Serato Audio Research

Serato Audio Research is a New Zealand software company headquartered in Auckland, that specializes in audio signal processing, production and professional performance tools for DJs.

Serato was founded in 1998 by Stephen West and AJ Bertenshaw who developed a timestretching and pitch-shifting Pro Tools plugin, Pitch 'N Time. They then focused on the evolving vinyl emulation software market, developing the first release of Serato Scratch Live (SSL) in 2004. The software utilizes specialized timecoded audio called the Serato NoiseMap™. The NoiseMap™ is pressed into a control vinyl or CD and the signal is captured by an external sound card which is then used to manipulate digital music on the user's computer. Serato began by working with Washington-based Rane Corporation to develop the first Scratch Live supported hardware, the Rane SL1, during which, Serato developed the NoiseMap™ control vinyls to complete the system.

Serato entered the DJ Controller market in 2008 with the launch of ITCH, an application similar to Scratch Live but dedicated to supporting selected DJ Controllers instead of DVS hardware.