and password. You will then receive (can take up to 20 minutes), and be required to enter, a verification code.
With this completed, you can now go directly to the forum post where you will be required to create a profile.
With the profile completed, you will now have access to the public release thread and associated software and information.
Finally, we recommend that all users intending to take advantage of the Scratch Live 2.1 Official Release, read all the additional information Serato provide.
Can I use two pairs of Dicers with Serato Scratch Live?
No, Scratch Live will only recognise one pair (two individual controllers) of Dicers.
Assigning Dicer's shift modes to track navigation and FX in Serato Scratch Live
The video shows you how to assign the shift modes on the Dicer to be able to navigate and load through the tracks in your library and crates. It also shows you how to use the dicer to trigger effects:
Why don't the first set of Shift Mode buttons work in Serato Scratch Live?
The first set of shift buttons are pre-assigned to set and delete cue points in Serato Scratch Live as default.
These can not be user-defined however the second and third Shift Mode buttons can be assigned to any available parameters in Scratch Live.
To do this, simply click on the MIDI button in Scratch Live, click on the parameter and press and hold the User Mode 1/2 button and the desired Dicer button. Click on MIDI again to exit the editing mode.
How to use loops or rolls with Serato Scratch Live
You need to analyse the BPM of the track before you can use the looping features of Scratch Live. In general, this is required for any looping features for Serato. You can analyse BPM in one of two ways:
Automatically
Run Scratch Live *without* the Rane hardware interface connected. You will see a button labelled 'Analyse Files'. Make sure 'set auto BPM' is enabled. You can then press the 'Analyse Files' button and leave it chugging away on your entire music library. This can take a while depending on how many tracks you have in your library.
Manually
To manually set BPM for a single track during normal use, click on the TAP button on the deck section and tap out the tempo of the track. You can do this with or without your Rane Scratch Live hardware connected. Once a BPM number appears, the BPM is then set for the track.