As a DJ, you should always search for ways to expand your music library and keep your sets fresh so that you can make your creations. Tidal, the high-fidelity music streaming service, offers a vast library of tracks that can be integrated with DJ software like Serato. It is popular with many DJs who often use Serato DJ Pro & Lite, djay Pro, and Virtual DJ. In this article, we'll explore how to use Tidal with Serato DJ offline or online with a Serato Tidal integration. Besides, you will get tips to troubleshoot the not working issues about Tidal and Serato DJ.
Part 1. Does Tidal Work with Serato DJ Lite/Pro
Can you use Tidal with Serato DJ Lite/Pro? The answer is positive. Now, there is an official integration of Tidal and Serato DJ. This DJ platform includes the Serato DJ Lite and the Serato DJ Pro apps. The Serato DJ Lite app is a free entry-level version, more suitable for beginners to learn and practice DJing. While the Serato DJ Pro version is more advanced with additional capabilities and features. It provides advanced features for experienced DJs, including rock-solid reliability, access to millions of tracks, and the ability to live stream DJ sets.
Both Serato apps are compatible with Tidal on desktop. They are capable of mixing, analyzing, scratching, and cueing digital music files from Tidal. To get Serato Tidal to work as an audiophile streaming service online, you need to have the works done:
✅ Have an active Tidal subscription account (either Tidal HiFi or HiFi Plus are supported);
✅ Install Serato DJ Pro 2.1 or above;
✅ Make sure you have a stable internet connection.
Part 2. How to Enable Serato Tidal Online - Tidal HiFi/HiFi Plus Plan
If you are in a place where the signal from WiFi or cell phones is pretty good, it's easier for you to use Tidal with Serato DJ Pro/Lite online in its official way. In addition, make sure you have an active Tidal HiFi or HiFi Plus subscription, and then follow the easy steps below.
How to Connect Tidal to Serato DJ Pro/Lite
Step 1. Run the Serato DJ Pro/Lite app on your computer.
Step 2. On the top-right side, click 'Setup' > 'Library + Display' > 'Music Streaming'.
Step 3. Tick 'Show Streaming Services', then tap 'Tidal' as the streaming service.
Step 4. Select 'Sign up / Login to Tidal' to navigate to the browser and log in to your existing Tidal account or sign up for a new one.
Step 5. After that, it is supposed to pop up a new window. Then hit 'Open Serato DJ Pro/Lite' to redirect back to it.
Step 6. When you are back to Serato DJ Pro/Lite, the 'music streaming' should be indicated as a logged-in account.
Step 7. Here you can switch the streaming quality to HiFi if you have subscribed Tidal HiFi plan. Thus you can use Tidal on Serato DJ Pro/Lite online with ease.
How to Add Tidal Playlist to Serato DJ Pro/Lite
You can create a playlist on Tidal on the Tidal web player or the Tidal desktop app. After creating a playlist, you should expand the 'Tidal' option in Serato software's 'crates/playlists pane' to reveal your playlist.
Also, you can create Tidal playlists within the Serato DJ app. Hit the 'New Streaming Playlist' option to make a new playlist for Tidal music. You can drag & drop your files to the created playlist and then you can find them in your Tidal app.
Note: One thing you should know is that you are not allowed to add Tidal music to regular Serato DJ Pro/Lite crates or smart crates. That is because Tidal resources are DRM-protected files which you only can play as cached files. If you wish to play or transfer them to other platforms, you should use a third-party tool like AudFree Tidal Music Converter.
How to Search for Tidal Music in Serato DJ Pro/Lite
After enabling 'Tidal' as a streaming service in the Serato app, you can select the 'Streaming Search' button located beside the search bar. When you hit it, the search focus will shift to the 'ALL' crate so that you can search for both Tidal music. If you want to return to your previously selected track and crate, simply click the button again.
The button will be greyed out if there is an issue with your internet connection or server connection. Besides, when searching for tracks not yet in Tidal streaming playlists, you can find the tracks you want to add to playlists, but search results may take a moment to show up.
How to Analyze Tidal Tracks in Serato DJ Pro/Lite
On the main screen, you can hit the 'Analyze Files' button or drag & drop the selected Tidal music to the button to let Serato analyze Tidal playlists or tracks.
After analyzing the Key & BPM, the full waveform will be displayed. You can then add Cue points, loops, and other Serato information to the track. When you eject and reload the track onto the deck, it will analyze 'on-the-fly'. Besides, it ensures your Serato data remains intact.
Part 3. How to Use Tidal with Serato Offline without Plans
Serato allows Tidal users to log in to their accounts and then play Tidal music directly. However, this requires a paid Tidal subscription. The worst part is that you always need to have a stable WiFi connection.
Therefore, we will provide you with an advanced way to enable Serato Tidal offline. Without a paid Tidal subscription, you can play Tidal offline on Serato DJ Pro/Lite even without a WiFi connection. The only tool you need is the AudFree Tidal Music Downloader. It allows you to download Tidal music to your computer with a free Tidal account. You can also use it to convert Tidal music to MP3 and more popular audio formats.
Once you get the local music files from Tidal, you can drag them directly to Serato DJ for offline playback. This smart AudFree converter can decrypt Tidal music files without affecting their original quality or ID3 tags. Moreover, it also supports downloading podcasts, audiobooks, and radio from Tidal.
AudFree Tidal Music Converter
- Losslessly download Tidal music without paid Tidal Plans
- Convert Tidal music to MP3/FLAC/AAC/M4A/M4B/WAV
- Stay 100% original audio quality and the whole metadata
- Work at 5X faster speed, reset output settings for Serato DJ
How to Download Music from Tidal for Serato DJ Locally
Now, we will show you how to use the AudFree Tidal Music Converter to download and convert Tidal music to local files. Then you can easily make Serato DJ Tidal offline.
Supported Formats | |
Serato DJ Import | MP3, FLAC, WAV, M4A, AAC (for Mac), OGG, ALAC (for Windows 10 & Mac), AIF, WL.MP3, MP4 |
AudFree Output | MP3, FLAC, AAC, M4A, WAV, M4B |
- Step 1Add Tidal music to AudFree Tidal Music Converter
- Open AudFree Tidal Music Downloader, then the Tidal app will open simultaneously. Please select the songs you would like to use on Serato on the Tidal app. Next, hit 'Share' > 'Copy Track Link' and paste it to the search box in AudFree Tidable, then tap the '+' icon. Alternatively, drag and drop songs or playlists from Tidal to the AudFree converter.
- Step 2Set audio output parameters of Tidal for Serato DJ
- It is available to manually change the Tidal audio output format to a Serato-enabled one before downloading. Select the 'Menu' button on the main interface, and then press the 'Preferences' > 'Convert' section. Here, it is allowed to download Tidal music to FLAC, MP3, WAV, etc. and modify the bit rate, audio codec, and sample rate.
- Step 3Download tracks from Tidal for Serato Locally
- Now, simply click the obvious 'Convert' bar at the lower right corner on the main page of the powerful tool. Then the program will start at a 5X faster speed to decrypt and download music from Tidal as the output settings that you chose before. When the conversion is over, a red spot with a number of songs in it will be popped up on the 'Converted' icon. Please click it to locate the target folder where all downloaded Tidal streams in on your PC.
How to Use Tidal with Serato Offline
Now you have owned the local files of Tidal music, you can easily add Tidal to Serato for offline use according to the guide.
Step 1. Start by launching Serato software on your desktop and logging into your account.
Step 2. Click on the 'File' button, then it will show you various locations on your local computer. Navigate to the Tidal music folder on your computer's hard drive.
Step 3. Drag and drop the Tidal music files directly onto the 'All...' icon, which, as a hint, is at the top left of the playlist window.
Step 4. Now you have streamed the Tidal tracks to Serato, it is possible to make Tidal Serato offline without difficulty.
Tips: You can simply check here to see how to add local Tidal files from the computer to your Serato's library. Then you can play all songs from the Tidal playlist in Serato.
Part 4. How to Fix Serato Tidal Not Working
Users may encounter issues like Tidal not working in Serato DJ. In such cases, there are several troubleshooting methods that can help resolve the Serato Tidal not working problem.
🏷 1. Check Your Network Connectivity
Make sure that your computer is connected to a stable internet connection. Tidal Serato requires a stable internet connection to work properly. You can try restarting your router or modem to see if it helps.
🏷 2. Update Your Serato DJ Software to the Latest Version
Make sure that you have the latest version of Serato DJ software installed on your computer. You can check for updates by going to the "Help" menu and selecting "Check for Updates". If there is a new update available, download and install it.
🏷 3. Log Out of Tidal and Log Back in Again
Sometimes, logging out of Tidal and logging back in can help resolve your Tidal not working on Serato DJ Pro/Lite. To do this, open Tidal in Serato DJ and click your profile picture. Then select "Log out" and log back in again.
🏷 4. Relaunch the Serato DJ Software
Restarting your computer can help resolve issues with software. Close Serato DJ Lite/Pro, then restart your computer. Once your computer has restarted, launch Serato DJ and try connecting to Tidal again.
🏷 5. Refresh Tidal Playlists in Serato DJ
If you find your Tidal playlist not showing in Serato DJ Pro/Lite, please go to the 'Setup' button, then select 'Library + Display' > 'Music Streaming'. Next, toggle the 'Show Streaming Services' option off and enable it again to refresh your Tidal playlist in Serato DJ.
🏷 6. Use AudFree Tidal Music Converter
You can use this tool to download and convert Tidal music to MP3, FLAC, WAV, AAC, etc. In this way, you can stream Tidal on Serato DJ Pro/Lite offline without any issues.
🏷 7. Contact Serato or Tidal Support
If none of the above methods work, you can contact Serato or Tidal support for further assistance. They will be able to provide you with more specific troubleshooting steps based on your issue.
See also: How to Fix Tidal Not Working
Part 5. FAQs about Tidal Serato
Q1: What DJ Software Does Tidal Work with, Besides Serato?
A: In general, Serato, Djay Pro, Pioneer, Denon, and Virtual DJ all work smoothly with Tidal. And now DJUCED and Edjing are on the list. Meanwhile, DJs are able to select the appropriate HiFi music from the Tidal library and stream Tidal to DJ software for music creation.
Q2: What Is the Music Quality When Using Tidal on Serato DJ Pro?
A: In practical terms, the streaming quality depends on your Tidal subscription level. Tidal HiFi users are able to stream in "High Quality" (AAC) or "High Fidelity Quality" (FLAC). And Tidal HiFi Plus subscribers can also stream MQA music in addition to the above options.
Q3: Can You Use Serato Lite without A Controller While Playing Tidal Music?
A: Yes. You can DJ on Serato DJ Lite without a controller or any other equipment, however, only on your laptop. On other devices such as desktops, you will need to use your computer keyboard to control the software.
Q4: How Do I Record Tidal Tracks in Serato?
A: You cannot record tracks from Tidal to Serato officially. But you can use third-party recorders to help you. Here, we advise you to take AudFree Audio Capture into consideration. It allows to record sounds on a computer including Tidal as local files.
Part 6. Summary
Whether you subscribe to Tidal paid plans or not, there are options available for using Tidal with Serato DJ Lite/Pro online and offline. For Tidal HiFi/HiFi Plus users, follow the steps above to get Tidal working with Serato DJ online. However, you are limited by some aspects. For free Tidal users, you can use the AudFree Tidal Music Converter to make Serato Tidal offline. Just start mixing your favorite Tidal tracks seamlessly.
Miley Swift
Staff Editor